Lamont wrote:
Hope the rucksack works out.
Ms_Mudd wrote:The pack is here, sports balance pockets hopefully here this afternoon.
Planning a 21kmish day walk with a potential for a very wee bit of snow next week, so will pack it out heavier than I strictly need to give it a really good run.
So yes Lamont, coffee grinder will be coming with me all in the name of science and road testing a new pack, not because I am a total addict. Although I am.
Initial impressions are that I like the shoulder strap and hip 'flow mo' set up. It will be interesting to feel the effect on my balance when fully loaded and scrambling when I expect that the weight would be 'on' me more. I did worry that one edge of the plastic guide that the cordage goes through had a slightly rough edge and could catch on the cord and cause wear, but probably am overthinking it.
I also like how short it sits on my torso, I can easily look up and not hit the frame with the back of my head, I prefer a pack to be a bit wider rather than being taller for this reason.
It seems robust, the mesh on the side pockets are mesh all the way to the base though. Anyone found that over time objects in them stretch them out at all?
headwerkn wrote:Our experience with Aarn wasn't a good one. My partner got one just before we met and despite numerous attempts to fit it to her with different belt sizes etc. she could never get it to ride properly. It's probably worth mentioning too, for the ladies, that while the front bags are definitely useful and the counter balancing makes sense, they tend not to work so well if you've got an, ahem, ample chest. Just sayin'
Just my observation during the whole experience, but the Aarns do appear more complex than they need to be in terms of fitment. We also had issues with parts of the alloy frame coming apart. Eventually we got rid of it and replaced it with a Arcteryx Beta AR and she's never looked back.
Cheers, Ben.
matagi wrote:When you say ample chest - how ample are you talking? I am considered a fairly well endowed female and that was my concern when I got my first Aarn pack but I haven't had any problems with the front pockets on either my Mountain Magic or my Peak Aspiration. That said, I reckon if you were built like Dolly Parton, the front pockets would be an issue.
matagi wrote:The balance pockets shouldn't sway and you should be able to cross over the chest straps, so there is obviously something not quite right there.
As far as the hip belt goes, after much experimentation I found it easier to do up by hooking my arms under the balance pockets. I also tried going between the pockets, but that was very awkward mechanically speaking.
MeanderingFlyFisher wrote:I tighten the hip belt before I connect the crossover straps as they seem to hang under my arms and just reach over/around the balance pockets. I am sure you will sort out a technique with practice.
north-north-west wrote:Good luck on the walk, Muddy.
philm wrote:Hi
A couple of ideas to make the pack more comfortable. It is a bit of trial and error but the video's on the Aarn website help. The straps on the balance pockets are meant to cross over at the top. So the top left pocket strap attaches to the right strap on the pack and visa versa.
philm wrote:
The bottom pocket straps just connect together. The pockets will / should not sway much at all.
Ms_Mudd wrote:
I am looking forward to doing the crossover thing. I think it was super weird and annoying that my pack came with clips that wouldn't allow that. Bit frustrating. They are different to the clips on both the compact and sports balance pockets so it really makes no sense at all. Backpacking Light were really kind and helpful and said the packs get the wrong clips sometimes and were happy to send me out the right ones, can't wait for them to come. Do you find that stabilises the whole deal a lot more? Did you then need to bend the stays at all?
slparker wrote:If you want some expedition front bags let me know. I bought a pair for an Aarn daypack and they didn't fit and the straps were wrong etc so I pretty much wrote them off.
Sitting in my trunk awaiting me either buying an Aarn multi-day pack or putting on the pay-it-forward page. If Ms Mudd doesn't want them they're free to another good home.
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