Vest alternatives --- Fishpond Backpack/Chestpack Combos

[Ralph]

Ed-
For canyoning I just wear a daypack (Osprey Stratos. . . love it! Or Patagonia Stormfront if there are going to be some swims) and a shirt with cargo pockets. Usually need only one fly box, a couple of tippet spools, nippers and floatant. Like you, I've ever been happy with the combo vest/day pack rigs.

[goby]

Ed-
For canyoning I just wear a daypack (Osprey Stratos. . . love it! Or Patagonia Stormfront if there are going to be some swims) and a shirt with cargo pockets. Usually need only one fly box, a couple of tippet spools, nippers and floatant. Like you, I've ever been happy with the combo vest/day pack rigs.

I love my Osprey. That's an idea....

[DFrink]

+1 for Osprey packs. They are soooo comfortable and really well designed. Like others I have found a small pack to be the ticket. Don't change setups often enough to warrant having a pack on my chest (to hot in the canyons where I fish).

[goby]

I tried on a chest pack. I hated it.

I might get the Umpqua waist pack. I like it. I still haven't tried a sling.

[goby]

Here's my update.....

I bought an inexpensive waist pack from The Fly Shop. I absolutely love it. It doesn't have the bells and whistles that the Umpqua has, but I liked the price (less than half).

[k9mark]

I just purchased the Umqua Ledges 500 waistpack the other day. All I can say is its awesome. Very comfortable and no sag. I looked at a bunch of waistpacks, Tried them on, but the Umqua I say beats them all. A very well thought out pack.

[oldtrout]

I've spent a great deal of time researching this exact thing. My conclusion is get yourself a ghillie.

Trust me, you'll never go back to using vests, packs, slingabobs etc.

[k9mark]

I've spent a great deal of time researching this exact thing. My conclusion is get yourself a ghillie.

Trust me, you'll never go back to using vests, packs, slingabobs etc.

Lol, too hot though...

[goby]

I just purchased the Umqua Ledges 500 waistpack the other day. All I can say is its awesome. Very comfortable and no sag. I looked at a bunch of waistpacks, Tried them on, but the Umqua I say beats them all. A very well thought out pack.

I'm glad I got my waist pack, because it was cheap and I didn't know if I would like it. But that Umpqua 500 looks amazing.

[Mr F]

I've been very happy with the REI Flash 18 backpack. It takes a camelback, holds my lunch rainjacket and fishing gear, and only costs $34. After I hike to my destination I place a small fly box (Cliff's Days Worth) floatant split-shot and a few (cough! cough!) bobbers in my shirt pocket. I keep my tools and tippet on a homemade lanyard. Sometimes I'll keep a larger fly box in the pack, but most of the time I keep it light.

My Simms waist pack is great when I'm staying close to the truck, but for hiking it's just too much dead weight. I do 10+ miles a day with the Flash pack and hardly notice it. By keeping it light and simple my backcountry fishing has become less of a hassle and far more enjoyable.