While the AARN balance pockets are great, they are intended for use only with specific AARN rucksack models. They are also wickedly expensive, particularly if you do not live in New Zealand or Australia.
However, there are several ways to accomplish what you seek to do depending on how your rucksack harness is fitted. Here are several approaches:
- If your rucksack has attachment points on the front of the shoulder straps to clip things using small, lightweight carabiners, you could simply obtain a small siliconized-nylon day pack or shoulder tote and use two carabiners to hang it from the straps. Depending on the bag you bought, this could provide from 10 to 20 liters of additional space. However, it would double as a shopping bag, laundry bag, shower tote, and sightseeing bag. I also use mine as a carry on bag for the plane ride over. Check here for some ideas: http://www.seatosummit.com/products/cat/7
- If your rucksack has upper shoulder strap adjustments, where the shoulder straps meet the top of your rucksack, consider using additional thin webbing to attach a specialized "belly pack." This year, I am using this solution: http://zpacks.com/accessories/backpack_lid.shtml
How I did it:
I had my local shoe repair guy sew 3/4" plastic d-rings onto a length of 5/8 inch black nylon webbing. I attached this to the upper-back pack attachment point. The other ends terminate in extra snap clips I bought from Zpacks. I also used plastic slip rings attached to the lower side attachment points for the shoulder straps (at the lower side) of the rucksack, combined with small plastic carabiners and another shorter length of the same 5/8 inch webbing with a 5/8 inch d-ring (also sewn by the shoe repair guy), and ZPack clips on the business end to provide the lower left and right mountings for this rig.
This all sounds far more complicated than it is. Basically, I used 4, customized lengths of 5/8 inch black polyester webbing with plastic hardware (d-rings, keepers, slides, etc) obtained from ZPacks or from this place:
http://www.buckleguy.com/plastic-hardware/ to develop my own custom "harness" that mates to the rucksack harness. I designed it to be stored easily when not desired. The belly sack has about a three-liter capacity. It is water resistant and VERY lightweight as it is made from Cuben Fiber. Mine is grey to match my rucksack colors.
This year, I intend to use the ZPacks belly bag rig to carry my guidebook, hats, gloves, electrolyte powder, extra 500 ml water bottles, snacks, etc. ZPacks provides a handy shoulder strap for use when you get to your day's destination. This bag becomes a handy touring bag.
I already use four Nite-Ize "Drink n Clips" to hold 4 x 500 ml bottles of water. These bottles contain either plain water, or water mixed with my required protein powder and something for taste - either an electrolyte replacement powder (Tang Sport) or instant coffee (Nescafe -purchased locally). See:
http://www.niteize.com/product/Drink-N-Clip.asp
To ensure the clips do not spring off the bottle neck, I found that using either a doubled-over rubber band or a large diameter silicone "O" ring from the hardware store keeps the clip securely mounted. These clip-provided bottles mount to the front of my rucksack harness...not unlike hand grenades hanging from a military web harness. I know, that is not a Camino view, but it will help you get the general idea. I use the sternum strap to hang the bottles. Sometimes I will place extra bottles lower - on my hip belt.
The key thing in all of this is to try to shift some weight from the back and sides of your rucksack to your front. That shifts the balance point and your center of gravity. Last year, moving just one kilo of weight - two 500 ml bottles - made a noticeable improvement in comfort. This was inspired by meeting some New Zealanders with AARN packs. My efforts this year are to build on that experience and see if I cannot take it further.
I hope this helps.
