Heavy load expidition pack

Hi all, great forum.

I have a question which I sure has been asked a million times but I am struggling at the moment making a decision. I live in Australia and am preparing for a camping trip that could be for 3 months or more of survival camping. I know people will be critical of this but just imagine a fantasy scenario where you had to survive in the bush in Australia for an extended period of time. Anyway I am looking at backpacks that can carry big loads with the most ease. I am also interested in a versatile backpack with lots of easy access pockets though this isn't essential just a nice bonus.

The plan would be to get to different base camps and stay for several weeks at each or even months. So day packs can be used once you set up camp. This pack is intended mainly to carry heavy loads to the camp. Something along the lines of military use packs etc..

It does not have to be External or internal frame. I am still undecided on what the best would be and I know that trying them on the the best way but a lot of the best packs can't be purchased here in Australia so shipping is the only option (these can be returned if not satisfactory).

So far I have looked at: Cirrus access 7000 f2, Kelty tioga 5500, ARUC systems backpack, Kelty red cloud, Denali pro (gregory), and the norrona reconpack (not sure if they ship here yet).

Any advice at all would be very much appreciated!

Kind regards,
Terry.

For packing large, heavy and awkward loads (like humping that water buffalo back to camp or carrying a jerry can full of water) an external frame pack is your best friend. You can remove the pack bag and just lash stuff to the bare frame if need be -

You live in Oz and haven't mentioned MacPac????!?!?!!!??? This Kiwi company makes some of the finest packs in the world. They make several excellent expedition models, and, being from the Antipodes, have just a bit of an idea of what is needed for the Outback.

Quote: You live in Oz and haven't mentioned MacPac????!?!?!!!??? This Kiwi company makes some of the finest packs in the world. They make several excellent expedition models, and, being from the Antipodes, have just a bit of an idea of what is needed for the Outback.

Nope had not heard of them until you post!!! Thanks buddie I will look into them. How do you rate them compared to say the Norrona reconpack, Kifaru, Berghaus cyclops II Vulcan rucksack, etc? I want the best money can buy :)

Cheers!

I had first heard of MacPac from my friends down under, but only got a few looks at them when I went on a few treks in other parts of the world. I got a good look at them a couple years ago, and now have a small daypack of my own. I would rank them among the top few outdoor companies in the world, so if you are looking for the best money can buy, I don't think you will go wrong with what for you is essentially a "home" product. If I had no pack and were looking for one, the few names I would choose from would be (in no particular order) MacPac, Mystery Ranch, Dana Designs (at least those that Dana Gleason designed before he sold the company), Osprey, Gregory (although I can't get the Gregory's to fit me quite right), Lowe Alpine, maybe a couple others.

I would recommend Mystery Ranch's NICE Overkill frame plus 6500 bag and Crew Cab system. This is the BEST pack I have ever had out of 30+ in over 40 years of serious mountain work/recreation in western/northern Canada.

I have Mystery Ranch BDSB-Kodiak, Futura Deluxe, NICE Frame-reg. plus Loadsling and also 6500 bag as well as the NICE Overkill Frame with Crew Cab and extra Bivalve Lid, I have two Fliptop Pockets on each plus a gunbearer.

I have/had Gregory Denali Pro, Kifaru LHR and Siwash packs, original Dana Bozeman Terraplane Overkill and you name it and NOTHING equals the NICE packs, only a custom McHale might be as good.

Check www.mysteryranch.com and see what is available.

Dude,

The TNF (the North Face) Catalyst 60 or 75 is the best heavy load pack in the world. It was reviewd many times very highly, but the most impressive write up in is 'Backpacker' magazine where it wins Editor's choice awards for being the perfect pac. In fact they have put it into the Gold Award Choice al-time Hall of Fame!

You need to check this pac out!

If you are looking for a heavy duty, carry anything pack I'd shy away from packs made by companies that also make ladies lingerie (The North Face). Bill's and Kutenay's suggestions sound good.

You're searching for something that can handle a good amount of weight, yet feel comfortable with.
Look at:
Deuter ACT 75+10 Pack, and get their Single external pockets ( 600 cu.in. ) additional volume.

Although, not to large of pack, like the Denali-Pro, by Gregory. The Deuter Pack is abit more versatile than the Denali-Pro, The Deuter suspension/harness can handle 75-80 lbs. And is not overkill..
Note: ( Their adjustable Vari-Quick System )

The Pack:
http://www.deuterusa.com/products/productDetail.php?packID=aircontact75+10&sub=trekking&tert=aircontact

System:( Vari-Quick Suspension/Harness )
http://www.deuterusa.com/systems/

External Pockets:
http://www.deuterusa.com/products/productDetail.php?packID=externalPockets&sub=accessories&tert=accessories

i own a Kelty Red cloud 6650.
and its huge!
its very adjustable and quite comfortable it was an upgrade from my military alice pack and and older Kelty ex-frame.
it has a ton of pockets inside and out and daisy chains down the front.
its camel back design works well and the wide hip belt is good for about 80 lbs (tested,not regular weight)
ive never gone for months on end with it but i have packed everything but our tent for two people for two to three days in this pack and it fit.
had to do some re-adjusting but it worked.
my .002

I own two Gregory's Packs, one is the Denali Pro, 6450 c.i. and with additional 4-pockets which adds-up to 1,250 more cu.in. rounding the total ( 7700 cu.in ) Max wt handling 120#..Paid $1,147.00 for all for Winter expedition that never gone thur.

The next one is rare, Gregory's MU-2 Full Military-Universal Camo pack with 2 additional Camo Pockets, and breaks down to 3-different style of packs. Believed the total volume is 7800 cu.in. with all 3 combine. The max handling wt: listed 125# Price @ $1,495.00 for everything Still Look as New as the day I bought it from Gregory.
P.S. ( This my Winter Hunting pack )..

Although I won't part with them.. Don't do the type of Winter Pack Trips like I used to anymore...( Old Age )..

Now, for the Heavy-Duty Packs you sure pay the price one way, or another.

From;
Old Hermit

I had a Denali Pro from 2003 to 2006, I found it peaked at about 60 lbs. My Mystery Ranch BDSB, developed for the USN Seals and my MR NICE systems, both reg. and "Overkill" will handle 100 lbs, FOR ME, with greater comfort than my Denali would carry half that weight.

Darned, Mr.K, if carrying 100 pounds isn't a somewhat notable feat of altheticism, whatever the backpack you've purchased... and all hats off to ya man...

But that's only a quarter of the weight deemed necessary in your recent post for day hiking in the fearsome wilderness of British Columbia.

So what do you do with all that extra capacity?

My guess is for day hikes Mr. K. doesn't use an expedition pack. The original post was in regards to large capacity expedition packs rather than day hiking.

I second Bill's recommendation of MacPac. I have a MacPac sleeping bag I bought in NZ. You can find their gear on their website http://www.macpac.co.nz and their gear is available in stores all over Australia. The website has a store locator. Paddy Pallin carries MacPac and there are Paddy Pallin stores in all the main cities, including Hobart and Perth.

MacPac gear isn't necessarily the lightest or most cutting edge, but the quality is tops and they have very good customer service. As you probably know, the weather and conditions in NZ can be pretty harsh, so their gear is made to withstand all that and last a long time. It would most likely be easier to get replacement parts or repairs for MacPac than for an American or European brand.

Another pack to look at is the Kelty Cloud spectra pack-not to be confused with the Red Cloud. They are modular, light and outrageously expensive. I've seen one that another member here has. You can occasionally find them on eBay for about half price, which is still around $400 US.

For a really different design, look at Luxury Lite. These packs have an external frame and pack bags that look like soft tubes that stack on the frame. The tubes come in different sizes. There is some commentary on these packs on The Lightweight Backpacker in the gear forum. That website is http://backpacking.net. I've never seen one, just pictures and read about them, but the people who own them, seem to really like them.