Reviewing the Big Three - Part 1 The Pack

I have wiled away many an evening considering how best to reduce my base pack weight. Burned the electric candle past midnight. Set my alarm and put my phone down for the night only to reach for it again after 20 or 30 minutes of ruminating on the subject to research a new angle. It is little wonder I look so haggardly and cannot find the motivation for a pre-work jog. I can hardly will myself to sleep lest I forget about substiting my 458 gram Keen Clearwater CNX sandals for a barefoot ultralight shoe equivalent.

As I try to work on burning away the latent layer of Christmas pudding, I have attempted to refocus my attention onto trimming further pack weight from the big three in any hiker's repertoire: pack, sleeping bag and shelter.

I have an Aarn Featherlite Freedom. A 50 litre pack. It has the capacity for an additional 12 litres to be attached by using the New Zealand brand's unique 'balance pockets'. Two removable pockets that buckle across the front of the chest.

The Aarn Featherlite Freedom pack:

The 50 litre pack weighs 1200 grams including the waterproof liner. The shop assistant sold me on the idea that I could float that baby down a river and the contents would remain dry. Not that I would ever have reason to try.

I used this as my day pack in Nepal. After a good drenching in and around Namche Bazaar sans pack cover, I find myself without having reason to disagree. The pack relies on a roll top configuration much in the same way waterproof stuffsacks do except that it buckles down to the sides of the pack.

The balance pockets weigh another 600 grams. This seems rather a lot for only 12 additional litres but the pockets' location on the front of the body allows for the weight contained therein to be transferred directly onto the hips. Loading heavy items into the pockets reduces the loading of that weight onto the shoulders. The wearer does not seem to strain forward against the shoulder straps either. Their centre of gravity is not pulled backward by the weight of the pack behind them as the weight in front helps to balance the overall load.

A picture from the Aarn website explaining the weight distribution:

It might look unusual - and even downright ungainly - but I love the Featherlite Freedom's comfort and adaptability. It served me exceptionally well during my three week hike in Nepal where I did not need the balance pockets. I used it in the months leading up to Nepal also, loading the pack and pockets with up to 18 kilograms as part of my training. It is a superbly comfortable pack up until around 15 kilograms (without the pockets) at which time it does suffer a marked reduction in the comfort factor.

There is no frame to the pack body, only a single removable vertical stay. Each balance pocket configuration includes a vertical stay which attaches to the hip belt and shoulder straps. They fasten across the chest. Both pockets must be worn or none at all. It can be worn by women without issue and I say that as someone who does not fall into the petite or athletic stereotype.

I love the Aarn Featherlite Freedom too much at present to consider researching a lighter option pack. I know that if I reduce the volume of gear required, it should be possible to fit my base pack weight and weekend food into just the 50 litre pack. That in itself is a 600 gram reduction at no additional cost that I look forward to trying to achieve.

I will attempt to find weight savings elsewhere in that big three in the meantime.