Discussion: Looking for a New Pack

I am looking for a new pack. For the last few years I have been using the MEC “Big Fountain” (http://reviews.mec.ca/9421-en_ca/5007-782/mec-moun...) for my races (6-12hr). The pack has done me well but I want to start longer races (planning to attend WT next year) and I feel that I need something with a larger storage capacity. The Big Fountain claims to have a 10L capacity but I think most of this storage is taken up by the 3L bladder. One thing I really like about this current pack is that I can easily carry my trekking shoes when required on the bike.

So I guess question 1 is what size pack should I target for 24hr/36hr races? And question 2 is, on such a race is it common to carry trekking shoes when biking (assuming one is wearing bike shoes).

I was considering the Salomon XA 20M (http://www.salomon.com/caus/product/xa-20-m.html). It’s a 20L with a few outside pockets but I am concerned about the lack of shoe storage, although I might be able to rig something and use the side pockets.

Any advice?
Tim

Tim, that is exactly the pack that Bob Miller and I usually use when we do course testing for Wilderness Traverse. (I use the men's XA20 for testing since it has more capacity than the women's XA 20, which I often use for racing.) Bob uses the XA20 for much of his multi-day expedition racing as well.

Although we don't usually ask racers to carry shoes in WT, it is fairly common in adventure racing so it is worth thinking about. We have needed to carry our shoes on this pack while course testing. In addition to the outside pockets, the pack comes with an attached cord with a clip that you can use to secure items that you are tying outside the pack.

Btw if you would consider WT this year, we are still looking for a few people to fill out some incomplete teams. :)

+1 on the XA20. Imho, the most versatile pack you can get. Light enough for sprint races, and suitable for races like WT where you may use up more of the storage volume. Occasionally we have had to put our shoes on the outside, and it isn't too bad. Also there are numerous options for adding additional space should you need to (hip pocket, lunch box, water bottle holders on shoulder straps etc).

I think the XA20 is the pack I see the most at races, particularly at the WT. My wife uses it and loves it, as well (I think it is the men's also).

Last year at the WT I used Salomon's 10+3 Vest pack + their 5L chest pack which worked well, but at the end of it I had 2 complaints. The mesh making the vest is hot (even when I wear it without the chest pack) and it moves around a bit more than I would like (even though it is not supposed to). I also had it 90% full which really did not permit me to carry anything extra from team mates if necessary.

This year I went different again and picked up the Salomon Skin Pro 14+3 (http://www.salomon.com/caus/product/skin-pro-14-3-...) and then added clips to the front for my chest pack again. So far, I'm loving it. The fit is awesome once you get it dialled in, took me about 30min of fiddling with those velcro shoulder straps (run, re-adjust, run some more re-adjust, ride re-adjust...), way more breathable in the chest area, doesn't bounce...

If I was to change anything on it so far it would be to add an internal pocket or two inside like the XA20 and one with a zipper.

I've used it on every trail run, men bike ride or paddle since April (2-4x week) and loving it.

Hi Tim,

I use the XA20 for everything up to 2+ day races. I find it holds shoes fine inside the pack. Worst case if my pack is too full then I tie the shoes to the outside and stuff the toes into the mesh side pockets. We did a 24 hour race in March where we had to carry everything with us for 24 hours and this pack worked perfectly for me.

I'll add to the positive reviews of the Salomon XA20. Had it for 2 years and it has held up exceptionally well. Really like the side zip pockets on the hip belt which makes accessing food very easy.

Ditto for the XA20. Used it for 3 AR races now (nothing longer than 8 hours yet) and it's been great.

Suprised no one has mentioned the OutThere packs. I can personally vouch for them. Designed specifically for AR. I have some things that I would change about it (shoulder strap adjustment and stronger straps securing the main pouch) but there are sooo many advantages (AR specific) to it that outweigh those issues. The AS1 has a ton of storage but still works well compressed down with less gear in it without bouncing all over the place. I do know that the AS1 doesn't fit women and smaller men very well. The MS1 is a smaller version and fits smaller builds better.

I am unfamiliar with the current Salomon line, but I have used many Salomon packs in the past and they have all been good. Although, my experience is that the pack is never just right. One version has some features and then the next has other features but loses some of the good stuff from the last version and has some weird design malfunction. You would think after designing for so many years they would have this dialed in better. The new version may be better.

I am not sure I would be comfortable having the XA 20 as my go to 1-1.5 day pack. Seems a little small to me especially if you have to start carrying clothes, helmet, shoes, etc. in addition to all your food. I'd rather have the room. XA25 might be a good option.

Other packs I have used considerably.
Osprey Talon 33 - Good storage on the hipbelt and shoulder straps. Lots of room with a few extra pouches on the outside. My experience is that the adhesive holding the foam padding for your backpad falls off when it gets wet. This is annoying but have never had a problem asking Osprey for replacements.
Gregory Advent Pro - A much larger pack with TONS of storage and outer mesh pockets. I think this had to be "THE XPD" pack several years ago but is no longer on the market. I've found them on ebay though. They are super lightweight for their capacity. My only complaint is that there is too much mesh and straps sometimes that it becomes bothersome.

I'm in love with my Osprey Hornet 32, combined with The OMM Trio front pouch for expedition races, it's light and works fine. When almost empty in shorter races, it can be compressed with side laces and when full or over-stuffed, it still holds its form. Top lid can be taken off, no non-working zippers and top lid and outside pockets are flexible to take amazing amounts of stuff. Even roller blades fit in (yes, it is normal to run with the roller blades here...) and swimming mattresses and life jackets stay well under top lids webbings. Hydration systems are outside of main pocket, so it's easy to fill, but I wish I could find some 100% compatible bottle holder for Hornet. Now holders from The OMM and Inov-8 have been too 'bouncy'. And Hornets have been damn difficult to find, I was one of those lucky who got 32l pack from finnish importer and my 44l pack I ordered from US...

You can check out my Out There reviews here,
https://vimeo.com/channels/285290

Hey Tim, Great to see you hear. Hopefully I will see on the trails soon too. I used to sail with your gf Krista. I remember her messaging me way back that her bf was getting into AR.
It's addicitive, be careful.
Salomon XA 20 is the way to go. Plan to carry shoes, bungie cords work, also the pack has cords attached that are great.

Osprey also makes some good packs (the Talon series is quite good): http://www.ospreypacks.com/en/product/multi-use/ta...

Thanks for the comments everyone, looks like I have some comparing to do.

Wanda, wondered if I might find you here. I have been racing for 5 years so I am well aware of the addiction.

I have this http://www.irunfar.com/2009/06/inov-8-race-pro-22-... that I was thinking the other day has survived the last couple of years really well. I carry shoes in my bungee cord often, but mostly while riding a bike... not sure about running with a spare pair on the outside. That said, my EU46 sized shoes fit inside with heaps of room for other stuff, and smaller shoes fit in the mesh pockets on the back panel pretty easily

I guess the point of difference for these packs is their water bladder that sits inside the waistbelt. Access from the outside, and no noise or movement when running.

I was pretty excited to see my wife fit her packraft, inflation bag, paddle, outerwear and PFD in/on the pack. With the exception of the PFD, it was all pretty secure and trail worthy. http://flic.kr/p/cuc2bQ

Anyway, maybe another one to throw into the "for consideration" pile.