All those straps?????????

“Just getting into regular backpacking. Always just used to same old external for my very occasional trips.
Now I am wondering what some of the straps do on these new packs. Most of my trips are solo so I am looking for ideas on the proper or inventive ways to use these straps.
For example what are the straps that are stiched to the pack every inch or so. The straps either run on top of or down the packs. What are these for?
What excatly do the small staps that are on the hip belt do?
Also those two loops hanging down at the bottom of most packs?
My last pack did not even have load lifters, aren't those things wonderful.
Thanks for any input! Don't get to be around experianced BPers so just looking for tips.”

“the loop hanging down at the bottom is probably an ice axe loop. The ones that are stiched to the pack every inch or so are there so you have places to hang stuff like climbing gear, etc. Some of the other straps could be compression straps to suck the load close to your back for better balance and stuff.”

“Most of them are compression straps to get your gear into a nice tight bundle or adjustments for fit.

The small straps at the hipbelt will snug up the hipbelt and help to customize the fit for you. The straps that run underneath the sleeping bag compartment cinch up that compartment and can also be used to hold a sleeping pad. With an internal, I prefer to place everything on the inside of the pack, except when I am carrying a closed-cell sleeping pad like the RidgeRest. If you like, you can be resourceful and use the compression straps to stow some gear on the outside of the pack. I've always felt that it could unbalance the load by placing items farther from your back and it just looks disorganized.”

“Oh, you mean the daisy chain! Those provide a convenient place to hang stuff off the pack.”

“After you use the pack for a while and find out what you do and do not use then get out your scissors and remove extra strap length. If you don't think you will ever use an ice ax, cut the loop off and so on. You can often remove as much as a half a pound from your pack that you will never have to carry again.”

“but dont cut off straps that may be used to hold wet gear or something, later.

just roll up the unused part and wrap a rubber band around it.”

“Don't cut off straps, get a new pack that doesn't have so many straps on it. Just because they make these types of packs, doesn't mean they are worth a crap. What you want it a pack with a Delrin Hoop system, and a shovel pocket. That's all you need, other then the normal compression straps.”

“I cut 'em all off. I don't buy a packbag to hang crap on the outside. (just my german heritage anal-retentive neatness complex). I cut almost a lb off of my both my packs.”

“i try to put everything inside, too.

but my neat side tells me not to put a dripping wet poncho, shirt, etc, in with my dry gear.”

“Any wet stuff goes outside of the drawstring type closure on top and under the pack lid. Being a woods hiker and a frequent bushwacker I just got tire of stuff snagging on branches.”

“I get tire of bitches and skeeza's, but you don't see me disrespectin all da ho's!

Do we like BBD, you hoochie groupie?”

“yeah, but it won't dry when wadded up. just keep it centered and it's all good.”

“although i don't do it much either. i usually wear my wet gear until it dries.

but some things, like a poncho or fly, need to go somewhere.”

“rad, they make adult diapers that might save you some embarrassment when you wet your gear.”

“har de har har HAAARRRRRrrrrr!!!”

“What the hell is BBD?”

“My daisy chains remain 90% useless, but every once in a while when I clip something on with a carabiner I'm sure glad I have them.”

“Rad, I'd be interested in hearing about your poncho. I'm looking for new raingear. How long have you been using one? I would think it would have better ventilation. I'm hoping it might replace a jacket, pack cover, and tarp all at once.”

“Used military ponchos at www.cheaperthandirt.com. About $15, about 1 1/2 lbs. In all but the fiercest weather, it's my raingear, packcover, and shelter. Breathes a whole lot better than Goretex. And it's woodland camo, my favorite color.”

“Steiny
What's the dementions of that poncho laid out flat?
Is it very bluky?”

“Dude,

I think it's something like 64 x 90, more or less. Not bulky at all. Takes up less room than a folded-up ground cloth, or balls up to softball size. Has grommets at the corners and along the sides. I have short pieces of paracord attached to all the grommets for staking it out. Usually set it up as a lean-to, using 3' sticks as poles and a couple of short lengths of paracord to hold it up. It's obviously not going to give you a whole lot of protection in a wind-driven rain, but I have gone winter camping with just that as shelter and done fine. If you're hiking with a buddy that has one as well, you can snap 2 (or more) together for quite a nice little shelter.”

“Thanks
I looked on that web site and didn't see any. I'll try the local Army Surplus store.”

“Dude,

www.sportsmansguide.com. Item #WX1-33464 - Used military poncho, 80"x65", 21 0z., rubberized ripstop nylon, $14.97

www.cheaperthandirt.com. Item #MGR-935, used military poncho, 6'x8', vinyl (they say), $14.97.

Differing sizes and naterial descriptions but they're probably the same. I order a lot from Sportsmans Guide and they're very good on returns and customer satisfaction. The ponchos I have are from Cheaper Than Dirt (they happened to be cheaper at that time) and I'm happy with them. You could check your local surplus and maybe save on S & H.”

“Thanks again. I'm always looking for new ways to do stuff. That's one of the cool things about BPing.”

“mine is a waterproof nylon poncho that i bought at rei. i roll it up and stash it on the back, when wet, since i'll prolly have to use it again, soon, anyways.”