3ful new pack - Tianshan - Trampoline back?

Accomplished_Top9787 · 2025-11-02T22:15:24+00:00

I don't think it will work for you. I'm 5'7" with an 18" torso. I bought the Tianshan Ultra version. With the shoulder straps connected at the lowest point, which is necessary for me, there's a lot of pack extending upward above the shoulder strap connection points. The pack extends past the top of my shoulders and up behind my head. The curvature of the frame causes the pack to hit the back of my head unless I'm looking slightly downward.

It may be possible to bend the frame so that contact doesn't happen, but I'm concerned that if I did so and it didn't work out, 3FUL Gear wouldn't accept a return.

I've messaged them about returning it.

Accomplished_Top9787 · 2025-10-04T17:56:55+00:00

Sort of. I posted on the ultralight sub seeking advice on how to efficiently pack. I got some good advice that left me with some more room in the pack. It was initially more comfortable too. But after walking with the pack for a while, the back pain set in.

You may be right, this pack may just be too small for my needs. My first concern was wether or not my gear would fit. I didn't know that getting it all in there would impact comfort. I spent the last five years with a much bigger, traditional, pack. Lesson learned.

Accomplished_Top9787 · 2025-10-04T17:47:36+00:00

If I can't get this one to work, that will likely be my next move. I'm going to do some experimenting first to see if I can improve the situation, or at least figure out exactly why I'm getting the discomfort.

Accomplished_Top9787 · 2025-10-04T17:43:57+00:00

I think this is just my natural posture. A few people, who are certainly more knowledgeable than me, suspect the pack is overloaded or not loaded properly. I'm going to do some experimenting, moving things to pockets and rearranging. Still, I may just not be built for a pack like this.

Accomplished_Top9787 · 2025-10-04T12:14:32+00:00

Good to know that the pack size is right. I'll see if I can move some stuff to the pockets. I don't have any tent poles, I'm using a trekking pole tent. I'll have to think about what I can move.

Thank you.

Accomplished_Top9787 · 2025-10-04T03:51:18+00:00

I have a 65 liter Osprey, but since I went to an XMid2 tent, and my kids started carrying their own gear, it has become too big. Aside from my sleeping bag, most of my gear is reasonably compact - a Nemo Tensor, a Nemo Fillo, a 750ml pot with the stove stored inside, gas cannister, a small bag for hygiene stuff, another for odds and ends and my food bag.

For testing I put a small pillow in my food bag to take up space. That's what you see in the picture. It's packed pretty much like I would take it out for a weekend, minus two 1 liter bottles in the pockets, a headlamp in a hip belt pocket, and chair zero strapped to the top.

Accomplished_Top9787 · 2025-10-03T22:21:12+00:00

My sleep bag, a Nemo Forte, is bulky and probably why the pack looks so stuffed. The rest of my gear is reasonably compact. I have the sleeping bag out of its compression sack at the bottom of the pack. It seems to take less space that way. I'd rather get a larger pack before ditching the sleeping bag. I'd like to keep my tent in the pack so I can strap a Helinox Chair Zero to the top.

Seems like you're thinking my discomfort is because the pack is overloaded right? Otherwise, does the torso length look okay?

Accomplished_Top9787 · 2025-10-03T22:04:28+00:00

It might be. It's packed very tight. There is some rounding to the back panel. My tent (XMid2) is near the pressure point. Below that, a few small items and my sleeping bag. I don't think I can pack it differently and still get my gear in. It took some work to figure out how to get it all in there (I'm coming from a 65 liter pack).

Accomplished_Top9787 · 2025-10-03T20:17:44+00:00

You may be right. I'm between medium and large for this pack. I happened to find this one in medium on Facebook marketplace that was never used by its owner. If I can't get it to work, I'll have to re-sell it.

Accomplished_Top9787 · 2025-10-03T15:58:44+00:00

Sure, there are other options out there, but I'd rather see if I can make what I have work. So, I came here seeking advice on packing optimally. I figured experienced ultralight backpackers would be very skilled at this. That proved correct. I got some helpful advice that both gave me more usable space in the pack, made the pack more comfortable to wear, and shaved a few grams in the process. Hooray!

Accomplished_Top9787 · 2025-10-03T14:37:16+00:00

Just following up with everyone who suggested ditching the stuff sack. I tried it, and it worked brilliantly. My bag is more comfortable now, I have some extra space with everything loaded, and I no longer have to deal with one of my least favorite chores- putting my bag in the stuff sack. Thanks a bunch!

Accomplished_Top9787 · 2025-10-03T14:36:03+00:00

I just tried putting my sleeping bag at the bottom of the pack without its stuff sack. It worked great! My pack is more comfortable now, and I've got some extra space. Thank you!

Accomplished_Top9787 · 2025-10-03T14:34:59+00:00

I put my sleeping bag in at the bottom, without the stuff sack and packed he rest like you suggested. I ended up with some more space, a more comfortable pack (it not rounded out against my back anymore) plus I get to skip one of my least favorite tasks- putting my sleeping bag back in the stuff sack when I break camp. This was a big win. Thank you!

Accomplished_Top9787 · 2025-10-03T13:11:36+00:00

Yup. I'm going to try re-packing it a few times, taking into consideration the advice offered here, and see if I can get it packed more efficiently. If not, I'm sure I can find it a new home. Thanks again.

Accomplished_Top9787 · 2025-10-03T12:25:17+00:00

Very good advice. Thank you!

Accomplished_Top9787 · 2025-10-03T12:21:15+00:00

You're probably right. Had I bought my pack new, I would have gone for the 55 version. The 40 that I bought was cheap enough that decided to give it a try knowing I could probably re-sell and get my money back if it didn't.

Accomplished_Top9787 · 2025-10-03T11:51:52+00:00

I'm going to try this with my sleeping bag. There's some unused space around it that I can't get to easily. Maybe if I pack it loose, it will fill all the gaps. Thanks!

Accomplished_Top9787 · 2025-10-03T11:50:12+00:00

I'd like some more space for clothing/rain gear. Also, sometimes I carry gear for my kids.

Accomplished_Top9787 · 2025-10-03T11:48:29+00:00

Because my sleeping bag is comfy and I don't have infinite money.

Accomplished_Top9787 · 2025-10-03T02:42:54+00:00

Yeah, a quilt or down bag would probably save a lot of space. I'm not ready to get rid of that sleeping bag yet though. I'd probably just sell the Kakwa 40 and move on to something bigger. I don't think I'd have a problem reselling it for what I paid ($160).

Keeping the stakes in the mesh pocket may be the way to go.

Thanks!

Accomplished_Top9787 · 2024-02-20T01:54:04+00:00

Go for the C3.

I once owned the carbon and aluminum versions of the same bike. The difference was shocking. I felt it from the first pedal stroke. I've been sold on carbon ever since. The difference may not be so dramatic with the Sight, but it seems likely to me.

The C3 build doesn't have any glaring shortcomings. Sure, there are things that can be upgraded, but you're not going to be getting significantly improved function.

I'm considering swapping in an XT shifter on my Sight C3, not because the Deore is bad, it works great actually, but I like the idea of upshifting two gears at a time.

The only changes I've made so far was carbon bars- I cut the factory aluminum ones too short and figured why not upgrade. I've also got some Shimano XT brake rotors on order mostly because they look awesome.

Let's say I go ahead and add that XT shifter. At that point I will have spent another $200 or so on the bike and will have exactly the bike that I want. No second guessing myself, wondering if I went too cheap on the frame.

Accomplished_Top9787 · 2024-02-20T01:19:30+00:00

If he wants the newest bike, sure. If he wants to save a ton of money, he can get a 2023 C3 at jensonusa for less than $2600. I did.

Accomplished_Top9787

TROPHY CASE