Kit for my Peru Expedition 2012

[RobbC]

So as some of you may know im going on an Expedition to Peru through my school. Im goin to be there for a month and for most of that il be hiking. If anyone is interested in what we are going to be doing out there just say and i may put it in another thread :).

Right anyway il kick off by asking about a decent rucksack and daysack. The rucksack needs to be fairly light, tough, very comfortable and at least 60 litres. Ive got 3 in mind so far.

Vango Sherpa 65, despite being the heaviest of the 3 i like some of the features, and it does look bloody comfortable :P - http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/sherpa-65-p149978

Vango Contour 60+10, slightly lghter than the Sherpa, slightly more spacious, althought you cant see the back in the photo which is slightly annoying :/ - http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/contour-60-plus-10-p149964

Berghaus Verden 65+10, the most spacious, lightest, although again you cannot see the back :/ - http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/berghaus-verden-65plus10-p101634

Opinions on these? Or any other suggestions or recomendations? I will probably ask for more opinions on various pieces of kit over the coming months :)



Thanks in advance, Robb

[Metal mug]

The vango sherpa is a comfy rucksack. Haven't used a contour or verden though.

[comanighttrain]

Whats going in the bag dude?

I can positively recommend the Snugpak Rocketpak. Very comfortable to carry, has a hydration pouch( hole for the bladder not the bladder itself), upper and under lid pockets and detatchable side packs. Very thick padding on the shoulder and waist. Lighter than the bags you have shown. comes with a rucky cover which is velcrod inside a lower pocket. You can pick them up for about £70

http://www.snugpak.com/index.php?MenuID=93-98&ItemID=130

I'd be interested to know what you get up to if you fancy writing it in another thread.

[GwersyllaCnau]

I'd def be interested in hearing about the trip.

[Martin]

Robb, I totally agree with Comanightrain is saying. Get the lightest bag you can afford that will carry all your stuff. If you're going to be lugging that around Peru for a month you don't want to be carrying an extra kilo of weight around if you can help it. I've never seen the Snugpak bag but I've heard good things about them.

Martin

[Metal mug]

Don't forget to take a camera. (Just make sure it's not a victorian one with a wooden tripod) :)

[jus_young]

I have the Sherpa. Good Rucksack with additional space in the side pockets so that makes it 65+, two top pockets where one contains a rain cover with room to spare, internal divider on the main compartment if like me you like to keep the sleeping bits seperate, internal pocket with attachment for a bladder system and the necessary exit hole and clip for the hose/mouthpeice. Its very comfortable to wear and the adjustable strap/back system means that you can set the whole thing up to suit your body profile. It is a little heavy maybe but damned comfortable.

[RobbC]

Thanks for you comments everyone, im seriously considering the Sherpa, but i'll try it out at the shop before i buy. Keep the suggestions and opinions coming though, its all much appreciated. I also need a daysack of around 25-30 litres so again suggestions welcome :)

For everyone who is interested I wrote up what I will be doing out there.
http://www.naturalbushcraft.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?1994-Information-on-my-Peru-expedition-2012&p=24740#post24740

Thanks, Robb

[comanighttrain]

sorry to pipe in again big yin! bit of a bag fetish me.

I was looking at one of these - omm classic marathon 32l (http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/product-reviews/omm-classic-marathon-32l-tested/5413.html) - you can also get a smaller 25l one which also reviews well. And an underslung bag on a belt if you want to boost the size or think you can go with 10l...

Also, worthy of note since your wanting a day sack, the snugpak i mentioned before has detatchable side pockets with are 15l each. If you get the yoke then you can take the pockets off and it forms another smaller pack. This can be tremendously useful if you want to leave your camp gear in the big compartment and just take your day kit but only want to take one rucky.... I love this bag. Although I still want the omm...and osprey...etc...etc...

[jus_young]

Or this may be an option http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/vango-freedom-60-plus-20-rucksack-p191794
Its a little heavier than the Sherpa 65 but not by much but the daysack size might be a little too small.

[comanighttrain]

not feeling the colour there bro :P

[jus_young]

:D

[Martin]

sorry to pipe in again big yin! bit of a bag fetish me.

I was looking at one of these - omm classic marathon 32l (http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/product-reviews/omm-classic-marathon-32l-tested/5413.html) - you can also get a smaller 25l one which also reviews well. And an underslung bag on a belt if you want to boost the size or think you can go with 10l...

Also, worthy of note since your wanting a day sack, the snugpak i mentioned before has detatchable side pockets with are 15l each. If you get the yoke then you can take the pockets off and it forms another smaller pack. This can be tremendously useful if you want to leave your camp gear in the big compartment and just take your day kit but only want to take one rucky.... I love this bag. Although I still want the omm...and osprey...etc...etc...

I've got the OMM Classic 32 and it's a great little pack. I've also got the optional chest pack that attaches to it and it makes the whole thing that much more useable. I store all sorts in the chest pack like compass, glasses, maps, snacks, mobile phone etc etc. It means that I don't have to keep taking my pack off to get those little things that you frequently want when you're out in the hills.

Having said that, I'm hoping that my new Paramo smock will mean that I'll be keeping all those things in the pocket of that but the point still remains that the OMM Classic 32 is a lovely little pack and the chest pouch compliments it beautifully.

Martin

[chris_leech]

I have the Sherpa, an although I haven't had the chance to do a proper hike/trip with it yet, but ive had it fully loaded up in the house (yeah, im that cool) and it seems pretty comfy.

Also, because I'm really tight, I had a try on in go-outdoors and ordered on eBay with a saving of circa £15 iirc

[Bushwhacker]

Don't strap anything to the outside of your pack. I suspect you'll be going through a number of airports and things do go missing.
It's best to have an expedition bag or even a cover to keep everything inside, straps 'n' all.

[RobbC]

sorry to pipe in again big yin! bit of a bag fetish me.
Haha, its fine feel free to pipe in as much as you want :D

[RobbC]

@Bushwhacker, i never actually thought of that, but il defo make sure i do that now:)

[RobbC]

I have the Sherpa, an although I haven't had the chance to do a proper hike/trip with it yet, but ive had it fully loaded up in the house (yeah, im that cool) and it seems pretty comfy.

Firstly Welcome to the website:D. And be sure to let me know if the sherpa gets a proper airing and how it perfomed.

Again thanks to everyone for their input:D

Robb

[JEEP]

I have a Vango Sherpa - it is a good pack for the money really.

[RobbC]

Right guys, bit of an update. Ive decided to go with an osprey pack, an Argon 70ltr. Its slightly heavier but i tried it in store and it is the most comfortable pack i have ever had on my back. :D

http://www.tiso.com/shop/osprey/argon_70_rucksack/

Robb