Is Lighter Better?

[trophyhill]

When it comes to backpacks, why so much fuss over 2lbs difference in a backpack. I realize guys are counting ounces, but is a 2lb weight savings up front worth the added discomfort when coming out heavy?

 

[rodney482]

My lightweight Kifaru packs like a dream

 

[rekkr870]

2lbs is huge in backpack hunting with your camp on your back. The key is finding a pack that is lightweight but comfortable....which is costly. Check out Stone Glacier.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[*zap*]

Packing weight can suck so it is best to have a good functioning pack that is as light as possible without sacrificing load carrying ability.....

 

[Spiral Horn]

On mountain hunts most folks discover the difference the hard way. There’s a huge difference between what a guy can first pack on when leaving camp and how that same load feels 6-8 hours later while carrying it in the mountains. But it isn’t just weight. Load distribution is another huge factor, and the hunter needs to stay alert and focused during the actual hunt. A properly rigged pack harness should form-fit to the user, balance the load, and focus load bearing toward the hips/waist. Otherwise it just ends up cutting into the shoulders and traps. The difference in comfort / long-haul mountain hunting packability can be pretty shocking. Fighting the mountains, elements and game are challenge enough.

 

[RockChucker30]

Here's an article I wrote that talks about the importance of weight:

How To Cut Your Backpack Hunting Weight

How to logically cut your backpack hunting weight, looking at the time gear is worn, the percentage of total weight for each item, and the cost to cut each ounce.

seekoutside.com

To directly answer your question, YES pack weight is extremely important.

Backpack hunting is usually a deep, far, vast, and high activity, all stuff that taxes your body. We all have a set amount of gas in the tank, and as we age the tank gets smaller.

Every ounce you carry on a backpack hunt reduces your miles per gallon. Every pound hurts your ability to gain elevation, cover miles glassing, and kills your desire to take a peek over the next ridge.

Beyond this, Time Weight dictates that pack weight is one of the most important areas to cut weight. Since a pack is worn nearly all day every day during a hunt, you can multiply weight cut by the time worn.

Cutting pack weight has a much greater impact on your body than cutting camp gear weight if you're not moving camp.

 

[ChrisAU]

I've found that I can't tell a difference when picking them up in the morning at camp, but I damn sure can tell a difference on the way back that evening...

 

[PJG]

I personally thinks that its easier to loose two pounds of body weight rather than spending the extra money and chasing the ligthweight craze.

 

[JG358]

An extra 2lbs isn't a deal breaker for me in a pack as long as it has the features I want and fits me. That being said if theirs two pack that have the features I want and fit right... I'm most likely gonna take the lighter of the two.

 

[Poser]

Hiked 9 miles out yesterday afternoon after getting sucked in too deep over the weekend (though, we did have 2 friends “on Call” for meat packing duty). 2 lbs makes a difference.

 

[5MilesBack]

I realize guys are counting ounces, but is a 2lb weight savings up front worth the added discomfort when coming out heavy?

You're assuming that the lighter pack will be more uncomfortable than a heavier pack when you're coming out heavy. That may or may not be the case.

I would assume that most guys are carrying around their packs without meat a heck of a lot more than they are with meat. So ya, 2lbs is 2lbs. With a load of meat are you going to be able to tell the difference between 98lbs and 100lbs?

 

[brsnow]

I don’t think I give up any comfort with my seek outside and being extremely light is an added bonus.

 

[trophyhill]

I don’t think I give up any comfort with my seek outside and being extremely light is an added bonus.

What are you comparing too with a full load?

 

[AK Troutbum]

I agree with what most have already said, especially the misconception that a lighter pack is going to be less comfortable than a heavier pack. I'll also add that, if your thought process is, "so what if my pack is two lbs. heavier, it's only two lbs.", than does that thought process continue with everything in your pack? If this is the case, you may be carrying a fully loaded pack that weighs quite a few lbs. more than the next person that is counting every oz. When I went on my first sheep hunt, my pack weighed about 70 lbs. for a 10 day hunt. By way of comparison, to do that same hunt today, my pack weighs around 50 lbs. A 25-30% reduction in the initial wt. of my pack, since I started counting oz., is pretty significant IMO.

Oh, and the 5 lb. pack that I carry today is MUCH more comfortable than the 7 1/2 lb. pack that I started with years ago.

 

[Jimss]

When my Kifaru pack and frame are on my back while scouting I hardly even notice I have it on when loaded with less than 25 lbs! Their is something to say about comfort when hauling even small to medium weight loads. I would much rather have a sturdy, comfy pack when hauling 25 lbs than a smaller pack where my arms, neck, and shoulders are sore from the same load. Small day or hip packs really aren't all that great!

If I backpack hunt with a super hefty load I usually am hunting from a base camp. It's super nice having a pack and frame designed for extreme loads. Obviously not all frames/bags are created equally. I would MUCH rather have a frame designed specifically for hauling hefty loads comfortably that weighs 1 or 2 lbs more than a lighter pack that hauls hefty loads miserably!

With that said, most high tech backpack companies are using super light and durable materials any more. Their frames and bags that are capable of 100+ lb loads are super light and compact. It's not like the old school hefty/bulky stuff of the past! Kifaru and Stone Glacier use super light, durable, and well engineered products. Large volume bags are so light and durable that they compress down to nothing when empty.

 

[brsnow]

What are you comparing too with a full load?

kuiu and Stone glacier. Also the Kelty pack frame.

 

[gfreidy]

Are you affiliated with this product or company?

 

[jordan714]

Purchasing a pack is just like purchasing anything else, you decide which one to buy based on what is important to you. For those individuals that are looking for something as light as possible, they may be willing to sacrifice some comfort while packing out. Every item has it's pros and cons, just find out what's important to you. I personally have spent years of my life with a heavy ruck in the military, and I want durability and support; therefore, I am willing to sacrifice on weight. But everyone is different.

 

[USMC-40]

Are you affiliated with this product or company?

my guess is ‘yes’ given the random nature of a shameless plug

 

[JG358]

Are you affiliated with this product or company?

I'd put money on it.