Backpack

[Damian]

Hi Guys,

I am a novice to this running with a backpack thing (come from a track running background), i am just wondering if people could please give me some advice as to what packs they believe will be best suited for this event?? and Alternatively what brand of bladder's have people used??? I have had a look at the The North Face Ion 20 Rucksack AW10! Would this be appropriate for the race?? If so what brand of bladder would be used?? I am assuming a 3L bladder is best.. Any help would be great!!
 

[Geoff]

Hi Damian
It seems that there are a lot of packs out there and everyone  has a different position on what is good or not-so-good. It seems that the Salomon XA20 is a popular pack. If you scroll through all the posts (here and running tips)you will see some reports on them. I have a Mountains Designs 'Outrace' pack and a Inov8 pack. Both have different hydration set ups with the Inov8 having a bladder that sits across your hips, while the Outrace uses the standard method. It is always best to try a couple, especially if you know someone with a few packs and go with what suits you. Have a look at wiggle.co.uk for some packs as well.   

[Osbert]

anyone else have issues when refilling the hydration pack then trying to stuff it in it's slot again?  I've tried both NF and Inov-8 and both have given me problems.  Going to try switching to bottles to see if they give me less grief.  With the longest leg being 22km, how much water would be enough?

[Patrick]

Hi Guys,

I have found that I love my Salomon Raid Devil, 25L. It's really light weight and is very durable. As for the fluids Osbert, I ran last year and always ran with a mixture of gatorade and water. I took a 3L bladder for the 22k section as I drink about 200-300ml every 20-30 mins. But thats just me! It is the longest section and there were reports of people running out of water in that part of the race.

Hope you enjoy your training!

Pat

[Andrew]

Obsert,
I use the inov8 backpack and when refilling i always try to keep the bladder in it's position in the bag. I lay the back on the floor or table, then open the flap to gain access to the bladder, open the baldder and fill from there without taking it from it's position. give it a go mate. Good luck.

[Andrew]

Andrew,
One thing to be aware of with that method is that the other stuff in you pack can press on the bladder reducing it's available volume. Happened to me at GNW 100 last year, and ran out of water as only had 1l not the 3l I needed on a particularly long and hot section - it's the mistake you only make once!

The method is sound, just make sure that the bladder is filled completely.

Run Happy!
Andy
www.ultramarathonrunning.com.au

[John]

Everyone has own opinion on these things.
I finally bit the bullet and went with the XA 20 solomon backpack, and got 3 litre dueter bladder seperately after recommendations of this site. I got both of these items off Wiggle. Of course i wouldl prefer to run with no backpack but i could not be happier with how this performs. I have ran up to 4hours with it and have had no probs.

Cheers

[Simone]

I am also new to the running with a backpack thing and my training partner and I just bought he Osprey Manta with a 3ltre bladder and 25 ltr capacity. It feels unreal to run with (I tried a Camelbak and it felt like a had a small child on my back the whole way, awful). I put this new pack on the first day and it has not bothered me once, even with a full bladder and two gatorades in it.

The bladder has a solid back on it so it's easy to fill and replace in the pack, being a solid back it just slides in easily. It stays still as well becasue its firm rather than bouncing around. It also compresses the water somehow so that waterflow is better.

All in all it's my new best friend, I am very happy with it! Never thought I could say that about something that makes me about 5-7kgs heavier when I run!

Hope this helps,

Simone

[Dave]

Damian,
Don't know if you've chosen a pack yet, if not, I looked for 20-25ltr pack with good size net side pockets with (most important) sizeable pockets on the waist belt. Some packs have these pockets but seem to flatten out when you're wearing the pack.

It's interesting what you need to get your hands on while running and having easily accessible nets on the sides for sunnies, sunscreen, bananas, beanie etc also waist belt pockets full of gels, salt sticks, chaff sticks, jelly beans etc will keep you putting one foot in front of the other longer without having to stop and go rummaging through your gear.

Any pack parts that rub are a potential for chaffing such as shoulder straps rubbing the inside of your biceps, nasty. Also good ventilation between the pack and your back helps stop your shirt rubbing and riding up. Elasticised chest straps don't restrict your breathing as much as a static one.

The pack should also have a reasonable compression system to prevent gear jiggling and rolling around to much. I've found a means of holding your bladder upright to prevent it collapsing and restricting flow handy.

Some packs feel great as soon as you put them on and these packs deserve further consideration as comfort is a priority, you can always buy a bladder separately as most packs come with access for them these days.

3l bladder with a bite flow mouthpiece has got to be the way to go. No taps or triggers to play with. As other people replying to this topic have said, take care when filling to make sure the amount you want to go in, goes in.

See you on track.

Dave.