larryschwartz
WKR
Daveinjax,
Here are some bottom line statements about big bag vs. small bag that explain why I would go with the big bag instead...
Big Bag:
~ You always have plenty of room to handle all situations; e.g., if you kill then you have the room to bring out a big quarter or lots of meat, if you have to pack up in a hurry (like it is raining or the elk are moving).
~ Most modern pack bags, especially the ones you are looking at, compress down nice and small/tight so having some extra ci's available doesn't come with any weight or movement penalty.
~ Having extra room makes it a lot easier to pack (and repack) the bag, especially in the field. We all tend to make it all fit at home by packing small and tight and then putting it in the pack bag. Unfortunately we don't always have the time or ability to do that in the field.
~ Having a compressable big pack allows you to use one pack for all of your needs in the field; one pack for all tasks, less cost in buying multiple packs/equipment, and less things to possibly fail.
~ Smaller bags work if you have lightweight equipment, but many of us (maybe you too) have things that are not so light or not so small/short. When that happens having a bigger/longer bag or frame comes in really handy.
Small Bags:
~ Great for smaller loads, less profile and weight (maybe).
~ Helps keep down how much you bring with you since there isn't as much possible room to fill, but that is just a matter of personal preference or not using a packing list and sticking to it.
~ You can add pouches/pockets/grab-its to a small pack to expand its capacity and functionality, but that limits what you can put in those add-ons; e.g., your gas-canister stove may not fit in one of the pouches because it is too long or wide.
So, in the end a large pack will give you more flexibility, more capacity if you need it for whatever reason, lless equipment to buy and take in with you, and little weight/profile penalty so go with the larger bag instead.
Larry
Here are some bottom line statements about big bag vs. small bag that explain why I would go with the big bag instead...
Big Bag:
~ You always have plenty of room to handle all situations; e.g., if you kill then you have the room to bring out a big quarter or lots of meat, if you have to pack up in a hurry (like it is raining or the elk are moving).
~ Most modern pack bags, especially the ones you are looking at, compress down nice and small/tight so having some extra ci's available doesn't come with any weight or movement penalty.
~ Having extra room makes it a lot easier to pack (and repack) the bag, especially in the field. We all tend to make it all fit at home by packing small and tight and then putting it in the pack bag. Unfortunately we don't always have the time or ability to do that in the field.
~ Having a compressable big pack allows you to use one pack for all of your needs in the field; one pack for all tasks, less cost in buying multiple packs/equipment, and less things to possibly fail.
~ Smaller bags work if you have lightweight equipment, but many of us (maybe you too) have things that are not so light or not so small/short. When that happens having a bigger/longer bag or frame comes in really handy.
Small Bags:
~ Great for smaller loads, less profile and weight (maybe).
~ Helps keep down how much you bring with you since there isn't as much possible room to fill, but that is just a matter of personal preference or not using a packing list and sticking to it.
~ You can add pouches/pockets/grab-its to a small pack to expand its capacity and functionality, but that limits what you can put in those add-ons; e.g., your gas-canister stove may not fit in one of the pouches because it is too long or wide.
So, in the end a large pack will give you more flexibility, more capacity if you need it for whatever reason, lless equipment to buy and take in with you, and little weight/profile penalty so go with the larger bag instead.
Larry
