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I am a first time trekker heading to Kokoda in August and I am quite confused by the choices of backpacks. I will have a porter carrying mine but obviously I want to get the most reliable pack I can. Every camping store say's that there's is the best.
Are their a couple of reliable brands?Elev8
hey mate
i have just recentley gone through the same thing
i leave in six weeks time
i hve had the trip planed for about 1 year and after visiting nearly every camping shop in perth
i eventualy purchaced a black wolf pack http://www.blackwolf.com.au/rucksacks/bugaboo/
from what im told this pack won best pack for hiking the kokoda trail in 2007
i have done alot of training with the pac and so far and it seems to have come up with the goods
hope this helps
check out the link i have inserted there are many to choose fromHi elev8
Have to agree with ryano82, the Black Wolf was a superb pack, I picked up mine off ebay for about $42 and then my day pack was given to me by a mate who runs a pub, it was a Black Jim Beam day pack, sensational, lots of zipper pockets and pouches, easy and light to carry.
Cheers
Waza (Trek 83)
Not sure if anyone is trill reading this but….. There are lots a great brands out there, obviously some better than others. A couple of things to look for that really make a difference with a hiking pack, especially in a tough environment such as Kokoda, are the harness and the materials.
With the harness system, look for something that has a good solid waist belt, not a soft flimsy thing. The waist belt is there to support the weight (Not your shoulder straps) and transfer it through your hips to your thighs and buttocks. If it is too flimsy they just sag and make your shoulders do the weight baring. This will become very uncomfortable very quickly! You also have to make sure the shoulder straps are snug and comfortable too as they will support some of the weight just not much if you're set up right.
The other thing to look at is the materials used. With the harness system look for EVA foam, most companies now use this but look for something that feels comfortable when pulled tight. The main pack should be as light as possible but rugged. Materials such as Cordura and Rip Stop nylon are pretty tough and generally light. Canvas is very tough but a little heavier.
I could recommend the Xtreme Earth packs. There is even do a kokoda package with a sleeping bag that is great value. The harness is one of the most comfortable I've ever used and it's so easy to adjust to suit. http://www.xtremeearth.com.au
Yep. Everything ddkdave said.
Cannot stress the importance of the harness. If you do not want a damaged back or shoulders or to do irreversible damage to your body – then take the advice and search for a backpack with a decent harness, hip supports, back support and shoulder supports.
We went with Deuter packs and had no problems.
Whilst I don't disagree with the need for a good pack if you're a regular hiker, if, like me you don't overnight hike much and Kokoda was pretty much a one-off consider this: A lot of people (most) get porters. Your expensive pack will be wasted on them. I saw not one porter cinch the waist belt – they all hitch the shoulder straps really tight and ride the pack high.
Personally I'd spend the money on really good shoes.
Whilst I guess i agree with all I do though think Rocky is spot on the porters just throw it on seldom using the waist strap. Your Feet and Boots are the most important thing that you will take and need to look after if you have spare cash put it into boots do not skimp on them.
I have a mid range pack that was ideal for Kokoda and for the few through walks I do.
I also have a good quality Day/Hydro Pack that gets a great amount of use.What ever enjoy your trek
Brian
Hi, I agree with Rocky, most of our porters do not even bother doing up the waist belt if photographs I see are anything to go on.
I have heard them mention however, that they like a pack that sits high rather then it hangs off their back.
Even a female porter did not do up her strap as seen in the photograph taken below.
Or Brendan Buka the trek champion seen below.
IMGP0094.jpg
Brendan_Buka__small_.jpgIn regards to Backpacks it needs to be fitted to suit your body / frame size…everyone is different….but a more important point is…how its packed and the weight of it….reduce the weight as much as possible….going up the hills you wish you had…..I agree with others however… your feet are the most important….no blisters good fitting shoes…it makes it easier….the humidity and wetness will create havoc with your feet…..drier feet have much less chance of blisters…
be critical of yourself with your gear….it is amazing the gear that you may carry and never use….
It is possible to have a pack that weighs around the 8-9kg or less
Talking about weights in packs I have a group of friends who are leaving today to do three tracks in Tasmania one is a 6 day trek for want of a term the two I spoke to are "Professional" walkers. As they are carrying everything including food etc for the six days I asked them what weight their packed ended up.
Lyn's is 16kg and John's 18kg both for 6 days so it can be done.
They do not though have to carry excessive water as where they are going there is good drinking water most of the way.
Brian
QUOTE(Brian @ 10 Feb 2010, 01:53 PM) [snapback]11322[/snapback]Lyn's is 16kg and John's 18kg both for 6 days so it can be done.Brian
It most certainly can be done. My pack weighed in at 12.6kg & hubby's weighed in at 15.2kg – with the tent included – when we trekked Kokoda last year in October.I would also have to agree with Rocky in that if you are using porters then I guess it doesn't matter so much, however if you are going to be using your pack yourself at any other point in time (and you would hope to, otherwise rent one) my first point is very important.
I would also have to agree with Brian. Your feet are what gets you there and you don't want sore feet, so don't scrimp on those either.
You do have to think that these porters should be educated by the trek organisers and leaders to carry the packs properly though. After all, they are no different to any of us and should look after their body as much as possible. Without it, they don't have a job!I'm very agreeable today!
Brendan Buka was also my porter. I actually suggested he use the waist strap but he said he was not comfortable using them. He did adjust the shoulder straps to suit himself and I think this was much the same with other porters.
To be honest I do not think trek organisers would have much luck in telling the porters how to wear their packs. They may use the straps whilst they were in eye sight but as soon as they were out of it no doubt will be undone.
I personally made full use of mine.
My porters pack was 13kgs much the same as others although I bet by the time they got to Kokoda that were heavier with the porters own gear together with items they acquired along the way. I also carried a Day Pack for water etc.
Brian
Bren.jpgYes Brian that was my experience too. When I was speaking with the boys I quizzed them on waist straps and they said they don't like them because they feel it restricts their leg movements. I suppose with all the climbing up and down you take big lunges with your steps. Also because a lot of the boys are smaller than most of the trekkers the packs are relatively bigger and therefore the waist strap tends to sit lower.
Perhaps there's a bit of macho thrown in. In any event I don't think it's a lack of knowledge / training thing.
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