[ad_1]
Have you ever ever packed and repacked a dozen occasions, solely to get on path and have the burden not sit proper? Have you ever carried a pack that was too massive or too small? Or, have you ever felt so stiff in a hip belt that you just couldn’t step over a log? How about completed a backpacking loop with the pores and skin beneath your sternum strap rubbed uncooked? (I’ve had all of those experiences.)
My guess is, so have many ladies: It’s not unusual to listen to that packs are tough or don’t match effectively. That’s as a result of they (often) aren’t made for us.
And I don’t say this frivolously however, that’s about to vary.
Briefly: Merely put, have you ever been uncomfortable in pack choices on market so far? Symbiosis Gear desires to vary that by serving ladies who hike with a pack “particularly designed for folks with boobs.” So I used to be past stoked to get my arms on considered one of these yet-to-be-seen, legendary, perfect-for-women packs for testing. As a result of it seems, ultralight packs (I’m HMG and ZPacks) can positively be improved with regards to design, straps, and the general match for ladies.
“Ladies have been carrying heavy masses over lengthy distances because the starting of time,” founder Sarah Berkeley stated. “So there needs to be a approach to do that [more comfortably].”
Enter The Aspen from Symbiosis Gear, which has completed simply that.
Earlier than I dive into my testing, right here’s a rundown of the pack elements and the way they’re designed with ladies’s our bodies in thoughts:
- Minimalist, ultralight design (~38L pack)
- Boob-friendly S-curve straps (19-to 30.5-inch vary)
- 3-way adjustable sternum strap for wider vary of match (17-inch vary)
- Stowable waist belt (50-inch vary)
- Simply accessible telephone pocket
- Further-large aspect pockets (with strengthened adjustable twine)
- And extra
First-Look Assessment: Symbiosis Gear ‘The Aspen’ Pack
I had this pack for beneath 2 weeks in testing. Most of these days I used to be working, or at the least, wanted to be close to a display sooner or later. So, this primary check wasn’t a lot lengthy thru-hiking, however as an alternative fast overnights, early morning fast-packs, and day hikes. I logged about 18 miles with the pack with full weight (tent, sleep system, kitchen, meals bag, layers, water filter, and many others.), and one other 3-4 miles with miscellaneous gear. I’d estimate I examined the pack with 10-18 lbs of substances.
After placing down miles in an actual path check, I moreover loaded it up as soon as extra with a max weight of 20 kilos, and as soon as extra with a full bear can (BV450). Symbiosis Gear says it made certain to design the pack so a bear can would match, but it surely’s “not really helpful.” We did check to substantiate that one match comfortably together with different gear (however yeah, it was heavy and ponderous).
Efficiency on Path
In case you are accustomed to ultralight thru-hiking packs from the likes of Hyperlite Mountain Gear, ULA, Granite Gear, and others, the Aspen Pack’s design will look acquainted. Nonetheless, most similarities cease on the exterior look.
As soon as I put the pack on, I did discover quite a lot of the elements that Berkeley talked about had been tailor-made for ladies. This positively consists of the pack’s match general. For my part, it was the shoulder straps and the myriad adjustment factors that basically let this pack’s match shine.
Past match, I hiked with the Symbiosis Gear Aspen pack for 18-20 miles with my backpacking gear. The pack carried out nice on path. I had zero points with consolation on the straps, within the hip space, or possibly most significantly for ladies, throughout the chest and shoulders.
The pack actually suits and capabilities effectively. I used to be capable of finding the precise adjustment factors for me pretty shortly. Plus, it has so many practical compression straps and pockets, to not point out the rolltop, which permits a number of versatility with quantity.
Specs & Supplies
Nearly the complete pack is made from 400-denier Extreema (a Dyneema cloth). The again pocket and backside pocket are Spundura UHMWPE. General, the pack was extremely sturdy and waterproof.
This rolltop type of the pack was positively a wise transfer for the pack’s supposed use (ultralight/thru-hiking), and the Y-strap is a stellar and essential a part of the design. Shifting down the pack, the seize deal with, webbing loops, and webbing compression straps all labored effectively and held as much as my testing on path. Right here, the compression straps stood out to me in testing — particularly as soon as I loaded up the aspect pockets with 1L bottles, and a set of collapsible trekking poles.
Lastly, there’s a inbuilt, burly Dyneema cloth stretch materials telephone pocket, in addition to a stealth backside pocket on the bottom of the pack — one thing I’ve by no means seen earlier than however that did turn out to be useful. Mostly, I used it to stuff and stash a layer, however the dimension of the underside pocket is ideal to slip in, say, a flat sit pad, or perhaps a topo map as effectively (it match these sorts of Nat Geo maps completely).
One space of enchancment is the adjustable slide clip for the detachable sternum strap — it clipped out and in simply on one aspect, however on the aspect with the telephone pocket the place there are 4 or 5 factors of adjustment, it was actually exhausting to bodily slide out and take away because of the thicker and extra cloth.
The telephone pocket functioned tremendous effectively, was comfy, and straightforward to entry, and I do know is a should for a lot of backpackers and thru-hikers. So, I nonetheless appreciated that it was on the pack. That being stated, the issue after I initially adjusted my sternum strap was positively annoying. This can be a small space the place Symbiosis Gear may enhance the Aspen.
Additionally, I discovered that there was approach an excessive amount of tail/extra webbing with the strap adjusted for my chest. However I do know for a lot of bigger folks or ladies with broader shoulders, having the complete 17.5 inches of adjustment within the sternum shall be actually vital to accommodate those that want a wider match. This may very well be a professional or a con, relying in your dimension and stature.
Match, Sizing, and Form
To say this pack suits properly is an understatement. In comparison with all different numerous packs I’ve worn, the S-straps on this one really appear to supply sufficient room within the chest space, whereas additionally with the ability to nonetheless strap down and safe and help.
The whole lot within the pack’s match system: the shoulder straps form and size, sternum strap, and hip belt all match effectively. Once I loaded it to its max weight (20 kilos), the pack sat properly on my decrease/mid again, with out sagging down or digging into my hips.
Certain, have I been comfy carrying different packs for 1-100 miles of backpacking? Sure. Had been they excellent? No. Does this one really feel completely different? Sure.
I do know, I do know — different ladies’s-specific packs on market use S-shaped straps. (Working example: I don’t love the match of ladies’s REI and Osprey packs I’ve tried, however have had success with my Deuter Aircontact Lite pack, and Massive Agnes’ ladies’s-specific Solar Canine.) All that’s to say, S-straps aren’t the one factor that makes this pack, or any pack “for ladies.”
Different vital match options embody the general form/width of the pack — the place it sits after adjusted when you’re carrying it — and secondly, the quantity of adjustability. Far too many occasions, I’ve seen a sternum strap that gives no stretch, or isn’t broad sufficient for boobs. Or, even when totally cinched down tight, a pack with a torso size that’s too lengthy, or shoulder straps that sit too broad.
On the Aspen pack, daisy chains/webbing loops run down the full size — I imply each inch — of the S-straps. This implies you may transfer the sternum strap up or down, and regulate the entire system a loopy quantity so as to discover the precise match. There’s additionally a tiny little bit of elastic within the sternum strap itself for stretch and luxury.
And whereas the (once more, extensively adjustable) hip belt isn’t load-bearing, I discovered it comfy even whereas carrying the max load of this pack. And sure, useful for match. In case you are carrying 9-12 kilos versus 20, you most likely don’t want the hip belt. And fortunately, the belt can stash away so it’s not flopping about.
Conclusion on ‘The Aspen’ Pack
Right here’s a query I acquired a bit hung up on with a number of different buddies: who is that this pack for? Some manufacturers attempt to be inclusive and say “everybody.” However no. On this case, I’m glad the audience isn’t everybody beneath the solar. I’m glad I stumbled upon a chunk of substances made for somebody like me.
Symbiosis Gear is making this pack particularly for a sure group of individuals: folks with boobs. Ladies. And sure, those that are able to a reasonably low base weight.
This pack appears excellent for 1000’s of ladies within the ultralight and thru-hiking communities. And hardcore backpackers and hikers as effectively. However what should you simply backpack three or 4 occasions a 12 months with some buddies? Do you want an ultralight, thru-hiking pleasant pack like this one?
Most individuals (together with me) would say no, this pack isn’t designed for different forms of journeys. However if you’re a lady of virtually any top, dimension, and form, the Aspen pack is nonetheless designed for you. That’s ladies who’re 5’2″-5’10”, dimension A-DDD cup boobs (per Symbiosis Gear’s founder and match testers). If you happen to sometimes goal for 60-80L quantity of pack house, this pack goes to be fairly a distinct expertise.
However I believed lengthy and exhausting about it: I’m not an ultralight-thru hiker. I’m an above-average backpacker, and laidback part hiker (AT, CT, CDT). I carry all kinds of masses on all kinds of trails and terrain. Heck, I check gear for a residing.
That being stated, for many journeys, I believe I can handle a decrease base weight that this pack would require. Over time, my customary go-to backpacking package (plus or minus a backpacking chair) has develop into dialed sufficient to categorise as light-weight (~14 kilos). So completely, I believe this pack may flex to work for various customers.
Who Is This Pack For?
Symbiosis Gear’s tagline is a superb one: this pack is tailored for folks with boobs.
My verdict: Not only for ultralighters, the Aspen pack carried out effectively in preliminary testing, and may very well be an incredible pack for a variety of “folks with boobs.” Solely extra time and testing will inform how this pack fares for plus-size ladies and for these taller than 5’10”, which appears like an space of enchancment for Symbiosis. (For reference on our match testing, I’m 5’8″.) In any other case, for ladies of all shapes and (chest) sizes, this pack rocks.
If different packs you’ve tried on as a lady have sucked, then thru-hiker or not, the Symbiosis Gear Aspen pack is price a glance.
The Symbiosis Gear Aspen Pack is presently accessible for preorder on Kickstarter by Oct. 31, 2023. The present preorder value is an inexpensive and aggressive $275 (in comparison with different ultralight packs on market).
[ad_2]
