Salomon XA20 Users - Fitting Everything in

[jason]

Hi All

Does anyone have any tips for fitting all the mandatory items into a XA20 and still having room for food and non compulsory stuff

I thought tonight I would just confirm that I can get everything into my pack and got a shock

I put all the mandatory clothing including fleece into a dry sack rolled it as tight as I could and stuffed that in the bottom followed by raincoat, headlamp, spare light, bandage compass etc. safety vest and rain pants went into a side pocket each and by then the pack was completely full. Couldn't even get my full bladder into it without taking everything back out which seems like its going to be a pain at every check point.

I do have a bigger North face Ion20 bag which I can use but it rubs holes in my lower back.

So can I get by with the Salomon or should I try solving the chafe issue with the northface bag instead

Appreciate any ideas


Regards

Kirko

[Owen]

Kirko,

I've got the same pack.  I can't offer any tricks and am just hoping not everything will be in there at the same time. 

During the first 3 stages last year (because it was sunny/dry) you weren't required to carry pants or fleece, so everything fits nicely.  I seem to recall they made us carry the fleece from CP4 but memory is foggy!? By that time I had gloves, beany, thermal top and bottom on, then the vest had to come out as well for the roads, head torch is on obviously. 

If it's gonna be cold/wet and they make us take the fleece and pants from the start I imagine it might be cold enough to warrant wearing some of the gear rather than carry them. 

This all assumes you'll be of average speed and out there when it's dark and cold.  You'll also be surprised by the small/large size of everyone's packs.  I swear last year some people only had a space blanket in there while others looked like they had a tent and sleeping bag.

Also, there's not much you can do about emptying the bag to fill bladder when packs full, if you leave it in the pouch it never get's enough water in it and is hard to judge how much is actually in there.

good luck,
Owen
PS - what is it with getting chesty coughs just as you start to taper, does your body do it as revenge or what!!

[Michael]

Also have an XA20 and can fit everything in (just) - but assume come race day if I,m told need to carry all the compulsary gear including fleece and troos I'll probably be glad to be wearing some of it anyway.
Everything is in individual Ziplock bags rather than a dry sack which has the advantage that you can distribute gear about more into the sides - PLUS you only have to remove a couple of items to ease the pressure on the water bladder for re-filling.

Also make use of the netting area for peripheries.

Of course, given that the Salomon XA10 has 10 litre capacity, and the Salomon XA25 has 25 litre capacity,  I assumed that the Salomon XA20 it would have a 20 litre capacity...when in fact it has only 14litres.
Nice pack though.

PS - I have been wearing a sleeveless compression top under my shirt and have had no problems with rubbing - I think the double layering helps.

[Jeffrey]

I used a Camelbak Mule for last year's event and have just switched to the XA20 because it has MUCH more room.  Strangely, I have found the opposite problem:  the capacity is almost too large!

If I may share my secret, and keep it hush-hush :-), put each piece of clothing into a double-sealed Ziplock/Hercules bag, and then squeeze all the air out before you seal them--especially the ones with the bulky clothing such as the fleece, rain gear & thermals.  You will be SHOCKED how much room you can save fitting your gear into your bag.

Agreed with other comments that if it is required to carry your fleece the whole time, you will most likely be wearing it.

Depending on the brand of bladder you have, it may still be a pain to refill it if you have to slip it in-and-out of the bag (i.e., it it is a wide-mouth fold-seal or a top-screw seal).  No recommendations there other than (1) empty your bag when you refill your bladder, or (2) get a wide-mouth bladder.

Let us know how this helps.

[jason]

Thanks Guys

Packing things individually in ziplock bags saved alot of space.

I wont need to use the northface pack now

All the best with the race

Regards

Kirko