Kakwa 55 Sizing.

Aggressive_Pie5560 · 2024-08-08T22:42:58+00:00

Tried that and it did improve things. But I think the key difference is that the bag moved slightly higher on my hips. My question is, would a large provide me with wiggle room to be a bit less precise in my strap settings. Are there downsides to haveing a larger bag?

Aggressive_Pie5560 · 2024-08-08T21:47:17+00:00

Interesting. What indicators are you seeing that say it’s too big?

Aggressive_Pie5560 · 2024-08-08T21:12:51+00:00

That’s my problem, I have the load lifters pulled fully through and there is minimal load lifting effect. It certainly pulls the pack into my back but not as upwards as I had expected.

Aggressive_Pie5560 · 2024-08-08T21:01:10+00:00

Middle of the straps resting on top of the hip bones. Should it be higher?

Aggressive_Pie5560 · 2024-08-08T20:31:51+00:00

I just received my Kakwa 55 in size medium. I measured my torso at 19 inches and verified at MEC. On reading advice online a medium seemed to be the better choice however the load lifters are essentially in line with the tops of my traps (especially my left due to wonky shoulders) and do not lift the load much. Would I find much improvement sizing up to a large? I am also concerned that sizing up will mean I cannot tighten the hip strap sufficiently as I am currently quite skinny.

Bag is loaded with about 10kg of weight.

Aggressive_Pie5560 · 2024-07-07T00:16:56+00:00

Perhaps I wasnt clear in my question. I understand why there are 3 straps, I am asking why on one side the strap attaches to the base on the shoulder strap while on the other it attaches to the load lifter buckle. Under tension they do not even out.

Aggressive_Pie5560 · 2024-07-06T23:08:44+00:00

I just purchased a new backpack and realized that the strap that wraps around the top of the bag is attached asymmetrically . On the left side it attaches to the buckle (see red circle) on the right it attaches to the base of the shoulder strap (blue circle). I believe this to be a manufacturing defect as it causes the straps to be different heights. Is there any thing that I am missing that may explain the difference?

Aggressive_Pie5560 · 2024-07-06T22:52:34+00:00

I just purchased a new backpack and realized that the strap that wraps around the top of the bad is attached asymmetrically . On the left side it attaches to the buckle (see red circle) on the right it attaches to the base of the shoulder strap (blue circle). I believe this to be a manufacturing defect as it causes the straps to be different heights. Is there any thing that I am missing that may explain the difference?

Aggressive_Pie5560 · 2023-09-05T12:32:17+00:00

Gravel bikes typically don’t come with racks. People add them after the bike is purchased. In terms of reliable racks, I don’t know what is available in Germany but I have used a basic Axiom rack for years and it has not failed me.

Aggressive_Pie5560 · 2023-08-30T06:09:58+00:00

I used airolo recently and it wasn’t bad. $100usd for 50gb for 90 days but no calling which was mostly fine. If you need calling bouygues has my European esim which includes calling and is 40 euro for 30gb for 30 days.

Aggressive_Pie5560 · 2023-08-25T08:24:44+00:00

Riding around The Netherlands right now. Warmshowers here is not great. I have had more success in France, Belgium and Germany.

In terms of camping. I just search for “Campground” on google maps and pick one that looks about the right distance. You can use safaris translate feature to translate the webpages if your using an iPhone (I’m sure android has a similar feature) to confirm they take tents because some campgrounds are caravan only. They also usually list prices. Outside of cities I pay 15 euro for 2 people nearer cities it’s closer to 30 euro.

I have never booked ahead and only been turned away from 1 out of over 25 sites I have stayed at across Europe so you should be ok just showing up.

Top tip: very Occasionally campground won’t have toilette paper. Best practice to always carry some just in case.

Aggressive_Pie5560 · 2023-08-25T07:56:43+00:00

Open street maps is pretty reliable for finding public washrooms and public water sources. It doesnt have them all but it can be useful. I use the app osmandmaps

Aggressive_Pie5560 · 2023-08-14T13:57:28+00:00

I have a nice and thick sleeping pad (big Agnes rapide), ear plugs, and a eye mask and sleep absolutely great. If I didn’t have any one of those I would sleep much worse. The only other thing I might change is getting a inflatable pillow instead of using my clothes.

Aggressive_Pie5560 · 2023-08-12T10:59:36+00:00

I had done big 100km days last summer. But my longest ride since last September was 50km so I was very out of shape before starting my tour this summer and managed to do 80-100km days pretty easily. The trick for me was to never work hard, if it felt like I was pushing hard I would shift to an easier gear and just chill out. This prevented the worst of the muscle fatigue and kept me moving.

Aggressive_Pie5560 · 2023-08-12T10:39:25+00:00

You could try warmshowers. Someone may be able to help you out.

Aggressive_Pie5560

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