380gms! lightweight 35 litre pack

[David]

Hi - now, I am not suggesting that you buy this but in the uk there is a chain of shops, Dunelm, that sells bedding, curtains, lights, tables - you get it, everything for the home ... well, they are now selling this 35 litre rucksack.

so for the minimalists .. it weighs just 380 gms - no shaped back, nor waist strap, though it does have a chest strap ... but .. 380 gms and it is a 35 litre - and here is the thing - it costs £12.99 - that is about 19 USD!

They describe it as - • 35L capacity rucksack
• Large internal compartments
• Built-in emergency whistle
• Adjustable waist belt and shoulder straps (the one that I looked at didn't have a waist belt!!)
• Made from 400D ripstop -600D nylon

"Perfect for camping and hiking trips, this spacious 35L capacity rucksack features large internal compartments and side pockets for all your essentials, clothing and equipment. Made from nylon material to allow quick and easy cleaning with a damp cloth, this green and grey rucksack also include a built-in emergency whistle for added practicality. Adjustable to sit comfortably on your back, this camping rucksack includes a waist belt and shoulder straps which can be altered to suit your requirements."

Oh, and it can fold down, turn inside out and disappear into one of the zipped hood pockets, revealing a handle

Now that is rather an amazing thing, don't you think? Has a bladder sleeve, two zips on the hood, strap adjust side bottle pockets, pole holders, - so for anyone travelling Really! light it is just 380 gms .. and £12.99 - well, crikey!
They sell them online if you are interested - see http://www.dunelm-mill.com/shop/trail-packaway-35l-rucksack-537271 (no, Doug, I am nothing to do with the company, this is an info only posting)

Anyone else found mad priced backpacks locally to you?

 

[Robo]

A very interesting find David!

It looks OK....

 

[Fritz]

Thanks David, my older and heavier pack that I've used since the mid '90s is about ready for retirement. I've been looking at "pack" weight not just "packed" weight. Thanks for the example of what is out there.

 

[peregrina2000]

I know there are a lot of happy pilgrims with ultra-light packs, but before you take the plunge, make sure your lower back can handle it. The internal frame construction of heavier packs transfers all the weight to your hips, so your back doesn't get any of it. I have lower back problems and walk with about 18 pounds problem-free. I think that the starting weight for something that will do that is around 3 pounds, which still is pretty light, but about a kilo (2.2 pounds) more than the pack David has posted about.

 

[David]

agree with the above - though the expensive ultra light gossamer packs seem to have no back length shaping - I was assuming that if anyone used an unsupported pack like this it would be because they were ultra-light packers - one could put a section of cheap foam mat in there to make a back wall - and seat!

I only put this up because I was intrigued - a 35 litres pack weighing just 380 gms for under £13 - I couldn't resist it so bought one today before they disappear - I was impressed with the quality - now .. will I ever use it for real? Who knows - will try it out on local shopping outings first.

 

[dougfitz]

I know there are a lot of happy pilgrims with ultra-light packs, but before you take the plunge, make sure your lower back can handle it. The internal frame construction of heavier packs transfers all the weight to your hips, so your back doesn't get any of it. I have lower back problems and walk with about 18 pounds problem-free. I think that the starting weight for something that will do that is around 3 pounds, which still is pretty light, but about a kilo (2.2 pounds) more than the pack David has posted about.

I have used a very similar pack for the things that I want to carry on to the aircraft when travelling, and then for those things I want with me when I am wandering around town in the afternoons and evenings. It is great for that purpose. This pack that @David is advertising is bigger than the one that I use, and I am not sure that I would want to have all that much extra weight.

I think @David has the right idea in his latest post - using it as a shopping bag. It is certainly not an approach I would recommend to anyone as their main pack.

 

[newfydog]

I think that the starting weight for something that will do that is around 3 pounds, which still is pretty light, but about a kilo (2.2 pounds) more than the pack David has posted about.

A 45 liter Z-Pack Arc weighs 1 lb., 1 oz. (482 gms) has a full suspension system, and a 30 lb capacity. They really do work, but all that carbon fiber suspension, dyneema cords, and cuban fabric will set you back just under $300 a pound.

If you can afford one though, I assure you a 3 lb pack is not the only option to get a comfortable pack with a solid frame.

 

[peregrina2000]

A 45 liter Z-Pack Arc weighs 1 lb., 1 oz. (482 gms) has a full suspension system, and a 30 lb capacity. They really do work, but all that carbon fiber suspension, dyneema cords, and cuban fabric will set you back just under $300 a pound.

If you can afford one though, I assure you a 3 lb pack is not the only option to get a comfortable pack with a solid frame.

Newfy, do you use one of these? I'd love to hear from someone who has one. I know that one of these years I am going to have to do something to reduce my pack weight and this seems like it would be an easy, if expensive, first step.

 

[NicoZ]

I have used a very similar pack for the things that I want to carry on to the aircraft when travelling, and then for those things I want with me when I am wandering around town in the afternoons and evenings. It is great for that purpose. This pack that @David is advertising is bigger than the one that I use, and I am not sure that I would want to have all that much extra weight.

I think @David has the right idea in his latest post - using it as a shopping bag. It is certainly not an approach I would recommend to anyone as their main pack.

I do some thing similar. I have a few smaller light weight packs. (10 to 20litres) They fold flat and take up almost no space in my carry on. Not much more then a shirt. When I arrive it comes out and is used to carry a water bottle etc. I wouldn't fill any of them up with heavier items. They just aren't robust enough. But when you're roaming a city it's nice to have a big over sized pocket

 

[JennyH94]

Hi David -
This pack would be really useful as a rack backpack on a bike. I'll be seriously considering it for my bike camino - it's a good size and the light weight is a major plus. Thanks for alerting us all to this pack.
Cheers - Jenny

 

[newfydog]

Newfy, do you use one of these? I'd love to hear from someone who has one. I know that one of these years I am going to have to do something to reduce my pack weight and this seems like it would be an easy, if expensive, first step.

My wife and I got them last year and used them on the Stevenson trail in France and Manaslu circuit in Nepal. They are custom made and take a few weeks to arrive. I got a superb fit, my wife got a decent fit after some modifications. They did those changes for free, and also fixed where a cat chewed though my mesh outside pocket stealing our jambon bayonne.
They are just SO light that you assume they are delicate, but we have not had one single rip or seam failure. They are quite waterproof with sealed seams so we do not carry a pack cover. The suspended mesh back is nicely ventilated, but the shoulder and hip straps are not breathable and a bit sweaty.

They are quite compressible, so my 55 liter pack carries smaller load very well. It is obvious the people who make these remarkable packs actually use them. They offer a good guaranty too---check them out here:
http://www.zpacks.com/

 

[David]

Good hands-on review there Newfydog - they sound, and look, great!

 

[newfydog]

Yes, but the one you posted is considerably more affordable.. Incidentally, for a happy medium, I saw a pack in Costco recently for about $60 which was well made, and a good standard design. It looked totally useable and 80% cheaper than what I carry.

 

[LookingFor42]

It's not madly priced but it is madly lightweight and comfortable. I use the OMM Original 32L pack for most of my lightweight hiking. It is only 700g and includes a small mat that you can lay on to rest or sleep in a pinch. This is the pack I will be bringing when I walk the Way of St James in May/June.

 

[Al the optimist]

David, I am a sucker for buying packs. This looks ideal for me to use as an everyday shopping bag, not on my Caminos. So I've ordered one! Thanks for the tip.

 

[Rambler]

Hi - now, I am not suggesting that you buy this but in the uk there is a chain of shops, Dunelm, that sells bedding, curtains, lights, tables - you get it, everything for the home ... well, they are now selling this 35 litre rucksack.

View attachment 17843

They have these on Amazon in the States:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FUUWE6S/?tag=casaivar02-20

Looks like a decent travel pack.

Rambler

 

[David]

Had a good look at the OMM Classic Marathon 32 and it seems a fine pack - except! it has a large padded hip belt and a non-shaped back so it is designed to cling to the back, to mould to the back, so that it doesn't jiggle around when running or climbing (so it says on the gear reviews) ... also says that there is a duomat included to 'stiffen' the back (though that weight isn't included in the pack weight) and I am not too sure if this is a good thing for the Camino - remember, I have never worn one, so only guesswork here - as we tend to go for packs that have net screens and are therefore curve shaped at the back to keep the backpack back away from our back - though the downside of that is that the packweight is pushed away from us, which can alter balance if packed heavily.
(The little Dunelm £12.99 32 litre is the same, not shaped at the back).

Rambler - that looks like almost exactly the same thing! they must be appearing all over the world under different brand names!

 

[Rambler]

David, I suspect a Chinese manufacturer is knocking these out wit multiple logos. I think there are about 4 others on Amazon that are the same.
I don't know if I would want to take this on the Camino, but it looks like a GREAT travel pack! If it gets messed up, you don't have much invested. And it will be small and light to throw in a suitcase.

Rambler

 

[David]

Yes, not really a trekking pack as no waist belt. I used it for shopping yesterday and came back with nearly seven kilos in it .. was ok but felt heavier as it was all on shoulders. Wouldn't want to carry it for too long like that, so only a cute and light 'occasional' pack. Nice for strolling around a town in the evening or carrying a lunch pack and waterproofs on a ramble perhaps.

However - Lidl are selling a 'real' rucksack with a mesh back, held taught with two thin metal stiffeners, all the usual belts and adjustment straps and zipped pockets and sliding chest strap and so on for £9.99!! Bought one of those too, just to try it out - is brilliant, and really light.

 

[Kanga]

My loved Aarn packs can now be ordered custom made in cuben fibre. If I win the lottery.....

 

[SYates]

A bit heavier at 640 g http://www.decathlon.fr/sac-a-dos-arp-40-noir-orange-id_8332416.html but with a waist strap. I found it comfortable to wear on my last walk. SY

 

[Rambler]

I ordered one of these 35L packs from Amazon. The brand was Shacke FeatherPak and it was US$17.99.
David is correct that this is a great value and much better made than I thought. It also comes with a lifetime warranty and supposedly, by registering, I will get a rain cover for it. (We'll see.)
It is definitely big enough for a smart Camino packer, but it has no support structure, so would likely not be a good option. I think it may become my travel pack of choice going forward. For this price also, it is a great gift idea.
Thanks David from this side of the pond for finding this.
Rambler

 

[Al the optimist]

I used the Dunhelm one after all David! It worked great for me with 3.7K in it. Thanks a lot mate.

 

[David]

Nice!

 

[David]

I used the Dunhelm one after all David! It worked great for me with 3.7K in it. Thanks a lot mate.

Hey, forgot to ask! So how did that work out for you, super-light? Did you have everything you needed? I'm fascinated by your super-light way - must have been a breeze walking compared to the full load sort of thing. Tell all!!

 

[Al the optimist]

Check out the post I put under "
Delighted with my Trail Packaway 35L from Dunhelm

 

[JillGat]

The best lightweight backpack I've seen is the Osprey Exos series. It doesn't compromise comfort, stability, sturdiness to be lightweight. Not ultra-cheap, but that's not where I would try to save money. Also, while counting grams of my gear, I also consider how many grams of body weight I'm carrying that would make even more sense to lose first.