Here are my pictures to for my Moonbow Gearskin. I illustrate many of the superior features of the gearskin as well as my steps to packing this unconventional but highly efficient pack My gearskin is made out of 4oz oxford, in a silver gray color. There were four different fabrics to choose from. 1.1oz silnylon is an ultralight option, which I think is only viable for tarps. There is 1.9oz ripstop nylon, which is a good choice if you are very carefull with gear. I chose the 4oz oxford becuase of its durability and general weight. There is also 8oz packcloth, how John describes as "able to withstand a bear attack and a toss down the mountain!" I also chose to get 2 hipbelt pockets, of the dimentions of my choice, as well as a large bellowed mesh pocket.
I really like the mesh pocket, as it lets me keep little tiny (and expensive) odds and ends safe and easy to access. The base cost of the pack is $150, as well as $15 per hipbelt pocket and i believe $20 (dont quote me on that) for the mesh pocket. Typical pack making times are 6-8 weeks (dont quote me on that either, becuase these things change). MoonbowGear really is a great company with what I think is the best customer service there is: make a call or send an email, and get an answer quickly from the owner of the company! Id like to see Marmot or Kelty do that! On to the pictures......
I have used this pack on several day hikes and overnights as well as a 14 day section hike in the Bigelows and Saddlebacks in Maine. My base pack weight is 14.58 lbs, and I usually started w\ carrying ~10 lbs of food after a resupply and 2 liters of water, making for a general packweight of 19-29 lbs.
For anyone who is thinking of getting a MoonbowGear Gearskin, I highly suggest it. The quality is outstanding: not a single loose thread (even on all 25+ bar tacks), excellent quality materials and customer service to die for.
Here is the gearskin fully packed and on my back. Notice how compact the pack is, even loaded with food and water. The outer mesh pocket is home to my groundtarp, mug, umbrella, packcover, 2 liter platypus, and extra rope.
Here is the gearskin fully stretched out. The 8 side connecting straps on the bottom of the picture are all strung out, and the 2 top connecting straps are not visable, but are attached to the top of the pack.
Here is the very well thought out harness. The sternum strap is adjustable to 7 different heights, as seen by the bar tacks. These bar tacks also allow for objects to be hung or tied to the harness. The curve of the harness allows for a very comfortable fit. The harness is sewn to the body of the back, and thus is not adjustable.
Here is a closeup of the hipbelt. The Velcro is for the
hipbelt pocket to attach. The thin hipbelt padding is more than adequate when
teamed up with the very ergonomic harness.
Here is me with the pack, fully loaded. Try to pick out the 4 side compression straps on the back. The hipbelt pockets are comfortably out of the way, and my camelback is tucked into the very center of the pack. Notice how small the pack seems, and how I have the ability to see over my shoulders if I need to.
Step One: Place kneeling pad and camelbak on harness half of pack. Center pad on the stitching of the hipbelt.
Step Two: Place sandals parallel to the camelbak, preventing it from sliding out during packing. This also places them in a place where they can be easily accessed if needed throughout the day.
Step Three: Place food bag (purple) in the center of the entire pack, effectively placing it at the bottom of the pack when hiking.
Step Four: Place other stuff sacks, such as clothing (blue) and sleeping bag (black) next to the food sack, making sure that there are no real gaps between the stuff sacks. You should now be nearing the “top” of the pack.
Step Five: Place raincoat (small blue stuffsack) and Hennessy Hammock (black
bundle) next to other stuff sacks. Make sure that they stay where you put them,
otherwise you will have trouble cinching the pack closed.
Step Six: Place hammock fly wrapped in groundcloth (white Tyvek bundle) somewhere else along with raincoat and hammock.
Step Seven: Cinch the two top compression straps loosely at first, then tighten to almost full tightness.
Step Eight: Loosely tighten ALL other straps, then systematically tighten straps, starting from top and ending at bottom. Make sure that no stuff sacks are forced out by premature tightening. You must tighten both sides evenly until you are happy with the compression of the pack.
Step Nine: Place extra stuffsack (green) or any other loose items in either the top of the pack (loosen the top straps and then retighten) or in the outer pocket. Congratulations, you’re done!
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