Choosing A Pack Type – Please Help!

[Kate6]

Hi everyone,
A friend and I are trekking Kokoda in April and I just have a question regarding packs – we are both hiring porters.

I am looking to buy a pack for the trek and think I have overloaded myself with information and options! I have been looking at travel packs with the removable day pack and zip up cover for the harness and straps. However, I was advised that these packs are not always suitable and while the zip on day pack is convenient, these attached day packs can be pretty basic and small in size. So, having a hiking pack and buying a separate, better quality day pack may be the way to go – any tips? I just want to make sure I have the right type of quality pack for myself and my porter!

Also, if the pack doesn't have a zip up cover for the harness – is this a big issue for airport travel or is buying a separate cover for the pack the way to go?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks,
Kate

[Andrew1969]

I agree Kate, you can overload on information and then have it all swirling around in your head! Not sure about the type of pack needed given that you are using a porter. But I know that I have read advice on either here or trek company websites about this. When I go I wont be using a porter, so I have been informed I need a 75lt pack. The 'day packs' that I have seen in stores are tiny, generally 10lt.

Aside from pack selection, boot choice will be the crucial decision……these are your best friend/worst enemy depending on what you select. I'm budgeting on spending the most $ on my boots. Not spending any more than $150 on a pack though as I hate hiking/camping/bushwalking so will only ever use the pack for Kokoda.

How are your plans going?

[Rocky]

Hi Kate, agree with Andrew. Seems like you can save some money and get a pretty cheap one – they are in every hiking / sports store. Just make sure you have the right litres. Your porter will be right (he won't even attach the hip strap…..)

Sounds like you can get use out of a day pack, so you may want to get a decent one. These can double up as useful carry on bags on flights if you get one the right size.

Don't worry about the bags for check in as you will be provided with a plastic cover if you want one and that will do you.

[Kate6]

Hi Rocky and Andrew,

Thanks for your advice – you've both been really helpful!

I totally agree about the day packs, they do seem quite small so I think I might look into purchasing a separate day pack as I'll probably get further use of of it and can use it as carry on in other trips. It's good to know if I don't have a cover for the harness straps it shouldn't be a problem – having heard horror stories of straps being cut off at airports I was a little concerned!

Regarding shoes, I have brought a pair recently which I'm happy with (Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra 2GTX) – I just had a bit of a dilemma with the sizing. I have big feet so I'm usually a size 10, but couldn't decide whether the 9.5 or 10 would be best. My left foot is half a size larger than my right foot and when I stood on a downhill surface, my toes touched the end of the shoe in the left foot of the 9.5. I decided on going with the 10 as although I wasn't sure if they were a touch too big, I figure a little more room is better than less, considering the steep terrain and possible foot swelling due to climate I wouldn't want to risk my toes pushing up against the end of my shoe the whole time. Hopefully this is sound reasoning? I have been losing sleep over it!

Other than that, plans are going well – beginning training in the gym as well as hikes around our area, which I'm looking forward to. How are your plans/prep going?

Thanks again for the advice, it's so good to hear about others' experiences!

Cheers,
Kate

[Andrew1969]

I'm not going until June/July 2013 so general fitness work at the moment…..although I admit to spending waaaay too much time looking into packs, tents, boots etc etc.

Looking at BLACK WOLF MCKINLEY HIKING RUCKSACK 75L and Black Wolf mantis tent, not sure whether to get the Mantis 1 or 2. The 2 is a similar weight but bigger. Not hiring a porter so i don't need a day pack but do need a large enough pack to take everything.

[Rocky]

Don't lose any more sleep over your boot decision Kate. You were right, erring on the side of too big is by far the better option.

Your feet do get mashed about coming down hills especially as it's very steep. You may want to consider a thin pair of socks underneath a thicker pair, that's what I did, as my boots were also slightly too big too. Try it out when you're training and see if it works for you.

[Author]

Posts