Strider wrote:I do think you might struggle to balance weight effectively front:rear with such a large main pack and such small balance pockets.
I made a mistake earlier - I did not get the Compact Pockets, but the standard Sport Pockets. They are actually pretty big.
One reason I like a lot of stuff on the outside of the pack is that the inside of the pack is not big enough to fit all the stuff. Well, that was the case with my old pack. So the inside of the pack holds all the big stuff. I then cram all the small stuff (packs of food, torch, whatever) into side pockets and the top lid. I don't actually have things hanging off loose and flapping around though, I agree that is a bad idea. There are also a number of things you want to get to quickly - raincoat, first aid kit, toilet bag, etc without opening up the whole bag.
I had things pretty much worked out with the old pack as I had done a number of walks with it. The Black Wolf is a pretty well designed pack, especially for the money. The Aarn is different in a lot of ways, but I guess I will work it all out given a few more walks. I am pretty happy with everything except the hydration. It seems so poorly thought out to me and that cannot be the case. The Aarn team is very experienced (infinitely more experienced than I am), so I need to understand how to do things the Aarn way.
I had planned on getting the Expedition Pockets, but the K2 guy recommended against it. They can get a bit unwieldy, so it seems. My current Sport Pockets seem pretty big. The issue is getting the right stuff into each pocket, including the water somehow. I am still working on that and I am thinking it will take a few more walks before I get that worked out to suit.
And I am Australian. An overweight 64 year old, but keen to get fitter and slimmer.