After both my Ozone Mission Pack and my Manera deflater bag has got the straps torn loose from the bag I’m looking for something more durable. Any suggestions? I feel that both the ozone and manera packs are way too light weight for no good reason.
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The Patagonia Guidewater backpacks are solid. Have used the 15l Sling for half a year. Always pack a second parawing, and put my phone and car keys inside in a small waterproof bag, in case I do a switch and put a wet parawing in.
If I don’t switch parawings, there is not a single drop of water inside after a 2 hour session. And I fall alot going downwind. Also no problem putting a wet parawing in, there will just be a little water inside when you come in.
The sling is great for easy access when you sit on the board. But you have to wear it tight to keep it in place and comfortable.
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Is the 15l big enough for two parawings or should I look at the 25l? And damn, that’s one expensive backpack. Still cheaper than buying a ozone mission pack every 10 sessions though…
Yes, it is no problem with two. At least not with 777 or BRM that I have in my quiver.
When I have one, I squeeze a lot of air out of it.
I had a 5.4 PT Skin, and the bar on that was almost too long to fit inside. If it was 1cm longer, it would not fit. So if you have parawings with long bars, maybe check.
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Yeah I’ve had the 15L Guidewater Sling for like 8 years and just lucked out that it works great for PW. Main problem I have with it is that it can slide up when you fall in if you don’t squeeze the air out first. It will last forever as far as I can tell, so long as I don’t leave it out in the sun for a month or something. Be careful zipping it up, as I did zip up some canopy on my brm once and had a minor freak out. Luckily I backed it out and no damage done.
I’ve since started stashing an extra in a smaller waterproof bag inside my Venestrata waist belt, but I’m not 100% sold on that, as there is just extra weight and sagging to deal with around the waist.
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I’m using the Patagonia Guidewater Sling as well. Can confirm it works great as a parawing backpack. Can easily fit two parawings in there. I use the pouch inside to carry my cellphone, tourniquet, and t30 tool as well for downwinders. It even gives me a little flotation which is nice when I find myself in the water sorting out the parawing.
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I’m liking the camelbak octane 12. So far it’s holding up. I’ve so used the ozone bags that come with the powerpack and pocket rocket 2 and they work fine and are probably all I would need if i had those sails - keep it simple.
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I guess as others have said getting the thing as compressed as possible and removing the water is a good first step before stowing it into whatever (running backpack).
To that end I’m going to test out a travel compression cube as I reckon this has the packing ability of a roll top but will squeeze water out more effectively and then you have something that can go into a PFD or running backpack. It also is roughly the right shape.
here medium with the bar inside. Both pretty easy to bundle up into it
is the small with bar external, and
The double zip mechanism is pretty good. Lets see if it works on the water.
On volume fwiw I have a 20L decathlon roll top from winging packdown and its way too big for parawinging. Like 3x too big. I would think you don’t need more than 5L at a push for 2? I would like to know what is the right size
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Probably overkill but going to see how these Amazon vacuum bags work within a larger backpack or even the Ozone bag that came with my parawing.
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My Mission Pack ripped after 3 uses so I got an Earth-Pak 30L and it’s been great. I’d rather 20L but you can squish it down as the 30L is the smallest one with straps. It cost $35 CAD on amazon and has a 5 year warranty.
No trouble fitting 2 PWs either.
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I’ve been doing this and it works super well for the backup, amazing how compact a strong vacuum can get it. The issue I’ve found is compacted like that it fits in the PFD, but then when I swap, the used one is massive and can only go in the waist belt
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Nice. I’m thinking I’ll put a larger Velcro strap around the wet parawing and hope that it is able to drain from the backpack. I think a dry backpack with a waterproof zipper at the bottom exposing a mesh bottom would be cool. Closed to keep things dry to start and then open to let the wet parawing drain.
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NIXY makes a 20L dry bag backpack that is available on Amazon for about $35. I have been using it in the Gorge for two months with no issues. Lots of hard and fast wipe outs and it has held up.
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Decathlon dry bag 20L like the above…seems to work great for cheap. The parawing accessories biz seems a little over the top.
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I lot of waterproof bags I’ve found are simply too large. I’m using a breakwater supply 15L fogland and it’s great. Similar concept to the Patagonia bag, keeps the wing dry if you don’t need it, but you will be putting a wet wing in a dry bag if you do need it. Ive been trying to convince them to make a smaller 10L version that I believe will be truly perfect for downwinding. I’m going try find the Patagonia sling to check out in person. I like how you don’t need to take it off to access it. Might be less secure/comfortable than the backpack style I’m currently using. Definitely worth checking out breakwater supply. I believe it’s the smallest and most aligned in design to downwinding I’ve found.
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for what it’s worth, my problems (and solution with the packing cube) stems from wanting to wear a PFD, which means packing into or in addition to the PFD. Hoping that something along the lines of a compression cube and some straps can get close to the compression of vacuum pack
I think the pic above has clothes and other stuff
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Anybody tried one of those? Wondering how tight the connection is and if a small para would fit. NRS Swig PFD Hydration Pack
I put together this kit from two amazon products, needle/thread, and some e6000 contact cement. Could easily fit over a vaikobi if the straps were extended. Easy front access to phone and other safety kit. Drybag with valve makes for small package even with 5m parawing. Shoulder Vest means easy access to bag without even taking it off
Amazon links:
Drybag with valve
Running vest
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