I recently bought the “Pack Volumizing Kit” – 1000 plastic balls 1-1/4″ in diameter – and scientifically measured the volume of my packs. The Volume numbers I had associated with each pack before were based on my “feel” for what the volume of each pack was, based on kinda sorts what other pack makers said about their packs.
The results are a little sobering, so here they are (in liters):
Pack……….what I said……..measured volume
Leprechaun…….20L……………15.4L Mystery no lid…30L……………23.2L Spry Pack w lid..30L……………27.9L
Kolob Pack…….40L……………32.1L Heaps Pack…….50L……………41.9L
But, for the Mystery, Spry, Kolob and Heaps there is also the flat back pocket that is large enough to hold a helmet. Additionally, the Heaps has a larger back pocket, and two side pockets. I guess I’ll need to make some assessment of how much realistically fits in these side pockets, and work that into the assessment…
Tom
tj_wetherell
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “TomJones” wrote:
There is an ASTM standard on this…
I’ll bet you ran down the street to find a bed with “magic fingers” to vibrate the balls and reduce the voids….
> If you use something heavy like water or rice or beans, you get too high a number, because it deforms the pack into a shape with more volume.
…Like in real use when we stuff the thing over the lid with water, rope and aluminum
-tom(w)
TomJones
There is an ASTM standard on this…
Spheres. They closepack. Calculated based on the closepacked volume occupied. My 1000 balls occupied 2715 cubic inches, or 2.71 cu in per ball. From there it is just counting.
If you use something heavy like water or rice or beans, you get too high a number, because it deforms the pack into a shape with more volume.
Tom (J)
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “tj_wetherell” wrote:
Interesting,
You use some fancy formula to account for the air gaps right?
I’d think that using 1 quart zip-lock bags filled with water, or one big HD trash bag would be easier. Pour water in 1 gallon at a time, etc…..
But I’m prone to over thinking these things. (Now back to investigating the best method to tie my shoes using the least amount of lace, so I can cut them down to save weight….)
-tom(w)
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “TomJones” wrote:
I recently bought the “Pack Volumizing Kit” – 1000 plastic balls 1-1/4″ in diameter – and scientifically measured the volume of my packs. The Volume numbers I had associated with each pack before were based on my “feel” for what the volume of each pack was, based on kinda sorts what other pack makers said about their packs.
The results are a little sobering, so here they are (in liters):
Pack……….what I said……..measured volume
Leprechaun…….20L……………15.4L
Mystery no lid…30L……………23.2L
Spry Pack w lid..30L……………27.9L
Kolob Pack…….40L……………32.1L
Heaps Pack…….50L……………41.9L
But, for the Mystery, Spry, Kolob and Heaps there is also the flat back pocket that is large enough to hold a helmet. Additionally, the Heaps has a larger back pocket, and two side pockets. I guess I’ll need to make some assessment of how much realistically fits in these side pockets, and work that into the assessment…
Tom
>
tj_wetherell
Interesting,
You use some fancy formula to account for the air gaps right?
I’d think that using 1 quart zip-lock bags filled with water, or one big HD trash bag would be easier. Pour water in 1 gallon at a time, etc…..
But I’m prone to over thinking these things. (Now back to investigating the best method to tie my shoes using the least amount of lace, so I can cut them down to save weight….)
-tom(w)
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “TomJones” wrote:
I recently bought the “Pack Volumizing Kit” – 1000 plastic balls 1-1/4″ in diameter – and scientifically measured the volume of my packs. The Volume numbers I had associated with each pack before were based on my “feel” for what the volume of each pack was, based on kinda sorts what other pack makers said about their packs.
The results are a little sobering, so here they are (in liters):
Pack……….what I said……..measured volume
Leprechaun…….20L……………15.4L > Mystery no lid…30L……………23.2L > Spry Pack w lid..30L……………27.9L
Kolob Pack…….40L……………32.1L > Heaps Pack…….50L……………41.9L
But, for the Mystery, Spry, Kolob and Heaps there is also the flat back pocket that is large enough to hold a helmet. Additionally, the Heaps has a larger back pocket, and two side pockets. I guess I’ll need to make some assessment of how much realistically fits in these side pockets, and work that into the assessment…
Tom >
rich_rudow
Wow! I’m even more impressed with my ability to cram “stuff” into my Heaps 50. We routinely do four day trips in Grand Canyon with the Heaps filled with a pack raft, wetsuit, PFD, four days food, sleeping bag, pad, tarp, 250′ rope, rack, helmet, webbing, clothes, emergency gear, etc, etc.
I do find the side and rear pockets handy on those multi-day outings. Perhaps I should feel cheated with 16% less space than advertised? But if had the extra 8 liters I would surely fill it with more crap that this 46 year old body doesn’t need to carry. Besides, my friends might get the idea that I have more room for community gear
Thanks for helping me lighten my load Tom –
Rich
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “TomJones” wrote:
I recently bought the “Pack Volumizing Kit” – 1000 plastic balls 1-1/4″ in diameter – and scientifically measured the volume of my packs. The Volume numbers I had associated with each pack before were based on my “feel” for what the volume of each pack was, based on kinda sorts what other pack makers said about their packs.
The results are a little sobering, so here they are (in liters):
Pack……….what I said……..measured volume
Leprechaun…….20L……………15.4L > Mystery no lid…30L……………23.2L > Spry Pack w lid..30L……………27.9L
Kolob Pack…….40L……………32.1L > Heaps Pack…….50L……………41.9L
But, for the Mystery, Spry, Kolob and Heaps there is also the flat back pocket that is large enough to hold a helmet. Additionally, the Heaps has a larger back pocket, and two side pockets. I guess I’ll need to make some assessment of how much realistically fits in these side pockets, and work that into the assessment…
Tom >
Jenny
IMHO:
Leprechaun…….20L……………15.4L : Unless Erik G. stuffs it and then add x 3!!! He’s absolutely The Poster Child for this pack!
I love my Leprechaun! I always grab it and hope someone else will take ALL the group gear. If I get caught slacking, I love my beat up old Mystery, and it is amazing what fits beneath the straps. But I have the Spry on order for the utility that the removable top flap offers.
I do put my helmet in the handy dandy flat back pocket and stuff it with snacks and handy layers. That really uses that space well and offers protection as well as quick access to the contents.
Two alterations that I would request; waste strap does not cinch small enough for some folks (like minis and me). When the Mystery fills up from a swim, I have to cock over side ways to drain out lots of water. Must lift that weight up out of pot holes first!
Builds strong bones and character though!?
Thanks for your continued commitment to making the best canyoneering gear!
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “TomJones” wrote:
> Leprechaun…….20L……………15.4L > Mystery no lid…30L……………23.2L > Spry Pack w lid..30L……………27.9L
Kolob Pack…….40L……………32.1L > Heaps Pack…….50L……………41.9L
But, for the Mystery, Spry, Kolob and Heaps there is also the flat back pocket that is large enough to hold a helmet. Additionally, the Heaps has a larger back pocket, and two side pockets. I guess I’ll need to make some assessment of how much realistically fits in these side pockets, and work that into the assessment…
Tom >