Thanks for the review. Always good to hear what people like/don’t like in their packs. What kind of pack did you see a lot on the trail that others really liked?
@@freedom_on_the_trail Makes sense for osprey and macpac! Macpac is the most common outdoor brand in NZ, so I can definitely a bunch of Kiwi's getting gear from there! Plus we have a "she'll be right!" attitude so I'm sure many of us thought "eh why buy a really expensive backpack and pay for shipping from the US when I can just pop down the road and get a macpac pack". Osprey is the "next level up" hiking bags. They have a reputation of lifetime warranty (us Kiwi's love a lifetime warranty!) and they are just a bit better and lighter than typical packs you get from the main brands. As a Kiwi in the outdoor industry, seeing those two brands as some of the most popular doesn't surprise me in the slightest!
Hi Kurt, thank you for this review of your backpack. Lots of good information! I guess for me, it wouldn't work because of the 14 kg weight limit you mention. It's really hard to decide on a backpack that is lightweight, comfortable and sturdy at the same time. But it's good to know, that the recommended max. weight load is reliable and shouldn't be majorly overloaded. I was just wondering, what brand the other backpack was that you had before this one?
I have the Gossamer Gear Mariposa. It's a 65 litre backpack. More comfortable in carrying heavy weights but the material is not as robust. I like the brain and three side pockets. But it also has the pull-from-the-centre-to-tighten hip belt. I looked pretty hard at the Druston Kakwa. It's a 55-litre backpack that has pretty good reviews on its weight-carrying capabilities. I didn't go with it because it was in its first iteration and there are typically issues that get fixed in the next edition; that happened with the Kakwa. If I was looking now, I would certainly be giving it a very hard look as one of my final choices.
@@freedom_on_the_trail Thanks for the advice, I was looking at the Durston as well, but I don't have an option to try it on, in my area, which I would like to do before purchasing. But I will now go into any outdoor store I find, wherever I go and try on every lightweight backpack. My partner and I are planning to do the TA in 25/26 so we still have time to do research. :D
Great review with lots of good information. Interesting that you didn't take a rain cover, or miss it! Did you use the Six Moon dry bag and did that do a good job for you? Thanks
Hi Kurt, excellent video as always from you! But for me I find music while you are talking distracting. Cheers
Noted. Thanks!
Thanks for the review.
Always good to hear what people like/don’t like in their packs.
What kind of pack did you see a lot on the trail that others really liked?
There was huge variety on the trail. Osprey, Hyperlight, and Macpac seem to stick out in my mind.
@@freedom_on_the_trail Makes sense for osprey and macpac! Macpac is the most common outdoor brand in NZ, so I can definitely a bunch of Kiwi's getting gear from there! Plus we have a "she'll be right!" attitude so I'm sure many of us thought "eh why buy a really expensive backpack and pay for shipping from the US when I can just pop down the road and get a macpac pack".
Osprey is the "next level up" hiking bags. They have a reputation of lifetime warranty (us Kiwi's love a lifetime warranty!) and they are just a bit better and lighter than typical packs you get from the main brands.
As a Kiwi in the outdoor industry, seeing those two brands as some of the most popular doesn't surprise me in the slightest!
Hi Kurt, thank you for this review of your backpack. Lots of good information! I guess for me, it wouldn't work because of the 14 kg weight limit you mention. It's really hard to decide on a backpack that is lightweight, comfortable and sturdy at the same time. But it's good to know, that the recommended max. weight load is reliable and shouldn't be majorly overloaded. I was just wondering, what brand the other backpack was that you had before this one?
I have the Gossamer Gear Mariposa. It's a 65 litre backpack. More comfortable in carrying heavy weights but the material is not as robust. I like the brain and three side pockets. But it also has the pull-from-the-centre-to-tighten hip belt. I looked pretty hard at the Druston Kakwa. It's a 55-litre backpack that has pretty good reviews on its weight-carrying capabilities. I didn't go with it because it was in its first iteration and there are typically issues that get fixed in the next edition; that happened with the Kakwa. If I was looking now, I would certainly be giving it a very hard look as one of my final choices.
@@freedom_on_the_trail Thanks for the advice, I was looking at the Durston as well, but I don't have an option to try it on, in my area, which I would like to do before purchasing. But I will now go into any outdoor store I find, wherever I go and try on every lightweight backpack. My partner and I are planning to do the TA in 25/26 so we still have time to do research. :D
Great review thanks Kurt. Maybe have a look at the Hyperlite Junction 55 can handle up to 18kg 🙂
Great review with lots of good information. Interesting that you didn't take a rain cover, or miss it! Did you use the Six Moon dry bag and did that do a good job for you? Thanks
I did use the SMD dry bag and it was perfect. On the wettest days, everything in it stayed dry
Thx.
@@pedro1970maya you’re more than welcome
I have to stop watching for the moment. The music is doing my head in as I try to focus on your voice.
Noted