Mountain Hardwear Summit Rocket 30 Backpack

Good Morning,

My final backpacking review today.... then back to a few more days of hunting... one of my favorite fall activities. 

Mountain Hardwear Summit Rocket 30 Backpack

 

I saved this entry for last, for a variety of reasons. But first and foremost, I really like this pack. It is indeed a lightweight pack, but it was made that way for a reason. Purists don't like it, because it is so light. But, going beyond the physical look of the pack, there are some seriously exciting and innovative features you miss at first glance. Mountain Hardwear went out of their way with the design of the Summit Rocket 30. They understand about weight, so they made many of their specialty features removable for just that reason. They understand uses, they understand versatility, they understand what we need and want.

 

When looking for a backpack, I've said to always look for the pack for the use intended. (or words very much to that effect)  Well, this one is no exception. I use a pack like this for those day pushes up a mountain, where I don't need all the bells and whistles, but want to be comfortable along the way. It has a lightweight removable waist belt, which I like because the adjustable shoulder straps and sternum straps still secure the load during some of those really edgy approaches we all get into. If I take out the frame sheet when I need to shave weight, not only does it stabilize the load, but increases comfort. Stripping it down, this pack comes in at under a pound, and without all the extra weight, it can be rolled up and stuffed inside a bigger backpack to continue the longer trek.

 

It even has a top zip pocket for snacks (my favorite feature as you know, access to snacks). On the outside,  there are so many vertical and horizontal daisy chains that you will have plenty of exterior lash points for climbing, mountaineering, or backpacking gear, and a cradle for an ice axe. The compression system can be added for stability or extra gear but is removable for cutting weight. I leave it on for someplace to store trash and those discarded water bottles I find out there.

 

All around, even though this is a lightweight day pack it has tons of uses and I have barely scratched the surface. The versatility of this one, makes it 'King' of the day packs.

 

Stay safe out there and I'll see you on the trail. ~ Campingman

 

 

Mountain Hardwear Hueco 34 Backpack

Good Morning,

Still home and not out hunting so today we will talk about a different type of backpack... yes I own a lot of packs between myself, my children and my hunting buddies. You always need just the right one for the trip. 

Mountain Hardwear Hueco 34 Backpack

 

Let's talk a bit about the Mountain Hardwear Hueco 34 Backpack. It is considered a day pack, but can be used for overnight's or longer. This is a pack that you can feel comfortable taking to the office, your gym or that mountain climb you plan to make in two weeks. A pack that once again, is a top loader. I just can't say enough about how much better these type packs are. No side zipper's to snag and pull open, dumping your contents down the side of some gorge. Face it, you're not going to be gone long enough, that digging down to the bottom for something is going to present an obstacle you cannot get around. Besides, the bag isn't that big. Moving on.

 

I like the straightforward design, because being a top loader, by nature, it maximizes space. The pack itself, is made from a rubberized plastic material that makes it nearly impervious to abrasions and as an added bonus, water proof. If you've ever squeezed in between a couple of large boulder's or shimmied across a windy face, you know what abrasions can do to a pack. I especially like the lean design of this pack because when climbing, you don't really know it's there. The hardened foam backing is a plus, once again (no items poke through), The wide shoulder straps and hip belt, help with weight distribution, spreading it  evenly across the entire hip area. I never feel tired from carrying my packs, just from the long trips. That, is due to pack choice.

 

Although this backpack has a compartment for a hydration bladder, that item is sold separately. If you like the utility and ease of a hydration pack, then by all means contact your nearest retailer and obtain one. Myself, I prefer hydration packs, as I hate seeing water bottles discarded along the trails. But, if you like, there are water bottle side pockets. Also, if you take a look at the picture, you will note the dual ice axe loops at the bottom of the daisy chain (which I call, carabiner's loops) Overall, a great pack for just about anything you decide to throw at it.  Make the right pack choice for the right usage and you'll always rest easy at the end of a long day's hike or climb. Stay safe out there and I'll see you on the trail.

 

Next up, will be my final post in this series on the Mountain Hardwear packs. Enjoy the great outdoors and I'll see you on the trail. ~ Campingman

Mountain Hardwear Lander Backpack

Good Morning,

Been out on the trail, doing some hunting as it is hunting season now in North America. It's kept me away from blogging but I am back for a few days. I want to continue our discussion on backpacks because I think it's important to get a variety of feedback on various packs before making your purchase. 

Mountain Hardwear Lander Backpack

       Today, we start our series on the Mountain Hardwear packs. Before we get going, did you notice the word 'wear' in the name? Well, that's because the folks who started this company, not only made the products, but used and wore the things they designed. It all began in Richmond, California in 1993, and they opened their first retail stores in Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington in April and December respectively, in 2008.

This pack is just one of many from Mountain Hardwear, but I chose it based upon it's versatile nature. It can be used as a camping backpack, a day pack for those short hikes in the country when you need to get away, or just plain carrying laptops and school books if that's all you want to do. It can even double as a travel pack. It has fully padded shoulder straps as well as a padded back panel. That means nothing poking you in the back as you hike!  It even has an internal sleeve, that will fit a 15" laptop (see I told you, that you could use it for that.)  Back to it's versatility, because THAT, is what makes this pack stand above the rest. 

It has tons of places on the exterior for hooking carabiner's as well as holding trekking poles, etc. It's two large main pockets, are big and roomy. There are enough organizer pockets to carry most anything you can stuff in there, from water bottles to flashlights. You'll find that this pack weighs about half of what other packs of the same general size weigh. This makes it a great pack for women or kids too. The hip belt is removable, (setting this pack apart from a comparable competitor's version).  Not carrying a large load? It even has cinch straps that can shrink it down if all you want to carry is something small like a raincoat. See... versatile. My wife especially likes this feature. 

Backpacks in this category are seldom waterproof, but I've been out in the rain with this pack, in excess of 30 minutes, and the interior remained dry. If you are going to use it in the rain a lot though, I would recommend waterproofing it or using a waterproof cover, neither of which is expensive.

Check this pack out, you won't be disappointed. Hike safely and I'll see you on the trail. ~ Campingman