Shape of pack

[snowplow]

I've been kicking around the idea of sewing up my own pack for a while now. I've always had kifaru for the most part. And they have always been barrel-shaped. I was just wondering if there was any inherent advantage to a barrel shape versus a more boxy shape?

One of my favorite things about my AMR is that it just folds flat to the frame. But I was thinking it actually might fold up a little nicer without bunching if it was more of a boxy type shape. It seems to me a more boxy shape would be easier to lay out, sew, and figure out finish size.

So again, is there any reason I really want to stick with the barrel shape? Or, should I go more boxy?



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[Rokwiia]

If we look at the things we put in our pack and how we put it in, it might help you decide. If you are someone who takes a sleeping bag, tent, clothes, and just shoves it all in the backpack, shape probably doesn't matter.

If, however, you're someone who puts those items in a stuff sack then puts them in the backpack, a curved bag would make more sense. Everything in a stuff sack is curved. If the box corners don't stretch at all, there may be some unusable/unused space.

 

[AKSandman]

@snowplow, boxy packs are easier to sew, rounded packs are easier to use in the field. I have sewn a half dozen packs or so and from my experience I would say shooting for halfway between boxy and barrel gives you a nice balance of ease of design and efficiency of pack use.