Hip Belt & Accessory Packs

[chai guy]

One thing I realized out on the trail is that the more weight you can transfer to your hip belt and chest the better. I'm a HUGE fan of hip belt water bottle holders as it takes that heavy water off your back and puts it up front where it's more accessible.

I started out with my pockets loaded with misc. gear, like my knife, my camera, chapstick, powerbars, then I found the "unslackpack" by these guys: http://www.simblissity.net/ simply brilliant, it carries all that stuff in a nice sized, ultra light pouch and it's always in reach (but not jamming you in the legs, and you don't have to empty out your pockets full of junk when it's time to go to sleep).

Lowepro also has some cool accessories, though somewhat "camera" specific, you could certainly adapt them to your needs http://www.lowepro.com/

[footslogger]

One thing I realized out on the trail is that the more weight you can transfer to your hip belt and chest the better. I'm a HUGE fan of hip belt water bottle holders as it takes that heavy water off your back and puts it up front where it's more accessible.

I started out with my pockets loaded with misc. gear, like my knife, my camera, chapstick, powerbars, then I found the "unslackpack" by these guys: http://www.simblissity.net/ simply brilliant, it carries all that stuff in a nice sized, ultra light pouch and it's always in reach (but not jamming you in the legs, and you don't have to empty out your pockets full of junk when it's time to go to sleep).

Lowepro also has some cool accessories, though somewhat "camera" specific, you could certainly adapt them to your needs http://www.lowepro.com/

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I carry a fanny pack right now and it served me well on the AT. I also currently use a bungee cord bottle holder on one of my shoulder straps. Wonder if this would be better ??

'Slogger

[AlohaTink]

I also hike with a fanny pack worn to the front...and one bottle pocket worn on the hip belt, worn to the side. One bottle on each side of the shoulder strap.

I hate that each pack I have tried always claims you can reach your water containers from the side mesh pockets....uggh well I must not be a contortionist:eek:

Thanks for the link...this web site has great stuff.

[Magnet_]

I'm a fan of putting things on the hip belt and shoulder straps as well. In addition to the water bottle holsters, I used a dana design wet rib which attaches between the shoulder straps. I used it to carry my camera, some snacks, maps, guidebook pages, etc. Dana has been swallowed by Marmot and it looks like Marmot has continued to produce the wet rib. It has a water bottle holder and one main pocket. I sewed on a spandex sleeve to the front which works great for maps and such.

My one complaint about this piece of gear is that because of my small frame, the wet rib doesn't cinch down all the way and bounces around. Now i just let it hang to the side and that seems to work ok.

http://www.backcountrygear.com/images/MarmotWetRibbig.jpg