[Abe]

Just curious, when all is hiking, do you pack your gear in a fanny pack or day pack? I like to use a fanny pack when I hike. I can stow all the essential gear I need for the day in it and should I find myself having to spend a night, I am covered.

[BoyNhisDog]

I like to carry a small daypack and my personal favorite is the Black Diamond Zippo. It has a hydration pocket that holds three quarts and I fill it and drink a seperate quart before I step off into the wilderness. It has enough room for fleece ect which comes in handy on an unplanned night out. The exterior pocket and straps come in hany for a camera tripod or ultralight spinning setup. I believe it holds about 1600cu" which is not too big.

I find the daypack more comfortable overall.

[Unregistered]

I like that pack. I have a Camelbak Day-Trekker (fanny-pack) that I take along to the local spots. Looking for a lightweight alternative to my full backpacks.

That hydration pocket...does it give you the "Camelbak" functionality? I couldn't tell from the descriptions I could find. I guess it would accomodate one of those strap-on bottle style thingies.

[Crymzon]

I have a camelback daypack sort of thing that accomadates the 100 ounce bladder, but I also have an older style larger pack (Lowe Alpine Countour CLassic) that I use for longer trek's that doesn't have a special pocket for the bladder. What I do is just place the bladder inside the pack and if it doesn't leak, which mine doesn't, then support it inside with whatever you pack inside then you can run the tube outside the pack and there you go. You can also secure it inside with some duct tape if need be maybe, but I have never used the tape. I just packed my pack and slid the bladder down inside with the tube running out the top. I think you may run into problems with the gummy stuff of the tape sticking to your pack or bladder picking up dirt and so forth, but if they are older it may work for you. Also, since there isn't a lot rain worry here in and around Phoenix you could also modify your pack with some elastic mesh sewn inside to provide a pocket for your bladder. Just some suggestions.

[MaryPhyl]

I have an old military looking bag. I wear it on one shoulder and it rests on my hip--like a kid. It looks tiny but it carries an amazing amount of stuff. I can get three one quart gatorade bottles of water in it and lunch and a jacket. I can switch shoulders if need be. I can get into it as I walk. For some reason a fanny pack gives me a back ache.

[BoyNhisDog]

I like that pack. I have a Camelbak Day-Trekker (fanny-pack) that I take along to the local spots. Looking for a lightweight alternative to my full backpacks.

That hydration pocket...does it give you the "Camelbak" functionality? I couldn't tell from the descriptions I could find. I guess it would accomodate one of those strap-on bottle style thingies.

The hydration pocket is against your back seperated by a nylon panel and then a thin foam pad covered by another nylon layer that goes against your back. The three liter platypus bladder(not included) slides in there and a fastex buckle holds it in place. There is a velcro port to take the water line through. That makes the water ride against your back and as camelback users know, that is a secure stable system.

Then you have the main compartment that opens with a horseshoe shaped zipper that goes down within about four inches to the bottom of the pack opening it up wide for easy access.

The shoulder straps are contoured and it has a sternum strap and a waist belt. It was made to be a light fast mountaineering daypack and adapts for a variety of dayhiking uses.

It is so comfortable that I forget I have it on.

[Unregistered]

Thanks Jackson. Sounds like the ticket.

HAZ rules.

[Nighthiker]

I wear a variety of pact types, all are military surplus. I wear a Vietnam era web belt with suspenders and it includes a fanny pack. I have been useing this since the early 70's. I also have a medium Alice Pack with frame, shoulder bags that I may use with or with out a web belt and canteen that I have used since the late 70's and I have two frame less day packs called patrol packs that are part of the mollie pack. I have used several commerical packs down thru the years, but I perfer my military surplus.

Make a list of items that you plan on including in your pack, visit an outdoor store like popular and place them in the various packs that you have selected to check for adequate pack volume (remember to give youself additional space) Take note how the shoulder straps and waist straps are sew, look for reinforcement at these attachment points Also take note of any belt attachments (side/slide buckles). If you should crunch one while closing the door on your vehicle and you did not notice it until you donned you pack at the trailhead, suggest you carry a spare.

You may want to check out a hydration pack and a seperate waist pack for additional items. Good luck and enjoy.

[Diane Tuccillo]

I used to prefer day packs, but then I fell ice skating and ending up with a rotator cuff tear. Uh, oh--no more shoulder to lean on (rather, hang on), so I went full time to fanny packs. I ended up preferring them. I had surgery last January, and had a Grand Canyon trip planned for June. For the first time, we were staying at Phantom rather than camping, which was lucky. That meant I could get by with a fanny pack. I went out and splurged on a deluxe North Face fanny pack. You know what? The belt kept slipping and I drove my friends crazy stopping to fix it. The next time I went hiking (in the San Juans) I used my Popular Surplus "one-day"-$9.99-special Everest fanny pack and it was better and more comfortable than that North Face will ever be. It even accommodates 2 Nalgene water bottles like the North Face one! You can lash another small bag to it easily. I am saving the North Face for plane trips and will use the Everest from now on... although my shoulder is finally getting there and I may go back to my day pack!

[Nighthiker]

Try reversing your belts clips (slide buckle), it that does not work try another slide release buckle.

[Fritzski]

I own and use both fanny and back packs for differing levels of hikes always trying to stay as light as possible, but still carry the sensible necessities.

A few things to consider: if you get too much weight (usually any water over 60oz max) the fanny pack becomes very bouncy and ponderous.

Regarding shoulder problems: if a backpack is worn correctly almost all of the weight is distributed onto the pelvis via the waist strap and the shoulder straps are mainly for stability. Unfortunately many of the day / hydration packs have skimpy little waist straps. I have replaced those straps on my Camelbak medium bag by getting some thicker black webbing and a quality plastic snap buckle. For my largest bag: a small, light nylon weight lifting belt (I have bad hips, and the added lower back support works wonders). I take them to a local luggage repair shop for a cheap fix. They can even customize the fit a bit and add loops, etc. for camera, etc.

[Wiz]

I prefer a small daypack. My gear is kind of primitive - I have a 70-oz platypus stuffed in there along with a 3-liter pop bottle of water and 1st aid kit. I always take the whole thing with me. Every time I decide I only need part of the stuff, I end up having to break off a promising exploration too soon because I didn't bring enough water, forgot the TP, etc. So I've just gotten used to the bulky pack.

But in the summer it makes my back sweat something terrible - anyone got any suggestions about that?

[matt gilbert]

I use a camelback mule for all my dayhiking needs. It holds everything I need including a 100 oz bladder, some trail-mix, a map and compass, a pair of binoculars, and a small first aid kit. With the bladder full and all my other stuff the whole pack wheighs 10-11 llbs, and can usually sustain me all day long.