Multiday packs

When you’re carrying food and gear for several days, you need a large-capacity multiday pack.

Capacity
Between 50 and 90-litres, multiday packs will be single or double compartment. The lid is often extendable, creating up to 10-litres additional storage. Additional pockets on the front, lid, side and hipbelt provide ample gear storage.

Harness and shoulder straps
Adjustable to suit your back length, harnesses keep the load stable, directed to your hips and allow freedom of movement. A suspended mesh or ventilated foam backpanel promotes airflow while supporting the back muscles. Shoulder straps should curve over the the shoulders, contouring around the neck and under armpits. Adjustable sternum straps should sit across the centre of, or just above, the chest.

Hipbelt
Fitted correctly, the hipbelt will sit just above the hips so that 80 per cent of the pack’s weight is supported by the hip bones. The belt pivots to move with the body, ensuring a natural gait and aiding stability over uneven ground.

External storage
Straps, gear loops, stash pockets and daisy chains allow tents, walking poles, ice tools and other essential equipment to be carried outside the pack for easy access and without the risk of loss.

Fabric
Nylon fabrics tend to be lighter and protect against the elements, though they will not be as enduring as canvas packs. High denier fabrics are used in high-wear areas like the pack’s base, with lighter denier fabrics used on areas that receive less abrasion.

Women’s harnesses
Many packs come in female-specific options. These have smaller harnesses and shorter hip belts. Shoulder straps will be narrower and contoured differently to a standard pack.

Now you know what to look for, it’s time to choose a multiway pack.

Mapcac Cascade 75 $599.99 Liberator FreeLoad harness, base compartment divider, under lid pocket, zippered front pocket, optional bungee overload system, dual ice axe attachments, hydration compatible, stretch mesh bottle pockets. Fabric Eco Aztec Canvas, 840D nylon base Capacity 75l (size 2) Weight 2800g.	Lowe Alpine Manaslu 65:75 $499.95 AXIOM 5 back system, top, front and separate sleeping bag entry, rain cover, stretch side & front pockets, hydration compatible, walking pole and tool attachment points. Fabric N6.6 Mini Rip, 210D nylon 6 Capacity 65+10l Weight 2250g (m); 2200g (55:65 w).	Tatonka Yukon $435/$469 Size-adjustable V2 carrying system, front and top loading, 3D all-round zipped front opening, reverse-pull padded waist belt, front and back handles, zip out divider, three contact points for load control strap, compression straps at sides and bottom, lid and first aid compartments, rain cover, two-year warranty. Fabric Textreme 6.6/T-Square Rip Capacity 60l, 70l Weight 2700g, 2900g.
Lowe Alpine Zephyr $429.95 AXIOM Lite back system, top and side entry, rain cover, stretch side and front pockets, hipbelt pockets, unique walking pole grippers. Fabric Trishield Micro Rip, 100D nylon 6 Capacity 55+10l, 65+10l Weight 1890g (m); 1850g (w).	Macpac Torlesse 65 $399.99 AirFlo harness, lid pocket, single front pocket, twin side pockets, base compartment divider, hydration exit port, dual axe attachments, rain cover. Fabric 630D Cordura, 210D nylon ripstop with silicon coating Capacity 65l Weight 2410g.	Osprey Atmos AG 65 $399.99 Anti-Gravity harness, mesh webbing on backpanel and hipbelt, Stow-on-the-Go walking pole attachment, axe attachment, top and front entry, side compression, removable floating lid with zippered pockets, rain cover, hydration compatible, stretch-mesh side pockets, hipbelt pockets, front stash pocket, sleeping bag compartment. Fabric 100D nylon dobby, 420HD nylon packcloth Capacity 65l Weight 1980g.
Lowe Alpine Atlas 65 $369.95 AXIOM back system, top and separate sleeping bag entry, rain cover, bellows side pockets, walking pole and tool attachment points. Fabric 300D Nailhead, 300D dobby polyester Capacity 65l Weight 2260g (m); 2150g (w).	The North Face Terra 65 $350 (wmn’s 55 $330) Optifit  suspension system, vertical ventilation channel, anatomical shoulder harness, air mesh-lined hipbelt, zippered side entry to main compartment, zippered sleeping-bag-compartment, 7+ pockets. Fabric 600D polyester, 42D nylon mini-ripstop, 12D polyester Capacity 55l, 56l (w); 65l, 66l (m) Weight 1975g, 2020g (w), 1980g, 2075 (m).	Exped Thunder $299.90   T-Rex suspension system, aluminium frame stay, top, front and side loading, dual-density foam hipbelt with stretch pockets, single compartment, floating lid with dual compartments, front and two side stretch pockets, compression straps, two ice tool loops, hydration compatible. Fabric 210D Dyneema ripstop nylon, PU coated Capacity 50l Weight 1530g (m/w).
Montane Grand Tour 55 $289 Moulded Comfort Back Pad with ventilation channels, VertErgo Tour back system, pre-curved horizontal aluminium top bar, two front stash pockets, two stretch mesh lower pockets, two walking pole attachment loops, body curve hip fins, double tension waist harness, hip pockets, hydration compatible. Fabric Raptor Zero, Raptor UTL base Capacity 55l Weight 1345g.	Tatonka Lastenkraxe Load Carrier $349 Designed for items that can’t fit in a pack, adjustable V2 harness, reverse-pull waist belt, two load control strap adjustment points, aluminium frame, four diagonal cross bars, integrated stand, 25cm deep platform, two year warranty. Fabric 420 HD Nylon Capacity up to 50kg Weight 2700g.