Creating a second load shelf

[Nathan C]

Not everyone knows that this can be done. With training loads and meat especially, it is good to get the weight up high. 70% or more of the weight should be mid back to shoulder level.

Connect the bottom horizontal compression straps to each other, not to the Talon.



Tighten those straps.



This compresses the base of the Talon very tightly to the frame, which in effect will create a secondary higher load shelf. I do this for most training hikes with sandbags and it works great.




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[Rossi]

I have been using mine on training hikes with sandbags and was struggling to keep the weight where I wanted it using the talon. With the talon and no packbag, I struggled to get the compression straps tight enough, so I just abandoned the talon and only use the compression straps and load shelf. I'll have to try this method and see if it solves my problems.

I still like the way the pack carries weight, but I feel it could use maybe one more compression strap or at least multiple attachment points for the compression straps so you could compress a load with the compression straps and attach the talon independent of the compression straps.

[Nathan C]

Rossi, you can use the middle compression straps to do something similar that gets the load a bit higher.

Connect the middle straps together, then go under one corner and over the other.



Then compress with the Talon





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[alukban]

I actually carry some extra buckles and straps + tri glide buckles so I can attach more compression straps anywhere I want.

I also sewed on my own "top middle buckle" on the Talon because I have one of the original ones. I ran long straps tthrough the accessory buckles at the top of the pack that I can attach to that top buckle of the Talon and also attached buckles to their "tail ends" so I Can run them all the way down to the load shelf and thus have compression straps that run vertically if I wanted. I'll take a pic tonight

[Rossi]

I tried this method this weekend on a training hike with a 50# sandbag. It kept the bag up high very nicely and rode great.

I'm still going to mess around with adding some straps/buckles to be able to compress a load independent of the talon. I'll be interested in the pictures that alukban posts.

[kevin_t]

It's easy to add extra compression on the exposed parts of the frame. You can also run more than one buckle on a compression strap which I do sometimes. The system is very adaptable

[alukban]

I didn't do anything fancy - just put straps with buckles through the buckles at the top of the frame meant for the lid accessory.

In camp, the straps I added that hang off the top of the frame is perfect for hanging the pack off a small tree -> off the ground (wrap around tree and buckle).



Here's the pack empty.



All it does is give you vertical compression straps if you run it all the way down to the load shelf straps - lets you load higher if you use that trick that Nathan showed.

Here just some overnight gear packed from this weekend.



I put the Talon IN the pack when I don't have enough stuff to warrant its use on the outside as a compression panel. It always comes with anyway and is the permanent organization pouch for some quick access stuff: FAK, water filter + bladdder, spare pack parts, folding saw, snackies

[Rossi]

I like that idea. It allows for the use of the uppermost compression straps, but still gives vertical compression. I don't have a packbag yet, so I don't have the option of putting the talon in the bag, but I'll remember this when I get a bag.

[mule]

Nice tip, Thanks