For trying my boxing gloves.
Month: December 2019
Karrimor SF Predator 80-130 PLCE
Need something huge to carry my gear, my daughter’s gear, maybe my other daughter’s gear as well. Will write more when I’ve used it. 130 liters is pretty big, but this bag is wide, not tall, so I don’t know how balanced it is.
Update April 10, 2020
I think I jumped the gun on this bag. So far it hasn’t been used at all for actual hiking. I’ve basically been using it as a truck bag which it’s terrible for. In fact, on my last few trips I didn’t even bring it. I loaded it up, realized I’m just going car camping, and just put my gear in a couple big duffle bags.
I’ve learned a few things though.
First, a large bag doesn’t make up for having large gear. It just doesn’t work. I have a large synthetic sleeping bag which takes up maybe a third of the bag. The sleeping bag straps on the bottom don’t expand enough to accommodate sleeping bag. I ended up getting a down bag, but it’s for -30F, so it’s also large. Maybe it will fit with a long and narrow stuff sack.
I also have a large BearVault. The bag doesn’t have a floating crown, so the BearVault doesn’t really fit well.
With the two largest items needed to be carried outside the bag, I don’t see much of a use for the 130L capacity. Maybe I will on a longer trip, but the bag is heavy, like 8 lbs, so I wonder.
Improvements
Considering this is supposed to be a bag for when nothing else will do, it lacks a few key features. I think with a few small improvements, it could be twice as useful.
Floating Crown
With a floating crown, I would be able to fit my large BearVault easily on the top of the bag. Almost all pack have this, why doesn’t this?
Longer / Replaceable Sleeping Bag Straps on the Bottom
My synthetic bag barely fit in the straps. It took me over five minutes to wiggle it in. Had the straps been longer or replaceable, it would’ve been a snap. Why does the bag limit me to such short straps? Large backpacks are used in the winter and so are large sleeping bags. I don’t understand the limitation.
Taller
I wish the bag were taller and narrower. I don’t understand why it has the dimensions it does. Maybe someone with more experience could tell me. If the bag were taller, it could even go to 160L which would be fantastic.
For my purposes, more volume doesn’t always equal more weight. Synthetic products sometimes cost 20% of their down counterparts. We’re not all made of money.
Glycerin Soap
You don’t want scented soap on backcountry trips, so I got some pure glycerin soap.
Boxing Equipment
Gloves
Fairfax BVG9 Mexican Style Gloves. So far great for hitting the bag.
Wraps
Pro Impact 180″ wraps. So far so good.
Update: VIAIR 400P Portable Compressor
The hose and adapter it came with was garbage. I had to buy the following.
EPAuto Commercial Grade Dual Head Tire Inflator Gauge with Air Hose
Flexzilla HFZ1450YW2 1/4″ (inches) x 50′ (feet) Air Hose, 50 ft, MNPT Fittings, Heavy Duty, Lightweight, Hybrid, ZillaGreen-HFZ1450YW2
After that, I could properly inflate my tires.
Scuba Certification III: Side mount
Side mount seemed like the great thing since sliced bread, so I got that certification too.
Unfortunately, for shore entry, it’s horrible. The first time after my certification I did it at Monterey Bay, it was really heavy and I got knocked around by the waves. Now I see why nobody does it around here.
Scuba Certification II: Rescue Diver
Apparently to be invited to many of the cooler dives, people want to make sure you can take care of yourself somewhat better and require you be a rescue diver, so that was the next certification to do.
Did this one with PADI as the shop is close to work.