|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,228
Campfire Tracker
|
OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,228 |
I was out for a couple long outtings with my HPG Tarahumara this past weekend and have to say, I am really blown away at how good it is.
I have owned scores of packs in the same size range as the Tara, some with hip/waist belts, some without. Some worked out OK, most were dreadfully uncomfortable. None of the previous packs with shoulder suspension only, could have been described as even remotely comfortable.
I had heard lots of good things about the HPG shoulder harness, and from looking at photos of it it showed promise.
When I put it on, I knew this was something much different from any of the small "hydration style" pack of my past. The Tarahumara fit amazingly well.
I had plenty of room in it for a wind shell, insulated vest, gloves, hat, 1st aid kit, emergency kit, knife and food with plenty of room to spare. Two, 1L bottles in the bottle pockets and a pair of Northern Lites snowshoes under the compression straps.
On my front side, in my HPG Runners Kit bag, I carried my .41 mag, Digital Camera, Leica, 8x20 binoculars, and compass.
The pack carried as though it were part of me, on the flats, climbing steep slopes and running hard down the snowfields.
Accessing the water bottles took me a brief moment to figure out, but once I learned to loosen the compression strap, I could easilly get the bottle out and back in.
Evan and Scot have a real winner with the Tarahumara, and I can't wait to get one of the new Highlander's from them. I think the Highlander will be an ideal fast & light overnight pack for me for three season use.
Ed T
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 792
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 792 |
The Tara is a great little pack, I have found it to be perfect for mtn biking also. The Tara and Kit bag make a nice "light and fast" style day pack setup. Everybody I have had try on and use the Tara say they love it, even people who hate wearing packs.
I will be getting a Highlander soon but plan to do a few mods to it. I already have the prototype compression panel (which will be getting a g-hook makeover) so the Highlander will probably be just used as a day pack only. I want to add a frame sheet in the rear slot pocket and then sew a simple waist belt on it. I may not do that though, it might be fine as is.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,604
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,604 |
The Tara is super nice and my go to daypack
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,055
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,055 |
Cool. I was worried about the no-waistbelt thing. Any of you guys who own one, do you see any good way to carry an avy shovel on the outside? If not, I suppose I could just add a flap. TIA.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 618
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 618 |
Thanks Ed! Here's how I stow a shovel on the Tara: eta: Funny side note - when I first started building stuff, one of my design points was where the pictured shovel (voila telepro) would fit. It has a wider blade than most snow shovels. I try to standardize on dimensions where possible for interchangeability, so the width of that shovel blade has found it's way into a lot of different things.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,464
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 4,464 |
I've got one of the hpg bags on my short list. The shoulder harness reminds me so much of the harness off my old biathlon rifle. That alone makes me want one.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,055
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,055 |
That shovel does look like it fits that spot really well. It is birthday season here at our house. I'll have to order a couple to go with our kit bags.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,228
Campfire Tracker
|
OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,228 |
A few thinks I didn't mention on the Tarahumara. The narrow profile, even with water bottles allows a complete are swing for running of poling when skiing.
Wes mentioned how good it is for mountain biking and that thought struck me right away. A waist belt is a pain in the ass on a bike, IMO and the Tara's shoulder harness keeps the pack so well centered.
This or the Highlander will also be ideal for use with a pulk. I'll just use my Granite Gear hip belt with pals webbing for the pulk and the pack will ride above it.
Really great design. Very basic layout without so many pockets and straps that you forget what got put where.
Ed T
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 46
Campfire Greenhorn
|
Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 46 |
ED How is sweat management with the pack panel?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,228
Campfire Tracker
|
OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,228 |
ED How is sweat management with the pack panel? Derrick, I really don't see any difference between the Tara back panel and one of the "air mesh" "evaporaid" etc back panels. I sweat a lot and I am going to be wet where a pack contacts my back regardless of what it is made of.
Ed T
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 114
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 114 |
Santa brought me a Tarahumara and a kit bag,I love them..Really been thinking about the new compression/mating system but not sure how it'll work with the Kuiu pack,cause it's definitly going to Co. chasing elk with me one way or another...
I'm afraid that when I die,my wife will sell everything I own for what I told her I paid for it...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 244
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 244 |
I just ordered one of these. Will the side pockets accept a miltary style canteen?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 618
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 618 |
GI 1qt canteens were specifically what I had in mind when I designed it. They tuck right into the side pockets. You can even wedge the canteen cup in the bottom, but its tight.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 244
Campfire Member
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 244 |
Thanks Evan. You guy's keep putting out the products. I love my Kit Bag! I am going to use the Kit Bag / Tarahumara combo as my get home/crap hit the fan set-up.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,984
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,984 |
Got to give my Tara a little workout today. I was amazed by how well it hugs your back. The harness system is very well thought out and designed. It amazing how much stuff you can really get in that little pack!
"It's my main love for all things Ackley. Plus the dude was cool before cool was cool."
SH08
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,114 Likes: 6
Campfire 'Bwana
|
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 46,114 Likes: 6 |
You guys are costin' me money!!!
Seriously though, ordered one this AM and got the notice that it'd shipped before noon, that's what I call customer service.
A wise man is frequently humbled.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 13,234
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 13,234 |
Evan:
I just recently bought a standard Kit Bag, which I like a great deal.
The Tara looks like it would pair with it pretty well.
- Tom
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,228
Campfire Tracker
|
OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,228 |
The Tara continues to amaze me. This past weekend, I carried a pair of Hok 125 cm skis on the Tara and they carried as well as any dedicated ski pack. Longer skis probably wouldn't stabilize as well but, I thought this was pretty impressive. My HPG Highlander showed up yesterday and I can't wait to get it out.
Ed T
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1
New Member
|
New Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1 |
Can the Tarahumara be mounted to the back of a Kifaru KU5200 in a similar fashion to the way an E&E attaches? I�m looking for a small pack that can hold items such as rain gear for easy access and can be quickly detached for use during a stalk.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 725
Campfire Regular
|
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 725 |
Evanhill, I do like the looks of the Tara! I have been thinking about getting a new pack for the upcoming season. When reading a little about it on the website it looks like it does not have any internal pockets inside of the main compartment. True? What would be the design feature of that and how would you recommend carrying small items that you might have to get to easily, batteries,lighter,energy bar, etc? Thanks
A man's got to know his limitations!
|
|
|
|
529 members (10gaugeman, 10Glocks, 10gaugemag, 160user, 10ring1, 12344mag, 52 invisible),
2,329
guests, and
1,154
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,192,857
Posts18,497,096
Members73,979
|
Most Online11,491 Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|