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Macpac Pursuit w/ wraptor harness |
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23-Jan-2006 2:52:13 PM
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Hi all,
I'm looking for a new climbing/canyoning/general purpose pack, I was thinking about one of the new Macpac Pursuits with the Wraptor harness. Tried one on in the store, felt super comfy, and well balanced. Its pretty funky lookin though, just wondering if anyone has actually used it and what you thought of it?
Thanks!
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23-Jan-2006 3:10:10 PM
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Hi,
I have a Macpac Pursuit 50, have had it for about a year. It is my climbing pack and carries my rack and ropes and a few odds and sods as required. The harness is particularly comfortable and does allow for easy movemnet. I was a bit dissapointed I manged to put a hole in it within the first week, but that was my fault and it was in the piece of material underneath the lid, so not too much of a problem. Perhaps it could have been made from tougher material though. All up, a great pack, but fairly pricey I seem to remember.
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24-Jan-2006 8:03:42 PM
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Ok,
I have had one for about a year now, and first off, yes it is a great pack. It pretty bombproof, reasonably light, you can extened the lid, fairly waterproof etc, and the wraptor harness is great, carries up to 30kg for me comfie, BUT watch out, the "wraptor rods" on mine have worn through the bottom fabric (meaning waist belt basically doesn't work now) and I havent used it much (total of 2 trips to NZ mountaineering, and lots of cragging and xc ski/winter climbing over here) but ive only had it a year. Im going to go get my money back as it seems like a design problem inherent in the (otherwise great) harness system.
Bummer huh
anyway I want a lighter pack now....
oh and (you didnt say you wanted it for ice stuff) BUT the crampon straps suck
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25-Jan-2006 8:49:49 AM
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I don't know if lightweight/technical Macpac packs are suitable for 'general' use.
This is a generalisation and i'm not trying to start a 'mines better than yours' war but I noted a lot of their midsized packs are built light and high-end to suit a special use.
For an allround pack that is light/comfy (due to simplicity) and bomber I would look at something like the Summit Gear canvas packs (based in Katoomba NSW).
I don't even know if they are still making packs, I don't need to know. I bought a 40-45 litre pack from them in '92(?) and its been my general pack since then. Climbing, canyoning, x/c sking, hiking, Uni, climbing/snowboarding trips overseas, general camping and weekend use and used on my motorbike to commute to work for 2 years. It can compress small or expand massive. My G/F managed to backpack around SE Asia for a month with it.
It's still great and looks like it will last for another 14 years, I've even used it as a toboggan down Kosciuszko cornice. I think it cost around $100 dollars back then.
I have no connection to Summit. I hope they are still making packs, in another 14 years i'll go and get a replacement if needed. I don't know about their larger packs/harness systems.
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25-Jan-2006 9:14:13 AM
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Just checked, summitgear are still around. My old pack is like the c--katoo, minus the side drink pockets. Similar but not the same.
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30-Jan-2006 2:11:06 PM
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Yeah, I've heard good things about Summit Gear packs. From all accounts they are pretty bomber and the guy who runs the place will happily customise and fit the pack just for you. Plus you get the warm fuzzies for supporting a local business.
I'll definately check them out. If I can get one with axe/crampon attachments it might be a better "all round" pack than the Pursuit, which, as you say, is pretty specialised.
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