Aarn packs - questions...

[WildPlace]

Hi folks

Well i've spent two days trawling the forum and have more or less decided on replacing my poor broken Berghaus freelow womens rucksack (30+6 litres) with an Aarn pack - but which model?

I'm inclined towards the Mountain Magic which is 40 litres plus each balance pocket is 6 litres, making a total of 52 litres - way more volume than my previous rucksack - though I have a tried and tested packing list (which weighs in at 6kg without pack weight,food or water) and there is no way that is going to get changed or get added to!

Hopefully I will have the opportunity in about three months time to visit a UK supplier to try them on (I live in a very remote location with only mail order - no outdoors shops here) and I suppose that will depend upon whether they have stock at the time or not! - am I best to wait until then do you think?

I'm 5 feet 4 inches, average kind of build - any ladies of a similar size to me with experience of this equipment on the camino?

I like the sound of the good weight distribution of the Aarn pack with balance pockets - I had a back injury as a child which still plays up unless i'm very careful.

I would be most grateful if you could share your thoughts, advice and experiences with me!
Thank you so much

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I have a Featherlite with both small and large balance pockets. I do not know if it would fit you; there are a lot of adjustments that can be made, but we are almost a foot different in height!

Try one on if you can, then you will know if it adjusts to your size.

 

[Kanga]

@WildPlace have a look at the Natural Exhilaration, which is 30 litres. Adding balance pockets gives you an extra 14 litres.

I have (and have had, in various models) the Featherlite, which is bigger than needed on camino, but it suits me. My friend likes the Peak Aspiration with balance pockets added - it is smaller than the Featherlite (will I tell her that the Featherlite weighs less?) but mainly she liked the shape better.

I like the size of the Mountain Magic but am not so keen on the hip belt.

The Featherlite and the Peak Aspiration come in two back lengths - I assume Falcon has the long back length (as I do) but try the short. Get your back length measured - mine is long for my height - but at 5'4" you may well be short.

 

[t2andreo]

Kanga is one of our resident Aarn experts. She has used them on several Caminos. I would advise respecting her opinion, particularly if you are a woman and petite. Kanga KNOWS what she is talking about.

My experience with Aarn packs is from a perspective of envy. Every time I see one, I want one. Then when I consider the cost and logistics of obtaining exactly the model / style and color I want, literally from the other side of the globe, this usually puts me back in my old standby, my Osprey Kestrel 48 L rucksack that has served me well for four Caminos.

This said, when the time comes to replace my Osprey Kestrel, I may well consider the added cost and effort to obtain this ultimate design pack. It really is brilliant, at least IMHO.

I hope this helps.

 

[jl]

I'm someone who has used 2 different Aarn Packs on numerous Caminos (both wore out) as well as a One Planet and the last one, an Osprey AG 50. I have used the Aarn with and without the balance pockets (prefer them without). In my experience the big advantage of the Aarn Pack is its width. Because it is wide, compared to the Osprey, it doesn't sit as high. By comparison the Osprey sits much higher and so on occasions it is difficult to wear a hat comfortably (a wide brim hat gets knocked, which is annoying). This was something that I didn't consider when I bought it.

 

[Wokabaut_Meri]

Hi @WildPlace
I'm a long time Aarn pack fan and have used various models and configurations over many years on all manner of short and long trips with both light (2kg) and heavy weights (25kgs). I just love the way that the pack sits and moves and the convenience of the Balance Pockets. You do look like a dork but hey! looks aren't everything.



Echoing @Kanga's post I used a 30L Natural Exhilaration with Balance Pockets (6L for the pair plus 1L mesh pockets) on the Camino Francés and it worked really well with more than enough room for everything. I am 5' 5'' and ended up with the short back size after being measured and fitted. Visiting a supplier to try out different models and balance pockets or balance bags will just be the start of a wonderful partnership.

Buen Camino!

 

[cecelia]

Hi @WildPlace
I'm a long time Aarn pack fan ......... You do look like a dork but hey! looks aren't everything.

View attachment 31270

Ha ha - I had a whole different idea about what a dork looked like! That picture is no where close to what I had in mind.
I learn new things every day on the forum!

 

[April Jo]

I'm 5 foot 5 inches, medium build, and had broken my arm just under the shoulder 9 months before my Camino - a short one, walking from Sarria. The Peak Aspiration (42 L) was the perfect size for me, and was personally fitted in the shop. The pack was very comfortable (considering I was carrying too heavy a load!) And my arm/shoulder was fine. I'd definitely recommend that particular pack.

I found the sports pockets horrible: too big, and I had too much stuff in them, so they were heavy, so had to unclip them each time I took my pack off (but that was "just me", maybe.) I found the slot-in system for the pockets fiddly and annoying.

Next time I'll buy the compact sized pockets (the shop was out of stock last time) and just put snacks and water bottles in them.

May I suggest that you (1) book in advance for a personal fitting, because it can be quite time-consuming, and you want a staff member who's experienced with fitting Aarns, is patient, and is not busy with other customers and (2) if you have your gear ready, consider taking it in with you to actually pack into the various packs that you try on in the shop.... I didn't do that, I just got the guy in the shop to load up with the weight I expected to carry.... then got home to find that the one I'd bought didn't have a big enough volume - so had to go back and get the Peak Aspiration (a wasted five hours).

Oh, when walking I did feel I looked like a dork....

 

[WildPlace]

@falcon269 @Kanga @t2andreo @jl @Wokabaut_Meri @cecelia @April Jo Very many thanks for all your comments and advice - it's very much appreciated (and cecelia I loved the photo!). Thanks for your comments and comparison with the osprey AG50 jl as that was the other pack on my list that I was considering.

The UK supplier seems to be in the lake District so i'm going to get in touch with them nearer the time and visit in early April - i'll book a couple of days in the area and yes April Jo, great idea to take my camino gear with me to make sure everything fits into my pack of choice.

Thanks Kanga - i've read a lot of your previous posts on this subject which did answer some of my initial questions - and as t2andreo says you are the Aarn pack guru!

 

[April Jo]

Glad all our combined info was helpful .
I forgot to say earlier: my Peak Aspiration is the "short" one (for my 5'5" height.) Also, my supplier ONLY fit Aarns by appointment, because of the time it takes to do this properly.
May your decision-making be wise and easy

 

[cindyjo]

This is a late post, but I would like to add that I've found that the Aarn Magic 33 has worked great for me. I've walked 3 caminos in Spain and the Chemin Le Puy this summer with it and it's really worked well. I'm a 5'5" 125 lbs. older female with occasional back problems. It takes some getting used to, but I've never owned a more balanced and comfortable pack...plus there's plenty of room. Good luck with your explore.

 

[WildPlace]

This is a late post, but I would like to add that I've found that the Aarn Magic 33 has worked great for me. I've walked 3 caminos in Spain and the Chemin Le Puy this summer with it and it's really worked well. I'm a 5'5" 125 lbs. older female with occasional back problems. It takes some getting used to, but I've never owned a more balanced and comfortable pack...plus there's plenty of room. Good luck with your explore.

Thanks very much for your positive input @cindyjo
Certainly sounds like you've tested your Aarn pack out thoroughly!

 

[WildPlace]

Also, my supplier ONLY fit Aarns by appointment, because of the time it takes to do this properly.
May your decision-making be wise and easy

OK i'll bear that in mind and contact the company in plenty of time! Thanks

 

[CreationRamblers]

Hi folks

Well i've spent two days trawling the forum and have more or less decided on replacing my poor broken Berghaus freelow womens rucksack (30+6 litres) with an Aarn pack - but which model?

I'm inclined towards the Mountain Magic which is 40 litres plus each balance pocket is 6 litres, making a total of 52 litres - way more volume than my previous rucksack - though I have a tried and tested packing list (which weighs in at 6kg without pack weight,food or water) and there is no way that is going to get changed or get added to!

Hopefully I will have the opportunity in about three months time to visit a UK supplier to try them on (I live in a very remote location with only mail order - no outdoors shops here) and I suppose that will depend upon whether they have stock at the time or not! - am I best to wait until then do you think?

I'm 5 feet 4 inches, average kind of build - any ladies of a similar size to me with experience of this equipment on the camino?

I like the sound of the good weight distribution of the Aarn pack with balance pockets - I had a back injury as a child which still plays up unless i'm very careful.

I would be most grateful if you could share your thoughts, advice and experiences with me!
Thank you so much

We have the Featherlite Freedom Aarn packs with balance pockets in front... so far, we love em! They fit all our gear in back plus we have the counterbalance of weight and ease of reaching essentials (water, credentials, lip balm etc...) with the front pockets. We live in California, ordered from Rich & Genie Murphy here in the States @ Aarn USA service@aarn-usa.com hope this helps!
I'm 5'8" 59 yrs old, walking my first Camino this year with my hubbs in April 2022... yay! Buen Camino!