Hi Rob,
Mike from MD's here. I have to agree with Andrew, I gone completely away
from using heavy canvas packs and am now using one made of a very light
weight fabric. It seems to a general trend. There are many different fabrics
but some of the synthetic nylons have a coating of PU on the inside to make
the nylon waterproof. Unfortunately this delaminates of a period of time, in
my experience about 5 years (All those flecks of brown glue in your pack -
it's your waterproofing!!). That's why canvas became so popular, it's
inherently waterproof and seems to last as long the Egyptians!! Its only
real drawback is the weight and when it gets wet it gets sodden (it won't
let the water through though) and gets even heavy - you need to use a
raincover with it.
Look at packs made from X-Pac (a number of manufacturers suggested by Andrew
use it). The waterproof layer is laminated between two other layers so its
protected and won't get worn away, and it's light and hard wearing. Check
out the websites or catalogues as most have a section on fabrics.
Good Luck,
Mike Wood

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob Howes" <howes@...>
To: <aushiker@...>
Sent: Sunday, April 13, 2003 9:56 PM
Subject: Re: [Aushiker] Assistance required


> Thanks for info, I have had several others reply to date and all have been
> of great benefit. Am in Perth later this month and will take the
opportunity
> to look at packs then.
>
> Rob
> Geraldton.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Andrew Priest" <andrew@...>
> To: <aushiker@...>
> Sent: 13 April, 2003 7:34 PM
> Subject: Re: [Aushiker] Assistance required
>
>
> > At 07:07 PM 13/04/2003, you wrote:
> >
> > >I have researched most of the equipment and started doing prep walks
> > >building up to the Sept. trip. I am having problems in selecting a
> suitable
> > >back pack. I have followed the gear reviews however I would prefer
> personal
> > >recommendations from WA. Any suggestions what to look for?
> >
> > Hi Rob
> >
> > First up how much gear to you take? If you keep your gear list down in
> size
> > then consider a smaller pack. I have got away with my Granite Gear (62
> > litre capacity) on a seven day hike of the Cape to Cape Track in
November.
> >
> > That said I also own a Macpac Cascade (85 Litres)
> >
>
<http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Packs/Internal%20and%20External%20F
>
ramed%20Backpacks/Macpac%20Cascade/Owners%20Review%20by%20Andrew%20Priest/>
> > and don't seem to have much problem filling it up when I use it!
> >
> > My preference is to use the Granite Gear because it is light compared to
> my
> > Macpac Cascade (1.6 kg versus 2.9 kg) and I really don't see the need,
on
> a
> > lot of my trips for a pack made of 12 oz canvas. I have also carried 20
> kg
> > in the Granite Gear Nimbus without trouble. That same load in the
Macpac
> > would have been 21+ kg and less comfortable.
> >
> > That said, the most popular designs out here are 12oz canvas type packs
> > such as Macpac, Mountain Designs, Wilderness Equipment, One Planet
> > etc. Personally I find them to heavy. An alternative available here is
> > the Deuter range of packs ... they may be lighter.
> >
> > Based on my experience as walk leader and as a owner, I would stay clear
> of
> > brands such as Black Wolf, and bite the bullet getting something a bit
> more
> > expensive but with a better harness system. The harness system seems
> > pretty important in combination with getting your carried weight down.
I
> > try to keep my base weight (minus water and food) to under 10 kg.
> >
> > The bottom line is to try the packs on in the shop, make sure they put
> some
> > weight in them (say 12 - 15 kg), spend sometime walking around the shop
> and
> > see what you feel comfortable with.
> >
> > Others have thoughts?
> >
> > Andrew
> >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Aushiker: Hiking in Western Australia - http://aushiker.com
> > Located at -31.91667 / 115.83333
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > aushiker-unsubscribe@...
> >
> >
> >
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> >
> >
>
>
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