I have the Vaucluse the same as yours but I modded mine. I bought a cheap foam sleeping mat and cut a panel to match the size of the Vaucluse. I added air holes to it but left a reasonable amount of padding and then cable tied it to the vaucluse with the silver side against my back. This gives me some nice padding and the air ventilation works great. You have to really press the Vaucluse panels together and you should feel them snap/lock into place, mine don't come free like yours has so I suspect they haven't been pressed together hard enough. If mine did come free I would just glue them as you mentioned but I do recommend the thin foam (3-4mm) sleep mat mod, it really works well and is very comfortable.
That’s a great idea! I do think I would need to super glue the two panels together though. We snapped them in pretty good but a few would always come loose during my readjustment of putting the pack back on. Thanks for this tip! I have plenty of foam pad left so I could easily try this out as well!
@@hikingwithrae You're welcome, I found the Vaucluse dug into my back a bit so that's what made me improvise, I hope it works out for you like it has for me.
Yes, since you already have it with you, that's a better idea. I also use this extra bit as a sit pad too. I may add another layer to it to add more space.
I have a SWD pack that has a sitpad inside mesh on the back of the pack. I'll take it out and do what you suggest and see how it works. I sweat a lot so not sure how much it will help.
Let me know if it makes a difference. I’ve wondered about packs that come with a pad on the back. But this way creates a small gap, so I was thinking a full back pad would still create less air flow and more sweat.
@@mudbone7706 Yes it is only placed there, not permanently secured. After I put on the pack but before I secure the hip belt, I place the foam pad behind my back. Once I secure the hip belt, the foam pad stays in place. Doesn’t really move around either so that’s nice!
@@hikingwithrae I wonder if it would be worth bonding some elastic cord there to hold the pad. Wonder what you can use to bond to that pack fabric. When I ordered the Kakwa ventilation was my only hesitation; the few early adopters didn't seem to think it was a problem. But I'm a really heavy sweater. I have the Vacluse too but haven't really tried it out yet. Maybe Durston will come up with a refit kit to allow affixing a lumbar pad.
@@brimstone33 I don’t mind it not being there permanently but yes something that would hold it in place would be nice. I’ve wondered about the ventilation on the new Wapta pack that durston came out with but I haven’t tried it yet. I don’t see how someone shouldn’t sweat extra with this pack. Especially in the heat. I love this pack but I have more sweat with it than any other pack I’ve tried.
Thanks for the comment! In the colder temps, that is what I am hoping for! Do you feel the 40 has enough room? I have the 55 and it often feels like I have more room than I need.
Once I have my pack on but before I do the hip belt and chest buckle, I slip it between my back and the pack. Once I adjust and tighten the hip belt it doesn’t really go anyway. Occasionally I’ll reach back to see if it has slipped up and if so I’ll put it back down a little. Hope that helps!
Cool. I used a top & bottom set of this stuff going through winter Ranger school in '83, before synthetic underlayers were a thing. You were constantly wet from sweat, rain and water crossing so the best you could do was keep the wet uniform from sticking directly to your skin. Worked pretty well. Invented by Norwegian fishermen who also work in constant freezing wet. The only thing was it would rub against your knee when you knelt. I finally slit it over the knee to solve this. Never thought of it as a hot weather item. Do you find your vest dries quickly? Does it smell?
And that’s very fair! I admit I’ve gotten a bit obsessed with going as light as I can but I don’t know I can reach some of these ULTRA ultralighters LOL.
And those are great too! I have an Aura I started with. But those hip belts really mess up my hip area. Even with soft foam pads between the hip belts and my hips, I always ends up with bruised hips and the skin rubbed raw. That was my biggest issue with that pack.
Comfy, yes, but the more minimal backpacks have their advantages. Sometimes less is more, but you need to be willing to adapt and have the knowledge to do so. "The more you know, the less you need." Every year gear makers keep closing that gap between comfort and weight.
Brilliant.
Your genius here is welcomed as is your fabulous accent.
-Signed, Oklahoman.
Thank you! 😁
and now you have a handy little sit pad sounds like a win to me
Definitely! Never had an actual sit pad so it works out lol
Rae! A fastened on the back backpack back hack. That’s a great idea.
Thanks!
Truly a DIY special! Thanks for taking the time to share. ☮❤🤝
You are very welcome, and I appreciate the comment 😁
@@hikingwithrae, Happy to support a fellow tiny-channel who's adding value. 😀
@@KevinRStrauss 😁
I have the Vaucluse the same as yours but I modded mine. I bought a cheap foam sleeping mat and cut a panel to match the size of the Vaucluse. I added air holes to it but left a reasonable amount of padding and then cable tied it to the vaucluse with the silver side against my back. This gives me some nice padding and the air ventilation works great. You have to really press the Vaucluse panels together and you should feel them snap/lock into place, mine don't come free like yours has so I suspect they haven't been pressed together hard enough. If mine did come free I would just glue them as you mentioned but I do recommend the thin foam (3-4mm) sleep mat mod, it really works well and is very comfortable.
That’s a great idea! I do think I would need to super glue the two panels together though. We snapped them in pretty good but a few would always come loose during my readjustment of putting the pack back on. Thanks for this tip! I have plenty of foam pad left so I could easily try this out as well!
@@hikingwithrae You're welcome, I found the Vaucluse dug into my back a bit so that's what made me improvise, I hope it works out for you like it has for me.
I have that pack, I have an extra piece of a sleep pad that’s just sitting around, and I have compliments to you for the great idea. Cheers.
Thank you! I hope it works well for you too!
Good idea, I think initially I will use my seat cushion to put between. I use this anyway when I have to take a break.
Yes, since you already have it with you, that's a better idea. I also use this extra bit as a sit pad too. I may add another layer to it to add more space.
Definitely trying this out.
And if you end up finding something else that works better let me know!
I have a SWD pack that has a sitpad inside mesh on the back of the pack. I'll take it out and do what you suggest and see how it works. I sweat a lot so not sure how much it will help.
Let me know if it makes a difference. I’ve wondered about packs that come with a pad on the back. But this way creates a small gap, so I was thinking a full back pad would still create less air flow and more sweat.
Is the foam pad just squeezed between your back and the pack to hold it in place or did you secure it to the pack somehow?
@@mudbone7706 Yes it is only placed there, not permanently secured. After I put on the pack but before I secure the hip belt, I place the foam pad behind my back. Once I secure the hip belt, the foam pad stays in place. Doesn’t really move around either so that’s nice!
@@hikingwithrae I wonder if it would be worth bonding some elastic cord there to hold the pad. Wonder what you can use to bond to that pack fabric. When I ordered the Kakwa ventilation was my only hesitation; the few early adopters didn't seem to think it was a problem. But I'm a really heavy sweater. I have the Vacluse too but haven't really tried it out yet. Maybe Durston will come up with a refit kit to allow affixing a lumbar pad.
@@brimstone33 I don’t mind it not being there permanently but yes something that would hold it in place would be nice. I’ve wondered about the ventilation on the new Wapta pack that durston came out with but I haven’t tried it yet. I don’t see how someone shouldn’t sweat extra with this pack. Especially in the heat. I love this pack but I have more sweat with it than any other pack I’ve tried.
Have a Wapta. Love the pack same issue
Nice! I’ve wanted to try the Wapta too but not sure if I’d have enough space if I wanted to use it on a thru hike.
I think I’d rather deal with the heat and have the weight as close in with my kakwa 40. Worthwhile vid though.
Thanks for the comment! In the colder temps, that is what I am hoping for! Do you feel the 40 has enough room? I have the 55 and it often feels like I have more room than I need.
How do you hold it in place?
Once I have my pack on but before I do the hip belt and chest buckle, I slip it between my back and the pack. Once I adjust and tighten the hip belt it doesn’t really go anyway. Occasionally I’ll reach back to see if it has slipped up and if so I’ll put it back down a little. Hope that helps!
My way of coping is to wear a Bryne string vest, my shirt on top, the Bryne is just enough to keep the sweat at bay.
@@RegEdmunds interesting I just looked there up. Never heard of them but I may have to try this out! Thanks!
Cool. I used a top & bottom set of this stuff going through winter Ranger school in '83, before synthetic underlayers were a thing. You were constantly wet from sweat, rain and water crossing so the best you could do was keep the wet uniform from sticking directly to your skin. Worked pretty well. Invented by Norwegian fishermen who also work in constant freezing wet. The only thing was it would rub against your knee when you knelt. I finally slit it over the knee to solve this. Never thought of it as a hot weather item. Do you find your vest dries quickly? Does it smell?
That's why I don't go UL 😉
And that’s very fair! I admit I’ve gotten a bit obsessed with going as light as I can but I don’t know I can reach some of these ULTRA ultralighters LOL.
The best method is to buy those backpacks that already has airflow ventilation built-in such as Osprey 😊
And those are great too! I have an Aura I started with. But those hip belts really mess up my hip area. Even with soft foam pads between the hip belts and my hips, I always ends up with bruised hips and the skin rubbed raw. That was my biggest issue with that pack.
@@hikingwithrae can’t wait to see your next video and bring us more stories 😊
@AtmosJourney thank you 😊 I have a camping video I’m working on from this past weekend!
@@hikingwithrae Bring it on 😀👍
Comfy, yes, but the more minimal backpacks have their advantages. Sometimes less is more, but you need to be willing to adapt and have the knowledge to do so. "The more you know, the less you need." Every year gear makers keep closing that gap between comfort and weight.