Reader Seeking 7,000-Inch Pack

Q. I am looking for a pack, it has to be absolutely huge, at least 7,000 cubic inches, has to be tough and take a lot of abuse, have a detachable daypack top, a sleeping bag compartment, and lots of places to strap on gear. I was wondering what you thought of JanSport’s line of technical packs, especially the Alaska, compared to say the Gregory Massif. I am strongly considering both of these packs.

Napolian Stewart

Gear Guy: Good Lord! Are you part ox? 7,000 cubic inches is a massive pack, and unless you’re carrying a lot of bulky (but relatively light) clothing, lugging it is going to be no picnic.

But hey, that’s your problem. Mine is to figure out the best pack for you. JanSport’s Alaska certainly is an intriguing one. JanSport packs are reasonable well made and have loads of features. Moreover, at just $189, the Alaska is perhaps the most reasonably priced big pack on the market. But I really doubt that its suspension is up to the potential weight in a pack its size. For that reason, I’d lean toward Gregory’s Massif. Although it’s substantially more expensive ($320), Gregory’s suspension systems are among the better ones on the market. And I’m convinced the Massif would be a more durable, longer-lasting pack.

I’ll be looking for you on the trail - I assume you’ll be the guy who looks like a pack that has sprouted two legs!

Q. My new wife and I are planning on doing a two-week backpacking excursion to Europe for our honeymoon. We want the freedom of throwing everything in a backpack while we walk and hop on and off trains without an agenda.

However, we do want to stay in a couple of nice hotels on the way and have been looking at “travel packs” or backpacks that have a handle, can conceal the shoulder/hip straps, and look like a rugged duffel bag. In the future, we want to use the packs in some light day hiking. Do you have any specific suggestions for this type of backpack? P.S. My wife is 5-foot-4 and will need something to fit her frame.

Brennan Dell

Gear Guy: One of the better-looking travel packs now on the market is The North Faces new Lhasa ($225). It’s a decent backpack, with 4,400 cubic inches of room, two compartments, sleeping pad straps and a comfortable suspension. It even has a small rucksack that can be removed from the main bag for those day trips when you’re not carrying much more than a guidebook and a jacket. Around civilization, the Lhasa’s straps can be concealed and its two outside handles and removable shoulder strap make it easy to manage. Overall, a good choice for a trip such as yours, and it can be sized to fit your wife.

Another alternative is to buy a good-quality duffel bag, such as L.L. Bean’s Adventure Duffel (Large, $49). Store your pack in that when staying in town; take the pack out and stuff the duffel into it when carrying a load.

Sounds like fun! Hope you have a memorable trip.

Q. A comment on your OKAE as regards snakebite. You know, and I know, that you don’t advocate the use of tourniquets on snakebites, and that what you really meant was “constriction band,” but that’s not the way it came across in your answer to Mike Narish’s question on snakebite kits. I hope you’ll run a clarification, as I’d hate to hear of someone losing a limb because of a misunderstanding.

Ken Ferschweiler

Good point, Ken. I did use the word “tourniquet” in that answer, but did not mean to imply circulation should be cut off. As you say, the proper term is “constriction band” - all you want to do is slow the blood flow, not cut it. I guess I’ll have to review my OKAE (Omniscient Knowledge About Everything) handbook to see where I went wrong.

xxxx