Really good video, just what we needed to know really. One question from someone who haven’t tried filtered water before. Is the taste that bad that you would need the carbon filter?
Sorry just now seeing this. I think the flavor from the Katadyn is totally fine. Not bad at all, but mileage may vary depending on your original water source. Most of the water I run through the system are Appalachian Mountain creeks which are probably pretty clean already. The lifestraw carbon filter does help the flavor slightly by making the flavor just a little more neutral like a bottle of Aquafina from the store if that makes sense.
I'm looking to get this pack and it's right at the limits of carry on size, has anyone travelled with it internationally? Really want to keep my trip light and carry this pack on the plane.
@@bossmanfat6979which one did you go for? I was having this debate too and after a lot of research I just ordered the manta, the 34 actually. Reason for the manta is because the hydration pack is in a separate compartment. And I like how there’s a stretch outer pocket on the front as opposed to a zippered one, so it can hold more when it’s full. I chose 34 vs 24 because the dimensions are the same except for how much goes outward from your back. And with the compression straps the 34 will look and feel similar to the 24, with negligible price difference. I’ll only use it for day hikes, but I want more room in the winter time. Especially to carry an extra jacket for my wife.
Thank you for the detailed video about the hike 👏🏻 👏🏻 me and my group are planning to go the same place for sunrise on 12/29 Friday and the weather forecast says 40% snowfall. Any recommendations or suggestions from your side would be greatly appreciated.
Snow can be tricky on this trail if it's deep. It can pile up in places and holes will sneak up on you. Very easy to get a twisted ankle. Many people do this trail on cross country skis or snowshoes during the winter.
Depends on what your size constraints are. I've taken the 34L Manta fully packed on a 35-mile one day biking trip before, and it did great. But typically, when I'm out biking, I take something smaller like an 18L Osprey Hikelite.
Thanks for the great review! I'll be buying it as well, although I'm not sure about the sizing. Which size are you wearing? I'm nearly 6 2 and I was wondering if I should go with Large or XL, since this one's cuffed and might pull up a bit.
I have the smaller Manta 24 and love it for the sweat reducing trampoline back (called Airspeed) although the Manta 34 has a better bag design imho, but I don’t need such a big daypack so I went with the 24. If you hike in hotter climates you’ll love the Osprey Airspeed design that keeps the pack about 2 inches off your back.
I've had mine for 3 years. It's accompanied me through the Zion Narrows, Emerald Pools, Grand Canyon, Petit Jean waterfalls and much more. Definitely my favorite pack I've owned. I got mine from an REI sale secondhand. It's awesome except that it is a little harder to pack compared to maybe say the kestrel with It's more rectangular profile but still rather easy compared to most packs. Mine creaks but that's not normal, I think the previous owner put some abuse in it as I gotit that way. Definitely a fantastic bag and it's so comfy on super long treks.
Mine will creak very slightly sometimes as well. I think most exterior frame bags have a tendency to creak a bit once they've been used a bit. Glad you like the pack!
Great video. Did you by chance have the older version with the AG hip belt? I have that one now and love it, but it has the squeaking issue and they fixed that by getting rid of the AG and I'm not sure how much of a loss it would be to get the new version without it. Debating which I'd rather have - no squeaks or no AG. My other complaint about the new Mantas are the lack of colors. Black and green are boring. Where are the blues, greys and reds???
I did not have that version. But after some use I will occasionally get a tiny bit of squeaking from this pack as well. Nothing annoying and it doesn't happen everytime I'm out, but occasionally. If you're ok with the squeaking and like the AG belt better, I might stay with what you have. The squeaking keeps the bears away anyway 😂
I would say most likely not. I have a Samsung Galaxy 22 Ultra which is 6.5" tall with a low profile case on it, and the pocket just barely won't fully zip up. If the phone was 6" tall it might fit.
I really enjoyed your video, caught myself smiling like a dummy 😄 We'd like to camp but not wanting to carry our gear all the way from the Sunshine State! This dome concept is amazing!! I've seen one online similar to this in the Colombian mountains but not with so many extra features (outdoor fireplace, grill, ect.) Thank you so much for sharing your video, I will be looking into this beautiful place. 💕 "The mountains are calling & I must go!"
Hello. Could you please advise what the height of the bag is if it's sat on the floor, to the top of the metal frame? I've had another from Osprey and it was about 5cm (2in) taller than advertised, and couldn't be folded due to the frame, so it was too big for carry-on! Thanks in advance!
Osprey rates it up to 30lbs. As far as comfortability goes, that will depend on specific person, how you packed the weight, distance you're traveling, experience, etc. I've never specifically weighed it, but with water I probably carry 15-20lbs in it on a regular basis and it's still very comfortable to me.
I have used it multiple times as a bike backpack, although not a commuter pack. I think it really depends on what you plan to carry in the pack. If carrying a laptop, I'd probably get a separate padded laptop case before I put it in the pack as the backpack is not rigid, which is a good thing when hiking / biking if you ask me. It is a 34L bag so it can hold a ton of stuff. IMO, I usually find that it's slightly too big and I opt for my Osprey 18L pack when biking instead. But if you need to carry quite a bit of gear on your daily commute, I think the Manta would be a great bag to choose as your bike pack! Thanks for watching.
My dad's family lived just about 2 miles past cherokee elementary school off of cherokee rd. CLing Denton road is located near that big house where they host weddings and music events. Man i miss seeing them beautiful cherokee forest ridgelines that start over behindvetsu campus.
I grew up within a couple miles of where people park. Made this trip tons of times, taking both trails, walking the creek, and making my own trails. I've seen the bathtub in all of its forms, flooded, during drought, and perfect. Also, devils fork runs out at the cabin where you turn up to the parking area. Used to be the best swimming hole.
Your videos and commentary are outstanding; you’re very charismatic as well; the choice of music on your videos not so much; annoying at times, takes away from the beautiful scenery .
Thank you for the compliment! Haha I agree the music was a bit wild in this one. In my newer videos I try to keep it a little calmer and more appropriate for the scene. Thanks again for watching!
@@HikeSoloOutdoors maybe is just me lol I love your storytelling, I was just watching one of your newer videos, much better. I just found your channel, loving your adventures and taking notes. I was looking for videos of the Roans and that’s how I found you. Thank you for sharing .
@@HikeSoloOutdoors thank you ! Any short but pretty hikes in VA not too far from the roan that you’d recommend? I saw your devil’s bath tub video, we’re going in a couple weeks. I appreciate your help. Thank you 😊
@@SuperNovaRoxy any place in VA is going to be about 2 hours from Roan. But if you're up in VA you should check out Grayson Highlands state park. It's amazing. If you're into biking the VA Creeper Trail (section between Damascus and Whitetop) is a must do as well.
Really depends on how you want to make that happen. I've certainly tried multiple camera inserts in the Manta and haven't found one I like. They are either too tall and take up almost the whole bag space, or are too wide and heavy in the base of the bag throwing off the weight. The best option I've found is to carry a ZV1 or RX100 sized camera with a few accessories in a small case. I've never been able to comfortably wear the pack with a camera cube insert that could hold any amount of sony mirrorless gear. Not because the bag isn't big enough (it is), but because the cube inserts don't sit comfortably in the bag.
@@HikeSoloOutdoors Thanks for the info!!! I'll reconsider as I haven't ordered it yet. I have a full and medium frame DSLR, so the bag might not work the best from what you're saying. While I'm hiking, I'll most likely have one or both of my camera's out ready to shoot, so as long as I can comfortably carry at least one in the pack, I might still get it but I want to find a good insert to work before I buy anything. Got any suggestions on inserts for a Nikon D810 and/or D3100?
@@ncruncher722 I've tried both the Peak Design and Wandrd cubes. The Peak Design was too fat and I sent it back. The did keep both the large and small Wadrd cubes and they work in the Manta. The large takes up pretty much the whole bag, and the small can work decently but it will have to sit in the very bottom of the bag under the rest of your stuff, and it does make the bag a little wide if you have a full water bladder in the bag. I would say you can fit one full frame camera with a shorter lens attached, two other small lenses (or one lens and a small drone), and some accessories in the small. Or you can configure it to take a camera with a longer lens and maybe another small lens or two. I've seen a few dedicated hiking camera bags recently that I'd love to try, but they're all quite expensive. Maybe one of the companies will see this video and let me borrow a bag to review lol.
@@HikeSoloOutdoors I’d love to try an Atlas pack but yea, a little pricey. Thanks again for the info. I’ll let you know what I decide and if/how it works!
Just got mine recently from REI. The 1”waistband was a deal breaker until I figured out a simple non invasive home modification. Sewed a piece of 1” webbing to 2” webbing and got a 2” dual adjusting buckle. It is way more comfortable without that 1” strap digging in.
Cool solution! I don't want to void the warranty, so I'll probably avoid it. Honestly, I don't use the belt all that much since I only use it for day hikes , so no big deal.
The inability to transfer water from the Lifestraw is a dealbreaker for me. Quite happy with the BeFree .6L. With the low weight of the filter, I can simply bring whatever bottles and bladders I need for the specific hike, and load up however much water I need when I’m at a decent water source. I can easily filter a couple of liters in a minute or two. Thanks for the great review.
I carry the Katadyn system pretty much exclusively while hiking as well. They are so light and pack down so small it just makes sense. The lifestraw does have advantages though. I find it's rigid form better than the Katadyn for things like kayaking and anything else where you would put your bottle in a cup holder.
What about using one of those Lifestraw straws? You can fill up however amount of containers, and just dip the straw into it if it fits, or pour the water into a cup and suck it through the Lifestraw straw. I haven't used any of these products yet. Just doing the research. But I like the idea of the versatility of a straw. You can simply suck it out of the source, river, stream, etc....
I did not, but as long as you had a flashlight it would be no issue at all. The area going up to the dome from the parking lot is a gravel road with mowed grass on each side.
