Mountain Equipment Diamond 50+

On 21/7/04 6:25 pm, in article [email hidden],

Peewiglet said:

Hi,

I'm still looking around for a light but sturdy and comfortable pack
that would be suitable for the Pennine Way walk I'm planning to do in
about a month.

Checking through Google, I found a recommendation for this pack. I see
that at The Outdoor Shop they currently have 2 versions: a
discontinued model for sale at £45 instead of £90 SRP, or the current
model at £70 "summer sale price" instead of SRP £100.

Still think you're pushing your luck at 50 litres!

--
Andy Howell
Birmingham, UK

Take a look at the Karrimor and Drypac sacks in the Argos sale

Rik

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

Quoted message said:

Hi,

I'm still looking around for a light but sturdy and comfortable pack
that would be suitable for the Pennine Way walk I'm planning to do in
about a month.

Checking through Google, I found a recommendation for this pack. I see
that at The Outdoor Shop they currently have 2 versions: a
discontinued model for sale at £45 instead of £90 SRP, or the current
model at £70 "summer sale price" instead of SRP £100.

Does anyone know whether there's likely to be a significant difference
between the old and the new model? I'd be happy to pay the additional
£25 if the pack is likely to be noticeably lighter (I couldn't find
details) or comfier, or otherwise superior.

Also, can anyone comment on it generally? I've been reading some good
reviews about it, but I'm wondering whether it's been designed more
for people using it in snowy conditions than those humping wet tents
along the Pennine Way.

Also, If anyone can suggest any alternatives that I should be
considering then I'd be very grateful 🙂

Best wishes,
--
Peewiglet

Peewiglet said:

Hi,

I'm still looking around for a light but sturdy and comfortable pack
that would be suitable for the Pennine Way walk I'm planning to do in
about a month.

Checking through Google, I found a recommendation for this pack. I see
that at The Outdoor Shop they currently have 2 versions: a
discontinued model for sale at £45 instead of £90 SRP, or the current
model at £70 "summer sale price" instead of SRP £100.

Does anyone know whether there's likely to be a significant difference
between the old and the new model? I'd be happy to pay the additional
£25 if the pack is likely to be noticeably lighter (I couldn't find
details) or comfier, or otherwise superior.

I once tried on the Diamond 50 and was pretty impressed : it's probably
the best pack I've ever tried on from the pov of not slipping around as
you move about. The only thing that put me off was the weight, but I
regret not getting it now 'cos I ended up hating the sack I got instead
and I didn't like it's replacement much either. If you're looking for a
similar sort of pack in the same (ish) size then the Crux AK47 is on my
new toy list ;-)

hth,

--
Boo

On Wed, 21 Jul 2004 20:16:13 GMT, Andy Howell
<andy.howellNOSPAM@ecotrendDOTorgDOTuk> wrote:

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Still think you're pushing your luck at 50 litres!

D'you think I should be looking towards about 65 litres, then?
Hmm.... I'll have to look again, then 🙂

Thanks! All advice is much appreciated 🙂

Best wishes,
--
Peewiglet

Peewiglet said:

Quoted message said:

Still think you're pushing your luck at 50 litres!

D'you think I should be looking towards about 65 litres, then?

I always used to use a 70L. For the last few years I've been making do
with a 60L instead (mind you, it's expandable to 70L and I always seem
to expand it).

So I would tend to think that 65L is an appropriate size.

However...

Whenever I've mentioned this I've been greeted with howls of laughter
from the "how can you carry more than 45L?" crowd, who seem to take
ultra lightweight backpacking for granted, not realising that ordinary
mortals buying ordinary gear just can't get down to those sizes without
serious thought, effort and money. I mean a typical 4 season hollofill
sleeping bag will virtually fill a 45L sack on it's own.

However 2...

Since these fanatics are so convinced that my normal weight is "insane"
according to their particular world view, I figure there must be
something in this ultralightweight lark, but it clearly takes serious
thought, discipline and yes, money.

Having recently looked at the kind of sleeping bags on offer it seems
that there are very expensive down bags suitable for at least 2 season
use which weigh an unbelievable 400g and will fit into a pint glass with
room to spare for some beer. Similarly the latest ultra light
Thermarests are extremely light (500g full length) and pack unfeasibly
small. Next you buy yourself a Laserlight tent weighing only 1.1kg and
with probably very little bulk as well. Who knows, you may be able to
fit all of that into a large bumbag...

Add a pocket rocket stove with a small gas container, a titanium pot,
cutlery and cup, a small water bottle, some exclusively dried food, a
Geko GPS plus a few spare triple As, a few A4 map printouts protected by
a ziplock plastic bag, a set of lightweight waterproofs and what more do
you need?

Maybe you can get all that into a large daysack? I don't know. But if
these people claim it to be possible then I want to try it. I still
won't really believe it's possible until I'm actually out there carrying
all this gear and feeling like I'm walking on air. But I've always been
an optimist... :-)

Unfortunately there's the cameras to consider... :-(

Paul
--
http://www.wilderness-wales.co.uk
http://www.wildwales.fsnet.co.uk
http://www.photosig.com/go/users/userphotos?id=118749

On Wed, 21 Jul 2004 23:28:01 +0100, "Paul Saunders"
<[email hidden]> wrote:

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Whenever I've mentioned this I've been greeted with howls of laughter
from the "how can you carry more than 45L?" crowd [...]

However 2...

Since these fanatics are so convinced that my normal weight is "insane"
according to their particular world view, I figure there must be
something in this ultralightweight lark, but it clearly takes serious
thought, discipline and yes, money.

That's what I'm thinking too. Since I'm renewing some fundamental
parts of my camping gear, I'm keen to get it as light as possible to
maximise the chance of my actually wanting to pick it up on a regular
basis and take it backpacking in the Lakes 🙂

<snip>

Very helpful stuff - thanks v. much 🙂

Best wishes,
--
Peewiglet

Richard Baker said:

Take a look at the Karrimor and Drypac sacks in the Argos sale

Many thanks - I'll take a look.

Best wishes,
--
Peewiglet

On Wed, 21 Jul 2004 22:25:54 +0100, Boo <boo@spam_me_no_spam.net>

Quoted message said:

I once tried on the Diamond 50 and was pretty impressed : it's probably
the best pack I've ever tried on from the pov of not slipping around as
you move about. The only thing that put me off was the weight, [...]

Is it considered to be quite a heavy sack, then? I'm really out of
touch, and still trying to build up a picture of what's what these
days. I thought it sounded quite light! :-)

Quoted message said:

If you're looking for a
similar sort of pack in the same (ish) size then the Crux AK47 is on my
new toy list ;-)

Many thanks - I'll look it up.

Best wishes,
--
Peewiglet

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Is it considered to be quite a heavy sack, then? I'm really out of
touch, and still trying to build up a picture of what's what these
days. I thought it sounded quite light! :-)

My ME Diamond 55 weighs 1.5 kilos according to ME. I'll try to verify this
using my local post office scales just as soon as I can come up with a
reasonable excuse and method for dumping a big rucksack on their counter!
It's a good weight for the size of rucksack it is and an excellent weight
for the price you can get it at. At the time I bought my Diamond sack it
was a fair bit lighter than the equivalent Macpac Pursuit but the new
Pursuit is also 1.5 kilos.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

If you're looking for a
similar sort of pack in the same (ish) size then the Crux AK47 is on my
new toy list ;-)

IMO, the AK47 is has the best compromise in terms of lightweight and
durability in this size of rucksack. If I was buying again, I'd be tempted
by it.

Cheers, Jiffy

Jiffy said:

My ME Diamond 55 weighs 1.5 kilos according to ME.

[...]

Quoted message said:

At the time I bought my Diamond sack it
was a fair bit lighter than the equivalent Macpac Pursuit but the new
Pursuit is also 1.5 kilos.

It sounds as though that sort of weight is now pretty standard for
that size of sack, then. I was thinking it was lighter than average.
Thanks for clarifying 🙂

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

If you're looking for a
similar sort of pack in the same (ish) size then the Crux AK47 is on my
new toy list ;-)

Quoted message said:

IMO, the AK47 is has the best compromise in terms of lightweight and
durability in this size of rucksack. If I was buying again, I'd be tempted
by it.

Many thanks - I'd not seen the Crux sacks at all, but I'm having a
look at them on the web now.

Best wishes,
--
Peewiglet

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Still think you're pushing your luck at 50 litres!

My Diamond is a 55 litre and I don't think that includes the expanding lid
which will hold a fair bit more stuff. I might be a bit mad here but I'm
going to attempt a 7 day wild camp with it.

<snip>

Quoted message said:

but it clearly takes serious thought, discipline and yes, money.

True, true and true. And even more of the first two is needed if you're
short of the third! Call me sad, but I use a spreadsheet to help calculate
the weights and what to take and leave behind.

Quoted message said:

Having recently looked at the kind of sleeping bags on offer it seems
that there are very expensive down bags suitable for at least 2 season
use which weigh an unbelievable 400g and will fit into a pint glass with
room to spare for some beer.

Yep, a PHD Minimus will set you back £148 and weighs just 495 grams. I went
for a cheaper option with a discounted ME Skyline for £45 which weighs 560
grams (608g including stuffsack according to the post office scales).

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Next you buy yourself a Laserlight tent weighing only 1.1kg and
with probably very little bulk as well.

Yep, I'd like one of these but don't have the necessary £240. Instead I paid
£40 for a s/h Saunders Fellpacker which weighs 2kg. Of course, the Argos
tent an even cheaper option at £15.

<snip>

Quoted message said:

a set of lightweight waterproofs

Berghaus Paclite smock at only 275 grams!

Quoted message said:

Maybe you can get all that into a large daysack? I don't know.

I don't know either but I'm going to find out. If space or weight is too
much for me then I'll go for the food cache option discussed in another
thread.

Cheers, Jiffy

Jiffy said:

My Diamond is a 55 litre and I don't think that includes the expanding lid
which will hold a fair bit more stuff. I might be a bit mad here but I'm
going to attempt a 7 day wild camp with it.

Exciting!

Quoted message said:

True, true and true. And even more of the first two is needed if you're
short of the third! Call me sad, but I use a spreadsheet to help calculate
the weights and what to take and leave behind.

Not sad at all, imo 🙂 That sort of thing can be part of the fun of
the trip, and attention to detail is always a smart move, in my
experience.

<snip>

What sort of pots and stove do you plan to take on your trip?

Best wishes,
--
Peewiglet

<snip>

Quoted message said:

What sort of pots and stove do you plan to take on your trip?

A Coleman F1 Lite stove and an MSR Titan cookset which weigh 87 grams and
265 grams respectively according to PO scales. The F1 stove is £22.99 from
www.sportswarehouse.co.uk but I got mine for £16 from Ebay. I got the
titanium cookset s/h. It's the older one with the smaller 1.0l and 0.7l
pots.

Cheers, Jiffy

Jiffy said:

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> Still think you're pushing your luck at 50 litres!

My Diamond is a 55 litre and I don't think that includes the
expanding lid which will hold a fair bit more stuff. I might be a bit
mad here but I'm going to attempt a 7 day wild camp with it.

Cheers, Jiffy

I have done seven days in Attadale and the same in Fisherfield with a 50
litre. I had my Argos tent and an old Blacks Icelandic down sleeping bag,
the cotton one, with an old flannel sheet as a liner, clothes, food, camera
and fishing gear. Total weight just under 20 kgs. I have bought the 65 litre
rucksack from Argos and the lot fits inside, except the carry mat, and I
find it makes it a lot easier to carry.

--

Don`t Worry, Be Happy

Sandy
--

E-Mail:- [email hidden]
Website:- http://www.ftscotland.co.uk
Looking for a webhost? Try http://www.1and1.co.uk/?k_id=2966019

"Paul Saunders" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

So I would tend to think that 65L is an appropriate size.

However...

Whenever I've mentioned this I've been greeted with howls of laughter
from the "how can you carry more than 45L?" crowd, who seem to take
ultra lightweight backpacking for granted,

No howls of laughter but I do find it bemusing that anyone who claims to
want to lighten their load finds it a difficult thing to do. I don't recall
you ever posting a list of everything you take backpacking but I'd be
interested to read it if you felt like doing so (Or anyone else's). 45L is
an adequate size for me without any great amount of thought, sacrifice, or
expense (not taking something is cheaper than taking it after all) and I
wouldn't consider it to be "ultralight" because there's obvious ways I could
make it lighter if I wanted to. It just happens to be what I want to take.
The latest change to a slightly warmer sleeping bag has made it heavier
rather than lighter so it's not the kind of fanatical quest you imagine. It
actually fits in a 35L sack with a bit of a squeeze.

Here's a slightly amended cut and paste from a previous thread on
packweights of what I take
on solo trips in the Scottish hills for anyone interested.

Rucksack: LA Walkabout 45 (strap or two removed)...1420g
Tent: Sierra Designs Light YearCD...1610g
Sleeping Bag: ME Sleepwalker UL...975g
Thermarest Ultralight 3/4...453g
Waterproof Jacket: Berghaus Paclite Smock...259g
Microfleece: LA Microgrid...256g
Long Sleeve Base Layer: LA Midweight Dryflo...186g
Short Sleeve Base Layer: Berghaus ACL...132g
Spare Socks: Peter Storm Trainer Socks...55g
Fleece Hat...61g
Gloves: Terra Nova Extremities...51g
Headtorch: Petzl Tikka...72g
Compass + Whistle...31g
Water Bottles: Empty Soft Drinks Bottles...75g
3 Maps...285g
Midge Headnet...32g
Toothpaste, Toothbrush, 2 J Cloths, Toilet Paper...50g
Money, Keys, Pencil, Paper...82g

Pack Weight Without Food...6085g = 13.4lb

Food for 4/5 days to start with would be something like:

Maximum Water Carried + Squash...1500g
2 Packs Naan Bread...704g
4 Packets Crisps... 110g
4 Plum Loafs...1020g
1 Packet Cheddar Biscuits...146g
1 Packet Shortbread Biscuits...205g
2 Galaxy Chocolate Bars...310g
1 Packet Peanuts...305g

Weight of Food + Water...4300g = 9.5lb

Total Pack Weight...10385g = 22.8lbs.

On Thu, 22 Jul 2004 12:29:28 +0100, "AndyP"
<[email hidden]> wrote:

<snip>

Quoted message said:

45L is
an adequate size for me without any great amount of thought, sacrifice, or
expense (not taking something is cheaper than taking it after all) and I
wouldn't consider it to be "ultralight" because there's obvious ways I could
make it lighter if I wanted to.

That's v. helpful to know.

<snip>

Quoted message said:

Here's a slightly amended cut and paste from a previous thread on
packweights of what I take
on solo trips in the Scottish hills for anyone interested.

<snip list>

Wow - thanks v. much indeed. That was enormously useful for me! I'm
looking beyond my Pennine Way plan to see what I might be able to
manage with for regular backpacking in the Lakes, and that was a mine
of useful information.

Thanks! :-)

Best wishes,
--
Peewiglet

Jiffy said:

A Coleman F1 Lite stove and an MSR Titan cookset which weigh 87 grams and
265 grams respectively according to PO scales. The F1 stove is £22.99 from
www.sportswarehouse.co.uk but I got mine for £16 from Ebay. I got the
titanium cookset s/h. It's the older one with the smaller 1.0l and 0.7l
pots.

Many thanks 🙂 I've had my eye on some of those pots.

Do you have the kettle? On the Pennine Way I'm planning to eat most
evenings in the pub, and I'm wondering whether I could get away with
just the kettle. I'd be using it for pre-dinner cup-a-soup, and for
boiling water for my flask in the mornings.

I think I may have seen the Coleman F1 in my local Black's this
evening. I had just a few minutes for a quick scan after work before
they closed, and I was actually looking for a Pocket Rocket, but they
did have something labelled F1. How stable have you found it? Are you
pleased with it?

Many thanks for your help - I hope I'm not being too much of a pain
with all these questions 🙂

Best wishes,
--
Peewiglet

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

>Still think you're pushing your luck at 50 litres!

My Diamond is a 55 litre and I don't think that includes the expanding lid
which will hold a fair bit more stuff. I might be a bit mad here but I'm
going to attempt a 7 day wild camp with it.

55 litres ? Luxury !
I spent a fortnight in the Pyrenees with nobbut a 35l Kimmsack and a
bivvy bag when I were a lad.

</MP>

--
Boo

In article <[email hidden]>, Boo
<boo@spam_me_no_spam.net> writes

Quoted message said:

55 litres ? Luxury !
I spent a fortnight in the Pyrenees with nobbut a 35l Kimmsack and a
bivvy bag when I were a lad.

Aye - but litres were LITRES then :-)
--
Bill Grey
http://www.billboy.co.uk