Backpack advice needed

[jgeary338]

I just purchased the SG sky archer 6200 and goes down super small, the compression system is awesome and with the 3piece belt and lumbar pad fits amazingly. I've put about 50miles on it with 40-75 lbs no problem. Accidently kicked it off very steep area and it was still good as new! IMHO worth every penny.

 

[xziang]

I purchased one of the 'clearance' Kuiu ICON PRO packs and I've been happy with it. I will admit I would be scared of taking it on a cross country trip where I needed to check it in on an airplane. I would be nervous about the material getting snagged on a conveyer/cart etc.

One thing I did and would probably suggest to think about is to get the pack in a neutral color (brown/tan/grey/etc). I might be paranoid but I figured I wouldn't get scrutinized as much going through customs than if it was a 'camo' pack. Just my .02 though.

**edited** when I plan to use it on a plane it'll be a carry on.

 

[COlineman78]

I purchased one of the 'clearance' Kuiu ICON PRO packs and I've been happy with it. I will admit I would be scared of taking it on a cross country trip where I needed to check it in on an airplane. I would be nervous about the material getting snagged on a conveyer/cart etc.

One thing I did and would probably suggest to think about is to get the pack in a neutral color (brown/tan/grey/etc). I might be paranoid but I figured I wouldn't get scrutinized as much going through customs than if it was a 'camo' pack. Just my .02 though.

**edited** when I plan to use it on a plane it'll be a carry on.

The "clearance" packs are Icon and not Icon Pro. The main difference being the frame design, where they added 2 height models and a pivot at the hip belt. The bag designs themselves don't seem to be all that different. I agree that there are straps everywhere, so I can see the hesitation in checking the bag, but I think if you spent some time cleaning up the tag ends with some tape or possibly some zip ties you should be able to get it clean enough to put yourself at ease. You may consider getting a set of backup clips if you were going to check it just in case.

 

[AZ Vince]

To detail this thread a bit :

I pack my pack and put it inside a suitcase when flying. It keeps the loose ends contained and blends in better at the airport.

 

[xziang]

The "clearance" packs are Icon and not Icon Pro. The main difference being the frame design, where they added 2 height models and a pivot at the hip belt. The bag designs themselves don't seem to be all that different. I agree that there are straps everywhere, so I can see the hesitation in checking the bag, but I think if you spent some time cleaning up the tag ends with some tape or possibly some zip ties you should be able to get it clean enough to put yourself at ease. You may consider getting a set of backup clips if you were going to check it just in case.

Thanks for correcting me you are correct. The one I purchased was over a year ago which was the old Icon 7000 kit.

 

[Thethorn]

So im a few months late haha but this is what happened. I agonised over the decision of what to get and....... Left it too late. I did the month of flyfishing and it was awesome but nothing like I expected. I used a family members pack and my attempts to adjust it were useless, had the worst time lugging it around. I ended up staying for free in a hostel for three weeks in exchange for a few days work a work then I stayed with some Maori friends for a week. Camped out one night after hitchiking for a few hours and it wasnt great in terms of equipment satisfaction. Had a borrowed sleeping bag that wasnt rated for a Nz winter which made it an interesting night.

So the trip turned out alittle different but all Is not lost. After speaking with Kurt to make sure it would get here in time I bought a pack. Im heading to Nz for 2 months from 25th of Jan. And I just pulled the trigger on a Stone Glacier Cirque 6200. The exchange rate broke my heart but I figure what the hell, there are people spending the few hundred extra dollars compared to backpacking packs here in Aus on more ridiculous things and for the extra money I get what I want. Will post my review of it after ive put some miles on it.

Cheers for the help. The rave reviews of Stone glacier and quick response from them about my questions swayed me in the end.