My son and I want to do some overnight backpack/camping trips with his boy scout troop. I haven't done this sort of thing in a long time. I am not familiar with what backpacks are available, etc.
I think I want something with a frame to tie other stuff onto so that I can pack more when the need arises.
My son is 10 years old. I can't see him carrying a whole lot.
I don't want to invest much because I don't think it is something I will do often.
Any suggestions?

ANything that fits and is comfortable. WHat are the the other scouts using?

Kelty is a good pack, but there are many other good ones , and plenty of good knockoffs.

A frame pack shouldn't weigh more than 4 pounds.

A pack for your son should be quite temporary. I think most he should be loaded down w/ is 25% of body weight. COnservatively- 15%.

In a short while ,I would think he would outgrow a pack that fits him now. MaYbe network w/ the other dads for used packs to borrow /buy.

Internal frames are more comfortable.

Big packs become too big for other trips, this year I won't be using my big pack going to Havasupai.

Make sure the pack has a sleeve for your camelback/platypus/hydration system.

The belt is the most important thing IMO. The more weight the more you will want that padded belt.

Next would be mesh ribs in the back to try to keep some air going to your back so you don't drip sweat down yer crack.

Let us know what you get.

quote:

Originally posted by Stone:
Internal frames are more comfortable.

Big packs become too big for other trips, this year I won't be using my big pack going to Havasupai.

Make sure the pack has a sleeve for your camelback/platypus/hydration system.

The belt is the most important thing IMO. The more weight the more you will want that padded belt.

Next would be mesh ribs in the back to try to keep some air going to your back so you don't drip sweat down yer crack.

Let us know what you get.

Good posting. I totally agree with the internal frame backpack... a little more expensive, but sooo much more comfortable.

I use a fullsize alice pack. Not pretty or trendy, but it's workedfor generations of grunts in the field.

One thing I need to determine is how much room I need to pack for one to two nights. I figure I will have to gather our gear and look at it. From there I may be able to determine how much of it each of us can carry and how big of a pack it will require. Sound like a plan?
As far as my 10 year old outgrowing something, I have a 7 year old son as well. It will get used.

I bought a sport pack to get me by tomorrow, but I think I want something with a frame to fasten stuff to. I'll get by with this and see what is working for the others. Thanks for the advice. I will be searching the internet come Monday for sure. Gotta go pack now. We're leaving as soon as I get home from work tomorrow.

There's a germ on the flea, on the wing of the fly ,on the hair on the wart, on the tail of the frog ,on the bump on the log
in the hole at the bottom of the sea.....


Kumbayaaaaaa

You've done this before, eh? I prefer to look within my self to find an inner beauty that has gone unnoticed for too long.....

quote:

Originally posted by Bill:
I use a fullsize alice pack. Not pretty or trendy, but it's workedfor generations of grunts in the field.

That may be true, but find me a single one of them that LIKED it!

I used to be a avid backpacker dating back all the way to my Boy Scout days. Here is some info you should consider.

External frame (EFs) backpacks carry a load better then internal frames (IFs), so you can carry more, with less effort, you can't beat a EF for pure weight carrying. They are good for trail hiking especially for long distances. But, if your going to be doing any kind of climbing, bushwacking or scrambling where you will need to be reaching, grabbing or balancing, an internal frame gives you much better range of movement and center of gravity (CoG).

As for what you should take, take the bare min. For an overnighter, I would usually not even pack a change of clothes (unless I'm heading for wet areas), just two changes of socks (the most important thing!!). For a 2 night I take one change of clothes.

You will need some kind of shelter, this is probably the heaviest part. Your lightest solution is to sleep under the stars, but I remember when my father made me do that when I was about 10, and I was scared shitless, didn't sleep a wink and was misirable. This is supposed to be a postive experience, save the 'roughing it' for when he is more comfortable. I have used everything from 4 man dome tents (VERY heavy) to bivy sacks (a good light choice, but usually only for one) to military surplus body bags...yes body bags. New un-used (obviously), water proof, light and CHEAP! This was just before and as Gore-Tex was invented, so it was our way of keeping our sleeping bags dry. These days they have Gore-Tex covers for your bags. Pick what you can afford, but look for something as light as possible, and with the most complete rainfly you can find.

That brings us to sleeping bags. This is the second heaviest piece of equipment you will most likely carry, get the lightest you can afford, be sure to keep it dry!! A good foam sleeping pad is like sleeping on feathers after a long day packing. Also, try to pack your sleeping bag on the top of the pack, that puts it more in line with your CoG and doesn't 'pull' back at you.

Also invest in a GOOD microfilter, they are A LOT lighter to carry then all the water you would need. I recommed the MSR Miniworks EX. Water weighs 8 lbs a gallon + container, you don't want to hump what you don't have to. At the very least carry some iodine pills (I carry some as backup anyways). Toward the end of my backpacking days I became a real minimalist and my pack weighed under 25 lbs. for trips up to 4 day / 3 nights.

There are alot of tricks and tips that make it easier. My favorite are ditty bags, small nylon drawstring bags. Put EVERYTHING in a ditty bag. I even color coded mine, so that when you go to look for something you are pulling out sacks and not individual items that you will never get back into your pack they way there were again.

Food, is your choice. For an overnight, I'd usually carry one dehydrated meal and granola and energy bar the rest. Not really tasty, but it worked. MREs are simple, but heavy. Remember dehydrated needs boiled water, so you may need a stove or at least something to boil water on a campfire.

Remember, REI does rent equipment, it is well worth having the right equipment to make for a wonderful trip. You can try out equipment then and see if you like it. You also don't have to lay out all the cash for equipment then find out he hates the outdoors and wants a chemistry set.

The most important thing is to have fun. Don't set your sights to high, I would start with a simple overnight. A trail that would normally be a good day hike, get to your camp spot early, set up, sit down and enjoy. I'm sorry I've carried on here, this was a sport that was near and dear to my heart and I miss it greatly. There are many other things you should take obviously, your cell phone (make sure it's charged and you turn it off, for emergencies only), basic first aid, fire starting material (including good dry kindling), map/compass (get a good Silva, can't beat them), and most of all, TELL SOMEONE WHERE YOUR GOING AND WHEN YOU'LL BE BACK. Enough, holler at me if you have any questions.

VERY good posting! Thanks for the insight. I will definately look into one of those filters.

Storms rolling in late tonight. Trip to be rescheduled. Talk about "all dressed up and no place to go".

We used to take a HEFTYbag trashcan liner and slice a couple holes near the bottom and top- that's for the shoulderstraps of your pack to thread through- and reinforce the cuts w/ ductape.

quote:

Originally posted by Thanatoz:

quote:

Originally posted by Bill:
I use a fullsize alice pack. Not pretty or trendy, but it's workedfor generations of grunts in the field.

That may be true, but find me a single one of them that LIKED it!

Agreed but it fits the bill for his needs until he decides what he needs. Besides I'll only do 5-10 mile hikes due to my bum knees. So it works out fine for me.

quote:

Originally posted by hillbille:
We used to take a HEFTYbag trashcan liner and slice a couple holes near the bottom and top- that's for the shoulderstraps of your pack to thread through- and reinforce the cuts w/ ductape.

I always pack a garbage bag and duct tape. Emergency ponchos, too. Keep in mind that it is supposed to be fun. We're talking Boy Scouts, not mercinaries.