Death of Tech Packs / Rise of Dry Packs

[bigjohn358]

Yep. That’s what I’ve done for my Winter set up. I run a larger backpack than I do in the Summer. It’s a 20 something liter large daypack or small overnight pack, coupled with an Allen chestpack up front. I like to cook a hot lunch sometimes and pack a heavier jacket in Winter. (I understand most who fish don’t do stuff like that, but I do. I like being out in the woods and not at work.)

It works well enough, and gives me the extra backpack room I want, but it’s not purpose built off the shelf like the Bean Tech Pack I run in the Summer.

Edit: Also, Osprey suspensions are about the best for the buck out there. I’d say their overnight packs carry 15-25% lighter than most of their competition. It’s enough to easily notice the difference just by feel though. I have one of their 50L packs. I use it for probably 90% of my overnighters. Exception maybe being dead of Winter we’re taking everything type situation…Have an external frame that starts doing better once you’re talking 50 lbs and ridiculous stuff like that.

I believe the Osprey pack (Stratos) I want is a 24L. IF it works like I think it will I'm going to get the 40L for longer trips. I think it'll be a lot more comfortable than the ones designed for actual fishing since it holds the weight so much better. I have ideas how to attach rod tube holders and everything.

 

[Swattie87]

I believe the Osprey pack (Stratos) I want is a 24L. IF it works like I think it will I'm going to get the 40L for longer trips. I think it'll be a lot more comfortable than the ones designed for actual fishing since it holds the weight so much better. I have ideas how to attach rod tube holders and everything.

Yep. The most important feature of a backpack IMO is the suspension and waist belt system. Osprey has that down.

 

[laszlo]

I just got an email from "Boris" and it shows a 30 L Backcountry Skinz Sherpa Shell Submersible fly fishing Back pack for 200 bucks. I think you can find it on Frosty Fly website.

 

[Calico]

Check this out. They are outta stock at the moment it looks like but looks like something you might like. Similar to the WJ.

JMC Competition Chestpack

For all you anglers who cried when the William Joseph Confluence pack disappeared, you can now rejoice. This pack is nearly identical. If features magnetic closures on the front pockets to make access a snap (pun intended) and reduce your fly line catching the zipper tabs. The magnets also hold...

tacticalflyfisher.com

 

[Swattie87]

Check this out. They are outta stock at the moment it looks like but looks like something you might like. Similar to the WJ.

JMC Competition Chestpack

For all you anglers who cried when the William Joseph Confluence pack disappeared, you can now rejoice. This pack is nearly identical. If features magnetic closures on the front pockets to make access a snap (pun intended) and reduce your fly line catching the zipper tabs. The magnets also hold...

tacticalflyfisher.com

Yeah, I know those things had their own cult following, especially amongst Euro guys. They’re really good packs, the WJ was anyway, but they’re not for me. Try putting 96 oz’s of water into that thing and letting it pull on your shoulders all day over 8 or 10 miles. There’s no real suspension on that and no real way to transfer any of the load off your shoulders. I’m not being critical of the pack, it’s really good, just wasn’t designed to haul any appreciable amount of weight. Which is a feature not all FFers prioritize, but I do, given how I fish (described above in the thread).

On both my setups, when adjusted properly there is literally zero weight on my shoulders. The load has been transferred via my hips (through the hip belt) and you feel the weight in your legs. Not in your upper body at all. Advantage…The muscles in your legs are much bigger, stronger, and don’t fatigue as quickly. I’m not kidding, you can put your hand between my shoulder and the shoulder straps, they don’t even touch.