by Lori Nichols

I have been caving about 7 years and have probably gone through about 20 packs. I have used backpacks, side packs, fanny packs, cave packs, pockets, dry sacks, seal bags, and who knows what else. I have tried double bag systems, varying colors, duct tape pockets, different strap configurations, and different straps. I have even tried to get my husband to carry everything so that I wouldn’t have to deal with the pack issue at all. As willing as my husband is to drag all of my stuff through a cave, I was still stuck with wanting a better pack.

Every caver knows the pack dilemma: something light, cheap, waterproof, durable, collapsible, pushable, pullable, mud-repellent, doesn’t catch on things, big enough but not too big, opens easily with a large mouth, closes easily and securely, hangs in a drop, comfortable to wear, easy to clean, easy to store, easily adjustable for wearing styles and different passages, comfortable to sit on, easy to hand off to a partner, etc. You get the idea. I have still not found the perfect pack. I have, however, come closer than I thought I would with the Swaygo pack.

The Swaygo pack is marketed to cavers, although I heard of a cyclist with one. It was intended to be simple: “no bells and whistles”, to be “versatile and functional” according to the Swaygo gear website. I first saw one when Doug Hynes got one and raved about it. It sounded good, but the price- $74 US for the small push (740 cu in), $84 US for the medium pit (950 cu in), and $94 US for the large sink (1200 cu in)-made me hesitate. Could I justify more money for yet another pack? Then Doug let me borrow his pack for a trip. Any hesitancy over my bank balance vanished after using the pack. I actually daydreamed about the pack. (Yes, I know, I need a life outside of caving.) I HAD to have a Swaygo.

Swaygo packs are polyurethane impregnated coated nylon in a tall bell shape developed and tested by cavers. The material is puncture and abrasion resistant. The polyurethane actually resists mud collection and doesn’t absorb any water. It is completely waterproof, so can be used as a floatation device or to haul water. The radio frequency welded seams minimize stitching. It is very light- all sizes are less than 2 pounds. The manufacturers are so sure of their product that there is a lifetime guarantee. Obviously, they don’t know how I go through cave packs. There is tuck and roll closure at the bottom of the pack. A buckle connects the sides to secure the closure and can be used as a handle. When the pack is on, it looks upside down with the opening at the bottom. Webbing straps are connected through a top grommet and to side holes by carabineers (not climbing grade). There is a choice of four side holes to customize the fit. The attachment holes on the sides could be used to clip a water bottle or map holder to the pack as well. The strap easily comes off for cleaning. The pack is very streamlined for easy wear. It lies long on the back. Because it is so streamlined, it can stay on the back through crawls. Pull the straps tight at the top of the pack and the pack is secure on the back. Or, with just a tug on one side of the strap, the pack will fall to the side and fit comfortably beside the body. Pull on both sides of the straps and the pack easily slips off. The pack will fit on the front comfortably as well. The pack is stiff enough that it can be pushed easily ahead, yet soft enough to roll up and fold over when needed. Pulling the top of the strap out tight provides a nice loop that fits over an ankle for dragging.

The website also suggests clipping the top biners to your coveralls zipper for more efficient dragging between the legs rather than on one ankle. In a dragging position, the rest of the straps are pulled tight on the pack so they don’t catch. This position is also a good configuration to clip to a harness in a drop. And is this thing comfortable! I kept thinking that I left my pack behind because I did not realize that I still had it on.

The pack is not without drawbacks. Because of the streamlined shape, the packing area is deep, making it hard to locate items. Reaching in with muddy gloves gets the insides, well, muddy. There are no inside or outside pockets for an easy to reach area. Currently, the pack comes only in black. This also makes it hard to locate things inside the pack. It is easy to lose sight of in a muddy environment. Swaygo is currently investigating how to get other colors. I hope Swaygo lives up to my daydreams. I’ll see if I can destroy it over the next few years. Check it out at www.swaygogear.com or order from Inner Mountain Outfitters at www.caves.org/imo.