Backpack size for OL track

[Miyata610]

Last time I did the OT I used a 93l pack and I wasn't even carrying a shelter or tent. But it did leave me room to add the two tents I was carrying at the end. Not at all relevant to the original question though.

I wouldn't do it without some form of down vest or jacket. Light, warm, cosy, nice. My mid layer when walking is a thin merino long sleeve. T shirt thickness. Works in snow and horizontal wind with a merino vest under it and my prophet over it. If I'm moving I'm generally hot, so the mid layer is usually only on for he first half hour. Other people are different. You really need to wok out what works for you.

[Onestepmore]

So many varied opinions. Take home message seems to me that you, as an individual, need to work out what works best for you. What works for someone else may be completely inappropriate for you.
Test your gear out on shorter walks, and morph it from there.
Don't jump from a couple of day walks to an 8 day-er

I just have a personal hatred of 'stuff' hanging off the outside of a pack. My kids (Scouts and Venturers) try and do this - a CCF sleeping pad strapped onto the lid or the base of a pack. Doomed to get scratched and leave blue or green bits all along the track. Hubby tries to have a pair of crocs hanging from his pack but I won't let him!
I know a lot of the lightweight US packs have large mesh pockets. I personally have a Gossamer Gear Mariposa (approx 65 L capacity incl pockets - 47L main pack) as one of my packs that is extremely comfortable but I like the streamlined look much better. I actually carry very little in the pockets and certainly don't pack them to capacity. I wouldn't choose to take this pack to Tassie. My other 'workhorse' pack is an Aarn pack (New Balance), so I guess it seems like I'm talking through my *&%$#! regarding streamlined packs. OP packs, mmmmm. I'd like hubby to have a Macmillan or similar for some serious Tassie walking, something a bit lighter/smaller for me.

[stry]

Packs are always too heavy, and never hold enough !!

[tongu]

Hi, my wife and I are planning on bringing our 75 litre and 65 litre backpacks on our upcoming OLT walk in December. As this will be our first hiking trip that requires an air transfer, does anyone have any suggestions on how we can prevent the bags from getting damaged after we've checked them in at the airport?

Thanks

[Lindsay]

Hi, my wife and I are planning on bringing our 75 litre and 65 litre backpacks on our upcoming OLT walk in December. As this will be our first hiking trip that requires an air transfer, does anyone have any suggestions on how we can prevent the bags from getting damaged after we've checked them in at the airport?

Thanks

Hi tongu. I have transported my pack by air on several occasions and had no problems. All you need to do is tighten your straps fully, buckle your hip belt and tuck any loose ends away. You could also pass a cord or some duct tape around the pack to hold the straps in nice and tight, but I haven't found this necessary. I work at an airport and see packs arriving off the baggage belt every day without harm, so these simple precautions should be enough.

[Onestepmore]

Or you can put the pack inside an air transporter bag, such as these ones Osprey make. We have a large size that fits a 70 L pack plus a 20L something day pack, covering up all the straps that might potentially get snagged. The carrying strap isn't the most robust though, so we place a couple of those luggage straps around as well to make it easier to carry
When we travel overseas at the end of the year we'll purchase the medium sized ones that will fit just one pack better, and take a day pack as hand luggage
http://www.paddypallin.com.au/osprey-ai ... -lz-1.html

[stry]

Or you can put the pack inside an air transporter bag, such as these ones Osprey make. We have a large size that fits a 70 L pack plus a 20L something day pack, covering up all the straps that might potentially get snagged. The carrying strap isn't the most robust though, so we place a couple of those luggage straps around as well to make it easier to carry
When we travel overseas at the end of the year we'll purchase the medium sized ones that will fit just one pack better, and take a day pack as hand luggage
http://www.paddypallin.com.au/osprey-ai ... -lz-1.html

Agree 110%. I have never had a problem the couple of times I have taken an uncovered pack (they were old H frames), but it really is asking for trouble, even you are careful with securing everything.

Only downside to the transporter bag is the extra weight if you are going to be carrying it with you after you arrive. I have one but have never weighed it. Still worth the effort I reckon !!

[Pongo]

Agree 110%. I have never had a problem the couple of times I have taken an uncovered pack (they were old H frames), but it really is asking for trouble, even you are careful with securing everything.

Only downside to the transporter bag is the extra weight if you are going to be carrying it with you after you arrive. I have one but have never weighed it. Still worth the effort I reckon !!

Or if you're staying somewhere at the end of the trail, take a prepaid parcel with you and post it ahead. I wouldn't be surprised if the parks office would hold it for you if you schmoozed em.

[Peaksnik]

does anyone have any suggestions on how we can prevent the bags from getting damaged after we've checked them in at the airport?

I've clingwrapped a rucksack that survived several transfers from the north-east coast of the US to Brisbane. The roll cost $2.

Alternatively, Qantas has large plastic bags on a roll for free at major airports. Take one for the trip out and a spare for the return. Either tie the corners together or use tape.

[Finnigan]

Hi, my wife and I are planning on bringing our 75 litre and 65 litre backpacks on our upcoming OLT walk in December. As this will be our first hiking trip that requires an air transfer, does anyone have any suggestions on how we can prevent the bags from getting damaged after we've checked them in at the airport?

Thanks

If you DON'T bag you pack, and the shoulder straps or hip belt get caught in the baggage system the handlers will just cut off the offending caught straps.
Use plastic wrap at the airport or use a pack bag. They may not get caught, but if they do very annoying.