What does UL packing look like for masters? 06 We recommend "vertical" for sacoche

Cameras, smartphones, maps, compasses, sunglasses, rations (activity food)... There are surprisingly many things you'll want to take out right away while hiking. Various models such as waist pouches and front bags have long been popular in the past, but in recent years, the popularity of ultralight hiking and high fashionability that can be used in everyday life has led to the popularity of shoulder-over-the-shoulder sub-bags called "sacoche" have become popular here in Japan.

Now, most people, including me, may have only considered the size, design, and at most the number of pockets. However, when it comes to models that are truly easy to use in the mountains, there are many delicious and deep tips hidden, such as practicality and safety. So, this time we will tell you about Arai's recommended sacoche, which he has used in a variety of situations, and what he has talked about about the key points he has to choose from.

As always, this is an opinion based on Arai's experience, so rather than just accepting each of the conclusions, please enjoy it through the filters of individuals' wise judgment and broad minds.

List of serialized articles "What is Master's UL Packing like?"

• 01 What is the contents of Arai Yusuke's carefully selected backpack?
• 02 The secret to packing is how you use the stuff sack.
• 03 How to use sleep bags and sleeping pads
• 04 Tips for choosing shoes and how to tie shoelaces that don't easily loosen
• 05 Tips for good packing and how to choose a smart backpack

table of contents

• Packing techniques for ultra light hiking - We recommend "vertical" for sacoche - (video)
• Video and audio transcripts (additional information available)

Packing techniques for ultra light hiking - We recommend "vertical" for sacoche

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

Video audio transcript (additional information available)

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

Arai Yusuke: Yes, how many people use sacoche? Which sacoche do you use? Granite Gear? Mountain paths (mountains and roads)?

Customer: Um, the Atelier (Blue Bottle).

Arai Yusuke: If possible, it's actually easier to use vertical rather than horizontal.

There are a lot of horizontal types these days. But when this happens (snags under the armpits), it's extremely difficult to use, once it has a certain amount of capacity. If you go vertically, you'll go here (slightly below the front of your chest). That's all, but this will really change the safety. Sacoche is for hiking purposes only, so it's fine to use horizontally, but if possible, vertical sacoche, like a hiker's deposit box, is easier to use. There are a lot of different types of sacoche, but I still use Hikers Depot.

Hiker Sacoche “BB style”

Highland Designs

A slightly improved version was that I put a thin pull through the strap, put a grommet outside, and when I pulled it together, the sacoche began to slurp up. This will not get in the way in places where you need to raise your legs or lift your legs. I'm sure I can keep it for a long time (in dangerous situations) and lift it up tightly.

Customers: Mountain paths (mountain and road sacoche) also reach the top.

Arai Yusuke: That's right, so it's better to have a shorter one. If you try to put some down and other items on it (the sacoche will swell), it will be a huge problem, so it's a vertical model rather than a horizontal model. If you don't want to put much stuff inside the sacoche, this size (about the palm of your hand). It's fine to have the size of that PEAKS supplement. Don't put anything that sized sacoche that is not enough to fit it outside.

If you mainly focus on hiking and low mountains, it's vertical, not horizontal. That's the safest method, and it would be fine if there were horizontal types that had a lid, but there are surprisingly few. With the lid on, it's difficult to put it in and take it out this time. Vertical ones weigh on the bottom and don't have much capacity, if you turn it round half of the unit once (upper and lower) and turn it around, it will be less likely to rain on rainy days. It's going to fold back and hold it in. This will stop the rain from coming in.

Also, with this shoulder strap removed (from the shoulder), wrap it around with your mouth and put it in your backpack, and use it in a simple waterproof way.

Also, think of the stretch (pocket) part (on the front of the sacoche) that the vertical type extends more than the horizontal type. In the case of the horizontal type, the body (body) increases, but the entrance does not extend, so in the end it won't go in. So if there is a stretch part here, the vertical one will fit farther. Because it stretches forward. So, where to increase the capacity is that this way of increasing the capacity (vertical type, increase it in advance) is not too intrusive. This is how we've increased the front bags that were previously, but if we could use the same idea, we'd use vertically. If you bring it to the side, it will interfere with the shell ventilation. There's a jacket with a zipper under the armpit. The string and sacoche accessories are really snagged, so you may want to take them off and you may find it difficult to take them off, or you may want to pull them out if you try to pull them, and the shell is strong so the sacoche may break. So, if you're thinking about interference, it's vertical.

Has anyone else ever interfered with the waist harness when using the sacoche like this (while carrying a backpack)? I used to be there. There is a huge disadvantage to hanging sacoche here (under the chest) (while carrying an alpine backpack on your back). In that case, you'll add the sacoche string yourself later and place the sacoche here (under the harness). I put the string through it and fasten it with a hip belt. That way you won't be able to flutter while walking. Instead, make it adjustable with a string so that it can be raised upwards if it seems a little intrusive.

Hisatomi: Shall we pinch it on the waist belt?

Arai Yusuke: Yes, I'll put this inside the waist belt. This will turn into a waist bag and won't get in the way when carrying it on your back, but if you go to a steep place, you'll be able to lift the string.

After all, it needs improvements, as Sacoche is just a hiking-based one. This (waist belt) is not available on long trails, so this is enough, but when using an alpine backpack, it is different from that of a long trail, so these improvements are needed more and more.

(End of transcription)

Profile of Arai Yusuke

Mountain photographer. Head of SHARA PROJECT. Since his father's acquaintance was a traitor, he grew up in a deep, intimate nature from a young age. He has a deep knowledge of a wide range of fields, from traditional trekking to UL hiking, skiing, MTB, hunting and survival techniques, and outdoor gear, and is also well-versed in knives. Every year in autumn and winter, it is a bush crafter that clings to hunt, and then dismantles and cooks in the mountains.

What is Outdoor Gearzine Trailhead?

Outdoor Gearzine was held in November 2016 at a gallery near Yoyogi Park for two weeks under the theme of "Starting autumn mountain climbing with Outdoor Gearzine . There is an exhibition of recommended autumn mountain tools, a corner for purchasing tools, a store for valuable outdoor gear, a flea market for used mountain tools after the test, and a talk event with mountain photographer Arai Yusuke, and various projects are being held that can be enjoyed by people who want to climb the mountains or have recently started climbing the mountains. This event has been a huge hit with readers of this site and mountain enthusiasts who have come here casually. For more detailed plans, please see this past announcement page .