Bushwalk Australia

Hi all, Im wanting to buy an arrn pack, but unsure as to go with the body balance or the effortless rhythm. I do most of my walking in tassy so a mix of on and off track. I would carry around 16-18kg and am wondering if the body balance material would stand up to a little bush bashing? Or should I go for the effortless rhythm that is stronger?

If you're going to be off-track in Tassie, you want the toughest material you can find. Might also be a good idea to think about a tyvek pack cover, to help protect it.

I've been using a Load Limo down here for almost four years - the pack itself is a little battered on the base but still usable. The harness is held together with string and spare webbing. If you do any pack-hauling, be extra careful. Otherwise the pack will cope reasonably well.

ok, thanks,
sounds like I should go with the effortless rhythm. What size balance pockets would you suggest?

Can you please ask questions in the appropriate part of the forum
This section is for technical reviews of gear not questions

Roadrunner2 wrote:ok, thanks,
sounds like I should go with the effortless rhythm. What size balance pockets would you suggest?

Depends on how tall you are and how much gear you carry. On a smaller person the large (Expedition) pockets are overkill, and too damned awkward. Being a bit on the short side I started with Sport pockets and then went to the Photo - which are the same size. That works well for me.

But it's best to try the pack on and see how it feels with the different options.

The effortless rhythm is a cavernous pack. I think it is at least 80L on its own? I have a guiding light and I find even that is more than enough volume for anything I'll ever do.

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my appologies

I have the Load Limo. The large size gives me more volume when needed without necessarily carrying more weight. The advantage of the Load Limo is that you can pack it for a few day trip of over 8 day walk. The expedition balance pockets are great and provide for much easier walking and acess to camera and other such gear that is needed on track.
In most locations in Tassie and Australia the pack will do well but where pack hauling or perhaps squeezing through narrow gaps or trees the pack with balance pockets can cause some trouble! In most situations this is not an issue but not sure I'd take the pack with the pockets to the Western Arthurs. In this case I'd tend to use a stong canvas pack - in my case this is a Macpac 75 litre.

We have a Peak Aspiration and a Natural Exhilaration. These packs are almost just as comfortable when used without their paired balance pockets. Nice harness system.

philm wrote:I have the Load Limo. ... In most situations this is not an issue but not sure I'd take the pack with the pockets to the Western Arthurs.

I did. Slower than I like through the scrambling, but doable. But you have to be extra careful with pack-hauling.
Don't think I'd do it that way again. Ditto with the Eldons.