[pct-l] packs

[moosemunch_7 at hotmail.com (Tom Kowalik)]

I didn't have any trouble with my vapor trail on the pct last year til after 
500-600 miles, but on the AT my mtnsmith ghost load lifters become a hassle. 
  Try buying an extra set of the 'buckles/sliders' that the straps run thru 
and jury rig them so they rest a 30-45  degree or so angle above the buckles 
already on the pack.  To do this I had to cut a small part of the new 
'buckle' on mine to slide onto the strap next to and above  the old one.  
This gave the straps more friction.  Worked great, you just have to make 
sure they're lined up properly most times when you put your pack on.
Or you could just give your pack a bath...hah!

Munch

<< Tried out my Vapor Trail the other day and it felt good with about 20 lbs 
in
it and the straps seemed to be holding. However the last two packs I've
tried I have sent back because the straps wouldnt hold and went back to my
Gregory Reality (HEAVY), one was a Kelty Flight the other a Mountainsmith
Auspex. Does anybody know of a quick fix if the straps stop holding. I hate
going down a mountain pulling the straps every ten seconds. It bewilders me
why any manufacturer would put cheap buckles etc on a pack, ruins the whole
pack.
Pat  >>

>I used a Vapor Trail on the AT from Front Royal to Katahdin (1,200 miles), 
>and loved it.  I found the exterior/interior water bladder pouch to be 
>awkward, but I think they've changed the design of it on the 2005 model. 
>Other people have said they had difficulties with the front straps 
>slipping, but I never noticed that - I also never used them for holding 
>anything in place.  I also didn't have a problem fitting a 1-liter soda 
>bottle plus my 12-liter fuel bottle in the side pockets (perhaps keeping 
>the fuel bottle in the pocket helped hold the pocket open for the water 
>bottle to go in and out).  These side pockets are easily accessed while 
>wearing the pack; I loved being able to keep guide books and water bottles 
>in them and access them while hiking without taking the pack off.  Because 
>of this, I stopped using my Platypus hose bag.
>
>All in all, a good, simple pack with a great suspension.
>
>Haiku.
>
>Shamli Tarbell wrote:
>>I'm trying to make a decision on a backpack...so far my favorite is the 
>>granite gear vapor trail that weighs 2lbs. and seems to have some 
>>cushyness/suspension. has anyone had any experiences, good or bad, with 
>>this pack. unfortunately they don't carry it in stores here in Tucson so 
>>all my research has been online.
>>also, have any couples used the nanatek backcountry blanket at rated at 20 
>>degrees? the weight is nice at 1lb.10oz. but it looks kinda thin with only 
>>2.5" of baffle height.
>>thanks, shamli
>>
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>pct-l mailing list
>>pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>>unsubscribe or change options:
>>http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>>
>
>_______________________________________________
>pct-l mailing list
>pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>unsubscribe or change options:
>http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l