Field Report

Thompson Peak Backpack Field Report

Personal Information:
Name: Christine Korhonen
Age: 30
Gender: female
Height: 5'4" (1.6 m)
Weight: 165 lb (75 kg)
Torso length: 17" (43 cm)
E-mail: chris@wormguy.com
Location: Western Montana
Date: June 6, 2004

Backpacking Background:
I'm in Montana where spring comes late. I'm a lightweight backpacker mentally, if not always in practice. I've gotten my summer multi-day pack weight down to 13 lb (5.9 kg), but my winter pack weight hovers around 25 lb (11.3 kg).

Product Information:
Manufacturer: Fanatic Fringe
URL: www.fanaticfringe.com
Item: Thompson Peak Backpack
MSRP: US $79 with hip belt
Year of Manufacturer: 2004
Size tested: Small
Color tested: Hunter Green/Black
Listed volume: Body - 2400 cu in (39.3 L); Pockets - 400 cu in (6.6 L); Extension collar - 800 cu in (13.1 L)
Listed weight: 10.5 oz (298 g)
Measured weight: 10.4 oz (295 g)

Pack Description:
The Thompson Peak is a frameless ultralight backpack made by Fanatic Fringe. The pack has a main body of coated ripstop nylon and uses coated black Oxford for the bottom and back. The pack has a top drawstring opening with extension sleeve, large front mesh pocket, two side mesh pockets, and two side compression straps.

Field Test Locations:
I tested the Thompson Peak Backpack on over 50 mi (81 km) of trail at elevations from 4500 to 8000 ft (1400 to 2400 m) in Montana and Wyoming. Temperatures went from 30 to 80 F (-1 to 27 C) and pack weights ranged from 17 to 20 lb (7.7 to 9.1 kg). The pack was tested in sun, rain, snow and hail.

Ultralight Backpacking Experience:
Ultralight backpacking is new to me. I have never used a frameless backpack before the Thompson Peak, and I spent much of the field test trying to figure out how to load the pack.

Packing:
It seems that in ultralight backpacking, proper loading of the pack is key. On one trip carrying 17 lb (7.7 kg), I had gone less than a mile (1.6 km) when the straps became so uncomfortable that I didn't want to go on. On another trip carrying 20 lb (9.1 kg), I hiked 12 mi (19 km) with no problems. Before using this pack, I put items in the order they were used: sleeping bag and pad on bottom, clothes and tent next, food on top. With this pack, it seems best to have heavy items on the bottom, near my back. With the food in the bottom of the pack, I spent more time rummaging during lunch and at snack stops, and I spent more time repacking after eating. I began wishing that this pack had a bottom opening so I could pack my food on the bottom but get at it a little easier.

During all trips I kept my hydration bladder in the front mesh pocket. I was hesitant to put the bladder inside the pack in case it leaked, but I think having the weight of 2 L (0.5 gal) of water so far away from my back can put extra pressure on my shoulders. In further tests I will try the pack with the hydration bladder placed inside the pack, closer to my back.

It's still cold here at night, and I've been carrying bulky winter clothes with me on all of my trips. The Thompson Peak doesn't appreciate such bulky loads. I use a self-inflating pad (Women's Max Mtn from Insul Mat) for the frame. The pad is 1' 8" (51 cm) wide and extends from the bottom to the top of the pack. I have to fold the edges of the pad down a little to close the pack. When the pack is loaded with all of my stuff, I can't close the top opening all the way. I can cinch the drawstring, but there's nothing to hold it closed. This puts a lot of pressure on the drawstring and the hole where the drawstring exits the pack. If there was a compression strap that went over the top of the pack, I might be able to keep these bulky items packed a bit more tightly and maybe could close the pack all the way.

Features:
Size. The pack is a good size, and I can fit everything I need to in it. I have been carrying a lot of winter items, so the pack's volume has been put to the test. Even packed full, the pack doesn't take up that much space. When it rained, I was able to fit myself and the full pack under a lightweight 99 cent (US) fold-up poncho, something I haven't been able to do in the past while wearing a full pack.

Top opening. The opening is nice and large, and I can easily get into the pack. There is a plastic grommet where the drawstring comes out of the top of the pack. This grommet has come apart and is no longer protecting the fabric around the drawstring. The extension collar has a reinforced button hole where its drawstring comes out. It might be useful to have the same sort of permanent reinforcement at the hole where the pack body drawstring exits, instead of the grommet.

Pockets. The pockets have been useful. I put my hydration bladder in the front pocket, fuel bottle and headlamp in one side pocket, and snacks and maps in the other. When the pack is full, the tops of the pockets are stretched to their maximum. When this happens, it is difficult to get items in and out. If the elastic in the tops of the pockets was a little longer, it would be easier to use the pockets when the pack is full.

Shoulder straps. The straps are 2" (5 cm) wide, which is more narrow than I'm used to. There is no sternum strap, and I haven't missed it since I'm most comfortable with the shoulder straps riding on the outer portion of my shoulders. When the pack is not loaded correctly, I can feel it right away. I'm still working on the best way to load this pack, but I've found that I can go on fairly long hikes with the pack carrying its maximum load without any discomfort. I just have to work on getting that sort of balance to the load on every trip.

Waist belt. The last time I went backpacking with this pack, I kept forgetting that the pack had a waist belt. I would hike a few steps without it buckled before I remembered it was there. When I finally put the waist belt on, I was always more comfortable. The waist belt stabilizes the load and prevents the pack from swinging left and right on my back. Since I forgot about the waist belt several times, it doesn't seem to be necessary. I can carry the load just fine without the waist belt, but I like using it. When buckled, the waist belt was always comfortable. It doesn't take that much weight off of my shoulders, but it does stabilize the pack.

Side compression straps. Since I've been filling the pack to capacity, I haven't been able to use the side compression straps. The side straps have been useful for hanging things like backpacking permits.

Likes:
Nice and light.
Big enough for all my stuff.
Waist belt is useful to stabilize the load.

Dislikes
Grommet on top drawstring opening has fallen off.
Elastic on tops of pockets could be a little longer.

Test Plan:
During the coming months, I will test the Thompson Peak backpack for comfort and ease of use. I will pay particular attention to the comfort of the shoulder straps as I try new packing strategies. I will also be testing the pack for durability, and I will see how much the side compression straps come in handy. I will be testing the Thompson Peak pack in the parks and on the trails of Montana and Wyoming through as much inclement weather as I can find.

Read more reviews of Fanatic Fringe gear
Read more gear reviews by Christine Korhonen

Reviews > Packs > Frameless Backpacks and Day Packs > Fanatic Fringe Thompson Peak Pack > Christine Korhonen > Field Report

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