The WPS frames look like some of the best budget haulers out there, how much did just the suspension cost you? I haven't used one yet but I have to assume their belt and harness is a huge step up from the military suspension.
I too love the infinite mounting options on the Down East frames, but...
I would say the size I like is in the 8x12ish range. Fits a lot of food, a bulky waterfilter kit, a few spare items of clothing, or just the random clutter that drifts towards the bottom of the pack. I use a smaller size for snacks sometimes, just something sized to fit 5-6 bars.
The Hill People forum is the place to research Dana frames.
I spend some time with a terraframe swapping in different belts and harnesses but at the end of the day the load lifter placement was far to low for me at higher weights.
Skaha APEX Ultralight Climashield Vest - Nunatak Equipment
Here is the link to the page, the vest as shown is $175ish, but with all the custom options you can end up at any number of prices. If I get a jacket I might go for a longer hem.
I'd go ahead and put money on the Nunatak design predating the Kifaru, I had pictures of it on my computer back in highschool.
I got the pullover vest, I'd been between puffy jackets since I sold my patagonia down sweater and it will be great to have an insulated hood again, something I missed...
I've heard it claimed that Primaloft retains more loft when wet then Climashield, but I have not seen conclusive evidence to back it up. Kudos to primaloft they do list wet and dry CLO values for all their insulations, while Climashield does not.
Actually you can buy a surplus bivvy any day of the week on eBay, last I checked they were mostly still <$50 for the most part.
I cut the floor and heavy zipper out of mine and put in a silnylon floor. Still heavy, but I at least got it under 2lbs.
Yeah, I'd much rather have a hair too much then not quite enough. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.
what is the angle on your load lifters? is there a specific fit problem that had you worried about it?
I think the easiest route for you would be to hang a short inner liner inside that went all the way to the ground to block drafts, and just pitch the "normal" tipi off the ground. If the liner was only attached at the seams there would be lots of gaps for the airflow to enter the tent, but the...
As I stated, I already have. I'm asking what your frame of reference is on other packs. Which packs is it better than and which packs is it worse than? I'll never challenge a man for saying something gets the job done, but if he is comparing it to packs he has never used I'm going to be...
The military has a long and glorious history of making up for massively under-preforming gear with willpower and sheer brute strength, most of those guys don't even use the waist belt on issue packs. Typically what the military is using is a good benchmark for how NOT to do things, the...
I'm curious if you've actually tried the others....this does not match my experience at all. For one the frame is a bit on the short side and for two I can't wear the MOLLE belt for more then a mile without massive bruising. Something like the Wilderness Pack Specialties suspension for a MOLLE...