A Day Pack for Doctor Wu

Hi Hiker Friends,

I realize a similar thread passed around sometime in November but ummm...

I'm looking to get a new day pack. Right now I have a little EMS something or another and it's nice & simple but not good for early spring or late fall when you may need crampons and/or snowshoes but taking the heavy pack is overkill. Or also when you're doing a longer hike (1 day Pemi Loop) and you need extra room for supplies and don't want it to sag at the same time.

Any suggestions for a sturdy daypack, not too huge but not too small. Places to comfortably attach snowshoes is a plus. Side water bottle holders is a *must* -- I like to gulp my water. I tend to put everything in EMS bags so compartments aren't necessary really. I'd say 15-20lbs weight capacity.

Style and image isn't too important. I spoke to my hairstylist and he said that he could sculpt my hairdoo to match the pack, whatever it is. So that's not an issue, thank God.

In the previous thread, somebody mentioned Wild Things Gear... the "Racer Pack" looks nice but maybe it's too expensive & also big. But someone could convince me otherwise.

Please Help!

All The Love In The Universe,

Dr. Wu

PS. Oh, and if there's anyway I could get a pack that'll keep burritos and quesadillas from Anna's Taqueria warm and fresh, let me know!

Here's a nice winter daypack: http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_...469&PRODUCT<>prd_id=16441&bmUID=1110899077244

check out the Osprey Switch or Ceres series. Excellent compression system for attaching skis, snowshoes, or snowboards.

Love my GoLite "Jam" pack.
It's plenty big and plenty light.
Have used it on winter day hikes this season and it accomodates all my gear. Will be using it all seasons for everything but overnights.

The North Face Terra 40 is what I use for a winter daypack. Plenty of room-water bottle pockets,lotsa places to attach to.
I believe it has a compartment to store your cigar as well!

Big Fan of Dana

Dr. Wu,

Fortunately you have only a gazillion choices. I confess to being a big fan of the Dana Design stuff, much of which is available for good prices on ebay (where I bought two, a monster-6000 cubes--and a nice little day pack--1800 cubes or so). www.danadesign.com for all of their specs. Excellent combinations of features, magic comfort, and so forth. Now, you are asking, how come we don't see you sportin' that Dana pack on those winter hikes? Well, I bought and EMS one in the right load range before I got hip to Dana, and have demonstrated a modicum of frugality in not replacing it before it is worn out.

Dr. Wu, I've got a brand new winter daypack (used once) I'll sell you at a discount. It's a Dana Designs Sluskin 45 (black/size medium). Google it, go try one on at REI then if you like I'll sell to you at whatever price you think is fair.

I have an EMS 2800 LT (don’t know if they make it anymore – can’t find it on their site) that has a padded back, no frame, but good shoulder straps and a wide-enough belt on a basic garbage can top-loader. I cut a piece of an old sleeping pad to bend around the inside of the pack and serve as a stiffener, but it doubles as a seat pad. It’s tall and thin so a moderately-length ice ax doesn’t stick way out over the top and it works well with skis and doesn’t get hung up on narrow passages through rocks or trees – a good bushwacker. The whole thing weighs about 2 lbs. with the pad and is great for long days or an overnight in winter. I guess it’s comfortable since I mostly don’t notice it when I’m carrying it.

I have been using the Marmot Eiger pack and found it to be a perfect size for winter day hikes. It is a very clean pack, no straps dangling all over. It fits nice and snug to my back. I am on my third year with the pack and it has no signs of wear yet and I XC ski and snwshoe with it almost eveyday.

Dr. Wu
I second the Dana Design packs I would suggest the Bomb Pack
Good size shove it pocket that can be striped off and an inside pocket and port for a bladder.
Top lid can be put together with the belt for a fanny pack and a really unbeatable support system in the Arcflex.
Great construction and very comfortable.
Might be a little big for a day hike but has compression straps that make smaller laods ride well.
Al

jfb posted early on a link to MEC (Mountain Equipment Coop). Take a serious look at their line of packs. They have one of the widest selections of moderately priced packs I've seen.

check out gregory packs. i use an ekko for day hikes, and i want to get the whitney (6000 cubes) this summer. i got the ekko for christmas and i've found it excellent for winter hiking. i can strap my snowshoes to the side with the compression straps, and the ice axes loops are adjustable, so you can hold everything nice and still. it's got water bottle holders on each side (not quite deep enough for a nalgene to stay completely locked in, but they suffice), 2 axes loops, 3 little daisy chains on the front and 2 on top, and a nifty main compartment access from the front. it also has a water bladder sack thingy, and a padded sunglasses pocket. i've loaded it up 25 lbs of winter stuff and it didn't budge, even bushwhacking. this pack is definitely worth checking out. take the time to get it adjusted just right, and you'll be in great shape.

luke

I got whatever was on clearance that was usable. You've seen my Lowe Alphine Contour 30. Basic pack with side pockets. I use the side pockets for skis or snowshoes in the winter and the inside back pocket for a platypus or camelback bladder. I also use it in summer. I'm not too particular on my daypacks, maybe I'm lucky but I haven't had a fit problem. I also used to use it bike commuting til I got panniers.

I would suggest to get something with the side mesh pockets, because then you can at least use it for winter dayhikes. and waterbottles in the summertime.

Jay

Another vote for the Dana Designs Bomb Pack! Mine is about 12 years old and I use it summer and winter.

You may also want to check out the Cold Cold World Chernobyl...very light, excellent quality and design, best day pack out there IMO...next on my list...I have the CCW Chaos for extended trips...

You can special order the pack and Randy (owner) will do any alterations you want...Made right in Jackson NH....

I appreciate everyone's responses. Some of the packs, like the Dana Design Bombpack I think is too big. I'm really looking for a smallish summer day pack that has a decent frame, side pouches for water bottle, enough capacity for extra-long dayhikes (but not overnighters -- I have a nice overnight pack) and places to clip my snowshoes or crampons for early spring / late fall hikes.

Basically I like my little EMS bookbag thing for dayhikes. It's pretty comfortable but 1) I can't attach my snowshoes anywhere and 2) for a long trip, like a Pemi Loop (which I'm planning on doing) there isn't enough room for extra supplies. This is why I want something a little roomier & with good support. I'm open to using a bladder for liquids (I don't currently use one) but I still want side pockets for water bottles because I like to be able to gulp water. I won't buy one without side pockets.

These look nice to me so far:

http://www.ospreypacks.com/eclipse_36+5.htm
http://www.danadesign.com/packs/specialist/racerx.asp
http://www.danadesign.com/packs/trail/3000.asp
http://www.marmot.com/products/product.php?cat=packs&subcat=40&style_id=E2507
http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?productId=1684
http://www.thenorthface.com/opencms/opencms/tnf/gear.jsp?productId=1676
http://www.wildthingsgear.com/racer.html

And some of the ones you guys have suggested. None of the ones I've looked at seem ideal. Some are too big or overpriced or don't have the snowshoe thing. OR DON'T HAVE SIDE POCKETS FOR WATER BOTTLES!!!

Anyway, if anyone has any experience with any of these please chime in or I'll just take into consideration all the ones you've mentioned so far and the ones I've found. Thanks.

Regards,

Dr. Wu

PS. Maybe I'll go over to Hiltons Tent City after work and look at some of these.

Dr. Wu. Not all side pockets are created equal and your snowshoes might influence the ability of the side pockets to hold. I perused the links that you list and my Lowe is similar to th TNF Neutron 32, which has a sloping mesh pocket that is wide enough to fit the tails of my Sherpas. MSR snowshoes tend to have more square pattern which may affect the fit. The Marmot pack you list has side pockets but from the picture, it looks like it might not be big enough for snowshoes. Of course, with the daisy chain on that pack, you might get away with just stashing your snowshoes together and in the back. But the way I do my snowshoes in my Lowe in the sides, it doesn't prevent me from accessing my backpocket or the main storage area.

Also, daypacks with compression straps on the side is useful to help stash the snowshoes in and the grab handle on the top and a 'biner I use to keep the snowshoes from falling over when not verticle.

My lowe alpine is only 1800ci but I can stash a bunchload of gear there I've found. Ideally, something at least 2000ci would be a better winter daypack, IME, but I get by.

Jay

Jay H said:

Dr. Wu. Not all side pockets are created equal and your snowshoes might influence the ability of the side pockets to hold. I perused the links that you list and my Lowe is similar to th TNF Neutron 32, which has a sloping mesh pocket that is wide enough to fit the tails of my Sherpas. Jay

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I really want the side pockets just for waterbottles. I just want a way -- in a pinch -- to put my snowshoes somewhere on the pack. Right now I can't do that with my daypack.

I'm checking out the Lowe Alpine site now!

-Wu-

Ahhhhhhhhh....
Hey Now!

http://www.golite.com/products/prodlist.asp?category=15&type=U
http://www.golite.com/products/prodlist.asp?category=16&type=U

What's people's experience with GoLite Packs!? I don't care about the weight issue -- I'm bound to load my pack with crap anyway, but it looks like what I want. One of those packs.

-Wu

dr_wu002 said:

What's people's experience with GoLite Packs!? I don't care about the weight issue -- I'm bound to load my pack with crap anyway, but it looks like what I want. One of those packs.

Click to expand...

I'd be interested also.

Sierra trading post has one on sale at a price that is hard to resist. Look here.

Tony