Granite Gear Virga 26

[Aaron]

I’ve been looking for a 30ish liter pack for weekend trips and stumbled upon the GG Virga 26 this week. 1 pound, well padded (and comfortable) shoulder straps, roll top closure, stretch side and back pockets, and removable webbing belt. I’m pretty sure the 26 liters doesn’t include either the extension collar or pockets, as it swallows my gear without needing to use the collar. My guess is the entire package is more in the 30 liter range. Runs $120, but I picked it up locally on sale for $95.

In the first picture, I have an MLD cricket and innernet in the front pocket and all gear minus food and water in the pack itself.

 

[Kona]

Hey Aaron,

I too have been looking at a 30l pack and have ran across the virga 26.I was
wondering if on the inside there is a pocket to slide in an air beam suspension
pad?

I own a GG crown vc60 and absolutely love the way she performs.Knowing the virga
is just a smaller version of the vc60 I imagine it would be a very comfortable pack.

I can’t decide to go with the virga or a custom Zimmerbuilt Quickstep?

[Anonymous]

 

I’ve owned a Virga pack for 5 years and I’ve liked it. At shelters alot of thru hikers that haven’t seen frameless packs before have asked me about it. The only reason I would switch away from it for my light trips is if I shift to a inflatable pad.

The quickstep looks like a good bag. The biggest difference I see is deciding if you want a belt. I didn’t see one on the quickstep? This is a common thing for sub 20 lb packs. But personally in the 12-20 lb range with bulk of a tent I REQUIRE a belt personally. As I switch to a 4 oz CF tarp the belt might be less necessary. The belt on my REI summit packet is definately annoying as it’s never used, and often in the way of where the pack rest on my hips.

[Aaron]

“I was wondering if on the inside there is a pocket to slide in an air beam suspension pad?”

Kona,

There is no sleeve for on the Virga, only a hanger for a hydration bladder. I’m sure Zimmerbuilt would be able to accommodate you and modify a pack to your specifications. I’ve found that because the Virga is pretty much full, it has enough support for the load I’ll be carrying that I don’t need a pad in the back (your mileage may vary). I can however place a Gossamer Gear sitlight pad against the back and it stays in place once packed.

[Overshot]

For a pack of this capacity I have been using a HMG summit pack.  30L and pretty light.  Mine is woven dyneema and is extremely tough. I have the external pocket that mounts to the back and it has been plenty of capacity for 2 nights with my fall gear in the Catskills this fall. Great pack to throw in the mix

[Aaron]

Regarding the Summit Pack:

I tried one out, but just never found it comfortable. The uncomfortable shoulder straps and lack of side pockets ended up being dealbreakers. I also found the slick webbing to slip under load. The pack is quite durable, though.

[Kona]

Aaron,

Thanks for the update it is appreciated.Not having a sleeve is not a deal breaker for me as I know it would be a very comfortable pack.I’m sure you could put in the air beam the same way you do the gg sitlight pad.

I am probably going with a Zimmerbuilt, so I can cutomize as I need.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[David Chenault]

Aaron, could you measure the back length (center of shoulder straps to base of bag)?  It looks a nice pack but I’m worried it will be a bit short.

[Haiku]

I’m super curious about this as well.  I have the opposite problem of David and need a shorter pack.  I had emailed Granite Gear and the rep seemed to indicate what you thought Aaron, that it’s really bigger than 26L. She said if you put things in the outside pockets, especially that back middle one, it takes away from the interior volume.  Was wondering what would happen if I modded that to be looser so as not to eat away at the central volume.

Any chance you could post a gear list of what you got in there?

I really wish GG made a 40L Virga style pack. Really like the design, and the price is good.

[Anonymous]

“I really wish GG made a 40L Virga style pack”

Keep in mind the Virga has a bunch external straps that really add a lot of “carrying volume”. You can clip things into the Top, sides and (dorsal area) and you can tie things to the bottom. The pictures don’t show it, but at the top there’s an expandable section that roles out another ~20 inches of the main compartment.

It’s already enough volume to get you into serious trouble with weight. A 40 Liter Virga would really be ill advised unless you have shoulders like a pack mule. (Couple people on BPL qualify)

The only thing that I’ve found that doesn’t carry well in the Virga are bear canisters. The diameter just doesn’t work when I factor in the CCF pad rolled around it.

[Caledonia Heather]

Just as an FYI, there is a 28 liter kelty pack on mass drop. I Can’t find reviews anywhere, but the lowest price is 60, and it’s almost there already. For that price, I’m just going to grab it. Looks like it’s got some nice features, and could easily be trimmed of some weight  as it is not the lightest out of the box at 23 ounces. It comes in rolltop option or as a panel-loading pack.

http://www.massdrop.com/buy/kelty-ruckus-pack

[Aaron]

“Aaron, could you measure the back length (center of shoulder straps to base of bag)?”

Dave,

From the center of where the shoulder straps insert to the bottom seam of the backpanel is 18.5 inches. Hope that is helpful.

“Any chance you could post a gear list of what you got in there?”

Dawn,

In the pack, I have the following (roughly):

Feathered Friends Flicker 20 degree bag

Exped Synmat UL 7

Exped schnozzle bag as a dry bag, with clothing and toiletries/FAK inside (lightweight base layers, lightweight down jacket, beanie, rain gear)

Jetboil minimo

Some other odds/ends

Outside pocket has an MLD cricket and inner, stakes, and a windshirt.

I can easily fit the Cricket in the interior with room left over for food for 2-3 days. Over that, I’d probably have to get creative. You can strap stuff to the top and side as well.

 

[Haiku]

Craig, did you mean there’s another 20 inches on the Virga or the Virga 26 we’re talking about here.  I agree- the Virga/Virga 2 holds a massive amount of stuff.  That’s why I’m looking for something smaller.  I’m just worried the 26 is TOO small- not in terms of torso but ability to hold all my stuff (George Carlin is laughing somewhere…..)

[Haiku]

Awesome, thanks Aaron.

[Anonymous]

Dawn,

Awww, sorry. Thanks for the correction I own the Virga (1) Didn’t realize they shrank it down.

They show the overfill section in this video.

2 websites I found listed the virga 26 at 18-21 inch Torso.

 

 

[David Chenault]

Thanks Aaron.

[Author]

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