Wingnut gear packs

[paxton coyote]

anyone using the Hyper 2.5 or 3.0 to give a decent, honest review? Looking at getting a new pack but rather un-decided at this point, the Osprey's appeal to me quite a bit to, trying to narrow it down.

[sherpaxc]

I have both a 2.5 and 3.0.  For bikepacking I'd go with the 3.0.  I've been using one for 3 years now.  I also have an Osprey but the Wingnut is my go to pack.  More wing pockets that are easily accessible on the fly.  I like how it sits lower on the back.  The only thing Osprey has over Wingnut is the shoulder straps.  Other than that Wingnut wins out every time in my opinion. 

[bmike-vt]

i have the 3.0 picked up from a member here.
love it.
hikes / bikes / winter. all good.

[flatfishy]

Got an Osprey Talon 33, Talon 22, Wingnut Enduro and Wingnut 2.5
The Osprey's are good packs for walking but I find the piece between the shoulder straps rubs the back of my neck so for that reason I don't use it on the bike anymore, however the wife has a Talon 22 for bike commuting and says it's great.
The wingnut 2.5 I find is plenty big enough if I'm using my framebags, seat packs, etc but lacking on the water carrying front.
Living in the UK were blessed with too much water unlike the more arid area's like the basin so then the enduro would maybe win out or I'd use the 2.5 and extra water bottles.
My default on a day ride is the 2.5.

[Done]

I have a Wingnut Enduro, and it's one of the best pieces of gear that I own. I have a very long back, so most packs sit pretty high--which kills my shoulders and back. But the Wingnut sits really low, making it extremely comfortable. The attention to detail is amazing. Pockets are easy to access, the whistle buckle is a cool idea, everything is adjustable, etc. Built like a tank, but still nice and light. I think that the Hyper 2.5 and 3.0 share many of the same features and construction, so I don't think that you can go wrong with any of them.

[paxton coyote]

that was another concern, I'm 6' 5" & wondered if the harness system was long enough to keep the weight low, sounds like it is. I havn't used a pack for a couple years but am looking for something smaller than what I have for some overnighters, used my old Camelback Lobo the other day for 50 miles & instantly noticed the weight in the upper back/shoulders so was interested in getting the weight lower, I'm prone to maybe go with the 3.0, thanks for the info thus far!

[bmike-vt]

that was another concern, I'm 6' 5" & wondered if the harness system was long enough to keep the weight low, sounds like it is. I havn't used a pack for a couple years but am looking for something smaller than what I have for some overnighters, used my old Camelback Lobo the other day for 50 miles & instantly noticed the weight in the upper back/shoulders so was interested in getting the weight lower, I'm prone to maybe go with the 3.0, thanks for the info thus far!

i'm 5'8, and can say that i've got plenty of strap(s) left over.
i'd opt for the 3.0, its big, you can cinch it down tight, but when you need it - it is nice to have.

[flatfishy]

I'm 6' and I have about 5"of strap left over when in use so the 2.5 might work but the 3.0 i would have thought would have plenty left for you.

[Slim]

I have had one for a few years now.
Yes, if you want a low riding pack, the Wingnuts are as good as it gets, they can be set as low as you'd ever want, even for a tall person.
It is one of the lighter packs out there, compare its weight and size with other hydration/daypacks and it does very well.
It has been plenty durable for me.
The side pockets are super handy and easy to access.

[Damnitman]

...love my wingnuts...an assault and a splitback...they really shine in the winter.  Low profile enough they fit under my jacket.  Also greatly reduces the size of the sweat patches on my back...comparable in size to two dinner rolls vs a whole loaf of bread...sorry for the weak analogy...

[gdillon]

I own several wingnut packs:  assault, splitback, 2.5, and adventure.  Depending on what you want it for, you might be better off with the 3.0 because it will be more versatile.  However, I prefer the shorter packs (5'9", short torso) and also can't stand more than 10 lbs on my back for bicycling. 

I saw an ad for a square-ish bladder that camelbak is putting out.  It might work well with the 2.5.  Currently I use a 50 oz. bladder with my 2.5.

Happy shopping.

[donkey]

http://www.wildlandwarehouse.com/wwcatalog/Square_Water_Bladder_P6400.cfm?UserID=22218944&jsessionid=24306ee9096a0abe648f774c1b45951524dd

95oz bladder for you 2.5 owners......works great!

[DaveH]

I had a wingnut 2.5 and now use a talon 22.  The quality and *idea* behind the wingnut packs is great.  In actual use, if I put more than a couple pounds in it (for instance, a full 95 oz bladder) it hits me right in the kidney like the end of a football and causes enough pain to make we want to quit whatever it is I'm doing.  I gave the wingnut away...

[gdillon]

In actual use, if I put more than a couple pounds in it (for instance, a full 95 oz bladder) it hits me right in the kidney like the end of a football and causes enough pain to make we want to quit whatever it is I'm doing.  I gave the wingnut away...

Second that.  This summer for overnighters I put layers, toiletries, and a little food in my 2.5... no water, and that was fine.  For day rides the 50 oz. bladder and a jacket.  For the above reasons, I actually think the assault is the best pack they make.  You can run 2 50 oz. bladders and a hose to both sides, gatorade in one and water in another...

On the giving away, I would sell my adventure pack for a reasonable price, but maybe not give it away.  On the other hand, the 2.5 was given to me because it had a busted zipper.

[ballis13]

On the giving away, I would sell my adventure pack for a reasonable price, but maybe not give it away.  On the other hand, the 2.5 was given to me because it had a busted zipper.
[/quote]


How close to giving away are you talking?  I may be interested in it as long as it wasn't hot pink or something.

[bikewright]

Does anybody know wants going on with Wingnut? Looks like their site is not up.

[Done]

Does anybody know wants going on with Wingnut? Looks like their site is not up.

I just checked their domain, and it shows an expiration date of March 20, 2012. Could be that they just forgot to renew it. When I called their phone number, I got voice mail--which is pretty normal. I left them a message about their site, so hopefully they'll get it back up again. I love my Wingnut pack!

[bikewright]

Toby thanks for checking up. Please post if you here back.

[Done]

Toby thanks for checking up. Please post if you hear back.

Will do! I hope that everything is OK--Wingnut is a very innovative and fun company, and it would really suck if they are gone. But I'm going to remain optimistic that it's just a temporary domain glitch until I hear otherwise. Hopefully I'll get a call back shortly!

[Done]

Looks like their domain has been renewed and is now live (although it may take a few hours to propagate before everyone can hit it).