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What is UL packing like for experts? 06 A vertically long sacoche is recommended

Backpacks & Gear
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Written by Yasushi Hisatomi

Camera, smartphone, map, compass, sunglasses, rations...there are surprisingly many things you'll want to access quickly while hiking. For many years, various models of waist pouches and front bags have come and gone to store these small items, but in recent years, the popularity of ultralight hiking, coupled with the trend toward fashionable everyday items, has led to the popularity of shoulder-type sub-bags known as "sacoches" in Japan

Now, when it comes to sacoches, most people, including myself, probably only consider the size, design, and at most the number of pockets. But when it comes to models that are truly easy to use in the mountains, there are many hidden, profound and sophisticated aspects, such as practicality and safety. So, in this article, we will share with you Arai's unique perspective on his recommended sacoches, who has used them in a variety of situations, as well as tips on how to choose one

As always, these are merely opinions based on Arai's experience, so please do not take each conclusion at face value, but rather enjoy them through the filter of your own wise judgment and open mind

"What is UL packing like for experts?" Series list

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Packing tips for ultralight hiking: A vertically long sacoche is recommended

As usual, the characters in the video are Arai-san on the left and me (Hisatomi) the listener on the right

Video audio transcript (with supplementary information)

Hisatomi: What do you think about sacoche bags and sub-bags?

Arai Yusuke: Yes, how many of you use a sacoche? Which brand of sacoche do you use? Granite (Granite Gear)? Yamamichi (Yama to Michi)?

Customer: Um, Atelier (Blue Bottle).

Arai Yusuke: When it comes to sacoche bags, it's actually easier to use them if they're vertical rather than horizontal.

There are a lot of horizontal types these days. But when they end up like this (tucking under the armpit), it becomes really hard to use once they're filled to a certain capacity. If they're vertical, they go in here (slightly below and in front of the chest). It's a simple thing, but it makes a huge difference in safety. Sacoches are primarily for hiking, so horizontal ones are fine, but if possible, a vertical sacoche like the ones from Hiker's Depot is easier to use. There are a lot of different types of sacoches out there, but I still use the one from Hiker's Depot

Hiker Sacoche
Hiker Sacoche “BB style”
Highland Designs

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I made a slight improvement by threading a thin cord through the strap and attaching a grommet to the outside, so that when you pull it tight the sacoche pops up. This way it doesn't get in the way on places where you need to lift your feet, like on chain sections. I keep it long normally and can pull it up tight (in dangerous situations)

Customer: I'll bring my Yamamichi (Yama to Michi Sacoche) up to the top too.

Arai Yusuke: That's right, so it's better to have it shorter. If you try to put something like a down jacket in (the sacoche bulges out) it's a big deal, so a vertical one is better than a horizontal one. If you don't plan on putting much in the sacoche, this size (about the size of your palm) is fine. Something about the size of the PEAKS supplement is fine. If there's anything that won't fit in a sacoche of that size, don't attach it to the outside.

If you're mainly hiking or hiking in low mountains, then a vertical bag is better than a horizontal one. It's the safest way, and horizontal bags would be nice if they had a lid, but surprisingly, there aren't many of those. If they have a lid, then it's hard to put things in and take them out. With vertical bags, if there's weight on the bottom and they don't have much capacity, you can fold it in half (top and bottom) once to keep the rain out on rainy days. Fold it all the way back and fasten it. That way, the rain won't get in

Also, if you remove the shoulder strap (from your shoulder), hold the opening, wrap it around your shoulders, and throw it into your backpack, you can use it as a simple waterproof bag

Also, keep in mind that the stretch pocket (at the front of the sacoche) stretches more in a vertical design than a horizontal one. With a horizontal design, this part (the body) expands, but this part (the opening) doesn't, so ultimately, nothing fits. So, if there's a stretch part here, a vertical design can fit much more. It stretches in the front. So, when it comes to increasing capacity, this method (increasing capacity in the front with a vertical design) doesn't get in the way that much. Previous front bags and other bags expanded in this way, and using the same approach, a sacoche should be vertical if possible. If it's horizontal, it inevitably gets in the way when you bring it to your armpit, and it gets caught on the shell ventilation. You know those jackets with zippers under the armpits? The strings on those jackets get caught on the sacoche accessories, so you can't take it off when you try to take it off, or you can't pull on the sacoche when you try to, and the shell is stronger, so the sacoche can even break. So, if you're thinking about interference, the vertical design is the way to go

Has anyone else ever had a sacoche get in the way of their waist harness when using it like this (while wearing a backpack)? I've had that happen before. Hanging the sacoche here (under the chest) (while wearing an alpine backpack) has a huge disadvantage. In that case, you can just add the sacoche string yourself later and position the sacoche here (under the harness). You thread the string through here and secure it with the hip belt. That way it doesn't flap around while walking. Instead, you can adjust the string so that you can lift it up if it gets in the way

Hisatomi: Should I just tuck it into my waist belt?

Arai Yusuke: Yes, you tuck this into the waist belt. This makes it like a waist bag, so it doesn't get in the way when you're carrying it, but if you decide to go to a steep place, you can pull up the strings.

It definitely needs improvement, because the sacoche is primarily a hiking backpack. On long trails, this (waist belt) isn't necessary, so this is sufficient, but when using an alpine backpack, the experience is different from that of a long trail, so improvements like that become increasingly necessary

(End of transcript)

Arai Yusuke's profile

Mountain photographer and founder of SHARA PROJECT. As an acquaintance of his father was a matagi hunter, he grew up surrounded by nature from an early age. He has a deep knowledge of a wide range of fields, from traditional trekking to ultra-low-voltage hiking, skiing, mountain biking, hunting, survival techniques, and outdoor gear, and is also well versed in knives. Every autumn and winter, he retreats to the mountains to hunt, and is also a bushcrafter who butchers and cooks in the mountains

What is Outdoor Gearzine Trailhead?

Outdoor Gearzine hosted a two-week, in-person exhibition event at a gallery near Yoyogi Park in November 2016. The event featured a variety of events that were enjoyable for those who want to take up mountain climbing or have recently taken up mountain climbing, including an exhibition of recommended autumn mountaineering gear, a corner offering advice on purchasing gear, sales of rare outdoor gear, a flea market for used mountaineering gear after testing, and a talk event with mountain photographer Yusuke Arai. The event was a huge hit with both readers of this site and casual mountain enthusiasts. For more details on the events, please see the past announcements page here .

   

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