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Hi all.

Probably not going to get much of an answer on this as most on here use a car but maybe I will, worth a try.

What size of rucksack is needed to carry a fairly basic camping kit? Things such as, single burner stove, 2 small gas cannisters (need a spare ), couple of mess tins, kettle, lantern, clothes, some packet meals, etc. Should think a weeks worth at the max. Tent can be carried in one hand and intend attaching sleeping bag and mat to the outside in some way.

Thanks.

Depends how well you pack and if you are used to carrying a pack or not ?

Would say minimum 50L ,dont buy one off the net tho ,you really need to go and check the 'fit '

You will find most have all manor of bungees and clipies for attaching things ,just remember what ever you attatch to it ,the further it is away from your body the heavier it will be to carry

You can get a coleman gas stoveand lantern that attatch to the same gas canister,and you dont need a kettle ,the mess tin can be used to boil water ;)

Post last edited on 02/09/2008 11:51:58

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My Karrimor sack has a main bag of 50l and a bottom section of 15l and here's what I do:

The sleeping bag in its compression sack within a polythene bag (don't put your sleeping bag on the outside of the sack, not only does hanging stuff on the outside of the sack lack style, the sleeping bag will get wet) goes in the bottom section. I sort of jam my MSR pots on either end of the sleeping bag. In the space around the sleeping bag I put my Pocket Rocket stove, gas bottle, head torch (don't bother with a lantern) and other stuff I won't need during the day to fill up the spaces.

Inside the main bag I fold (not roll) the tent, Thermorest and additional clothes and put them in polythene bags at the back of the sack. Minor items fit in as best they can, all in polythene bags at the front of the sack.

I try to sort things so that I need to go into the main and bottom sections of the bag as little as possible during the day.

Food for the day, water bottle along with first aid kit and wallet, in (you guessed it) polythene bags go in the side pockets and waterproof coat and trousers (no polythene bags!) on the rare occasions I'm not wearing them go in the pocket in the lid of the sack.

The rules for packing are that you should keep your spine in compression so therefore heavy stuff needs to go at the back and top of the sack and close to your body. If you're going over steep or rough ground this desiderata will upset your centre of gravity so you may need to move some stuff down the sack but keep it close to your body.

Carrying the tent isn't a good idea, you'll get fed up with it, drop it and get it wet and muddy and you won't have both hands free for scrambling over rough ground.

Now when I use the car, I take the cut glasses, nice table wear and cutlery and tablecloths but for back packing bare minimalism is the order of the day: if you don't need it, leave it!

Skatty is spot on about getting the bag fitted, it makes all the difference between considerable discomfort at the end of a long day and not really being aware of the bag at all. The weight should go via the waste strap to your hips with the bag supported on your shoulders.

You haven't told us what sort of camping you're doing. Let us know and we can probably give more specific advise.

Don't forget the polythene bags, hope this helps.

R

I'm hesitent in disagreeing with eel28 regarding the Trangia, these well designed stoves have given us all excellent service over so many years but I believe things have moved on.

I have a MSR Pocket Rocket stove with two MSR stainless steel pots.  As stated above, my sleeping bag goes in the pots so they take up no space and the Pocket Rocket is tiny.  It will cook porridge for three, in wind and rain half way up a mountain and burn the porridge if you're not careful in under five minutes.

If you do decide on a Trangia (a good choice in spite of what I said above) take care because if you get a sunny day, the flame is virtually invisible.

Take care.

R

Ah thanks.

It's for my daughter and not intended for backpacking. It will be useful for keeping all the stuff together if she manages to cadge a lift (student, no car of her own), which will be most of the time, or will make it easier to carry if using coaches, trains and busses. Rik, your instructions (for want of a better word) look to me like those of a backpacker and I'm thinking that she could "afford" to be a little less careful in her packing as it's not intended to be carried far.

Looked at the trangia cookers but think for now a small folding stove and small gas cannister would be better, just need water for hot drinks and to cook basic packet pasta and sauce type things. Will give the kettle a miss but not a battery lantern, I really don't want a gas lantern in a small tent.

I shall make sure it fits and she feels comfy.

If you have a branch of  Field and Trek close to you I suggest you pay them a visit.  The staff (in my experience of one of the branches) are all experienced backpackers, well trained in fitting rucksacks and a mine of useful information - like Rik Brooks!

I use a miltary style bergen (70l) which has removable side pockets (15l each) which double as a day sack by attaching to a yoke.  maybe a bit big for some people, but suits me.  Rik Brooks is spot on with his packing advice.  I actually take my sleeping bag out of its compression sack which gets me a better 'fit' to the sahpe of the bergen (a tip from a Royal Marine friend of mine) Don;t take two mess tins when you only one, etc etc.

Fitting is the most important thing.  I've seen people in agony from badly fitting bags.  Sometimes a very cheap bag is perfect if it fits!

Can't see young'un going for military style, finds dads camo trousers and hat embarassing enough . Thanks for the info though.

Just had a look and we have a Field and Trek nearby, when we're both around during the holidays we'll have a shufty round. Thanks.