I was about ready to pull the trigger on the SMD Traveler now that it has the hoop stay, but I wanted to make sure I had done my research0. I finally bought a BPL subscription so I could read Will Rietvelds, and frankly, it's got me a little gun-shy. The review mentions the pack performs great with a CCF pad and buklier loads [edit] but doesn't do so well without the CCF or lesser volumes [end edit].

When I first started the hunt for the perfect pack, I had a bulky kit, was looking to carry 20 to 30 pounds regularly, and was willing to carry an extra CCF pad to protect my air mat. I have taken a LOT of advice from these forums, and now I'm down to a 12-13 pound base weight (assuming a 2 pound pack) and don't want to carry that CCF pad. My mid-summer kit fits in my kids school book bag now WITH my giant Taj Mahol of a tent (barely). For Philmont, I imagine I'll still need to carry 25 pounds at times (they issue some pretty heavy food and have some dry camps), but for my weekend trips, I shouldn't ever top 18 or 19 pounds.

To the folks with some miles on the SMD Traveler: What's the functional limit without a CCF pad (but with stays)? Any techniques for compressing the pack when your kit is less bulky? Maybe pack the tent, rain gear, and some other stuff in the mesh pockets when I have a full food load, and move them inside as needed to fill in holes?

I know this is the third or fourth thread I've started on this pack... I just can't afford to go wrong on a purchase this big ($220+ shipping). I appreciate the patience and advice.

Ken

Edited by TheFatBoy on 06/08/2011 11:44:25 MDT.

Ive got about 3 years on my traveler and shes holding up like a champ, I have the version with the old stays, I use a neoair, slightly blown up for padding, its worked great! I just wish it had better compression for small loads, but I sure do love the panel loading ease!

I used a Starlite for many years and switched over to a Traveler last year. Both packs are fairly large are challenged when it comes to reduced volumes. They do some compessability but if your volume changes significantly it may be an issue. With the stays the packs can easily hanlde 30 lbs with a CCF Pad. I use the pad pocket to carry a large NeoAir and bivy sack. I also think the Hoop Stay will be a improvement over the individual stays.

What I absolutely love about the Traveler is how it carries a Bear Canister. With the Traveler I can create an internal frame and not even need the stays. My quilt goes in the bottom of the pack, and on top of that, the Bear Can placed vertically. If I take my Bearikade Weekender my Shelter goes on top of that and in the top pocket I put my pot, either my evernew 0.9lL or 1.3L. By doing this it strechtes out the pack vertically and I really don't need the stays. It does limit the top pocket a little but I can still get a few personal around the pot. And there is still plenty of room around the Bear Can to pack clothes, rain gear, and other items. With roll top packs you can still create some frame support with a Bear Can but not even close to a panel loader. And of course with a Bear Can your volume doesn't change and you can pack you pack the same way every day.

The only other consideration I would mention is that the pack does not have a hydration sleeve so you'll need to plan on how to carry your water. I use a 1 liter water bottle which I carry in the lower side pocket so it's not an issue for me. If you use a Platy with a driking tube you'll need to think about it.

Thanks, folks! That puts my mind at ease a little. If it's functional without a CCF, then it will probably work for me.

I'm not worried about the hydration sleeve. I don't use it on any of the packs I have now. I run a 1 liter bottle in a side pocket and carry an empty 3L Platy Hoser/gravity filter for in camp use (and if I ever need to camel up).

I also don't have a bear can. No need in my neck of the woods. If I do find myself in bear country, I just hang the smellables.

The Traveler works fine with a hydration bladder. I just have mine riding on top of the load, trying to lay it as flat as possible. Once in a while when getting empty it will get folded so that the air is near the tube and the water is at the other end. A quick sideways jerk to the side the tube is running from (right side for my pack) usually solves the problem; I've never had to stop to redistribute the load to make water accessible.

I have wondered if it would be possible to have a thin shelf under the top pocket, with a velcro closure on the front, that could be unstuck to place the bladder in, then sealed. It would keep the bladder flat, instead of taking on the contours of the load beneath it. That's another feature to add weight, though.

at weights below 20 lbs, the pack carries like a dream with the stay and a CCF pad, you dont even know you have it on. At lighter weights it very comfortable with an inflatable pad too.

As you get heavier, the pack and stay can take it fine, no sagging or buckleing. Problems begin happening with the belt however as you progress from 20-35 lbs. Your body type affects the result you get. Some people replace the belt with belts from ULA or Vapor Trail packs to improve the carry at higher weights. Modifications may entail sewing a new velcro patch on and adding a layer of stiffenning foam to make it optimal.

The SMD belt only fastens in the center, and it is not thickly padded. If you are a lean person, only the bottom edge of the belt will stay tight against your body as the pack attempts to slide downward under heavy weight. So the belt needs to be tightened unreasonably tight to hold well. This is where the ULA belt is great because the top and bottom are tightened independently, and can be set so it wont slide off of the hip bone. (too narrow at top) which improves heavy load carry quite a bit.

If you are a well-padded person, I imaging the belt has something beneath it that squishes out and increases contact area, and probably holds better than on very lean people.

The packs are quite large. In fact they are HUGE. I think the volume is actually understated, you can fit a tremendous volume of gear in the mesh outer pockets. The large mesh pocket on one side will hold an average 5lb 2-person tent. They pack very easy because of the freedom to put whatever doesnt fit inside, in the outer pockets.

What is keeping you from ordering it to inspect? Generally accepted from most cottage vendors that you can order and try out inside house , then return if it doesnt work for you.

>> What is keeping you from ordering it to inspect? Generally accepted from most cottage vendors that you can order and try out inside house , then return if it doesnt work for you.

Like so many other things in this house, once it's here, it's here to stay, even if it's the wrong size/shape/color/model/item/etc. We'll live with stuff just because we have it. Or worse, we'll never use it, but never take it back. It's a character flaw shared by me and my wife. With the nickel and dime stuff, it's not so bad. But with the high dollar stuff, I need to be a little more careful lest I have some very expensive paperweights.