How big a pack do I need..

[Tony Anders]

How big a cave pack should I carry?


I have a cave pack or military pack that I use for caving... It is a good pack for the money I have in it. $10.

My brother bought a new one and I really like it, I was wondering how big a pack I need if I end getting a new caving pack. I don't want go get to small a pack but if I get to large a pack, I will most likely end up packing more stuff than needed.

Open for suggestions...

Anyone use any of these I am listing?

www.karstsports.com/gogugepaandb.html

www.karstsports.com/pabalocr.html

[Brian Roebuck]

Tony,
It all depends on what sort of caving you will use it for. Small trips, push trips, etc can use the smaller packs to good advantage. Most folks start with a mid sized pack that can carry enough stuff for regular cave trips - even some vertical gear when needed. You can always roll packs down if they are not full. If you carry photo gear or other specialized stuff the really big expedition packs can come in handy. I seem to have bought an array of packs over the years and use them all based on the type of trip I am on. Overall I suggest a mid size pack to start out with. You will end up using it the most in my opinion.

[Azurerana]

May 15, 2008 10:36:54 GMT -5 Tony Anders said:

How big a cave pack should I carry?

I've never used anything bigger than an elementary school student daypack size. OTOH, I've always carried my camera/gear in a separate ammo box/ camera case, because it is such a pain to take off the backpack, get out the camera, take pictures, repack, put it back on, etc.

Since I'm heavy, a side pack just makes me wider, and that's not a good thing.

[tncaveres]

I use a Lost Creek TAG Bag . It carries everything I need . Even my vertical gear.

[rangerdad]

Tony, if you have not already got a pack here are a couple of suggestions.

1) If you plan to do a lot of wet caves, (mostly ones where you my encounter a couple feet of water) I would suggest the Swaygo Pack. They make 3 sizes and they are made of 840-denier, balanced-weave nylon; polyurethane impregnated and coated material, which is waterproof and really durable. i have a friend who has one and he puts it through the test. You can drag this pack very easy on long crawls. They cost a little more but have a LIFETIME WARRANTY. This will most likely be my next pack to buy. Price $74-$94
Here is a link www.swaygogear.com/

2) I use the OR1 Expedition/Rescue. I like to carry a lot of gear, also my son and daughter goes along a lot with me so I need the extra room to help with some items for them. It is big and really durable made of Ballistic Nylon but not waterproof. On Rope packs start out at $19 -$75. I would buy the ones made with the Ballistic Nylon, the ones made of condura do not hold up as long. These packs are similar to the Lost Creek packs.
Link www.onrope1.com/store/index.php?p=catalog&parent=70&pg=1

I would suggest that no matter which brand you buy try to buy the biggest size pack they make, because you always can roll down the big packs if the trip does not require a lot of gear but you can never carry a lot of gear in the smaller packs

Hope this helps.
Allen