Anyone know, or tried, the "Syncpack?"

http://www.thesyncpack.com/

I have thought about this for over a year. It could possibly be a solution for me, both for day hikes and for backpacking. I seem to remember there were once two sizes. If this is so, I probably would be interested in the smaller. (For camera, etc, things I like to have close at hand.)

Their on line store is closed. Temporarily? I don't know. Kind of didn't look good. I'm close to giving this a serious look.

The makers claim it counterbalances the load on the back, too. Thoughts on this welcome.

Hope it's not one of those most useless yuppie gear items!

if youre looking at getting those take a look at these as well... might keep you cooler without that big thing in the middle of your chest.
http://www.aarnpacks.com/products/balance_pockets.html

On our AK trip last summer, three in our group used them. After the second day, two were swearing up a storm over how they were being gouged in the hip by it among other comments. Those two had not tried it out before our trip to fit it. Ask Fridge, Dub or ChinMusic over on TheBackpacker. Fridge may have been the only one at least a little satisfied with it. Kinda fiddly thing too.

Well now. Thanks! This does indeed give me something to chew over for a couple days, then I'll get back to you. Seems to accomplish much the same thing as the Synpack, but with innovations allowing, among other things, the view of one's feet. Hadn't thought of that.

Now the big question, can the front part of this system be added to existing packs, like the Syncpack, or is an entirely new system required? I'll pick through that entire site to find out.

Valid concerns/complaints, I can see, but I'm not sure how the hip gouging came about. I know my anticipated use of such a pack would be LIGHT, in any event. The fiddly thing part, I can almost see already.

Sometimes I wish I lived near a major metro where such things can be seen, held, tried on, rather than relying on ordering. Privilege of living in the boonies, I guess.

i have not personally ever used them as my pack is too big as it is to justify bringing something like that with me because i can barely fill it as it is but i have seen a few reviews about the aarn packs which the snypack kinda remind me of. give it a look through!

It's too heavy for me to even consider it. At 2.2 pounds it weighs twice as much as the home made pack that I would be connecting it to.

A simple bag can be hung from the top of your pack frame or from your shoulder straps with just a little do-it-yourself effort. You should easily be able to hang a bag with twice the volume of the syncpack (only 400 cubic inches) and keep the weight well under a half pound.

Cannot comment on the Syncpack from experience , but adding that weight on a normal pack takes you over the weight of the Aarns.
Some have added the Aarn pockets to an existing pack but the system works much better than split.
The Aarn advantage is the gap in the middle, the fact that the pockets don't rest on your chest and the larger volume .
They share the counterbalance effect and ,possibly, the weight transfer to the hips.
A bit fiddly at the start but feels great once you get it right.
Franco
BTW, loads of video clips, hiots and tips on the site :
http://aarnpacks.com/

You can't see your foot placement also, a very valid concern on our trip over the tundra and rocky terrain where there was absolutely no trail.

I've been looking into getting a Kelty Hawkeye Fanny Pack for use in day hikes from a base camp, and to have on the front when carrying my larger pack.

While I haven't tried it out or purchased it yet, it may serve your purpose. Weighs 26oz, but it comes in at 800ci, instead of the measly 400 of the syncpack (at 32oz). Not as much direct support as the syncpack, but you said you would be putting lightweight stuff in it.

the syncpack looks like you have a baby carrier strapped to your chest with no baby

The subject of seeing your feet comes up now and then regarding front packs. The Aarn pack solves the problem by splitting the front pack into what looks like two large breasts. It must work or Nature would have rejected the design long ago.

I have used a single front bag for over ten years now, however, and have found the "can't see the feet" problem to be no problem at all.....for me. I've used it on trails and for cross country backpacking.

I think my natural tendency is to look at the trail a few feet ahead of me and that image then guides my feet safely through whatever is ahead. I don't really look directly down at my feet. If I want to look at something near my toes it is easy to look around the bag or pull the bag temporarily to one side to improve visibility. All of this just happened naturally. I don't recall having any trouble with it, even when I first started using the bag.

Perhaps Nature has dealt with this issue already. A person with a large belly (e.g. fat or pregnant) can't see his/her feet very well either......but he/she keeps on walking.

Never used a Syncpack but I have logged quite a few miles with a Dana Designs Wet Rib ,which is not nearly as big.

Yep, it's nice to have easy access to some of my stuff. I didn't buy it to distribute the load because my load is usually not very heavy. It has 3 distinct disadvantages:

1) It's hard to bend over to tie your shoe or pick something up.

2) If your route involves class 3 scrambling, crawling, or even a few tight squeezes, a chest pack becomes a liability.

3) It's hot and it makes my chest sweaty.

That being said, the wet rib does shine in cold weather when #3 is actually an advantage. And it's great for gloves and hats on those days when the sun is in and out of the clouds and the temps keep changing. My Wet Rib has been relegated pretty much to Winter use.

The camera,(I think DSLR is the right term,) not an SLR w/ lenses, would be the heaviest single item by far. This gives me yet another option to check out. Thanks

i would totally use an aarn if i had the need for one!

Forgot to mention, Aarn has 'photo" pockets coming out anytime now. They are waterproof and padded, somewhat similar in size to the 10L ones.
Here is the description :

* Fit on all models except Marathon & Mountain Magics
* Divided for camera body and 3 additional lenses.
* Separate waterproof Dri-liners for camera and each lens
* Separate zip entry for top and bottom compartments
* Foam stiffened for stability.
* 4 mesh exterior pockets, 1 map pocket
* Converts to a daypack with add-on shoulder straps
* One torso length fits all
* 500D cordura, 210D ripstop nylon
* Grey/black

Volume 14L + 2L / pair
Weight 470gm / pair?

I correspond occasionally with him but I am just a satisfied customer and a fan...
Franco

Thanks to all of you for these detailed posts and opinions. You have given me a lot to go over for the next month or so that I think I have before making a decision, or even a purchase.

I was going into this quest mostly for instant access of certain key items, and secondarily over weight balance matters. Now some of you have offered alternatives, so I have plenty to think about. THANKS!

Redfacery, I use a fanny pack in front. I don't remember what brand (label is gone). It has worked out well for me. I keep my camera, some essentials, GPS, map and a snack inside. I don't know if it counterbalances my backpack, I've never noticed it that much. I use it because it's just so much easier to get to that stuff.

Good luck BorealHiker.

Maybe it's just that I stay very warm on trail, but I can't carry anything in my pockets while hiking, no matter how small, after only a few minutes anything creates really warm-chafey-spots, which is one reason I was looking at a fanny pack.

Well, the fanny pack. In front? Another option for me to explore. Thanks!

Haven't used this but I have several Luxurylite packs which implement the same concept.

BTW, the "can't see your feet" argument is brought up mainly by people who have never done it.

I have an old Dana Wet Rib that also attatches to the lower shoulder straps and carries a water bottle. But the nice thing about the Wet Rib is that it rides lower and thus is cooler to wear in summer.

True my Wet Rib isn't quite as large as the Syncpack but it does hold a lot. PLUS, I have my GPS in the left upper shoulder strap zippered pocket and a small digital camera in the right shoulder pocket. All this puts more weight in the front.

Eric

That thing weighs more alone than my empty pack does.........

BF