Load Hauling Update 2: Comfortable limit is about 55 lb for me. At 50 lb, the pack is comfortable for all day hiking. At 60 lb, the hipbelt starts to slide down my hips and the level of tightening necessary to keep it up reduces the comfort level to a point where I need to remove the pack every hour to take a 5 minute break. Some would find this acceptable, but I now consider my "comfortable limit" with this pack to be about 55 lb. I can carry more, but the comfort is noticeably reduced and rest breaks are necessary. I haven't yet tested above 60 lb, and I don't think I'll have a chance to in the near future. I'll update if I get more info. I think SWD's info is right on: 35-40lbs very comfortable. 45-55lbs comfortable for all day hiking. 60-65lbs max load.
Thank you so much for the detailed run through. Looking forward to a comparison with the Unaweep as I amconsidering it and the 70L Big Wild to replace my old modded out Gregory Makalu Pro. Reguarding the hip belt buckle- I bronke a similar sized one on my Durston Kakwa 55 a couple weeks ago on day 1 of a 7 day trip. Ended up using a mini carabinier as a field replacement and it worked so good I am considering just using it in the first place.
Oh wow that’s cool that you found something that worked in the field for the hip belt. I’ve always imagined it would be kind of painful trying to rig something up in the field.
@@jamtastical3 The biner was part of a bear bag hanging kit I brought to teach Scouts how to hang. Just lucky I had it but now I will carry one on my shoulder strap to manage the hydration hose.
Thanks for making this video. Very informative and helpful. I look forward to the Big Wild, Porter and Unaweep comparison video. Would you mind quickly commenting on the carrying comfort of the three packs?
I’m glad it’s been helpful for you. Porter:30-35 lbs comfortably. Unaweep: basically unlimited. Big Wild: 40 at least, I haven’t tested higher. Probably true to SWD’s claim of 60 though.
Thanks for the video! You mentioned doing a comparison video between the big wild and the unaweep- did you ever do that if not, i was wondering if you could share your thoughts/preferences?
Willing to type of few thoughts for me? Which do you like better? Which would you choose for heavier loads? Do you think you could fit the Unaweep into the smaller Valkyerie tubes?
Great overview of the Big Wild. Really hope to se more of it in future vids aswell! What size hipbelt did you order and what should you have ordered for your waist size?
Hey dude, nice review. I am stuck between the 70 L in the 95 L for winter mountaineering and a Denali trip. realistically how small can this pack Get? I definitely won’t need the full 95 L capacity all the time so I want to make sure I’m not getting too much pack for weekend long winter trips. What do you think?
If you have a pretty compact kit you could probably fit everything in a 70L, but with three sets of compression straps I got mine down to like 20 liters or so. It looked ridiculous with the huge side pockets sticking out, but it worked really well. I don’t see any real downside to getting the 95 if you’re not sure. I’m selling my 70L Porter and just planning to use the 95 myself.
@@jamtastical3 Nice nice. that's great info. I was thinking the 70L + bow bag for avy gear would be the move, but now you have me thinking the 95 is a good idea with the compression. I guess I'll pack everything into my 90L drybag and see what that looks like volume-wise. Happy trails brother
My torso is 18.5 inches but I usually wear my hip belt a couple inches lower than normal due to some nerve issues. The pack is a Large torso size. Hope that helps.
Hi! What are your thoughts on this backpack so far? I plan to buy it for winter and long hikes. Is there anything more interesting with strong materials like ultra 400 and a good frame?
Yeah, it does make it more top heavy, so not as good for scrambling as a cylindrical shape. But the higher center of gravity also keeps you from having to bend at the waist as much with heavy loads, which saves your lower back muscles a bit. I think it’s a trade-off that works pretty well for a large-volume pack.
Load Hauling Update 2: Comfortable limit is about 55 lb for me.
At 50 lb, the pack is comfortable for all day hiking. At 60 lb, the hipbelt starts to slide down my hips and the level of tightening necessary to keep it up reduces the comfort level to a point where I need to remove the pack every hour to take a 5 minute break. Some would find this acceptable, but I now consider my "comfortable limit" with this pack to be about 55 lb. I can carry more, but the comfort is noticeably reduced and rest breaks are necessary. I haven't yet tested above 60 lb, and I don't think I'll have a chance to in the near future. I'll update if I get more info.
I think SWD's info is right on:
35-40lbs very comfortable.
45-55lbs comfortable for all day hiking.
60-65lbs max load.
Thank you so much for the detailed run through. Looking forward to a comparison with the Unaweep as I amconsidering it and the 70L Big Wild to replace my old modded out Gregory Makalu Pro. Reguarding the hip belt buckle- I bronke a similar sized one on my Durston Kakwa 55 a couple weeks ago on day 1 of a 7 day trip. Ended up using a mini carabinier as a field replacement and it worked so good I am considering just using it in the first place.
Oh wow that’s cool that you found something that worked in the field for the hip belt. I’ve always imagined it would be kind of painful trying to rig something up in the field.
@@jamtastical3 The biner was part of a bear bag hanging kit I brought to teach Scouts how to hang. Just lucky I had it but now I will carry one on my shoulder strap to manage the hydration hose.
Thanks for making this video. Very informative and helpful. I look forward to the Big Wild, Porter and Unaweep comparison video. Would you mind quickly commenting on the carrying comfort of the three packs?
I’m glad it’s been helpful for you. Porter:30-35 lbs comfortably. Unaweep: basically unlimited. Big Wild: 40 at least, I haven’t tested higher. Probably true to SWD’s claim of 60 though.
I look forward to a comparison video as well!
Thanks, this is very detailed review and really helps those of us out who like to see the small details.
Yeah, it seems like most manufacturers just don’t showcase that type of stuff on their websites.
Thanks for the video. Ordered the small version of the big wild. Super excited for it.
Great! I hope it works for you. Keep up the good videos, too.
Thanks for the video! You mentioned doing a comparison video between the big wild and the unaweep- did you ever do that if not, i was wondering if you could share your thoughts/preferences?
Yeah,I got busy with other stuff for a while and haven’t done it yet. It’s next on my list though.
Willing to type of few thoughts for me? Which do you like better? Which would you choose for heavier loads? Do you think you could fit the Unaweep into the smaller Valkyerie tubes?
@@jimowczarzak5924 I’m james_taylor3 on Reddit, so I think I replied to your question there.
Great overview of the Big Wild. Really hope to se more of it in future vids aswell! What size hipbelt did you order and what should you have ordered for your waist size?
Thanks! I ordered a 26" initially. Afterward I ordered a 30" and it fits perfectly. My waist is 32"
Hey dude, nice review. I am stuck between the 70 L in the 95 L for winter mountaineering and a Denali trip. realistically how small can this pack Get? I definitely won’t need the full 95 L capacity all the time so I want to make sure I’m not getting too much pack for weekend long winter trips. What do you think?
If you have a pretty compact kit you could probably fit everything in a 70L, but with three sets of compression straps I got mine down to like 20 liters or so. It looked ridiculous with the huge side pockets sticking out, but it worked really well. I don’t see any real downside to getting the 95 if you’re not sure. I’m selling my 70L Porter and just planning to use the 95 myself.
@@jamtastical3 Nice nice. that's great info. I was thinking the 70L + bow bag for avy gear would be the move, but now you have me thinking the 95 is a good idea with the compression. I guess I'll pack everything into my 90L drybag and see what that looks like volume-wise. Happy trails brother
Thanks for this. For reference what’s your torso size and what size pack did you get?
My torso is 18.5 inches but I usually wear my hip belt a couple inches lower than normal due to some nerve issues. The pack is a Large torso size. Hope that helps.
Hi! What are your thoughts on this backpack so far? I plan to buy it for winter and long hikes. Is there anything more interesting with strong materials like ultra 400 and a good frame?
I still love it. As far as I know there’s nothing on the market that’s as good, all around, as this one.
@@jamtastical3 Nice, thank you!
Seek outside divide is an 80 litre pack that is also meant to be able to carry similarly heavy loads.
Did you find that the pack-bag shape (smaller at the bottom and larger at the top) made the pack top-heavy and affected your balance?
Yeah, it does make it more top heavy, so not as good for scrambling as a cylindrical shape. But the higher center of gravity also keeps you from having to bend at the waist as much with heavy loads, which saves your lower back muscles a bit. I think it’s a trade-off that works pretty well for a large-volume pack.
Hi which one suspension system is much more comfortable and grips well for load transfer between SWD or SO?
They’re pretty similar, but I think the SWD one moves with my hips a bit better right now.
The constant camera movement is annoyong.