"Lumbar" daypacks - Any suggestions?

“Anyobdy have any experience with these? The larger ones might be useful for mid-summer hikes. Any input on brands, or + and -'s. Here's an example; REI's largest house-brand pack.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=14017712&parent_category_rn=4500631&”

“Phydeux, that looks and sounds a lot like the Rokk Tsavo 1 that I've had for a few years---mine even came with removable shoulder straps. I can't convert it to a briefcase (like I would anyway) but can cram a days worth of gear into it. I use it on my mushroom picking hikes and small local day trips.”

“The best advise I can give ya is that the best lumbar pack is a small day pack. No matter how great they are they always hurt, don't have enough space, and they are so much more expencive than a basic day pack. Sure when ya get one with the shoulder straps that don't hurt they aren't too bad but by this time you've spent probably 5X the price of a basic day pack and it is basiclly a day pack where you are forced to carry everything clear down in the small of your back and you have a waiste belt on that is restricting your range of motion in your hips.

A day pack can be so much more versitile too. I have a small day pack with good compression straps on it and I use that for my sleeping bag stuff sack in my larger bag. This way I've got a day pack for day hikes.”

“In addition to what Nigal posted, I'll add that my experience with a lumbar pack has been that when carrying more than 1L of water the pack will flop and carry funny. The shoulder strap helps with this, but doesn't completely solve the problem.”

“Maybe you guys got a bad one? I had one for years and loved it. It had two bottle holders, and I could freakin spend an over nighter with it in the summer fair weather. It was never uncomfterble. I cant remember what moddel it was but I got it from REI.

Kind of looks like this, but with two large water bottle holders and a compressin strap on the front that I used to hold my jacket or a light sleeping bag sometimes.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47641631&parent_category_rn=4500631&vcat=REI_SEARCH
last edited: 6/20/05 9:10:12 AM”

“When I've loaded a lumbar pack for even a minimalist over nighter with maybe 5 pounds in it, I still had to tighten down the hip belt to the point of pain and it still flopped as lumberzack said.”

“See, great example Spirit. That Mountainsmith is $70, weighs 1 lbs,10 oz, and has 660 cubic inches. you can get an REI Vista day pack that is $55, has 1,500 ci., and only weighs 11 oz more.”

“What Nigal and Zac said.”

“yeah well I didnt pay that much for mine lol I bought it on a super clearence sale and with an rei dividened :) I like hiking and not having the straps on my shoulders. To me, Ive never found a comfy day pack.”

“I have an Osprey Flash lumbar pack that I like. Nice compression strap system to hold it snug and I think it's 1,110 cubic inches. Two water bottle holders which hold two nalgene quart bottles nicely. I got it probably around 12 years ago. I use it alot for cross-country skiing and day hiking. I've also used it when I feel the need to carry a pack while alpine skiing.”

“I use a small one for biking and was thinking a larger one might work for dayhikes. Most daypack's shoulder straps bite into my shoulders on long hikes. The REI one will hold water bottles pretty securely, which would be my major concern. Might drop a few $$$$ on one the next time I'm by their local store. Definately won't get the mountainsmith model - way too heavy and water bottles are not too secure in the pockets.”

“I was searching the threads for daypacks....and just saw this thread...


you guys were talking about fanny packs.

heh


ghey”