ButtPack vs. Standard Daypack

abiggs

abiggs

Joined
Jan 6, 2007
Messages
955
Question:

Why do you use a buttpack versus a regular daypack (backpack)?

I've always used a pretty light Kelty daypack for hikes. I recently picked up a cheapy buttpack and it is just not as comfortable. Maybe it's because it's a cheapy, but it just rubs me the wrong way (literally).

So, why do YOU use a buttpack?
 
Cheapo buttpacks almost always feel like crap... The down side is for a nice but pack, it costmas much as a alright daypack. For a day hike that is Very virtical i like a buttpack (i dont have the strongest back) for a not so virtical hike i carry a daypack.

But sometimes i dont carry a pack at all. I carry everything on my person. The only thing thats a pain is my jetboil, but i need my coaco! :D

EDIT: I did try on the camelbak something or other (its BRIGHT yellow-green) and it fellt very good, and it carried a good 1.5 L.!
 
I imagine it wouldn't make you as sweaty, which is what I hate about backpacks the most. But I don't use a buttpack so I can't say for sure.
 
I use both, depends on the conditions, and wether or not I need to pack layers (usually) but for a month or so I EDCed a 10L butt pack as a rapid response first aid kit, while working at a kids camp. plus I forget where I put stuff, so If I always have a spare pocket, I never loose things...... in theory. depends on how much you carry I guess. I'm trying to set up a resonable ultralight kit in my butt pack, but living with the possibility of snow 9 months of the year any place I camp, its hard..
 
I use a shoulder pack(maxpedition Jumbo) Other than your back not getting sweaty, I like it better because the only thing I regularly use on a dayhike is the water bottle.
I am not a big fan of hydration packs, and with my shoulder bag it keeps the guyot easily accessible.
 
What I use depends upon the size and weight of the load. For light to moderate loads a lumbar pack (sometimes with shoulder straps, if the load is heavier) is more comfortable for me and does not keep my back as wet.

DancesWithKnives
 
DWK2 said:
What I use depends upon the size and weight of the load. For light to moderate loads a lumbar pack (sometimes with shoulder straps, if the load is heavier) is more comfortable for me and does not keep my back as wet.

DancesWithKnives
Click to expand...
+1
Hip pack also keeps your center of balance lower, keeps weight off your lower back (an issue for some of us) and allows for freer arm motion.
 
Not me: A daypack or backpack causes my back to sweat more and stay wetter. For a moderate load, I'll take the lumbar pack.

DancesWithKnives
 
I'm sure at one point or another you've all heard me brag about my camelbak mule. It's great, holds everything I need (including a sleeping bag), and holds about 2 liters of water (I think, not exactly sure).

Before that I had a simple $10.00 buttpack from wally world. It was a nice pack, held two 500mL bottles which I still use. Those bottles work perfectly with those polar pure iodine tablets. Each tablet is for half a liter, or 500mL. So each bottle gets one pill, simple to remember. The pack also held a reasonable amount of stuff, including a fishing kit for having a little fun (I don't go day hiking and look for a reason to "survive," having fun is a big part of it). I'll go take a few pics of my old pack and edit it in here in a few minutes.
 
I use one sometimes. Usually when I'm hunting. Carries a reasonable amount of stuff, gets the weight off my shoulders/arms since I'm lugging a rifle or shotgun around, and has no straps to get in the way when actually shouldering the rifle or shotgun. Sometimes, I only use a belt pouch and carry all the other stuff in my hunting vest, though.
 
dayhikes I much prefer my Kifaru Scout(lumbar pack) more natural center of gravity, less sweaty back, just feels better to me
 
Okay, I got the pics, and after this thread I might just start using it again :o.

buttpack1.jpg


buttpack2.jpg


buttpack3.jpg


This simple $10.00 wally world buttpack holds just about everything that my camelbak mule does, just a little less luxiouries though. This doesn't fit my cooking kit (metal pots, pans, cup that fold together), my sleeping bag, and most importantly the water bladder. The bladder helps me out the most when walking around. Having to pull out the bottles of water for every little sip can be a pain in the rear, but then again they aren't really made for long term use.

Hope you guys like the pics, J.
 
I also like the freedom of movement with a lumbar pack and also use one sometimes while hunting. I've also used it when carrying a canoe and I have a PDF and/or fishing vest on....otherwise you'd have to carry a larger pack to stuff the vest and PDF into.
 
There is a difference between a butt pack and a lumbar pack...old school butt packs were meant to be carried over the butt and under a regular pack...they were always a little uncomfortable but if you had to ditch your main pack you had your essentials in your butt pack (almost always carried with suspenders, ala LBE/LCE). On the civi-side, a simple "waist pack" pretty much filled the same role, but are not designed to carry much weight.

Lumbar packs actually carry above the butt and into the small of your back...these are much more comfortable and usually have a more ergonomic belt system. As already noted, lumbar packs keep your back cooler and unless you have shoulder strap/strappets, your back stays much cooler with better air flow and you have a better range of motion for your arms (such as for climbing, scrambling and bouldering).

Regardless of whether you use a small pack or lumbar pack, a good, cinching waist belt is a necessity to keep either from bouncing around, stabilize your center of gravity and put the majority of weight on your hips (where it belongs) instead of your shoulders.

There is a breaking point where the lumbar pack needs to move up to a shoulder pack. Weight is probably the biggest factor in making that decision. Some just don't care for how the lumbar pack fits, but as long as you don't put too much weight in them, they are much more effective at off trail rock climbing/scrambling than a regular shoulder pack.

ROCK6
 
I've used a lumbar pack for the last few months and I really like it. With a backpack, my back gets all sweaty. With the lumbar pack, I take the same gear, but hardly know that I'm carrying it. No more chafing on shoulders, no more sweating through my shirt! Plus, I like not having to take my pack off to get to my water or binoculars.
 
After reading this thread, I took the plunge and ordered County Comm's Sat Com Bag. It is cheap (in cost) enough to give it a test. I unfortunately have collected too many packs to count in the search for a perfect configuration. The only conclusion I can make at this point is that for every activity there is a great pack for the job. It is the pack that can cover many uses that I am after.

http://www.countycomm.com/satcom.htm
 
I wanted to add that I have tested a variety of lumbar/butt packs:

True North: designed like the forest fire response crews (too big)
Mtn Smith: Day Pack
Mtn Smith: Tour Pack
Cheaper Than Dirt: Molle 303 (more a "murse" than a butt pack)

Seems they are all good. I think I need to miniaturize my stuff...not my packs!
 
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