Great video! Thank you! I have an Arc Haul and I cannot reach the water bottle pocket for the life of me! I always have someone else to grab my water for me. I think I have figured out a solution, though. We’ll see, on my next trip, if it works. I would like to have a port for a water bladder tube. To use a bladder with that pack, you have to set the bladder on top of the pack contents and run the tube out where you roll the bag down. It is clumsy, at best, so I don’t consider that a viable option.
I used the aura for the pembrokeshire coastal path and carried about 15kg total (including food/water) in it and it was so comfy. Im a fair bit older than you, overweight and have 3 medical conditions that make hiking harder but the bag was a dream no rubbing and no pressing pain on my traps (i hate that). Once it had moulded to me i couldnt tell it was there besides abit more puffing and panting going up hills. Im doing the cleveland way in a few days and upgraded abit of my kit (swapped out a few stuff sacks to dyneema roll top bags, better/lighter water filtration and better sleep mat) so im happy. I had wondered about maybe going super light some time but i dont think i will go for the zpacks bag. Its ok for people taking 6kg, cowboy camping etc and that would never be me. That other pack would equal pain for a hiker like me im sure.
I love that you're hiking with 3 medical conditions. I agree that the Aura is lovely to wear and the anti-gravity system really does what it says on the tin in many ways. The weight is a penalty, but like you say, and I concur, if you don't have Ultralight gear an Ultralight pack can lead to comfort trouble. Unfortunately in the UK you are rarely able to pack for a certain climate, we have such diverse weather! So I imagine Ultralight works so much better in other countries than here.
I know this video is a year old, but it's new to me :). I'm not sure if you noticed (and maybe it's not on your model since it's an older one), but the chest strap on both of your bags is adjustable. On the Z Packs, the black clips where the strap attaches to your shoulder straps can be slid up or down, so you can slide it up to give your chest a bit more space and make it more comfortable. They both also have "load lifters" at the top of the shoulder straps so that the weight will be carried differently on your shoulders. Once you learn how to adjust them on the ZPacks bag, that should make a huge difference and stop the rubbing. Hope this helps!
Great review. I bought the Aura and it arrived today. I'm new to backpacking and was having a hard time deciding between these two packs. I was worried about the weight of the Aura. I feel a little better about my choice of a starter pack now. Thanks!
The only thing I can’t think of that wasn’t mentioned (regarding the Osprey, not sure if it matters so much on the Z-pac, so not sure if it’s a comparison point) is the importance of getting the right size. I got a medium but think I maybe should have got the small as my back is shorter than I realised. I might try to find someone who wants to swap their small for a medium but, it just means the pack sits lower on my hips than perhaps it should. But I have plenty of hip padding and don’t do long hikes, so it doesn’t seem to be much of a problem atm. Great comparison review Laura 👍🏼 I’ll be sticking with the Osprey.
Yessss great point! I might stick this in the description, with links to the manufacturer's sizing guides. As you say, you might think 'oh I'm tall so I need a medium or large' without thinking about the proportions of your body. Easy mistake to make!
She’s wearing the Zpacks all wrong . Shoulder is wrong, chest strap can be adjusted vertically. Hip belt too big. Also depends how you pack the bag. Etc.
I too have the Zpack Arch Haul and like it very much. I was wondering if you have tried any of the camping gear from Terra Nova a UK company located in Chesterfield? Pip Pip Cherrio!
I have just watched Julie the adventure geeks video where she done a review of her Atompack rucksack which she is using when she does the Pacific Crest Trail, they are a British company and which way I understood it was they will make a pack for you to your specifications. As for the Gregory pack which I have a day pack and I like it but I watched the Liverpool hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail 2 years ago and he bought a Gregory pack over there but before they finished what they were walking he had to replace it because of the faults on it that cropped up.
Hi Laura, I have just rewatched the Liverpool Hikers video where he was talking about his Gregory rucksack, he said his buckle failed and if they didn't have a carabiner they did not know what they would have done and he said the newer models fall apart, he used 3 rucksacks on the trail, the first one they started out with was giving him shoulder problems which made him get the Gregory pack but he did say he got his money back from REI for it and he got a Hyperlite pack to replace the Gregory pack.
Thanks for the update! That's a real shame. I wonder if they changed their materials or manufacturing techniques... not good though, to have a pack that fails so drastically.
I dont get the z pack. But then I'm a beginner. Weight isnt the be all and all. Or is it. Osprey offers comfort and versatility. For me comfort trumps weight. Maybe someone can convince me otherwise... Whens are next hike??
Well.. I'll likely not be doing a 'thru' until next season now. I could potentially go up to Scotland very early next year, but I'll see. I'm probably going to do some 1-nighters in the meantime as I have some gear to test out and it'll be nice to try overnight wild camping without the pressure of mile-crushing. I've never just done a 1 nighter 😂 I went hard straight away, I'm a glutton for punishment
@@appalachiangirluk9960 I will need to be patient then. Hope you video the 1 nights. It's great to see you happy in the wild. Cant wait. What about doing hi lights of A T. Your greatest hits.🌞 keep em coming. Keep well🙏 god bless.
i have a gregory maven 55, which is, i think, as comfy and well equipped as the osprey and is a bit lighter with 1.55 kg. i found it online for 132€, maybe a year ago. i have not used it for a long distance hike, though, i bought it primarily for traveling at that point. just to point out an alternative. i want to buy an ultralight pack for long distance hiking in the future and it seems so difficult. all the popular brands are in the us and i would need to order one of each model of each brand to try all of them, right? or am i supposed to just guess which one will fit me best? i am a little scared that none of them are actually comfy.
My friend hiked the Appalachian Trail with a Gregory pack! I think it was a Baltoro 65L. I have no experience with Gregory packs but I've definitely been interested by them. Like you say from actual experience, to me they look to have comfort and features and they're lighter than Osprey. I know, it's so frustrating that we don't have the industry over here and so have to order from the USA and incur the tax and import fees... and risk having the wrong size/it not fitting right. Especially if you order custom-made stuff!
@@appalachiangirluk9960 yeah, i guess i will wait until i have the opportunity to try on someone's somewhere and not just order randomly. until then i will stick with my gregory. if i get all my gear ultralight it is still a 1kg difference to an ultralight pack, which for ultralight people is a lot, but maybe its the price to pay for comfort and all the different compartments and straps. and i love having all those compartments and straps. :D
@@appalachiangirluk9960 Twitter #rocks .. your account will be awesome people will love your content and as far as the Twitter murder squad goes they are way too busy murdering themselves anyways lol fire up an Instagram account and get them linked ....but ya gotta work that social media 😁
Great video! Thank you!
I have an Arc Haul and I cannot reach the water bottle pocket for the life of me! I always have someone else to grab my water for me. I think I have figured out a solution, though. We’ll see, on my next trip, if it works. I would like to have a port for a water bladder tube. To use a bladder with that pack, you have to set the bladder on top of the pack contents and run the tube out where you roll the bag down. It is clumsy, at best, so I don’t consider that a viable option.
I used the aura for the pembrokeshire coastal path and carried about 15kg total (including food/water) in it and it was so comfy. Im a fair bit older than you, overweight and have 3 medical conditions that make hiking harder but the bag was a dream no rubbing and no pressing pain on my traps (i hate that). Once it had moulded to me i couldnt tell it was there besides abit more puffing and panting going up hills. Im doing the cleveland way in a few days and upgraded abit of my kit (swapped out a few stuff sacks to dyneema roll top bags, better/lighter water filtration and better sleep mat) so im happy. I had wondered about maybe going super light some time but i dont think i will go for the zpacks bag. Its ok for people taking 6kg, cowboy camping etc and that would never be me. That other pack would equal pain for a hiker like me im sure.
I love that you're hiking with 3 medical conditions. I agree that the Aura is lovely to wear and the anti-gravity system really does what it says on the tin in many ways. The weight is a penalty, but like you say, and I concur, if you don't have Ultralight gear an Ultralight pack can lead to comfort trouble.
Unfortunately in the UK you are rarely able to pack for a certain climate, we have such diverse weather! So I imagine Ultralight works so much better in other countries than here.
I love your name, Buffet Slayer!!! 😂👍🏼👊🏼 Me too, given half a chance 😏
It made me laugh too 😂
great review!😊
I know this video is a year old, but it's new to me :). I'm not sure if you noticed (and maybe it's not on your model since it's an older one), but the chest strap on both of your bags is adjustable. On the Z Packs, the black clips where the strap attaches to your shoulder straps can be slid up or down, so you can slide it up to give your chest a bit more space and make it more comfortable. They both also have "load lifters" at the top of the shoulder straps so that the weight will be carried differently on your shoulders. Once you learn how to adjust them on the ZPacks bag, that should make a huge difference and stop the rubbing. Hope this helps!
Great review. I bought the Aura and it arrived today. I'm new to backpacking and was having a hard time deciding between these two packs. I was worried about the weight of the Aura. I feel a little better about my choice of a starter pack now. Thanks!
Thank you for giving me feedback, I really appreciate it! Exciting! Have you had a chance to use the Aura yet??
Good job. Happy Trails. Good Luck, Rick
Thanks Rick, hope you're keeping well!
The only thing I can’t think of that wasn’t mentioned (regarding the Osprey, not sure if it matters so much on the Z-pac, so not sure if it’s a comparison point) is the importance of getting the right size. I got a medium but think I maybe should have got the small as my back is shorter than I realised. I might try to find someone who wants to swap their small for a medium but, it just means the pack sits lower on my hips than perhaps it should. But I have plenty of hip padding and don’t do long hikes, so it doesn’t seem to be much of a problem atm. Great comparison review Laura 👍🏼 I’ll be sticking with the Osprey.
Yessss great point! I might stick this in the description, with links to the manufacturer's sizing guides. As you say, you might think 'oh I'm tall so I need a medium or large' without thinking about the proportions of your body. Easy mistake to make!
Added that! Thanks for the pointer!
@@appalachiangirluk9960 indeed it is.
She’s wearing the Zpacks all wrong . Shoulder is wrong, chest strap can be adjusted vertically. Hip belt too big. Also depends how you pack the bag. Etc.
Hello Laura. I love seeing you. You look beautiful girl. Santa Ray from Cleburne Texas has you on the nice list.
Merry Christmas Ray!
Excellent revieuw👏👏👍😊🇸🇪
Aw thank you! Well I'm glad you liked it! 🙂👍
You welcome👍🇸🇪😊
Thanks!!!
I too have the Zpack Arch Haul and like it very much. I was wondering if you have tried any of the camping gear from Terra Nova a UK company located in Chesterfield? Pip Pip Cherrio!
I have just watched Julie the adventure geeks video where she done a review of her Atompack rucksack which she is using when she does the Pacific Crest Trail, they are a British company and which way I understood it was they will make a pack for you to your specifications.
As for the Gregory pack which I have a day pack and I like it but I watched the Liverpool hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail 2 years ago and he bought a Gregory pack over there but before they finished what they were walking he had to replace it because of the faults on it that cropped up.
What niggles did he have with the Gregory on the PCT, out of interest?
Hi Laura, if I remember right I think the stitching on the seams started to break up.
Hi Laura, I have just rewatched the Liverpool Hikers video where he was talking about his Gregory rucksack, he said his buckle failed and if they didn't have a carabiner they did not know what they would have done and he said the newer models fall apart, he used 3 rucksacks on the trail, the first one they started out with was giving him shoulder problems which made him get the Gregory pack but he did say he got his money back from REI for it and he got a Hyperlite pack to replace the Gregory pack.
Thanks for the update! That's a real shame. I wonder if they changed their materials or manufacturing techniques... not good though, to have a pack that fails so drastically.
Yes Gregory are usually a good named and reliable back pack, I have a older model day pack and I like it and had no problems with it.
I dont get the z pack. But then I'm a beginner. Weight isnt the be all and all. Or is it. Osprey offers comfort and versatility. For me comfort trumps weight. Maybe someone can convince me otherwise... Whens are next hike??
Well.. I'll likely not be doing a 'thru' until next season now. I could potentially go up to Scotland very early next year, but I'll see.
I'm probably going to do some 1-nighters in the meantime as I have some gear to test out and it'll be nice to try overnight wild camping without the pressure of mile-crushing. I've never just done a 1 nighter 😂 I went hard straight away, I'm a glutton for punishment
@@appalachiangirluk9960 I will need to be patient then. Hope you video the 1 nights. It's great to see you happy in the wild. Cant wait. What about doing hi lights of A T. Your greatest hits.🌞 keep em coming. Keep well🙏 god bless.
i have a gregory maven 55, which is, i think, as comfy and well equipped as the osprey and is a bit lighter with 1.55 kg. i found it online for 132€, maybe a year ago. i have not used it for a long distance hike, though, i bought it primarily for traveling at that point. just to point out an alternative.
i want to buy an ultralight pack for long distance hiking in the future and it seems so difficult. all the popular brands are in the us and i would need to order one of each model of each brand to try all of them, right? or am i supposed to just guess which one will fit me best? i am a little scared that none of them are actually comfy.
My friend hiked the Appalachian Trail with a Gregory pack! I think it was a Baltoro 65L.
I have no experience with Gregory packs but I've definitely been interested by them. Like you say from actual experience, to me they look to have comfort and features and they're lighter than Osprey.
I know, it's so frustrating that we don't have the industry over here and so have to order from the USA and incur the tax and import fees... and risk having the wrong size/it not fitting right. Especially if you order custom-made stuff!
@@appalachiangirluk9960 yeah, i guess i will wait until i have the opportunity to try on someone's somewhere and not just order randomly. until then i will stick with my gregory. if i get all my gear ultralight it is still a 1kg difference to an ultralight pack, which for ultralight people is a lot, but maybe its the price to pay for comfort and all the different compartments and straps. and i love having all those compartments and straps. :D
@@robopecha how did it end? 🙂
@@dannyfox1449 it did not end yet! i have done no long distance trails and am still using my gregory pack.
@@robopecha Good luck then! 🙂
Welcome hiking with me in Morocco, do the highest peak in North Africa 4168m
Algo 10 omg got there
Algo 1
Post it on Twitter and hashtag it to death and hopefully it will get retweeted to death lol all the best my friend 🏴😁👍
I'll get death threats from twitter. Someone will find something to want to kill me about 😂
@@appalachiangirluk9960 Twitter #rocks .. your account will be awesome people will love your content and as far as the Twitter murder squad goes they are way too busy murdering themselves anyways lol fire up an Instagram account and get them linked ....but ya gotta work that social media 😁
❤
Algo 6 you're welcome 🥵
Algo 4
Algo 2
Algo 9 nearly there
Algo 8 I'm going to 10
Algo 3
Algo 7 😂
Algo 5