Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

Colm

Just wondering what ultralight backpacks might be on the market these days, that can function as a stash bag. Specifically, I want to carry an OSP 265 plus helmet and big shin guards, and sometimes forearm guards depending on the jump. Was thinking in the 50-60L size, maybe. Anybody have reviews to offer? Thanks

(Searched the forums, but most info is old / obsolete by now)

"This is not normal" - John Oliver

TomAiello

Re: [Colm] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

I have a Klymit Motion that I hacked a bit (to remove padding) and it works pretty well.

I also have a Granite Gear pack (can't remember the model) that's pretty nice but it has more padding (because I haven't taken a knife to it) so it doesn't compress as well.

Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
Snake River BASE Academy

epibase

Re: [Colm] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

I’ve used one from sixmoon before. Pretty good and packs down well. Ive carried 75lbs 30+ miles into the backcountry to open WS jumps with it.. not as comfy as other but lightweight.

https://www.sixmoondesigns.com/

HOBO 8

TomAiello

Re: [Colm] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

Do you have to track with it?

If you're going slider down or wing suit you can usually deal with a lot more bulk in the bag. Two piece tracking suits (and many 1 piece suits) give you a lot less room to play with, so you'll have to compromise more on the bulk of the bag.

I've found that 'diaper carry' of the bag works really well for most suits. Not sure that it would be great or slider down, though.

Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
Snake River BASE Academy

Heat

Re: [Colm] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

I've been using the Osprey Levity 60 for a while. It's light and packs fairly small (it fits in the back pocket in my Onesie Power as an example). It has a light metal fram that was easily removed without cutting it up or modifying it. It is plenty big enough for long hikes with rig, wingsuit, helmet, jacket, food and water, etc.

Isfjorden B.A.S.E.

TomAiello

Re: [Heat] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

How's the hip belt on the Levity? The thickness of the hip belt has been the biggest issue to packability for the Klymit and Granite Gear backpacks.

Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
Snake River BASE Academy

psychokiwi_base

Re: [Colm] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

I've been using a Gossamer Gear ultralight backpack for over ten years now and its been pretty awesome. Good for long hikes as it's super comfortable. A tad on the pricey side but it's been great. Added to which, I'f I'm tracking and I most always am, I wear the empty pack just as I normally would but underneath my tracking suit jacket. Barely know it's there.

Heat

Re: [TomAiello] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

It's quite slim and soft, but still supportive. The biggest issue is the shoulder straps. I would not use the levity in the "traditional" manner as a backpack underneath the container. Might be able to reverse it and wear it upside down though. I'll check it out later.

Isfjorden B.A.S.E.

TomAiello

Re: [Heat] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

Heat wrote: Might be able to reverse it and wear it upside down though.
I usually wear my pack upside down (in 'diaper' configuration) if it's too large to fold all the way down. My (modified) climate can be collapsed completely (like a normal stash bag) but my Granite Gear pack has to be worn upside down.

Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
Snake River BASE Academy

Colm

Re: Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

Thanks everybody for the helpful tips!

Klymit Motion 60
Granite Gear (which one? -- Virga 2 looks pretty minimalist)
Osprey Levity 60
Gossamer Gear (which one- 55? 60?)
Six Moon (which one- one of the Fusions?)

Tom, to answer your question, it would generally be for tracking with a 2-piece (or less often, slider down), so ideally the pack would fold flat to fit in a rig stash pocket with minimal modification. Wearing the pack under clothing/backwards/upside down would be less desirable.

What is the "diaper" configuration?

"This is not normal" - John Oliver

TomAiello

Re: [Colm] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

Colm wrote: What is the "diaper" configuration?
Fasten the hip belt around your waist, but instead of the pack being on your shoulders, turn it upside down, so that the pack runs down toward your feet.

Then reach between your legs and grab the top of the pack. Pull it up between your legs and attach the top of the pack to the hip belt somehow (usually by passing the hip belt buckle through a grab handle or something similar).

You can wear most light packs this way under a tracking suit. I wear the Klymit this way under a PTS and it fits fine.

Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
Snake River BASE Academy

giacomo

Re: [Colm] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

Skywalk makes some good backpacks for paragliding, they're light but I'm not sure if you can consider them stealth in your area.

https://shop.skywalk.info/3xios/index1.php?maibm=1&mapg=2&maid=1200&maaktion=open&parextid=1200

TomAiello

Re: [giacomo] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

Has anyone tried the ULA CDT pack?

https://www.ula-equipment.com/product/cdt/

It looks like a real contender. It's available either with or without a hip belt (although I wish it were removable), and the back pad (as well as several other pieces are removable). The only thing that I wonder about is the total capacity. I'm not sure its large enough for all the pads I'd want for Moab, or for a wing suit. It should be great for tracking jumps though.

I think I'll order one and check it out.

Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
Snake River BASE Academy

YODO

Re: [TomAiello] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

I went shopping for my first backpacking bag today, pretty much set on an Osprey Archeon or Aether, without really considering use for BASE.

Local dealer is where Osprey was founded apparently, and I didn’t expect any resistance to being sold what I already had in mind. The owner really put the screws to me, asking me what types of trips I would be using it for, and BASE entered the conversation. After describing the logistics of hiking and flying, he immediately took the Osprey packs back and came back out with a ULA Catalyst. 3lb. 75L. Removable stays, backpads and hip belt. I love the simplicity of the design, and the quality of material and worksmanship is very high.

It went home with me, and I can’t wait to see where we go from here!

Y.O.D.O.

TomAiello

Re: [YODO] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

The stays and hip belt are removable? That's great. How small can you roll it up when it's stripped down? Will it fit into a pocket like a stash bag, or will you have to wear it somehow under your gear?

Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
Snake River BASE Academy

Colm

Re: [YODO] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

Sounds promising. I have the same questions as Tom, but also wondering: what is your build, and what size pack did you get? (Torso & hip belt)

The website also lists J-curve and S-curve shoulder strap options, but it is not clear what those styles are, exactly...

"This is not normal" - John Oliver

YODO

Re: [Colm] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

I’m 6’1” 160lb, lanky. I was sized for a medium bag and medium hip belt. I don’t know exactly how the J/S builds differ, but I could guess that it’s the shape of the shoulder strap when viewed from the front. My straps have about a 30 degree curve to the outside, top to bottom, about 1/3 the distance down the strap pad. I’ll get a few pics up later today when I’ve got my rig repacked to show capacity.

Y.O.D.O.

hjumper33

Re: [Colm] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

I told you I’d make you one you douche.

Colm

Re: [hjumper33] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

You very kindly did, but I can't do that thing you said I'd need to do to get one :)

"This is not normal" - John Oliver

TomAiello

Re: [Colm] Stealth stash bags for the backcountry

Colm wrote: You very kindly did, but I can't do that thing you said I'd need to do to get one :)
Can't as in 'won't'? Or can't as in 'anatomical impossibility'?

Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
Snake River BASE Academy