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

CamelBak Highwire 20 3-Liter Hydration Backpack

CamelBak Highwire 20 3-Liter Hydration Backpack

As promised, the second in the CamelBak series, as we move to lightweight day packs. On a side note, CamelBak packs have consistently rated 9 out of the top ten hydration packs on the market! Not bad for a company that has only been marketing them since 1989.

This particular day pack, weighs in at just under 26 oz..At first glance, this pack looks just like a gazillion others out there, but over time, I have come to recognize and appreciate some of the subtle design elements that make up this bag. For instance, it incorporates an independent, perforated foam, suspension harness and a ventilated back panel. (breath ability) The light vertical ribs , transfer the weight from your shoulders, (so my back and shoulder's are not aching at the end of the day). Granted, this pack is only designed to carry 15-20 lbs, (but I exceed that at times) I find the access to the main compartment simple and easy, since I like a top load bag as opposed to all of those zippers and compartments on other style packs. I like the wide mesh side pockets, because they enable easy access to items you want to be able to get to quickly. (For me, that's a snack bar or bag of corn nuts)

This entire backpack is made from ultra-lightweight materials, but remains strong and durable. I have scraped it against rocks and trees while climbing, dropped it, slid it down the side of a rock face and it has withstood well. As in my previous blog about CamelBak hydration systems, this pak retains all of the patented technology from CamelBak and is no different, that is except that it carries a full 3 L of liquids as opposed to 2 L.

I like that the compartment for the hydration bag, is a separate and insulated pocket. The hose port is at top center, with hose-keeper loops on both shoulder straps. Thus, you choose which side you want to clip it to. For some reason, I like the left side. This is, and remains a great all around light pack. Some of the actual features of this backpack that I discussed, are listed along with their trademark and/or patented technology.

BACK PANEL: Lightweight Ventilated™

HARNESS: Independent Suspension™ with perforated foam and Slider™ Sternum Strap
BELT: Removable 1 in (25 mm) stability

Additional Features: Four point compression straps, side pockets, tool attachment, sunglasses pocket, all designed to carry extra layers of clothing, rain gear, food, head lamp, trail maps, ice axe, trekking poles and yes trekkies....even an MP3 or GPS.

That's it for today, next entry: Mountain Hardwear packs. Good hiking and I'll see you on the trail. - Campingman

Backpack choices and uses

Backpack choices and uses

I thought I would expand on my breakdowns of backpacks. There are, as we all know, a gazillion choices, so how to make the right one? Back to basics, choose the pack for the territory you intend to use it. Whether that be a hydration style pack for stand up board paddling, to carrying your laptop and books, climbing a mountain, days long "pack trips" or just a light day pack. This next series is going to start with hydration packs and move to school style to trail style, etc, so let's get going. Fist up?  The Camelbak series backpacks.

CamelBak Baja LR Hydration Backpack

I start with this, because if you ever wanted the 'GoTo' pack, when windsurfing (like on the Columbia River), or paddle boarding your favorite river? This is a great choice. You can see from it's mesh design, you'll hardly know it's there. The hydration pack alone, carries a full 2 L of liquid, and if you look, the pack is down on your hips, and off of your shoulders. That makes sense, because it doesn't inhibit your freedom of movement. The bladder itself features the patented  HydroGuard™ anti-microbial technology, coupled with a patented PureFlow™ taste-free tube and the patented Big Bite™ valve. All of them, easy to use and easy to clean. Instructions are included.

This backpack, with it's custom fit harness, ( using hook-and-loop adjustments ), the dual Slider Sternum Straps, the open mesh back design, well, they just ensure the Baja has a good fit. Toss in some of the 'extra' features, like a paddle holster, a couple of cargo pockets, including a safety whistle? Well, it allows you to keep essentials within easy reach. Including a waterproof electronics case. You even have room to carry one of your own personal, inflatable, flotation devices as well as sunscreen and a light jacket if you wanted. A versatile choice for a light pack with hydration capabilities and waterproof storage.

Oh one last thing....would you like to know how they started? As the story goes, Michael Eidson, an emergency medical technician, was competing in a bike race in Texas. He knew that there were few places with water in this grueling 100 mile race. His solution? He filled an IV bag with water, slipped it inside a tube sock. He then stuffed it in the back of his jersey, throwing the hose over his shoulder and clamping it to his shirt with a clothespin. The rest is history and remember:  "The CamelBak Got Your Bak™ Lifetime Guarantee" is from a Petaluma, California Company.

That's it for today, more CamelBak in my next post. Thanks for reading and I'll see you on the trail. - Campingman