I want to make my own pack but I am having trouble choosing. My base weight not including my pack is about 6 pounds. I currently use a Golite Pinnacle and I like it fine but I want to make one.

I've never seen a Ray-way or a G4 in person. So I don't know what they look like, etc. I will order a kit either from Ray or Quest Outfitters.

Please help me make a decision. Any help, advice,or past experience shared would be great!

Thanks.
Jason

All I know for sure is a G4 is a really big pack. But if you are sewing it yourself, you can adjust the size.

http://www.tothewoods.net/HomemadeGearBackpack1.html

http://thru-hiker.com/projects/lab_pack.php

http://www.backpacking-lite.co.uk/diy/make-an-ultralight-backpack.html

With a six pound base load the G4 would be a monster. The smallest of the RayWay packs would be fine. There is plenty of information on the net to come up with a design/pattern free without resorting to someone else's design. It's a bag with straps after all.

Ken,
Thanks for the feedback. Have you made a pack before?

I sure would like some more input on Ray-way vs. G4.

Jason

Jason, I have made a Ray-way, but not a G4. I've made packs, tarps, tents, and quilts/sleeping bags. I think quilts are the most tedious to make, but packs are the hardest from a number of steps perspective. Ray's pack kit comes with nice instructions. The final pack should weigh under 10 oz. Six pounds of gear would fit nicely in the smallest Ray-way pack. That's the size I made (original size). The original kits don't have hip belts or sternum straps. My understanding is the newer kits add these. I personally like the old style. I often hike with the pack hanging from one shoulder and never miss the hip belt. I found the pack to be extremely well built and strong from a design perspective.

This being said I have heard folks having great luck with the G4. I would say if you have sewing basics under your belt either kit would work well for you. I'd look closer at what each pack has to offer compared to your needs.



Jamie

I've made (and have used) a G4 and my first UL pack was a Golite Breeze, which was a commercial adaptation of the Ray-Way pack.

I agree with the comments that the G4 is much much to large for a near SUL load.

The Breeze was the first UL pack I owned but it was too small for the load I used back then ... but with my current kit I now sometimes wish I hadn't sold it.

Jason,

While I have not done either the Ray Way or the G4 I have done several packs. I found Jay Ham's article very helpful to a newbie pack maker.

Jay's article

Look at several manufactured packs for features that you would like to incorporate into your pack.

Below are a few links that I have saved in my favorites for reference.

Elements Refined Pack link

This next link is a BPL list of multiple active links to a variety of ultralight packs. Some are simple and some are more advanced and complex.

BPL pack links

Good luck with your project.

Party On,

Newton

Edited to create active links.

Edited by Newton on 08/26/2010 18:22:25 MDT.

Jason,

Here is a link that details the instructions for making the G4 pack. This could help in your making a decision as to which kit you might go with.

MYOG G4

Edited to provide active link. ;-)

Party On,

Newton

Edited by Newton on 08/26/2010 18:25:17 MDT.

FOr those links, might I suggest you go to tinyurl.com and create a compressed link, and posting that instead?

Jeff,

Thank you Jeff. I may be an old dog but I am willing to learn a few new tricks. :-)

Party On,

Newton

Thanks. I really appreciate all your help, guidance and links (tiny or not!) It just really helps the process of thinking it all through especially since I've never seen, in person, one of these packs.

I've made a couple of Ray-way things in the past using his kits: a quilt and a tarp. So I do have some experience sewing and deciphering Ray's instructions. Right now I'm thinking that the G4 will be too large. I already have a fairly light (27 ozs.) large pack in the Golite Pinnacle. I like the Pinnacle--espcially when I'm backpacking with others and there is some group gear to carry. For solo trips and I want something smaller and lighter.

Thanks again.

Jason