Lightweight rucksack - import from the US ?

"Rob G" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm in the market for a 2-3 day trip rucksack (possible Chrissie
present!!) and having read Andy Howell's TGO Challenge report in which
he sang the praises of the lightweight sacks from ULA, I traced his
website and found a write up on the ULA Conduit which is the size I
want (35l main sack plus various pockets) - Andy equally is
enthusiastic about this sack (http://www.andyhowell.info/trek-blog/).

Now there are two questions here - one is what other sacks should I
look at that are of this type of volume and weigh well under 1kg, and
secondly has anyone here imported a sack from the US and was there any
problems - the main advantage of course is the favorable dollar rate ?

Cheers

Rob

Never imported, so can't help there but have a look at this UK site for all
lightweight including rucksacks.
http://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/page96.asp

Doug

Rob G said:

I'm in the market for a 2-3 day trip rucksack (possible Chrissie
present!!) and having read Andy Howell's TGO Challenge report in which
he sang the praises of the lightweight sacks from ULA, I traced his
website and found a write up on the ULA Conduit which is the size I
want (35l main sack plus various pockets) - Andy equally is
enthusiastic about this sack (http://www.andyhowell.info/trek-blog/).

Now there are two questions here - one is what other sacks should I
look at that are of this type of volume and weigh well under 1kg, and
secondly has anyone here imported a sack from the US and was there any
problems - the main advantage of course is the favorable dollar rate ?

Cheers

Rob

Make one!

Quoted message said:

http://www.shelby.fi/forum/viewtopic.php?t=737
http://www.shelby.fi/forum/viewtopic.php?t=391

Patterns: > http://www.owfinc.com/Hardware/Patternslist/RSpics.htm

--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

On 17 Nov, 20:26, Kate XXXXXX <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Rob G said:

I'm in the market for a 2-3 day trip rucksack (possible Chrissie
present!!) and having read Andy Howell's TGO Challenge report in which
he sang the praises of the lightweight sacks from ULA, I traced his
website and found a write up on the ULA Conduit which is the size I
want (35l main sack plus various pockets) - Andy equally is
enthusiastic about this sack (http://www.andyhowell.info/trek-blog/).

Quoted message said:

Now there are two questions here - one is what other sacks should I
look at that are of this type of volume and weigh well under 1kg, and
secondly has anyone here imported a sack from the US and was there any
problems - the main advantage of course is the favorable dollar rate ?

Quoted message said:

Cheers

Quoted message said:

Rob

Make one!

Quoted message said:

http://www.shelby.fi/forum/viewtopic.php?t=737
http://www.shelby.fi/forum/viewtopic.php?t=391

Patterns: >http://www.owfinc.com/Hardware/Patternslist/RSpics.htm

--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttonshttp://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Hmmm - nice idea and I suppose in theory I do have the time to do such
a thing but.... This does look like advanced needlework and I'm not
even an apprentice.

I was a bit puzzled by the RS website - how is it organised ?

Rob

Rob G said:

On 17 Nov, 20:26, Kate XXXXXX <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Rob G said:

I'm in the market for a 2-3 day trip rucksack (possible Chrissie
present!!) and having read Andy Howell's TGO Challenge report in which
he sang the praises of the lightweight sacks from ULA, I traced his
website and found a write up on the ULA Conduit which is the size I
want (35l main sack plus various pockets) - Andy equally is
enthusiastic about this sack (http://www.andyhowell.info/trek-blog/).
Now there are two questions here - one is what other sacks should I
look at that are of this type of volume and weigh well under 1kg, and
secondly has anyone here imported a sack from the US and was there any
problems - the main advantage of course is the favorable dollar rate ?
Cheers
Rob

Make one!

I ordered ULA Catalysts for my wife and I this year - they are superb.
Well designed, fit like a glove and very comfortable, especially the hip
belt and shoulder straps. The only real issue with these sacks is the
time taken from ordering to delivery (they are made to order). In our
case this took about three months. Import duty is another consideration.
I can't comment on the lighter/smaller ULA sacks but I'm considering
getting one!

Paul

Rob G said:

On 17 Nov, 20:26, Kate XXXXXX <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Rob G said:

I'm in the market for a 2-3 day trip rucksack (possible Chrissie
present!!) and having read Andy Howell's TGO Challenge report in which
he sang the praises of the lightweight sacks from ULA, I traced his
website and found a write up on the ULA Conduit which is the size I
want (35l main sack plus various pockets) - Andy equally is
enthusiastic about this sack (http://www.andyhowell.info/trek-blog/).
Now there are two questions here - one is what other sacks should I
look at that are of this type of volume and weigh well under 1kg, and
secondly has anyone here imported a sack from the US and was there any
problems - the main advantage of course is the favorable dollar rate ?
Cheers
Rob

Make one!

I ordered ULA Catalysts for my wife and I this year - they are superb.
Well designed, fit like a glove and very comfortable, especially the hip
belt and shoulder straps. The only real issue with these sacks is the
time taken from ordering to delivery (they are made to order). In our
case this took about three months. Import duty is another consideration.
I can't comment on the lighter/smaller ULA sacks but I'm considering
getting one!

Paul

Rob G said:

Now there are two questions here - one is what other sacks should I
look at that are of this type of volume and weigh well under 1kg

Have a look at the OMM sacks (formerly KIMMlite, formerly
Karrimor's Mountain Marathon packs, the OMM is the "Original
Mountain Marathon".

http://www.theomm.com/pages/OMM_ommProducts.html

I use one of their 32 litre sacks and like it a lot. They do
bigger and smaller versions, all under a kilo.

Quoted message said:

secondly has anyone here imported a sack from the US and was there any
problems - the main advantage of course is the favorable dollar rate ?

The basic problem to my mind is you can't try them on in advance,
and "fits like a glove" from someone else isn't necessarily much
use in itself. Andy may well be a different shape to you, in which
case not only his favourite gloves but his favourite rucksack may
not fit you as well as it fits him, and if that turns out to be the
case it'll be a faff sending it back and getting a refund. With
the OMM sacks at least there's a dealer network in the UK which
gets you around that.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Peter Clinch said:

Rob G said:

Now there are two questions here - one is what other sacks should I
look at that are of this type of volume and weigh well under 1kg

Have a look at the OMM sacks (formerly KIMMlite, formerly Karrimor's
Mountain Marathon packs, the OMM is the "Original Mountain Marathon".

http://www.theomm.com/pages/OMM_ommProducts.html

I use one of their 32 litre sacks and like it a lot. They do bigger and
smaller versions, all under a kilo.

Quoted message said:

secondly has anyone here imported a sack from the US and was there any
problems - the main advantage of course is the favorable dollar rate ?

The basic problem to my mind is you can't try them on in advance, and
"fits like a glove" from someone else isn't necessarily much use in
itself. Andy may well be a different shape to you, in which case not
only his favourite gloves but his favourite rucksack may not fit you as
well as it fits him, and if that turns out to be the case it'll be a
faff sending it back and getting a refund. With the OMM sacks at least
there's a dealer network in the UK which gets you around that.

Pete.

I take Pete's point about fit and I was certainly nervous about ordering
without trying on first. However the rucksacs did fit both of us well
and we have never been able to get anything that fits her properly
before. Although the ULA sacks do have fixed back lengths ( 3 sizes
available), a degree of customisation is possible. You can move the
hipbelt up or down a few inches and can bend the back to fit. The
hipbelt is also available in different sizes.

The other great thing about the ULA Catalyst is the volume to weight
ratio: 70l for about 1.3kg. The lighter sacks no doubt have a similar
advantage.

Despite the long wait for delivery, customer service was excellent,
plenty of advice was given around size and fit etc.

Paul

Rob G said:

On 17 Nov, 20:26, Kate XXXXXX <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Rob G said:

I'm in the market for a 2-3 day trip rucksack (possible Chrissie
present!!) and having read Andy Howell's TGO Challenge report in which
he sang the praises of the lightweight sacks from ULA, I traced his
website and found a write up on the ULA Conduit which is the size I
want (35l main sack plus various pockets) - Andy equally is
enthusiastic about this sack (http://www.andyhowell.info/trek-blog/).
Now there are two questions here - one is what other sacks should I
look at that are of this type of volume and weigh well under 1kg, and
secondly has anyone here imported a sack from the US and was there any
problems - the main advantage of course is the favorable dollar rate ?
Cheers
Rob

Make one!

Quoted message said:

http://www.shelby.fi/forum/viewtopic.php?t=737
http://www.shelby.fi/forum/viewtopic.php?t=391

Patterns: >http://www.owfinc.com/Hardware/Patternslist/RSpics.htm

--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttonshttp://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Hmmm - nice idea and I suppose in theory I do have the time to do such
a thing but.... This does look like advanced needlework and I'm not
even an apprentice.

I was a bit puzzled by the RS website - how is it organised ?

Rob

Go to the Outdoor Wilderness patterns page fo The Rain Shed here
http://www.owfinc.com/Hardware/Patternslist/MiscPatterns.asp#THE%A0RAIN%20SHED

and hit 'Pattern Pictures'

Or go direct to The Rain Shed here: http://www.therainshed.com/ and hit
Books and Patterns to find their Rain Shed patterns page.

I have a shed load of these sites all bookmarked, funnily enough... 😄

Where are you? If based anywhere near Kent, lessons can be arranged. I
even have spare sewing machines... And one looking for a good home!

--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

On 18 Nov, 15:10, Kate XXXXXX <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Rob G said:

On 17 Nov, 20:26, Kate XXXXXX <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Rob G wrote:
> I'm in the market for a 2-3 day trip rucksack (possible Chrissie
> present!!) and having read Andy Howell's TGO Challenge report in which
> he sang the praises of the lightweight sacks from ULA, I traced his
> website and found a write up on the ULA Conduit which is the size I
> want (35l main sack plus various pockets) - Andy equally is
> enthusiastic about this sack (http://www.andyhowell.info/trek-blog/).
> Now there are two questions here - one is what other sacks should I
> look at that are of this type of volume and weigh well under 1kg, and
> secondly has anyone here imported a sack from the US and was there any
> problems - the main advantage of course is the favorable dollar rate ?
> Cheers
> Rob
Make one!

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>http://www.shelby.fi/forum/viewtopic.php?t=737
>http://www.shelby.fi/forum/viewtopic.php?t=391
Patterns: >http://www.owfinc.com/Hardware/Patternslist/RSpics.htm

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttonshttp://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Quoted message said:

Hmmm - nice idea and I suppose in theory I do have the time to do such
a thing but.... This does look like advanced needlework and I'm not
even an apprentice.

Quoted message said:

I was a bit puzzled by the RS website - how is it organised ?

Quoted message said:

Rob

Go to the Outdoor Wilderness patterns page fo The Rain Shed herehttp://www.owfinc.com/Hardware/Patternslist/MiscPatterns.asp#THE%A0RA...

and hit 'Pattern Pictures'

Or go direct to The Rain Shed here:http://www.therainshed.com/ and hit
Books and Patterns to find their Rain Shed patterns page.

I have a shed load of these sites all bookmarked, funnily enough... 😄

Where are you? If based anywhere near Kent, lessons can be arranged. I
even have spare sewing machines... And one looking for a good home!

--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttonshttp://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Kate

I wish I could take you up on that kind ofer, but unfortunately being
near Edinburgh, I'm far nearer Mr Clinch in Dundee, than your goodself
in Kent. On the other hand it does mean that I am far nearer the
mountains than you are - ummm.... actually that may not be correct as
the Alps are possibly nearer to you I've just realised!!

In the meantime I will have another try at the RS website, and might
come back for some more guidance.

Rob
Rob

Peter Clinch said:

Rob G said:

Now there are two questions here - one is what other sacks should I
look at that are of this type of volume and weigh well under 1kg

Have a look at the OMM sacks (formerly KIMMlite, formerly
Karrimor's Mountain Marathon packs, the OMM is the "Original
Mountain Marathon".

http://www.theomm.com/pages/OMM_ommProducts.html

I use one of their 32 litre sacks and like it a lot. They do
bigger and smaller versions, all under a kilo.

Quoted message said:

secondly has anyone here imported a sack from the US and was there any
problems - the main advantage of course is the favorable dollar rate ?

The basic problem to my mind is you can't try them on in advance,
and "fits like a glove" from someone else isn't necessarily much
use in itself. Andy may well be a different shape to you, in which
case not only his favourite gloves but his favourite rucksack may
not fit you as well as it fits him, and if that turns out to be the
case it'll be a faff sending it back and getting a refund. With
the OMM sacks at least there's a dealer network in the UK which
gets you around that.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Thanks Pete, I'll take a look at that. Personal recommendations for
these specialist buys are important.

Rob

Rob G said:

Kate

I wish I could take you up on that kind ofer, but unfortunately being
near Edinburgh, I'm far nearer Mr Clinch in Dundee, than your goodself
in Kent. On the other hand it does mean that I am far nearer the
mountains than you are - ummm.... actually that may not be correct as
the Alps are possibly nearer to you I've just realised!!

In the meantime I will have another try at the RS website, and might
come back for some more guidance.

Rob
Rob

Just ask, any time.
--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

In message
<[email hidden]>, Rob
G <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

In the meantime I will have another try at the RS website, and might
come back for some more guidance.

There's quite a bit on DIY lightweight kit here:

http://www.backpacking.net/makegear.html

Regards,
--
Neil Pugh

Neil said:

In message
<[email hidden]>, Rob
G <[email hidden]> writes

Quoted message said:

In the meantime I will have another try at the RS website, and might
come back for some more guidance.

There's quite a bit on DIY lightweight kit here:

http://www.backpacking.net/makegear.html

Regards,

The Outdoor Wilderness folk have a lot of good stuff and great ideas.
At the moment buying from the USA makes sense, but also look into
getting materials from Shelby (in Finland), Pennine Outdoors, and Point
North: all are excellent to order from.

Quoted message said:

http://www.shelby.fi/catalog/default.php?cPath=21&osCsid=066e57d9325feebcf5be5b900f1c5752
http://www.pennineoutdoor.co.uk/Outdoor_Clothing_Patterns.asp
http://www.profabrics.co.uk/snap_product_search.php

--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

Peter Clinch said:

Rob G said:

Now there are two questions here - one is what other sacks should I
look at that are of this type of volume and weigh well under 1kg

Have a look at the OMM sacks (formerly KIMMlite, formerly
Karrimor's Mountain Marathon packs, the OMM is the "Original
Mountain Marathon".

http://www.theomm.com/pages/OMM_ommProducts.html

I use one of their 32 litre sacks and like it a lot. They do
bigger and smaller versions, all under a kilo.

Quoted message said:

secondly has anyone here imported a sack from the US and was there any
problems - the main advantage of course is the favorable dollar rate ?

The basic problem to my mind is you can't try them on in advance,
and "fits like a glove" from someone else isn't necessarily much
use in itself. Andy may well be a different shape to you, in which
case not only his favourite gloves but his favourite rucksack may
not fit you as well as it fits him, and if that turns out to be the
case it'll be a faff sending it back and getting a refund. With
the OMM sacks at least there's a dealer network in the UK which
gets you around that.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

Thanks Pete - that's a good suggestion. The ULA sacks do have a great
write up but I'm a bit concerned by the fact that the straps are not
adjustable and you buy according to your size.

The real attraction of a home grown sack is that I can persuade the
family to give it me for Xmas (saves having to think up a Christmas
Wish List!), which might be a problem if coming from the US. I did
get guidance that the postage and import duty was typically £30 so
$125 divided by 2 plus £30 is near enough the same as OMM's 35L sack.

Rob