Really good illustration, my issue carrying my Gregory backpack is the waist adjustment. Im 6 feet 260 pounds, and dropping weight from hiking but issue is the waist cinche straps due to my belly it really hurts due to my flab LOL. OK OK insert jokes here --->
I was looking for videos on just how the heck to get the ECWS into the MOLLE II Riflemans ruck but haven't found it yet. I'm a USAF vet and we never got these so there's a learning curve. Using the stuff sack I can get the sleep system in the carrier (barely) but not with the Gortex bivy cover in the stuff sack. I've been watching all your vids on the MOLLE system and appreciate the tips and how to's. Your model here isn't dumb, it's genius and very accurate.
@BeeHiking The compression sack (pull straps both lengthwise and around the middle.) It was tough going but by taking out the Gortex bivy cover and sitting my fat butt on the bag I was able to pull the straps enough to make it fit into the ruck.
I hear what you're saying but the middle of the hip belt sags in the back (down to my butt) and the front pulls up and digs into my guts, it won't stay on my hip bones. Or if I put it on my hip bones it sags in the back to on-top of my butt. Tightening as tight as it will go, it makes it pop up over my hips and dig into my guts.
What do you suggest for loading two 4 L, 10 lb bags of water and one 20 lb bag of food. All my other items are light (under 1 lb.) This is my starting weight. The food bag (20 lb) becomes less during the two weeks but the water bags are refilled every day.
My heaviest item is a Coleman 2 man dome tent. I tried it running vertically down the spine of my backpack (45L internal frame) as I thought it would distribute the weight more evenly. Would it be better packed horizontally at the top or even strapped to the top of my backpack? Great video, BTW.
@blocktube123 Do you have a hydration bladder in the pack as well? You can run vertical and put it on the same side as your leading "strong leg" and have your sleeping bag on the other side if it compresses tight enough. I have a 45L also & I know room is tight and just did 40 miles on the AT with it. Fill in gaps with clothes packed in a loose dry bag. If room is too tight carry tent snugged down between main pack and lid if that is an option.
I have worn packs with the most weight at the top and at the bottom. My back hurt less with the most weight at the bottom. The exception was when the hike was all up hill.
Thanks so much for the explanation. I would guess that this advice does apply as much to a short hike over rough terrain, where balance has priority over endurance. In such a situation you are unlikely to have much load, but I guess it's possible. Also the trek poles you mention become more important.
Excellent presentation, your "doll" makes a simple yet effective demonstation of why it's important to load heavy on top. I will be sharing this with some newbie's next time I take them out.
hmmm yes I agree heavy stuff should be at top. but in real life you would only have to lean forward this much, like on the video, (with weight in bottom) if you had a lump of lead in the bottom with only feathers on the top. what I mean is with the heavy stuff in the bottom of the pack your the point you should hang your string should be higher (midway?) then shown on you video as the other "LIGHTer" stuff still has got mass, just less.
what happens when you stumble and fall all that heavy stuff on the back off your neckand head ,i think ill pack my heavies midway in mine and lean into the ieght a bit
I guess there could be thousands of "What if's" but the heaviest thing in my pack is 4lbs (my 2 person tent "Eureka Zeus 2")and I carry it right behind my shoulders. The model is to simply show the difference weight placement makes.
Where do you put the rubber matt (that you are supposed to place under your sleeping bag) when you are carrying your backpack?
I need to carry my sleeping bag rolled up in a pouch but unfortunately the polyester fibre is very slippery and can't be held in place externally by the backpack's straps.
So I need to carry:
1) Tent (2 person)
2) Sleeping bag
3) Rubber Matt
I think I'm going to place the sleeping bag in my backpack (it would also stay clean) but takes space. :(
@BeeHiking i have that tent too my dad and i like it alot its just big enoungh for the both of us. we even have a net in the top of the tent so we can drie out our sweat soaked socks and other damp things
@BeeHiking hahaha Im in the marine corps and we load that thing like crazy. Heavy stuff always at the top such as SAPI plates and etc. I've fallen before down something we call the "microwave" hike and well it wasnt really that much of an issue the pack actually slowed me down hahah. The tips BeeHiking gives in this video are outstanding! Wish they showed this to us back when we first got issued our ILBEs lol.
nice video, but my question is on packs like alice even if the heavy items are in the bottom because the pack hangs on the frame from the top i would think it wouldnt matter.
curious what you think about being top heavy for side to side balance for more challenging terrain. Do one from the front and lean from your hips with various weight loads.thanks
I understand your concern. I think every hike there will be some variations and adjustments that you need to take with your pack. The best way to resolve the side to side is to use trek poles with the right baskets for balance.
I saw you said that you like military packs better. Im not sure about the large style pack you show on your model . But the small kind of pack i barrowed from one of my friends was a military issue small pack which had a plastic frame. I hated it, the frame flexed and i only had about 45 or 50 pounds in my pack. i really hope the large one your showing does not have a plastic frame. does it?
No, the frame of the ILBE Pack has aluminum structure to support the weight and was designed to carry a load of 120lbs. There is a plastic shield that protects your back from objects inside the pack but does not support weight. I have a review of this pack. Visit my Channel.
What are some external frame Backpack manufacturers. The only one I am familiar with is Kelty, what are some other manufacturers with external frames. Thanks for the Video, it has helped...it wasn't in vain...
Jansport, Coleman, Camp Trails, Wild River, and REI are just a few of the makers of External Frame Packs however I prefer Military Packs over some of the other name brands because of how tough they are but they do weigh a little more in some cases. Please visit my channel for review of some of these packs and visit my website and click on the eBay link at the top to view the latest internal and external frame packs for sale.
Really good illustration, my issue carrying my Gregory backpack is the waist adjustment. Im 6 feet 260 pounds, and dropping weight from hiking but issue is the waist cinche straps due to my belly it really hurts due to my flab LOL. OK OK insert jokes here --->
tiny11231 4 weeks ago
I was looking for videos on just how the heck to get the ECWS into the MOLLE II Riflemans ruck but haven't found it yet. I'm a USAF vet and we never got these so there's a learning curve. Using the stuff sack I can get the sleep system in the carrier (barely) but not with the Gortex bivy cover in the stuff sack. I've been watching all your vids on the MOLLE system and appreciate the tips and how to's. Your model here isn't dumb, it's genius and very accurate.
CelticArmory 1 month ago in playlist Uploaded videos
@CelticArmory Are you using a compression bag for your ECWS or just a stuff sack?
BeeHiking 1 month ago
@BeeHiking The compression sack (pull straps both lengthwise and around the middle.) It was tough going but by taking out the Gortex bivy cover and sitting my fat butt on the bag I was able to pull the straps enough to make it fit into the ruck.
CelticArmory 1 month ago
I hear what you're saying but the middle of the hip belt sags in the back (down to my butt) and the front pulls up and digs into my guts, it won't stay on my hip bones. Or if I put it on my hip bones it sags in the back to on-top of my butt. Tightening as tight as it will go, it makes it pop up over my hips and dig into my guts.
Thanks! Great video.
ThanatosWings 3 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
What do you suggest for loading two 4 L, 10 lb bags of water and one 20 lb bag of food. All my other items are light (under 1 lb.) This is my starting weight. The food bag (20 lb) becomes less during the two weeks but the water bags are refilled every day.
ThanatosWings 3 months ago
Comment removed
ThanatosWings 3 months ago
My heaviest item is a Coleman 2 man dome tent. I tried it running vertically down the spine of my backpack (45L internal frame) as I thought it would distribute the weight more evenly. Would it be better packed horizontally at the top or even strapped to the top of my backpack? Great video, BTW.
blocktube123 3 months ago in playlist Backpacking
@blocktube123 Do you have a hydration bladder in the pack as well? You can run vertical and put it on the same side as your leading "strong leg" and have your sleeping bag on the other side if it compresses tight enough. I have a 45L also & I know room is tight and just did 40 miles on the AT with it. Fill in gaps with clothes packed in a loose dry bag. If room is too tight carry tent snugged down between main pack and lid if that is an option.
BeeHiking 2 months ago
VERY GOOD VIDEO!!!...THANKS A LOT!
gloupek9 5 months ago
I have worn packs with the most weight at the top and at the bottom. My back hurt less with the most weight at the bottom. The exception was when the hike was all up hill.
primedlt 7 months ago
great info Thanks!
herby375 7 months ago
I would love to see a plotted graph of how the forward angle changes as the densest mass moves up or down the pack.
steinersapien 10 months ago
DIDNT THINK IT WAS CHEEZY AT ALL.GREAT DEMO!!!!
mrouterrim 1 year ago
Thanks so much for the explanation. I would guess that this advice does apply as much to a short hike over rough terrain, where balance has priority over endurance. In such a situation you are unlikely to have much load, but I guess it's possible. Also the trek poles you mention become more important.
frddurham 1 year ago
Excellent presentation, your "doll" makes a simple yet effective demonstation of why it's important to load heavy on top. I will be sharing this with some newbie's next time I take them out.
rbell1059 1 year ago
I'm not new to this stuff. But it has been a while. Just got a new Kelty pack and re-visitting the the logic. KISS. Great vid!
JMead272 1 year ago
bloody brilliant bretwood birches
Revolution15now 1 year ago
hmmm yes I agree heavy stuff should be at top. but in real life you would only have to lean forward this much, like on the video, (with weight in bottom) if you had a lump of lead in the bottom with only feathers on the top. what I mean is with the heavy stuff in the bottom of the pack your the point you should hang your string should be higher (midway?) then shown on you video as the other "LIGHTer" stuff still has got mass, just less.
talbertnz 1 year ago
awesome that help me some
tankmdg 1 year ago
Wow what a coincidence!!! :O
My famiy name is Bee in Arabic. :P haha
ashthegreat 1 year ago
what happens when you stumble and fall all that heavy stuff on the back off your neckand head ,i think ill pack my heavies midway in mine and lean into the ieght a bit
hunterkiller45 1 year ago
I guess there could be thousands of "What if's" but the heaviest thing in my pack is 4lbs (my 2 person tent "Eureka Zeus 2")and I carry it right behind my shoulders. The model is to simply show the difference weight placement makes.
BeeHiking 1 year ago 4
@BeeHiking
Where do you put the rubber matt (that you are supposed to place under your sleeping bag) when you are carrying your backpack?
I need to carry my sleeping bag rolled up in a pouch but unfortunately the polyester fibre is very slippery and can't be held in place externally by the backpack's straps.
So I need to carry:
1) Tent (2 person)
2) Sleeping bag
3) Rubber Matt
I think I'm going to place the sleeping bag in my backpack (it would also stay clean) but takes space. :(
ashthegreat 1 year ago
@BeeHiking i have that tent too my dad and i like it alot its just big enoungh for the both of us. we even have a net in the top of the tent so we can drie out our sweat soaked socks and other damp things
Nateboy97 1 year ago
@BeeHiking hahaha Im in the marine corps and we load that thing like crazy. Heavy stuff always at the top such as SAPI plates and etc. I've fallen before down something we call the "microwave" hike and well it wasnt really that much of an issue the pack actually slowed me down hahah. The tips BeeHiking gives in this video are outstanding! Wish they showed this to us back when we first got issued our ILBEs lol.
-Kevin
Pokekevin 1 year ago 2
@Pokekevin Thank you for watching.
BeeHiking 1 year ago
@hunterkiller45 really?
patgarrett5755 1 year ago
nice video, but my question is on packs like alice even if the heavy items are in the bottom because the pack hangs on the frame from the top i would think it wouldnt matter.
cbr6864 1 year ago
curious what you think about being top heavy for side to side balance for more challenging terrain. Do one from the front and lean from your hips with various weight loads.thanks
beast12101 2 years ago
I understand your concern. I think every hike there will be some variations and adjustments that you need to take with your pack. The best way to resolve the side to side is to use trek poles with the right baskets for balance.
BeeHiking 2 years ago
Great video. It's nice seeing the model with the center line of gravity....makes much sense and has answered a lot of questions. Thank you!
mahpiohazi 2 years ago
I saw you said that you like military packs better. Im not sure about the large style pack you show on your model . But the small kind of pack i barrowed from one of my friends was a military issue small pack which had a plastic frame. I hated it, the frame flexed and i only had about 45 or 50 pounds in my pack. i really hope the large one your showing does not have a plastic frame. does it?
streetpunk99 2 years ago
No, the frame of the ILBE Pack has aluminum structure to support the weight and was designed to carry a load of 120lbs. There is a plastic shield that protects your back from objects inside the pack but does not support weight. I have a review of this pack. Visit my Channel.
BeeHiking 2 years ago
thank you very much!! I knew something were wrong. hehe
hawiih 2 years ago
What are some external frame Backpack manufacturers. The only one I am familiar with is Kelty, what are some other manufacturers with external frames. Thanks for the Video, it has helped...it wasn't in vain...
ShannCole888 2 years ago
Jansport, Coleman, Camp Trails, Wild River, and REI are just a few of the makers of External Frame Packs however I prefer Military Packs over some of the other name brands because of how tough they are but they do weigh a little more in some cases. Please visit my channel for review of some of these packs and visit my website and click on the eBay link at the top to view the latest internal and external frame packs for sale.
BeeHiking 2 years ago
Excellent video, science against ignorance!
istultus 2 years ago
im heading out on a 3 day hike soon. ive been adjusting my pack quite a bit to get the weight right. this video helped alot
womule2005 2 years ago
Great vid, 5 stars!
runner6m 2 years ago