Weighted backpack training

Brock A

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I know a lot of guys & gals, myself included, like to throw the ole backpack on with some weight in it and take off on a hike. I found that coming downhill with the weight is pretty hard on my knees. Especially when I have 90 lbs. So I did a little searching around the World Wide Web and came up with this gem!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XABU5Q/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For $10 you cant go wrong. Once I get to the top I just dump it out and throw it back in my pack. It weighs around 40 lbs full and fits in a T1 perfect. If someone was feeling a little ambitious you could stack 2 in a T1 really nice. So far I have around 7 hikes with it and its pretty durable. I would think you would need a pretty dang sharp object to puncture it. Also being that its plastic it will form to almost any pack you put it in. Hope this helps anyone looking for an alternative to sandbags, plate weights & tire chains!

Here she is full



Dumping it out and them empty



 
I go back and forth on this issue. I like to train for mountain hunting, which includes uphill and downhill, but, I don't want to trash my knees either.
 
Hell I would be drinking it at the top.... LOL


Great idea really.

also Trekking poles are a knee savers coming down hill.
 
Ken, I keep 20 to 40 lbs of sand bags in there to make sure I get a little workout coming down. But leaving 60 - 90 lbs in it on a down hill hike doing it 3-5 days a week would destroy a guys knees.

Rodney 482, trekking poles are a must! Always have them!
 
Brock that's an awesome idea. ive been using a dog food bag filled with sand. This would allow me to do hikes way more often with heavy loads. ive had a few knee surgeries and am always cautious about downhills. so I do a lot of flatland hikes.
 
I'm using a variation of this. I bought two 10L msr domedarys and use them. I figured they were tough and could be used later for hunting in a dry area. Your idea is definitely cheaper though.
 
Good idea, I might do this while scouting and just stash it up there for future use!
 
I use that thing in the backcountry at spike camps to store water...pack it in empty..fill it up and keep it in camp....never thought of the training application... Good idea...I just use sand bags...might pack that on a hike next time.
 
Well, I found the breaking point on this thing last night. I was kinda hoping I would just so I know its limits. Anyway sprung a little hole right where the top handle connects to the plastic. While I never abused it, I definitely wasn't easy on it. Anyway I have a new one coming and next time I will just remember to pick it up with both handles instead of picking 40lbs up with just one.
 
Great idea Brock. I have 2 of those ready to be used.

I think I want to pick up a 2nd as well. That way I can dump both out at the top and come down with no weight instead of 40lbs of sand after dumping one jug like I do now.
 
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