Articles (2020)

Overview

Firstlight Tent

Weighing in at 2 pounds 11.6 ounces (1.24 kilogram) for a complete setup, the Black Diamond Firstlight may be the lightest freestanding, two person, dome tent on the market. (It’s very close to 1 kilogram with aftermarket Fibraplex carbon fiber poles.) The Firstlight has all the stability in wind and under snow loading and ease of pitch that comes from a dome tent designed for "…climbers and mountain travelers." With its through-the-door pole insertion, pitch-from-inside strategy, one can get the Firstlight stable enough to get you and your gear inside in less than a minute – great for quickly getting out of that sudden thundershower. Its Epic fabric is lighter and more breathable than the PTFE laminated waterproof breathable fabrics (Gore-Tex or clones) used in most single walled shelters. We were pleased with virtually no condensation in the tent during subfreezing and damp weather on a spring ski trip to Yellowstone’s backcountry. An additional advantage of the silicone-impregnated Epic is that it absorbs very little water and dries quickly – much faster than uncoated fabrics.

For its weight, the Firstlight has a lot of floor area for a freestanding tent – 0.63 ft²/oz with supplied DCA FeatherLite poles (0.72 ft²/oz with Fibraplex carbon fiber poles). The almost vertical sidewalls and the 42 inch peak maximize usable space and make the tent seem larger than tents with similar floor areas but with sloping walls, tight corners and/or lower peak heights

While Epic is breathable, it is not as breathable as the uncoated nylon used for most double walled tents. Epic is not 100% waterproof. According to Black Diamond’s website, "EPIC by Nextec fabrics are highly water resistant. This means they resist penetration by water under all but the most extreme conditions." We agree with this and found the Firstlight water resistant enough for brief and heavy thundershowers. Under sustained heavy rain (five hours) some moisture penetrated the tent and we did get some condensation in the tent in cool and damp weather (much less than in a PTFE tent though). In our estimation, the amount was not enough to be a problem, and we’d gladly take the weight reduction of the Epic fabric over a heavier 100% waterproof alternative.

At 27.3 square feet of floor area, the Firstlight has an ‘alpine climbing fit’ as opposed to the ‘relaxed fit’ of lightweight trail tents which usually have about 3 to 5 square feet more of floor area. You’ll need to be comfortable sleeping close to your tent partner and stowing most of your gear outside the tent. The tent is luxurious for one person. It may be a bit trying for two people to weather a storm or heavy bug pressure in the tent. The optional vestibule may be a welcome relief for these situations, and also provides additional gear storage and a sheltered cooking area.

The 30 denier silnylon floor of the tent body is prone to abrasion and puncture on rough ground. Unless you are experienced at selecting campsites and keeping silnylon shelter floors free of punctures and abrasion, we recommend that you use Black Diamond’s optional fitted ground cloth or a lighter ground cloth of your own design (e.g. Tyvek, plastic sheeting, etc.).

Black Diamond Supplied Pole Set

The tent comes from Black Diamond with a DAC FeatherLite pole set that is approximately 2.1 ounces lighter than the standard Easton 7075 aluminum poles that many tents ship with (the Firstlight vestibule uses this pole set). The DAC FeatherLite poles were also the most durable pole set of the three we tested. The DAC FeatherLite pole set shaves weight by skipping aluminum ferrule inserts and using larger but thinner walled tubing. The FeatherLites are almost as stiff as Easton 7075 poles but their non-ferruled joints are prone to damage if not fully mated.

Fibraplex and Easton after market carbon fiber pole sets

We also reviewed two aftermarket carbon fiber poles for the Firstlight from Easton and Fibraplex. On a stiffness per weight basis the Fibraplex poles are the top performers of the three pole sets. The Fibraplex poles weigh almost half (6 ounces less!) the weight of the Black Diamond DAC FeatherLite pole set and are almost as stiff. The Easton carbon fiber poles are 1.8 ounces lighter than the Black Diamond supplied tent poles and just as stiff. If not used and stored with care, however, both the carbon fiber poles are more prone to damage than the DAC FeatherLite aluminum poles. The Fibraplex poles are the most delicate (different from strength or rigidity) of the three.

Specifications

• Tent type	Single wall, freestanding tent with floor
• Weight Full Package As supplied by manufacturer with stuff sacks, stakes, guylines, etc. (note: tent body, poles, guyline, 6 stakes, 2 stuff sacks)	Backpacking Light scale Manufacturer claim 3 lb 0.6 oz (1.38 kg) N/A (for tent body and poles: 2 lb 11 oz (1.20 kg) website, 2 lb 9 oz (1.16  kg) owner’s manual)
• Weight Minimum Package Includes tent body and fly, minimum necessary stakes and guylines, no stuff sacks or extra hardware.	Manufacturer supplied Backpacking Light 4 stakes, 0 ft guyline. Same as Manufacturer Minimum but with 0.25 ounce (7 g) titanium stakes and 0.004 oz/ft (0.37 g/m) Aircore 1 Spectra guylines. 4 stakes, 0 ft guyline. 2 lb 12.6 oz (1.26 kg) 2 lb 11.6 oz (1.24 kg) (Black Diamond supplied DAC FeatherLite poles) 2 lb 9.8 oz (1.18 kg) (with Easton carbon fiber poles) 2 lb 5.8 oz (1.07 kg) (with Fibraplex carbon fiber poles)
• Floor Area	Manufacturer claim/Backpacking Light verified ft2 (m2) Dimensions in (cm) 27.3 (2.5) 82 x 48 (208 x 123)
• Floor Area/Manufacturer Minimum Weight ratio	0.63 ft2/oz (2.1 m2/kg) with Black Diamond poles note: Floor Area/Backpacking Light Minimum Weight ratio with Fibraplex carbon fiber poles is 0.72 ft2/oz (2.37 m2/kg
• Vestibule Weight	1 lb 2.4 oz (0.52 kg) (vestibule, poles, 3 manufacturer supplied stakes)
• Vestibule area	adds 13 ft2 to tent floor area (48 x 42 x 42 in high)
• Optional Accessories	Vestibule, Fitted Ground Cloth, Attic Storage Loft, Pocket Pal Organizer, Soft Stakes
• MSRP	$299 tent, $129 Vestibule. Fibraplex carbon fiber pole set, $102. Depending on the model, Easton Carbon FX poles could add $30 – $40 to the price of the tent but are not available as a separately purchased item. (The Carbon FX poles will be available only on existing models through Sierra Designs, Integral Designs, Black Diamond, Outdoor Designs and possibly a few other tent manufacturers.)

Features

Ease of setup

With its through-the-door pole insertion, pitch-from-inside strategy, you can get the Black Diamond Firstlight stable enough to get you and your gear inside in less than a minute – great for quickly getting out of that sudden thundershower. There are no sleeves or clips to thread the poles through and only four stake out points. To pitch the tent, stake out the corners, assemble the shock-corded poles, and push them through the open front door of the tent. The pole ends fit into metal pockets in the reinforced tent corners. Lastly, wrap the attached Velcro strap around the crossing ‘X’ of the poles at the tent ceiling. Except in very strong winds this gives the tent enough stability that you can put your gear in the tent and get in. Anchor the poles to the tent body with eight additional Velcro straps along the inside corner seams of the tent.

Note: Make sure that the pole ends are in the rear reinforced corner pockets before applying pressure to bend the pole into place. It takes a fair amount of pressure to bend the pole and insert it into the final pocket at the front of the tent. I missed a rear pocket once and the pole end punched a small hole in the silnylon tent floor. The DAC FeatherLite poles’ joints are delicate and require care to make sure that all sections are properly mated. If sections are partially mated, you risk damaging the thin aluminum joints when you flex the pole into the tent body of the Firstlight.

The vestibule quickly attaches via two side-release buckles at the peak of the tent. The ends of the shock-corded Easton 7075 pole fit into brass grommets at the bottom of the vestibule, and attach to the inside of the vestibule by the same style Velcro straps as the tent. The vestibule pole ends then fit into grommets on nylon webbing attached to the front corners of the tent. If the tent’s front stake-out loops are already staked, you need to un-stake them, thread the tent’s stake-out loops through the vestibule’s lower stake-out loops and re-stake. Finally, stake out the front of the vestibule with a single stake. There are four additional tie out points to further stabilize the vestibule in strong winds.

The instructions for the vestibule are lacking important information, and some of the vestibule’s installation is far from obvious. For instance, the Velcro loop about half way up on the edge of the vestibule where it meets the tent body looks exactly like a pole attachment, but there is no obvious pole to attach it to. Actually, the Velcro loop overlaps an upper tie out loop on the tent body. You are supposed to attach the Velcro loop through the tent’s matching tie out loop. There’s a small nylon loop further up this edge that is not mentioned anywhere. Its purpose is to reduce flapping by better sealing the vestibule to the tent. It is staked out toward the rear of the tent. Also not mentioned in the instructions is this timesaver: leave the vestibule’s Velcro pole loops fastened and thread the pole through them.

We suspect that Black Diamond designed some of these peculiarities into the vestibule to allow it to be used on the similar Bibler I-Tent. In particular, Black Diamond says that the rear vestibule vent was designed to accommodate the I-Tent. As such, it has limited clearance at the top of the Firstlight’s tent body and constricts airflow. As a work around, one could design a simple spreader to increase the space between tent and vestibule to increase ventilation.

Note: We are not fans of the triangular ‘Y’ stakes that come with the Firstlight tent and vestibule. It is a mystery to us why so many manufacturers supply these stakes with their ultralight shelters. They are heavy, have poor penetration, and require a tremendous amount of force to place in all but the softest soils. Because they are so wide they do not steer well around rocks. The ends of the ‘Y’ stakes are small, sharp, and extremely uncomfortable to ‘palm.’ They are almost impossible to push in by hand and require that you bash them in using a rock or other heavy object. In comparison, a 0.25 ounce titanium wire skewer is half the weight, requires much less force to penetrate soil, and steers around rocks. The hooked end is comfortable in your palm while you push it in. We switched to titanium skewers at the earliest opportunity.

Usable Features / Options

Black Diamond Firstlight Tent Components	ounces	grams
Tent body: Epic fabric walls, 30d silnylon floor	29.6	838
Poles: DAC FeatherLite 7075 aluminum	13.1	370
6 Stakes: triangular aluminum 0.5 oz (14 g) each	3.0	84
Cord: 0.125 inch (3 mm) diameter nylon	1.4	41
Body Stuff Sack: silnylon with drawcord & cordlock	1.0	29
Pole Stuff Sack: silnylon with drawcord & cordlock	0.6	16
As Shipped Total	48.6	1,378

Black Diamond Firstlight Vestibule Components	ounces	grams
Vestibule Body: 30d silnylon Fabric	10.5	297
Pole: DAC FeatherLite 7075 aluminum	5.8	165
3 Stakes: triangular aluminum 0.5 oz (14 g) each	1.5	42
Stuff Sack: silnylon with drawcord & cordlock	0.7	19
As Shipped Total	18.4	523

Optional aftermarket carbon fiber pole sets	ounces	grams
Easton Carbon Fiber Poles with aluminum ferrules	11.2	318
Fibraplex poles with carbon fiber ferrules	7.2	204

The tent canopy fabric is Epic (see more on Epic in the Storm Protection Section below) and the bathtub tent floor fabric is 30 denier silicone-impregnated nylon. The corner pockets are heavy Cordura with a tough plastic coating with steel cups for the pole ends. The large arched front door covers most of the front panel of the tent. It zips down to the ground for easy entrance and exit. The outside panel of the door is Epic and the inside panel is no-see-um mesh. The Epic and no-see-um mesh have their own zippers and can be independently adjusted. The Epic and no-see-um mesh door panels independently roll up and can be stowed using ties with adjustable cord-locks. There is a no-see-um mesh-only option for increased ventilation and views while maintaining bug protection. There is a small rear window with a fixed non-see-um mesh panel and a zippered Epic panel to control ventilation and storm protection. Small wire-stiffened eyebrows protect the upper portion of the front door and rear window from rain while allowing some cross ventilation and providing minimal views.

There are two small mesh pockets for storage of small items. They are located near the floor in diagonally opposed tent corners. Four small ceiling loops are points of attachment for an optional attic storage loft. The loft is not a bad idea given the limited floor storage area with two people in the tent. It will reduce vertical room to sit up in the tent, though.

The 30 denier silicone-impregnated nylon vestibule has a single side door with no mesh backing. The vestibule adds 13 square feet of storage area. It has two wire-stiffened eyebrow vents, one to allow venting of the vestibule door in rainy/windy conditions and another one at the peak of the vestibule where it attaches to the top of the tent. Although we seriously doubt that Black Diamond would openly suggest cooking inside the vestibule, these vents are probably there to vent moisture and gases produced by cooking.

Black Diamond offers the following optional accessories: vestibule, fitted ground cloth, attic storage loft, pocket pal organizer, and soft stakes. The only accessory discussed in this review is the vestibule.

Weight / Sizing

Note: Our rating is based on 1) a combination of total weight for a two person freestanding tent and 2) the usable area in proportion to tent weight. Only the tent’s tight quarters kept it from receiving the highest rating.

At approximately 1 pound 6 ounces per person, the Black Diamond Firstlight may be the lightest freestanding two person tent on the market (it’s under 1 pound 3 ounces per person with Fibraplex carbon fiber poles). It is about 1.5 pounds lighter than Sierra Design’s Lightning Tent. In fact, the Firstlight approaches per person weights of floorless, non-freestanding shelters. The GoLite Hex is 1 pound 4 ounce per person with one 7-ounce trekking pole, a pole extender and eleven titanium stakes.

For its weight, the Firstlight has a lot of floor area for a freestanding tent – 0.63 ft²/oz (0.72 ft²/oz with Fibraplex carbon fiber poles). The Firstlight has an ‘alpine climbing fit’ as opposed to the ‘relaxed fit’ of trail tents which usually have about 3 to 5 square feet more floor area. Black Diamond thinks it’s designed for "… climbers and mountain travelers." At 27.3 square feet, the Firstlight is cozy for two. We found that it had adequate room for a multiple night trip with two dudes who didn’t want to get ‘all that close.’ Sleeping head to foot helped. For one person, the tent is spacious and has plenty of room for gear storage. For two, you’ll need to be comfortable sleeping close to your tent partner and hope that you can tolerate some thrashing or snoring. The almost vertical walls do maximize usable space in the tent making it seem larger than tents with similar floor areas but with sloping walls. The 42 inch peak of the tent is adequate to sit up and stretch. If you are sharing the tent, some gear will need to go outside. The optional vestibule might be a good choice to store gear and cook in if you expect extended inclement conditions.

Flexibility of Pitching

The Black Diamond Firstlight is a one-pitch tent. The only variation is to attach four additional guylines at the pullout loops halfway up from the corners. This adds stability in strong winds, helps the tent from breaking loose in snow and soft ground, and adds some strength to resist snow loading. The vestibule can be considered a pitching variation. It adds some additional structural stability as well as sheltering the front door from rain and wind and providing additional storage space and a sheltered cooking area. There are four additional tie out points, two on either side of the vestibule to increase its stability.

Usable Space

The almost vertical sidewalls on the Firstlight maximize usable space in the tent. The tent is rectangular so there are no narrow comers of useless space. The 42 inch peak is fairly generous for a tent of this weight and there’s room to sit up in it. The vertical walls and high peak create more usable area and make the Firstlight seem larger than tents with similar floor areas but with sloping walls and/or lower peak heights. The vestibule adds 13 square feet of area. This is quite useful for two people if you will be tent bound for a while in lousy weather.

Usable Vestibule/Porch

The Firstlight’s vestibule adds 13 square feet of area. As mentioned above, the tent is cozy for two and would not be our first choice to cheerfully wait out a long storm. The small eyebrow covering the front door does not provide protection for entering and exiting the tent in rain. With two people in the rain, the vestibule is almost a must for additional gear storage, cooking and keeping the tent dry when entering and exiting. Things can get a bit tight to hold extra gear, cooking supplies and still leave enough room for entrance and exit. It can be managed with a bit of creativity. The vestibule is set-up for cooking with two peak vents to dissipate combustion gasses and the additional humidity of cooking. As noted before, the rear vestibule vent was designed to also accommodate the Bibler I-Tent. As such, it has limited clearance with the top of the Firstlight’s tent body and constricts airflow. As a work around, one could design a simple spreader to increase the space between tent and vestibule to increase ventilation.

Performance

Stability

The Firstlight easily pitches into a taut shelter. It was extremely quiet and remained taut when subjected to strong winds and 40+ mph gusts on an exposed frozen lakebed at 10,000 feet. Our only gripe is that the large and vertical sidewalls deflected somewhat in strong crosswinds. To mitigate sidewall deflections (and improve tent ventilation), try to pitch the tent with the back end facing into the wind. The side walls bounce back easily and are only a problem with two people and condensation on the tent walls, in which case a wet wall might touch a down bag. It is not a problem for solo use where there is plenty of room to keep your sleeping bag well away from the sidewalls. Using the tent’s four additional tie outs will add tension to the side panels and reduce deflection but won’t completely eliminate side deflection in strong winds. Adding a tie out point in the center of each sidewall would solve this problem. With two, side tie outs there would be less need to use the four additional corner tie outs. Most of the time, one could get by with staking out the four bottom corners and just the two side tie outs.

Pole Performance

In our estimation all the pole sets tested provided adequate rigidity and stability for the Firstlight. The Fibraplex pole set is slightly less rigid than the Black Diamond-supplied FeatherLite pole set and the Easton carbon fiber pole set. Nonetheless, on a stiffness per weight basis the lighter Fibraplex poles significantly outperform both the FeatherLite and Easton carbon fiber poles. The Black Diamond supplied FeatherLite pole set was the most durable of the lot and the Fibraplex poles the least durable. Note that durability is not the same as strength and rigidity.

Black Diamond Supplied Pole Set

The tent comes from Black Diamond with a DAC FeatherLite pole set that is approximately 2.1 ounces lighter than the standard Easton 7075 aluminum poles that many tents ship with (e.g. the Firstlight vestibule uses this pole set). They were also the most durable pole set of the three we tested. The DAC FeatherLite pole set shaves weight by skipping aluminum ferrule inserts and using larger diameter (approximately 8.9 millimeter versus 8.6 millimeter) but thinner walled tubing (approximately 0.6 millimeter versus 0.7 millimeter). The FeatherLites are almost as stiff as the Easton 7075 poles but their non-ferruled joints are prone to damage if not fully mated. On a stiffness to weight basis the DAC FeatherLite poles slightly out perform a comparable Easton 7075 aluminum pole set. Note: the uncapped ends of the DAC FeatherLite poles were the most likely to damage the tent floor if one missed the reinforced pole pockets.

Fibraplex and Easton after market pole sets

The Fibraplex poles weigh almost half (6 ounces less) the weight of the Black Diamond DAC FeatherLite pole set and are almost as stiff. On a stiffness per weight basis the Fibraplex poles are the top performers of the three pole sets. The Easton carbon fiber poles are 1.8 ounce lighter than the Black Diamond supplied tent poles and just as stiff. Both the carbon fiber poles are more prone to damage than the DAC FeatherLite aluminum poles. This is especially true with the smaller diameter, thinner walled, and carbon fiber ferruled Fibraplex poles. Note: many Firstlight and Bibler I-Tent owners use the Fibraplex poles with success if they handle the poles with care making sure that they don’t step on the poles, bash sharp objects into them, scrape or nick them, and carefully mate sections before flexing the poles into place.

Pole Performance	Weight grams	Diameter mm	Wall thickness mm	Percent Deflection	Deflection/Weight*
Fibraplex poles with carbon fiber ferrules	204	7.5	NA	10.60%	1.9
Easton carbon fiber poles with aluminum ferrules	318	8.9	NA	8.30%	3.8
DAC FeatherLite 7075 aluminum poles	370	8.9	0.60	8.30%	4.5
Easton 7075 (estimated weight of tent length poles)	430	8.6	0.70	8.70%	4.9
*Lower numbers = higher performance

Storm Protection

The Firstlight performs well in snow. The slick silicone-impregnated Epic fabric easily sheds snow, reduces snow loading, and improves ventilation through the tent walls. We used the tent on a four-day spring ski tour in Yellowstone’s backcountry. In two days of wet snow the tent stayed dry and condensation free. For one person, the shelter is comfortable to wait out a storm with all his or her gear (though without a vestibule there is no place to cook). During precipitation, visibility is limited to the upper portions of the front door and rear vent that are protected by wire-stiffened eyebrows. Fortunately the tent fabric is a cheerful yellow and transmits a lot of light. The front door of the tent slopes outwards and the eyebrow only shelters the very top of the front door for ventilation. Without the vestibule you’ll get rain and snow in the tent when you enter and leave. For very rainy and/or snowy conditions, some door cover, a tarp, or the Black Diamond vestibule would be a good idea. Finally, as mentioned before, the tent is cozy for two and would not be our first choice to cheerfully wait out a long storm. In this case the vestibule is almost a must for additional gear storage, cooking and keeping the tent dry when entering and exiting.

In warmer conditions, the tent did not leak in brief (15 to 30 minute) and hard thunderstorms. The tent is not seam sealed, but comes with a user sealing kit (seam sealant and an irrigation syringe). In five hours of sustained and heavy rain we experienced minimal leakage in the tent. We aren’t fans of seam sealing and didn’t do so on the Firstlight. Water seeping through the ceiling and walls was the major contributor to moisture in the tent. We noticed that the Epic fabric had water bleed-through, especially in places where something was in contact with the tent wall, like a sleeping pad or a person’s back. Rule number one: do not let things touch the tent wall in rain. Also note here the need to stabilize the sidewalls so that they don’t blow in and wet people or tent contents.

The amount of water in the tent, even in heavy and sustained rain, was not a cause for concern. This seems to be in keeping with Black Diamond’s expectation of the tent. From Back Diamond’s website: "EPIC by Nextec fabrics are highly water resistant. This means they resist penetration by water under all but the most extreme conditions." We agree with this and feel that the Firstlight is water resistant enough to use in all but the worst conditions.

One gripe is that the wire reinforced ‘eyebrow’ that shelters the tent’s front door had a tendency to flip upside down and shed snow and/or water into the tent. With care we learned not to bump into the eyebrow. Because the door of the tent slopes outwards, the eyebrow only shelters the very top of the front door for ventilation. Without the vestibule you’ll get rain and snow in the tent when you enter and leave.

Note: Epic fabric is lighter and more breathable than the PTFE-laminated waterproof breathable fabrics (Gore-Tex or clones) used in most single walled shelters. Epic is not 100% waterproof. It is considerably more water resistant but less breathable than the uncoated microfiber fabrics used in the body of most double walled tents. Epic depends on silicone encapsulation of each fiber to repel water and to close spaces between fibers. After encapsulation, the Epic fabric is extremely wind and water resistant (not proof!) – water resistant to 4 lb/in². The water resistance is a permanent feature of the Epic fabric and can’t be washed out like a durable water-resistant finish (DWR) used on most fabrics. Epic is good for light rain, heavily condensing shelters and wet snow. Think of it as a little less waterproof but more breathable than a standard waterproof breathable fabric. We’ve had great success using softshell jackets that use Epic fabric.

An additional advantage of the silicone-impregnated Epic is that it absorbs very little water and dries quickly – much faster than uncoated fabrics. To keep the Epic fabric at its most water resistant, make sure that you keep it clean and free of chemicals that could foul its water resistance.

Ventilation/Condensation Resistance

Our breathability rating is for a single walled, floored, tent. The Epic fabric on the Firstlight is more breathable than the PTFE-laminated waterproof breathable fabrics used in most single walled shelters. Pitching the rear of the tent into the wind and leaving a vent open at both the rear window and top of the front door creates cross-ventilation that helps reduce condensation. In a four-day spring ski trip with 15 °F lows and two days of wet snow we had virtually no condensation in the tent. This included getting into the tent while very, very damp after hiking in wet snow all day. In comparison, four other ventilated silnylon fabric shelters on the trip suffered significant condensation. In dry conditions we had little condensation in the tent. The only time we experienced significant condensation in the tent was in cool, damp, rainy conditions, with little wind to cross-ventilate the tent. We assume that the wetted tent walls do not breathe as well as dry ones and that the added humidity added to the condensation potential. We were able to keep the condensation under control with a 0.3-ounce shop towel.

Insect Protection

The large mosquito-netted front door and small rear window provide adequate ventilation and bug protection in dry weather. Again, pitching the rear of the tent into the wind is a help for cross-ventilation. With both bugs and rain, one could get frustrated with minimal ventilation, limited views and cramped space. The vestibule will mitigate many of these inconveniences. It will allow the front door to be mostly open no-see-um mesh during precipitation. Because of its cozy quarters and limited visibility, it is not all that pleasant to wait out bugs, especially in rain. The tent is plenty bug proof.

Durability Field Observations

The tent has a delicate floor. The Epic body of the Firstlight is sufficiently strong to withstand normal tent use. Seams and tie outs use appropriately durable construction techniques and reinforcements. The reinforced corner pockets that the poles insert into are bombproof. The silnylon fabric on the vestibule is not subject to much stress and is adequately durable for its application. The only area of concern is the 30 denier silnylon floor of the tent body. On rough ground it is prone to abrasion and puncture. Unless you are experienced with keeping silnylon shelter floors free of punctures and abrasion, we recommend that you use Black Diamond’s optional fitted ground cloth or a lighter ground cloth of your own design (e.g. Tyvek, plastic sheeting, etc.). As noted above, we misinserted a tent pole into a pocket and punctured the tent floor. This is particularly troublesome since it’s attaches to a $300 tent. Note: we easily patched the hole with a small piece of silnylon and some SilNet silicone seam sealing adhesive.

Value

At $299 Black Diamond’s Firstlight is far from inexpensive for a two-person shelter. Add another $100 or so for an aftermarket carbon fiber pole set and $129 for the optional vestibule. The only reason for our high value grade is the level of performance of the Firstlight. We know of few freestanding shelters than can match its combination of stability in strong winds and snow loading, ease of pitch, and ridiculously low weight of 2 pounds 11.6 ounces. In our estimation it is a three-plus to light duty four-season shelter. With aftermarket carbon fiber poles the tent approaches 1 kilogram for a complete setup.

Final Thoughts

Tips and Tricks

Make sure that the pole ends are in the rear reinforced corner pockets before applying pressure to bend the pole into place. It takes a fair amount of pressure to bend the pole into place and insert it into the final pocket at the front of the tent. Black Diamond recommends putting a finger over the pole end near the doorway while sliding it over to the reinforced corner pocket.

The DAC FeatherLite poles joints are delicate and require care. Make sure that all joints are fully mated. If joints are partially mated, you risk damaging the thin aluminum joints when you flex the pole into the tent body.

The near vertical side walls deflect in cross winds. Make sure that you pitch the tent with its rear into the wind. Use the four additional ties out points halfway up the tent walls for additional holding power for the tent and to stabilize the side walls in cross winds.

To reduce moisture in the tent, shake all snow and water off the front door before opening. To keep the Epic fabric at its most water resistant make sure that you keep it clean and free of chemicals that could foul its water resistance.

Recommendations for Improvement

Although alternate fabrics may be heavier, Black Diamond might consider adding some durability to the tent floor. We do understand their approach of minimal floor weight and adding a ground cloth when pitching the tent on unfriendly ground. This is fine for experienced tenters. Nonetheless, we feel that owners who are less experienced with delicate tent floors may be frustrated with a punctured floor on a $300 tent.

In addition, the sharp ends of the tent poles can puncture the floor if you aren’t careful. Black Diamond might consider capping the pole ends to reduce the possibility of puncturing the tent floor.

Adding side tie outs to the middle of the side walls will decrease deflection of wet tent walls and subsequent wetting of tent inhabitants and down sleeping bags.

The wire reinforced ‘eyebrow’ that shelters the tent’s front door had a tendency to flip upside down when bumped and shed snow and/or water into the tent. We suggest stabilizing it.

The vestibule is too close to the tent body and constricts ventilation of the vestibule’s rear vent. Black Diamond should consider designing the vestibule with more tent clearance to not constrict airflow through this vent. (In the interim, users can design a spreader to increase ventilation.)

The instructions for both tent and vestibule are written in general terms to cover a number of similar products and therefore lack important information on features, setup, and tips and discuss features not on the Firstlight or its vestibule. The instructions could be improved dramatically with more pictures and a complete discussion of all features of the Firstlight leaving out features of other tents. We spent a lot of time on the phone with Black Diamond figuring this stuff out and have tried to convey most of this information in our review.

We’d like to see an integrated stuff/storage system for tent/vestibule bodies and associated poles and stakes.

Finally, Black Diamond may want to investigate lighter versions of eVENT fabrics which are 100% waterproof and more breathable than Epic. This will likely add weight and cost to the tent.

Overview

The GoLite Trig 2 is a non-freestanding single wall shelter that requires two trekking poles for setup. It features a unique ventilation system where vent flaps (two large side and one small rear) can be zipped open and rolled up, exposing large mesh panels. While this system creates excellent ventilation in fair weather, it also allows rain to directly enter the tent, requiring that the flaps be rolled down in stormy or variable conditions.

At 3 pounds 5.1 ounces (1.51 kilogram), the Trig 2 is a lightweight tent. However, much of its 33 square feet of area is not usable living space due to the tent’s steeply sloping walls. The GoLite’s interior space is further minimized because the width decreases from front to back by more than half. If two campers are in the tent, their legs and feet will be touching towards the back of the tent. GoLite intends the Trig 2 for two people. It is quite comfortable for one person but is undersized for two people.

Specifications

• Tent type	Single wall with floor
• Fabric Description	Component Description Canopy 30d 1.76 oz/yd2 (60 g/m2) silicone-impregnated ripstop nylon – tear strength of 9.5 lb (4.3 kg) Floor 70d 2.2 oz/yd2 (75 g/m2) 3000 mm polyurethane coated nylon taffeta Door and vents 20d woven no-see-um nylon mesh
• Weight Full Package As supplied by manufacturer with stuff sacks, stakes, guylines, etc.	Backpacking Light scale Manufacturer claim 3 lb 5.1 oz (1.51 kg) 3 lb 5 oz (1.50 kg)
• Weight Minimum Package Includes tent body and fly, minimum necessary stakes and guylines, no stuff sacks or extra hardware.	Manufacturer supplied Backpacking Light 6 stakes, 10 ft (3 m) guyline. Same as Manufacturer Minimum but with 0.25 oz (7 g) titanium stakes and 0.004 oz/ft (0.37 g/m) Aircore 1 Spectra guylines. 6 stakes, 10 ft (3 m) guyline. 3 lb 0.7 oz (1.38 kg) 2 lb 14.2 oz (1.31 kg)
• Floor Area	33 ft2 (3.07 m2)
• Floor Area/Backpacking Light Minimum weight ratio	0.71 ft2/oz (2.3 m2/kg)
• Vestibule area	13 ft2 (1.21 m2)
• Dimensions	inches centimeters Width 75/35 tapered 191/89 Length 84 213 Height 48 122
• MSRP	$199

Features

Ease of setup

The GoLite Trig 2 is set up with two trekking poles. After staking out the four corners, a trekking pole is extended to approximately 48 inches and inserted into a pocket at the front tent apex. The front is secured with a single stake as well as a guyline attached to the apex. (We found that one stake was sufficient to secure both front attachments but for additional strength two can be used.) Once the front is secure, a guyline that extends from the rear apex is looped around a trekking pole that is set up outside the rear of the tent and staked directly behind the Trig, much like a tarp.

While this initial set-up is quite simple and straightforward, securing the vent flaps and additional attachment points requires more time (and often more stakes). For dry or warm weather, a short zipper at each corner releases the vent flaps which are then secured in the open position with five clips at each side and three in the rear (13 total), creating a much more airy tent.

For conditions that are warm and wet, you’ll want to engage the lower stake out points of the vent flaps to separate them from the mesh inner panels. This requires additional tensioning adjustments and up to seven additional stakes, but opens up additional space between the vent flaps and the mesh panels, allowing for greater ventilation.

During cold or dry conditions, the vent flaps can be staked out at the same points as the tent, sealing off rear and side ventilation in the tent. In this simplest configuration, the Trig 2 goes up in a matter of minutes. Its cantenary ridgeline helps to achieve a taut pitch without excessive stake tension. The Trig 2 can be set up with sticks, two aluminum poles (not included), or tied to a tree, although this was not attempted in our testing.

We do not like the triangular ‘Y’ stakes that come with the GoLite Trig. They are heavy, have poor penetration, and require a tremendous amount of force to place in all but the softest soils. Because they are so wide they do not steer well around rocks. The ends of the ‘Y’ stakes are small, sharp and extremely uncomfortable to ‘palm.’ They are almost impossible to push in by hand and require that you bash them in using a rock or other heavy object. In comparison, a 0.25 ounce titanium wire skewer is half the weight, requires much less force to penetrate soil, and steers around rocks. The hooked end is comfortable in your palm while you push it in. While using this tent, we switched to titanium skewers at the earliest opportunity.

Usable Features / Options

The GoLite Trig 2 features 11 inch high mesh panels that run the perimeter of the tent as well as vent flaps that completely cover the mesh panels during storm conditions. The single door is mesh and is protected by a triangular vestibule. While the mesh panels allow for excellent ventilation, they lean in towards the center of the tent exposing the interior to rain. This limits their use during stormy nights or rainy conditions.

The 13 square foot vestibule has sufficient space for two packs and gear (or one dog) but its use is limited because the entrance to the tent takes up about half of its usable space.

The Trig 2 includes two mesh cargo pockets at the front and comes with two lightweight silnylon stuff sacks for the tent and stakes. 12 stakes are included with the tent.

The tent comes with attached Kelty Triptease guylines at the front and rear apexes that are each 160 inches long. We are confused by the excessively long guylines but they may be intended for attachment to trees or other natural anchors. We cut the guylines to a more reasonable length and kept the extra for backup.

Weight / Sizing

At 33 square feet and with steeply slanted walls the GoLite Trig 2 is rather cramped for two people. While it is wide enough towards the front of the tent, it tapers at the feet crowding the users. At 3 pounds 5.1 ounces the Trig 2 is lightweight but including the trekking poles brings the weight to nearly 4 pounds.

While the GoLite’s space to weight ratio of 0.53 ft²/oz is respectable, this ratio is lower than other tents with more headroom and usable space such as the MSR Missing Link (0.58) or a freestanding design (Black Diamond FirstLight 0.61). Further, this space to weight ratio was doubled by the Six Moon Designs Europa 2 (1.06).

Flexibility of Pitching

Unlike a floorless shelter, the Trig 2 sets up only one way. It has a relatively small footprint and can be pitched on a smaller space than many two-person shelters. It is not a freestanding design and requires trekking poles and stakes for set-up.

Usable Space

The GoLite Trig 2 uses trekking poles at both ends creating triangular end walls. Its roofline drops toward the rear in a slight cantenary angle and the tent width tapers from 75 to 35 inches. While the tent is comfortable at the front, the width at the rear requires that the end of campers’ bags be touching. Further, the steeply sloping sidewalls make it difficult to move around without coming into contact with the tent walls (a problem during nights of heavy condensation). There is only room for one person to sit up in the Trig 2. Of the 33 square feet of space, we would consider approximately 26 square feet to be "usable living space". This tent is comfortable for one person but rather cramped for two. (Note: score was based on tent being used by two people.)

Usable Vestibule/Porch

The GoLite Trig 2 has a fully covered triangular vestibule. It is sufficiently large to hold two packs and other gear. Because the entryway is also through the vestibule, approximately half of the 13 square feet is unusable, but this is still sufficient for storage for two people as well as shoe removal, cooking, etc.

Performance

Stability

The low profile and cantenary-cut ridgeline make the GoLite Trig 2 an excellent tent in the wind. Its sides slope steeply to the ground and allow wind to easily spill over the tent. During one windy night (approximately 35 mph gusts) above the treeline, the GoLite Trig 2 remained taut and we experienced no blow over or pulled stakes. The GoLite tent does not have additional guy-outs for high winds but we would be comfortable taking the Trig 2 into all but the windiest conditions.

Much of the Trig 2’s performance in high winds is due to its cantenary cut ridgeline. This design element helps achieve a taut ridgeline while exerting less pressure on the stakes than a straight cut ridgeline would.

Storm Protection

With the vent flaps zipped down and the tent secured with stakes and zippers, the GoLite Trig 2 is a good performer in the rain. The door zipper is protected with a flap, the SilLite silicone nylon sheds water easily, and the raised sides of the floor keep water from entering the tent. While the seams are not taped (which is impossible with silicone fabrics), you can seal them yourself. We did not experience leaking at the seams, despite leaving the tent up for weeks in Washington rainstorms and experiencing downpours in the field. However, not all is perfect with the Trig 2 in a downpour as the small quarters make it a less than ideal place to wait out a rainstorm.

Further, if the flaps are left rolled up the exposed outward sloping mesh panels allow rain to fall straight onto the tent floor. During one trip, we pitched the tent, left up the flaps and went for a walk. About 20 minutes into the walk, the weather changed, and it started to rain. By the time we got back to the tent, water was pooled up around our sleeping bags and we had a difficult time draining the water over the slight bathtub floor lips. Although mistakes like this are certainly avoidable, the exposed mesh forces the tent user to have the panels rolled down during any variable conditions, limiting the ventilation and condensation resistance qualities of the tent. Many other manufacturers such as Tarptent, Kelty, Six Moon Designs, Mountain Hardware, and Eureka have similar mesh panels that either lean away from the tent or have integrated flaps that prevent accidents such as these while still allowing ventilation. To be fair, after practice, we were able to roll the flaps down and be back in the tent in less than a minute which would minimize exposure if a rainstorm came up suddenly while you were inside the tent.

Ventilation/Condensation Resistance

With the vent flaps rolled up and the door open, ventilation is excellent. A large amount of mesh makes this one of the most airy single wall tents in this configuration. However, achieving decent ventilation with the panels down requires the use of additional stakes or guylines to separate the vent flaps from the mesh side panels. Even with this separation, ventilation is greatly diminished. Without the extra stakes or guylines, the silicone nylon flaps lay flat against the mesh panels, making the door the only area for possible ventilation.

We experienced significant condensation during a few rainy Washington nights when we had to leave the vent flaps down because we were not carrying additional stakes for the flaps (we were carrying the minimum six stakes at the time). This became problematic because of the relatively small usable space of the Trig 2.

Overall, the GoLite Trig 2 provides a variety of ventilation options that exceeds most single wall tents. When the flaps can be left open, the Trig 2 is one of the best ventilators around.

Insect Protection

The Trig 2 features mesh panels that surround the shelter, making this a good place to escape heavy insect pressure. While lying down, you are able to look out the side panels for a wide view and the large mesh door provides further views. We wished, though, that GoLite had made it possible to open the door all the way, allowing for full views through the large triangular doorway. Because of the apex guyline, all that would need to be added to open the door all the way is a single toggle or Velcro strap.

Because of its small usable space, the GoLite Trig is not our first choice for hiding from mosquitoes with a non-intimate hiking partner.

Durability Field Observations

The GoLite Trig 2 has a 2.2 oz/yd² polyurethane coated nylon floor and 1.76 oz/yd² silnylon body that is heavier than what many other manufacturers use. These heavier fabrics, while adding to the shelter’s weight, add significant durability to the tent. Midsize and proven YKK #5 zippers are used throughout the tent. High abrasion junctions such as zipper flaps and stake out points are all reinforced. Flat-felled seams add additional strength and water repellency. We used the Trig 2 in a variety of settings and pitched it directly onto rocks, gravel, and forest debris with no visible wear. The Trig 2 is a durable tent that should last many seasons.

While a reflective strip added to stake-out points was a nice touch, it was peeling significantly by the end of the testing session.

Value

At $200, the GoLite Trig 2 provides many features for a reasonable price. It offers good ventilation options and excellent stability in a lightweight package. However, it is undersized for two people and its ventilation is limited in variable weather. Further, if you are not a trekking pole user, the cost of trekking poles (approximately $75-$125) for aftermarket poles must be included in the price of the tent.

Final Thoughts

Recommendations for Improvement

We recommend making the Trig 2 more comfortable for two people by increasing its footprint and possibly using a hoop at the rear of the tent (increasing its usable space with near-vertical sidewalls).

While we like the mesh air flow panel system, it could be made more flexible by angling the mesh panels away from the tent, if possible.

We also recommend creating a larger usable door, perhaps by having two separate zippers that come together at the front corner.

Overview

The Six Moon Designs Europa 2 is a 2 pound (0.9 kilogram) silnylon, single-wall tent for two people. It is in the running for the roomiest and lightest two-person tent on the market. While it has some similarities to other single wall tents from GoLite, Tarptent, and Dancing Light Gear, it offers a unique and effective package. The combination of a rear hoop, front trekking pole support, and large floor area creates a large and comfortable living area for two people. The Europa 2 ventilates well with its mesh front door, rear mesh panel, and large side vents. It has some of the best ventilation and condensation management we’ve seen in a single wall tent. For storm protection, the covered vents and cantilevered front door with awning kept us dry in all but the most wind-driven rain, when we had some rain enter the front corners. The optional vestibule provides extra rain protection and more gear storage area. The Europa uses lightweight 1.3 oz/yd² silnylon fabric. While not as abrasion or puncture resistant as heavier fabrics, this puts the weight of the Europa tent in competition with tarps and tarp shelters!

The Europa 2 is not without its faults. Instead of a true catenary ridgeline, it relies on its side guy outs to mimic a catenary curve. This design requires more guyline tension to get a taut ridgeline and is more susceptible to blow down in high winds. Further, we found it difficult to get even tension on the sides causing the Europa to flap in moderate winds. Pitching the Europa 2 with the rear into the wind minimized problems of wind stability and excessive flapping.

At $250 for the tent and $30 for the optional vestibule, the Six Moon Designs Europa 2 is an excellent value in a functional, lightweight, single wall tent.

Specifications

• Tent type	Single wall with floor
• Fabric Description	Canopy and floor – 1.3 oz/yd2 (44 g/m2) silicone nylon. Screens are no-see-um netting.
• Weight Full Package As supplied by manufacturer with stuff sacks, stakes, guylines, etc. (note: no stakes included with tent)	Backpacking Light scale Manufacturer claim 1 lb 15.3 oz (0.89 kg) 2 lb 1 oz (0.94 kg)
• Weight Minumum Package Includes tent body and fly, minimum necessary stakes and guylines, no stuff sacks or extra hardware.	Manufacturer supplied Backpacking Light 0.25 oz (7 g) titanium stakes used because none were included with the tent. 6 stakes, 8 ft (2.4 m) guyline. Same as Manufacturer Minimum but with 0.25 oz (7 g) titanium stakes and 0.004 oz/ft (0.37 g/m) Aircore 1 Spectra guylines. 6 stakes, 8 ft (2.4 m) guyline 2 lb 0.2 oz (0.91 kg) 2 lb 0 oz (0.91 kg)
• Floor Area	Backpacking Light measure ft2 (m2) Manufacturer claim ft2 (m2) 41.8 (3.9) 35+ (3.25+)
• Floor Area/Backpacking Light Minimum Weight ratio	1.31 ft2/oz (4.3 m2/kg)
• Optional Vestibule area	approximately 8 ft2 (0.74 m2) (open beak)
• Optional Vestibule weight	Backpacking Light scale oz (kg) Manufacturer claim oz (kg) 3.6 (0.10) 4.0 (0.11)
• Dimensions	Inches Centimeters Width 60/54 152/137 Length 90 229 Height 41/24 104/61
• MSRP	$250, Vestibule – $30

Features

Ease of setup

The Europa 2 sets up quickly and easily. A shock-corded aluminum pole slips into the rear sleeve and connects into a grommet on each end. From here, you stake the rear of the tent, preferably into the wind. Next, the front corners are staked out and a single trekking pole, extended to 48 inches is inserted into the awning grommet and the front is staked out with one adjustable guyline (The tent can also be set up with a stick or an aluminum pole or tied above to a tree.) Getting the front triangle tensioned correctly took us a little while initially but with practice was quite quick and simple. Lastly, stake out the side vents being careful not to overly disrupt the slight curve of the ridgeline. We put the tent up in a matter of minutes and with reasonable tension although the bit of looseness in the sides was difficult to eliminate.

Usable Features / Options

With mesh panels in the front, rear, and sides, the Europa 2 is airy for a single wall tent. The mesh panels are protected by silnylon flaps at the rear and sides and with a cantilevered door and extended awning at the front. In addition, an optional vestibule is available for $30 (described below). The Europa 2 also includes two mesh cargo pockets at the front and comes with two lightweight silnylon stuff sacks (0.5 and 0.4 ounces respectively) for the tent and pole. Guyline material is nylon in bright yellow for visibility. Stakes are not included with the Europa 2 but are available for purchase on their site along with Silnet seam sealer and an optional footprint. We used 0.25 ounce titanium stakes for our testing.

Weight / Sizing

With 41.75 square feet of floor area, the Europa 2 is very spacious for two people. (Some lightweight, two-person tents have less than 30 square feet of floor area.) There is plenty of room for two hikers and much of their gear. The Europa 2 has an impressive amount of space for the weight (area to weight ratio of 1.06 ft²/ounce) which includes good ventilation and a bathtub floor.

Flexibility of Pitching

Unlike a floorless shelter, the Europa 2 sets up only one way. It has a large footprint and requires a large space. Further, it is non-freestanding and needs stakes and/or rocks for set-up. The vestibule can be added for storm protection, extra storage space, and increased privacy or left at home or in the pack.

Usable Space

The Europa 2 uses a hoop at the rear and a triangular front end. This creates nearly vertical sidewalls near your feet and more slanted walls at the head of the tent. The tent is also wider at the front by 6 inches. This combination gives you similar usable width at the front and rear. However, there is less usable space at the front than heavier tunnel or dome designs due to the sloping sidewalls. Of the 41.75 square feet of floor space, approximately 35 square feet would be considered "usable living space." However, we found that while the tight front corners were not usable for living space, they were great places for gear storage. This storage area along with the large footprint provided plenty of space for two people. The Europa 2 provided ample space for one person to sit up near the front of the tent. Due to the slanted walls, it was more cramped for two hikers to sit up at the same time. There is less room in the back of the tent because the ceiling gets lower and the footprint narrows towards the rear end. The extensive use of mesh in the sides makes the tent much more usable during times of heavy condensation because it is possible to move around without bumping into wet silnylon walls.

Usable Vestibule/Porch

The Europa 2 has an optional removable beak-style vestibule that adds approximately 8 square feet of coverage and weighs 3.6 ounces. The vestibule attaches to the Europa 2 with two side clips, a reinforced fabric hoop over the pole, and one guyline at the front. While it is possible to attach the vestibule to the same front stake as the tent’s guyline, it tensioned better if we used a separate stake for it. While the vestibule could make getting in and out of the tent quite difficult, a long Velcro strip allows you to open it up and tie it off in the middle for better entrance and exit. This simple but effective design allows the user to easily get in and out of the tent without the need for an additional zipper. The vestibule does not go all the way to the ground but it still did a good job keeping our gear dry.

Field Performance

Stability

The Six Moon Designs tent does not have a catenary-cut ridgeline. We found it difficult to get a taut ridgeline without heavy guyline tension. We also had difficulty getting even tension in all of the tent’s panels. The side guy outs create a slight depression in the ridgeline to mimic a catenary arch and make the Europa stable enough for light winds. But in moderate winds gusts we experienced considerable flapping of the long roofline and considerable deflection of the sides. High winds are not the realm of the Europa 2. With only four additional guy-outs located above the side vents, we found no way to stake out the tent to protect it from high winds. In these conditions, the tent stakes at the front and rear pulled out during testing. Pitching the rear of the Europa 2 exactly into the wind minimized sidewall wind loading of the tent and made it more stable.

Storm Protection

The Europa 2 is a comfortable place to sit out a rainstorm. Its large mesh panels made the tent feel airy and the large bathtub-style floor provided plenty of space. However, the sloping roof does not make this a great place to sit up and play cards; only one person can comfortably sit up at a time. Lying down, there is plenty of room.

While we were initially skeptical about the ability of the cantilevered doorway and awning to provide full protection against Washington rain, the tent’s performance made us believers. Even during heavy downpours, the doorway remained completely dry. In swirling, blowing rain, the doorway did get some water in the front corners but it was minimal. The optional vestibule provided more protection in a windy storm and provided a place to cook and store gear. Since it weighs less than 4 ounces we recommend using or at least bringing the vestibule in most situations.

The 1.3 oz/yd² silnylon fabric used in the tent body was completely waterproof and shed water easily. The bathtub floor protected us from flowing water in heavy rain. The manufacturer recommends using a lightweight Tyvek or plastic ground cloth because, "If a puddle of water forms under the floor and you sit on it, water can be forced through the floor." We have experienced this with other silnylon floors and also recommend the use of a 1 or 2 mil plastic groundsheet to prevent leakage and protect the lightweight floor even though we experienced no leaking with the Eurpoa 2 pitched on wet ground.

The seams of the Europa 2 are not seam taped (impossible with Silnylon fabrics) or seam-sealed by Six Moon Designs. We experienced no leakage through the seams even though we never seam-sealed the tent.

Ventilation/Condensation Resistance

The Europa 2 offers the best ventilation and condensation management we’ve seen in a single wall tent. The large, open doorway, rear vent, and large side vents allow breezes to flow into the tent and provide excellent airflow. When air is still and cool, though, condensation occurs on the non-breathable silnylon walls. We experienced condensation during a windless 40 °F night. We did not find this to be a problem. The tent’s large floor area, rear hoop with near-vertical side walls, and large mesh side panels kept our bags dry and well away from condensation on the silnylon portions of the tent. Condensation on the ceiling was minimal and easily wiped away with a bandanna. In our experience, the only tent that will keep you drier than the Europa 2 is a well-ventilated (and heavier) double wall tent or a single wall constructed out of more expensive (and heavier) waterproof/breathable fabrics, or a larger (and heavier) single wall such as the MSR Missing Link.

As with any single wall tent, keeping the doors and vestibule open will help to reduce condensation. (Note: Open the mosquito netting door if you can. Mosquito netting prevents airflow to a surprising degree increasing condensation.)

Insect Protection

The Europa 2 keeps you completely protected from insects. While hiding out, you can enjoy views out of the large mesh door as well as peek-a-boo views through the side vents. While we’ve seen tents that afford greater views during heavy mosquito pressure, we have seen few that match the weight, floor space, and storm protection of this tent. As has been mentioned, there isn’t much room for two campers to sit up when hanging out in the tent; you’ll have to enjoy the prone position for the most part.

Durability Field Observations

Silnylons have a high tensile strength but are prone to punctures and abrasion. The Europa 2 is no exception. Although we never used a ground sheet when testing this tent and camped on branches and rocks with no problems, we highly recommend the use of a lightweight 1 or 2 mil plastic ground sheet to protect the floor of the tent. Although the Europa 2 should last many seasons if treated nicely; it is not a tent to be treated harshly. We did puncture a stuff sack with a pole, highlighting the need to treat all silnylon products with care. That said, we were hard on the Europa 2 and experienced no problems with the tent.

All stake-out points are double bar-tacked for increased durability. Although a smaller YKK zipper is used in the doorway, we experienced no problems during our testing sessions. The rear pole has two brass grommets on each side to allow for product stretch and also added strength to these attachment points.

Value

At $250 for the tent and $30 for the optional vestibule, the Six Moon Designs Europa 2 is a mid-priced tent. For that price you get excellent ventilation, a large usable space, good storm resistance, and a weight of just 2 pounds (not including the single trekking pole). While this is not the tent that we would take mountaineering or in the winter, it is perfect for three season backpacking for anything but exposed and very windy conditions. If you like the concept of a tarp but want the complete coverage and insect protection of a tent, the Europa 2 is a well thought-out package at a reasonable price.

Final thoughts

Tips and Tricks

Before you hit the trail, be sure to set up the Europa 2 in your backyard and find the trekking pole length that works best in the front triangle. Mark this spot on your pole(s) for quick and easy set-up in the field when you’re tired.

From skin out weight can be reduced further by trading out the telescoping trekking pole for a lighter, fixed length trekking pole (such as those made by Gossamer Gear and Bozeman Mountain Works), a stick, an aluminum pole, or tying it off to a tree.

The Europa 2 does not come with stakes. We were happy with the performance of the 0.25 ounce titanium stakes we used for testing. Only six are needed for this tent but we recommend a seventh if you use the vestibule.

When staking out the side vents, be sure to pull them out just to the point where the roofline starts to be pulled down slightly. This will mimic a catenary cut ridgeline without disrupting the roofline tension.

If you know you are walking into a storm, the vestibule is worth the extra weight. In our experience you won’t need it for a normal rainstorm. If you get into a storm with a consistent wind direction, be sure to put the rear into the wind-this maximizes the tent’s wind stability.

Recommendations for Improvement

A roofline with a catenary cut would make it much easier to achieve a taut ridgeline on the Europa 2 and is recommended to make this tent more stable in wind.

We experienced a small gap between the tent body and the vestibule toward the attachment clips. Moving these attachments would eliminate this minor problem.

Last, a heavier fabric used on the floor would increase durability and water resistance with a minimal weight penalty. Perhaps this could be offered as an option.

Overview

MSR’s Missing Link is the tent you want if you need to wait out a long period of rain or heavy bug pressure. By lightweight standards it is palatial. The Missing Link has 20 to 30 percent more area than most two-person ultralight tents and a lot more headroom. There is plenty of room for two tall people and their gear. It is one of the few ultralight tents where both people can comfortably sit up at the same time. In addition, the awning and huge front door provide ventilation and views not found in other ultralight tents – perfect for claustrophobics. If the rain is not blowing in from the front, you can even cook or stow gear under the awning.

While it is large and comfortable for two people, the Missing Link with the required trekking poles is essentially a 4-pound (1.8 kilogram) tent. If you can get by with less room, there are many lighter two person shelters and tents on the market – some weighing as little as 1.5 to 2 pounds including poles. Even on an area per weight basis, at 0.78 ft²/oz the Missing Link is not near the top of its class. The Missing Link has a lot of surface area, and thus is not as stable in high winds as smaller tents with more angled and wind-shedding sides. While it is fine for sheltered areas and below tree line, the Missing Link would not be our first choice for camping on an exposed ridge or plateau at 11,000 feet. It took a good deal of tension to get a taut ridgeline on the tent and we were never able to properly tension the front wall. Finally, some ultralight trekking poles may not extend to the 54 inches required to pitch the Missing Link, especially if the ground is soft and their tips sink in.

Specifications

• Tent type	Single wall tent with floor, requires user supplied trekking poles for support.
• Fabric	Component Description Body 30d ripstop nylon, PU/silicone coated. Floor 70d PU coated fabric. At press time, no finished fabric weights were available from manufacturer.
• Weight Full Package As supplied by manufacturer with stuff sacks, stakes, guylines, etc. (note: tent body, guyline, 8 stakes, 2 stuff sacks)	Backpacking Light scale Manufacturer claim 3 lb 3.1 oz (1.45 kg) 3 lb 0 oz (1.36 kg)
• Weight Minimum Package Includes tent body and fly, minimum necessary stakes and guylines, no stuff sacks or extra hardware.	Manufacturer supplied Backpacking Light 8 stakes, 22 ft (6.7 m) guyline. Same as Manufacturer Minimum but with 0.25 oz (7 g) titanium stakes and 0.004 oz/ft (0.37 g/m) Aircore 1 Spectra guylines. 8 stakes, 22 ft (6.7 m) guyline, 3 cord adjusters. 3 lb 1.3 oz (1.40 kg) 2 lb 15.7 oz (1.35 kg)
• Floor Area	Manufacturer claim ft2 (m2) Length in (cm) Width in (cm) 37 (3.4) 70 – 133 (178 – 378) 48 – 51+ (122- 130+)
• Floor Area/Backpacking Light Minimum Weight ratio	0.78 ft2/oz (2.6 m2/kg)
• Awning Weight	N/A integral part of tent and included in tent weight
• Awning coverage Note: dimensions are approximate.	Area ft2 (m2) Length in (cm) Width/overhang in (cm) 14 (1.4) 108 (274) front edge 22 (56) above door, 38 (96) at edges
• Optional Accessories	None
• MSRP	$229.95

Features

Ease of setup

The Missing Link requires eight stakes for proper setup. There are the usual four tent corners to stake to the ground, two ridgeline/vestibule awning lines, and a high and a low pullout for the rear of the tent. Properly tensioning the tent and getting the trekking poles at the right height takes a bit of time. All this puts the Missing Link around the middle of the pack in ease of setup for single walled shelters. If you are not fussy about a taut pitch, the tent sets up a bit easier and faster.

In comparison to many single walled shelters, we found that the Missing Link required more tension to get a taut pitch. This was especially true for the ridgeline. Even with the poles at the correct height, it took a lot of tension to get the catenary cut tent ridge close to taut. Anything less than maximum tension led to a saggy ridgeline. We are a bit confused about this, because catenary ridges are supposed to require less tension. It may be that the cord that tensions both the ridgeline and the awning fails to pull the tent ridge at the correct angle. The rear pullout disturbs the catenary curve and probably also contributes to tensioning difficulty (see Stability section for photo and more discussion on this point). If you are expecting strong winds, make sure that your ridgelines are well anchored to strong stakes (possibly longer than the MSR supplied stakes, perhaps with a rock on top). We had a ridgeline pull out on us when we placed it in soft soil.

The front wall of the tent (the panel with the door in it) was always a bit wrinkled and saggy. We were unable to get the front taut at any time, no matter what we tensioned. It flapped in the wind. Possibly adding a stakeout point to the bottom center of the tent would help.

The Missing Link requires two owner-supplied trekking poles for setup (add 14 ounces to the total tent weight if you don’t normally carry poles). The instructions say to set them at 54 inches but we found that a little longer worked better, especially to compensate for pole tips sinking into soft ground. Unless you measure and pre-mark your trekking poles, it takes experimentation to get them to the right length each time. The pole length required for the Missing Link is long for ultralight trekking poles. Two ultralight standbys, the Leki Ultralight Ti’s and Life-Link’s Guide Ultralight poles, did not make this length at the recommended section stops (collets). We were able to get the Leki poles to work by extending them an inch or two beyond their recommended range. Even so, an extra inch of extension would improve the pitch. The Life-Link poles, with their maximum extension of 48 inches, fell 6 inches short of the required length. Longer poles will likely weigh more than these ultralight poles.

We consider it essential to stake out both the upper and lower tie outs on the rear of the tent. The upper tie out is crucial to tent stability and to increase internal room in the rear of the tent. If you do not stake out this point, the rear wall sags into the tent. This problem is exacerbated by any wind load from the rear of the tent – which is where you normally want the wind to be coming from. In strong winds, given the large rear panel of the tent, you may want to use all three additional tie out points on the rear of the tent. Finally, we found the lower rear edge of the tent too close to the ground for good ventilation. We used a stick or rock to raise the rear edge’s tie out and create a larger ventilation gap between the ground and the rear edge of the tent.

We tried to set up the Missing Link without trekking poles but found it impractical. Finding sticks just the right length didn’t work and finding two vertical tie outs just above the pole pocket tie outs is virtually impossible in the field. The only non-trekking pole option is to make custom aluminum poles just the right length (even then, their lack of adjustability will hinder pitching on uneven terrain).

The stakes supplied with the Missing Link are better than many we have seen, but we still prefer to use wire skewer titanium stakes which are lighter and easier to insert in rocky soil. We switched to titanium skewers at the earliest opportunity.

Usable Features / Options

MSR Missing Link Tent Components	Weights
Tent body: 30d silicone/PU nylon walls, 70d PU nylon floor	1 lb 29.5 oz	1.29 kg
Guylines: two on the front awning, one at the rear, all with adjusters	1.1 oz	31 g
Eight aluminum stakes: 0.34 oz (9.7 g) each	2.7 oz	78 g
Body Stuff Sack: silnylon with drawcord & cordlock	1.3 oz	36 g
Stake Stuff Sack: silnylon with drawcord & cordlock	0.5 oz	13 g
As Shipped Total	3 lb 3.1 oz	1.45 kg
Trekking poles required for setup: two

The major positive features of the Missing Link are its roominess, good ventilation, large door and protective awning. Otherwise, the tent is devoid of niceties found on many lightweight tents, such as a way to roll up and stow the front door, internal storage pockets, or any internal attachment points for gear-hanging lines. There is no option to purchase a footprint or full vestibule.

We were pleased with the tent’s ventilation. The Missing Link handles ventilation with a front/rear, high/low chimney effect system. Warm air in the tent rises up to the ceiling where it exits a top mesh vent above the door that is protected by the awning. This draws in cool air from the rear of the tent, via a low mesh panel protected by a flap. Pitching the rear of the tent into the wind creates an even greater ventilating force. Obviously, if you can leave the whole front door open it provides a tremendous amount of ventilation.

The Missing Link’s awning is nice for moderate rain or snow coming from the rear or overhead. You can leave the front door open, cook and get great views. You don’t get that claustrophobic feeling as with many lightweight tents. Contrary to MSR’s claims, we don’t think the awning is a true vestibule. It provides rain protection only as long as the rain is coming from the rear or possibly the sides of the tent. If rain comes in at any angle from the front of the tent, it provides little protection for anything but the top of the door. Don’t count on getting the same kind of protection that you would from a true vestibule in any kind of gusting winds.

The three tie out cords that came with the tent appear to be Triptease or something similar. They came with aluminum cord adjusters. Total weight for cord and adjusters is 1.1 ounces. Given the tent’s large surface area and additional tie out points, it would have been nice if MSR included a few more of these nice tie out cords to stabilize the tent in strong winds. We found the body and stake stuff sacks a bit heavy and over designed. We left both stuff sacks at home.

Weight / Sizing

The MSR Missing Link is luxuriously comfortable for two people, but with the required trekking poles, it is essentially a 4-pound tent. There are many lighter, and less roomy, two person shelters and tents on the market – some weighing as little as 1.5 to 2 pounds, including poles. Even on an area-per-weight basis, at 0.58 ft²/oz the Missing Link is not near the top of its class.

Much of the Missing Link’s weight comes from its large size and from fabric that is somewhat heavier (albeit more durable) than what’s used in many lightweight tents. If you require plenty of room for two plus gear and want a durable tent, then the Missing Link may be a good choice. In non-windy conditions the awning does provide some of the benefits of a vestibule, which makes the weight more reasonable. The huge front door protected by the awning provides good light and great views.

Flexibility of Pitching

The Missing Link is a one-pitch tent. There are some additional tie out points to stabilize the tent. Given the size of the Missing Link and its large surface area, it makes sense to use these tie out points to stabilize and secure the tent in anything but light winds. Putting something under the lower rear edge of the tent to raise it and thus improve ventilation is another option. It is important to get the trekking poles at the right height. Poles with large range of adjustment are especially useful on uneven terrain. As pole tips sink into soft ground you may need to get out during the night and re-tension the tent.

Finally, the Missing Link is a big tent and needs considerable space to pitch. This can be limitation in rocky alpine areas or brushy areas with little flat space for the its large footprint.

Usable Space

The Missing Link is the tent you want to be in to wait out a long period of rain or heavy bug pressure. By lightweight standards the Missing Link is palatial. It has 20 to 30 percent more area than most two-person ultralight tents, and a lot more headroom. There is plenty of room for two tall people and their gear. It is one of a few ultralight tents where both people can comfortably sit up at the same time. Additionally, the awning and large front door provide ventilation and views not found in most ultralight tents.

The nearly vertical side and front walls maximize usable space in the tent. Aside from that, nothing is rectangular or even linear in the Missing Link. Everything is curves and angles. The sloping back wall reduces room in the rear of the tent. Using the rear wall’s center tie out helps to mitigate this. You can sit up anywhere in the front of the tent. The low point, center, is 40 inches high, and the front sides approach 50 inches. The corners of the tent provide useful places to stow gear without cluttering the main living area. The large volume also means that it is easier to stay away from tent walls if condensation forms.

One small gripe: With a side door, the rear sleeper has to climb over the other occupant to take a nighttime stroll.

Usable Vestibule/Porch

The Missing Link’s awning is nice for moderate rain or snow coming in from the rear or overhead. You can leave the front door open, cook, stow gear, and get great views. You don’t get that claustrophobic feeling as with many lightweight tents. When rain blows in from the front of the tent the awning/porch area cannot be used for cooking or storing gear that needs to stay dry. Don’t count on getting true vestibule protection for cooking or for stowed gear. On the bright side, even in these conditions the awning provided protection for a substantial portion of the front door and we had better views and ventilation than in any lightweight tent that comes to mind. Note: With rain and wind coming from the rear of the tent we would rate the Missing Link’s awning/porch higher.

Performance

Stability

The Missing Link is fine for sheltered areas and below treeline. It would not be our first choice for camping on an exposed ridge or plateau at 11,000 feet. The Missing Link has a lot of surface area and its stability in strong winds depends on a taut pitch and correctly guessing the wind direction. If you pitch the tent with the rear into the wind and use all three rear tie outs we think it will do fine with strong winds, provided you get the tie out stakes solidly anchored. We had a stake pull out of loose soil on the single rear tie out in 20 to 30 mph winds. Note: Staking the rear pullout low (to the ground) compromises the catenary curve of the ridgeline and may contribute to the difficulty in getting the ridgeline taut. Although it appears from the instructions that MSR intends the rear pullout to be staked low, using a third trekking pole, stick, or nearby tree to pull it high may help tension the Missing Link properly.

MSR claims to have tested the tent in a wind tunnel to 50 mph. They admit that this is done with the smallest cross section into the wind – we’d guess a tent side. From our field-testing we estimate that the Missing Link would be taxed with a strong wind coming in from the front. The front panel is large, and because it is vertical, does not shed wind well. It is not taut. Even in moderate winds the front panel deflected and flapped.

Storm Protection

The Missing Link is a fabulous tent to wait out a sustained rain. The tent’s large interior space makes it almost pleasant. With rain from the rear, the awning lets you leave the entire front door open for great ventilation and good views. Even with rain coming from the front the awning provides good protection for the front door, allowing you to leave a substantial portion of it open. We had no problems with leaks or with the tent shedding rain. Our only gripe is that the awning is not a true vestibule and does not provide space to cook or store gear if rain comes from the front of the tent.

Ventilation/Condensation Resistance

The Missing Link is one of the best-ventilated single-walled shelters we’ve tested – a confirmation of its front/rear, high/low chimney effect ventilation. Unless rain is coming from the front, with the awning’s protection you can leave most or all of the front door open for lean-to style ventilation and views. In cool and very humid conditions the Missing Link outperformed a double walled tent of similar weight. The Missing Link had minimal condensation; most of it was near the top of the door and on the awning. The double walled tent had significant condensation on all walls. A side benefit of the Missing Link’s large internal space is that it is easy to stay away from condensation on the walls. Given the Missing Link’s venting of warm humid air to just above the tent door, it is not surprising that we experienced the most condensation on the awning as the air exited the tent and cooled. We learned to be careful not to brush the awning when exiting the tent.

Insect Protection

No question, this is the tent you want when bugs are bad. We used the Missing Link in intense mosquito pressure in northern Michigan and in Wisconsin in light rain. The Missing Link was a refuge to regain sanity from the relentless onslaught of blood suckers. The tent’s spacious interior, large front door, and good ventilation made waiting out the mosquitoes almost pleasant. In almost any other 4 pound shelter we can think of we’d have substantially less room and poorer ventilation.

Durability Field Observations

The Missing Link’s 70 denier floor fabric with a substantial PU coating is more durable than the 30 denier silnylon floor fabric used on many lightweight tents. MSR has confidence in the floor and doesn’t even offer a footprint/ground cloth for the tent. We used the Missing Link without a ground cloth and had no discernable wear. The tent’s wall fabric and construction did well in the field and we think the Missing Link, if handled with care, is up to years of use.

Value

At $230 the Missing Link’s cost is middle of the road for ultralight shelters. Its strengths are its spacious interior, good ventilation, and ability to weather rain and heavy bug pressure. There are ultralight tents and shelters that provide adequate protection from rain and bugs that weigh much less and cost less too. Add some value points if you are in the claustrophobic range and put a high importance interior room.

Final Thoughts

Tips and Tricks

To speed setup, mark your trekking poles at the correct height for the tent. You can also gauge the height by figuring out where on your body the poles reach when set at the correct position.

Make sure that you pitch the rear of the tent into the wind and use the rear stakeout points. The rear tent panel can generate a lot of force, so get the stakes firmly anchored. If there is strong wind, consider putting a rock on top of the stakes.

You might sew a few simple straps to the front of the tent to stow the rolled up front door.

Recommendations for Improvement

It took a lot of tension to get the ridgeline taut. We suspect one reason is because the same cord tensions both the tent ridge and the awning. We suggest using a cord attachment that directly tensions the tent ridge at the proper angle. While this may require a few more tie outs for the Missing Link, the tent will tension better and it will be more stable in strong winds. Another reason may be the rear pullout, which when staked to the ground, compromises the catenary curve of the ridgeline. At a minimum, we suggest a note in the instructions to pull this tie out high if possible. The front panel of the tent is a bit saggy. We’d like some way to tension it better – possibly a stakeout at the front lower edge of the tent. The Missing Link needs straps to stow the front door, some interior storage pockets, and some loops to hang a gear cord or tent attic. While the tent’s fabrics are certainly durable, the Missing Link is heavier than many single walled shelters. MSR might consider using lighter fabrics in at least part of its construction. Finally, the 54-inch pole height required to pitch the tent is beyond the extension of some ultralight trekking poles or trekking poles used by women and shorter folks, especially if pole tips sink into the ground. Reducing the requirement to 51 or 52 inches would make the tent compatible with a lot more trekking poles.

Overview

The Infinity pack is the largest of GoLite’s new Unlimited Series of internal frame packs. We found that the Infinity’s frame and harness were good enough to comfortably carry at least 40 pounds (18 kg), possibly more. This is remarkable for a sub 2.5 pound (1.1 kg), 3,250 cubic inch (53 L) pack with durable fabric and all the bells and whistles such as the Infinity’s fully padded harness, five pockets, including a top lid with pocket, durable xPac™ fabric in high wear areas, dual tool loops, a hydration sleeve, good load compression, and a narrow climbing friendly profile. The Infinity will do everything from a casual overnight to a multi-day ice climb to a week-long backcountry ski trip.

All the Unlimited Series packs use a new corrugated polystyrene framesheet reinforced with aluminum rods. The light but strong framesheet makes the Unlimited Series packs rigid enough to compete with conventional internal frame packs using twin metal stays, but for a lot less weight. The Infinity has one of the most comfortable harnesses we’ve used on a pack. Using innovative Brock™ foam, it is well padded and shock absorbent. The Brock™ foam strikes a good balance between cushioning for comfort, and resilience for maintaining the shape of the harness and performance under load.

One of the Infinity’s strengths is moisture management. Much of this is due to the use of Brock™ foam which doesn’t absorb water and breathes well due to its open pore structure. GoLite uses Schoeller® Dryskin Extreme™ stretch woven fabric on all harness contact areas which further helps to wick away moisture. While the Brock™ foam, Schoeller® Dryskin Extreme™, and Spacer Mesh foam backpanel combination is not a miracle cure for a sweaty back and shoulders, we did not get as sweaty in the Infinity’s harness as packs using conventional foams and fabrics. What sweat we did generate dried out a lot faster than on other packs we’ve used.

Specifications

• Backpack Style	Top loading internal frame with top lid pocket closure.
• Fabric Description	Pack body, top lid and pocket: SiLite HG™ silicone impregnated/polyurethane coated 40d 3.0 oz/yd2(102 g/m2) polyester. Pack bottom and rear pockets: xPac™, a 3 layer laminated 50d-1000d-40d tear and abrasion resistant polyester and nylon fabric. Schoeller® Dryskin Extreme™ and other fabrics are also used on the pack
• Sizes (Size L tested)	Sizes Torso Length (in) Torso Length (cm) S 16-18 41-46 M 18-20 46-51 L 20-22 51-56
• Volume (Size L tested)	Sizes Volume (ci) Volume (L) S 2,850 47 M 3,050 50 L 3,250 53
• Weight (Size L tested)	Sizes BackpackingLight Measured Weight oz (g) Manufacturer Specification Weight oz (g) S Not measured 37 (1049) M Not measured 39 (1106) L 39.5 (1120) 41 (1162)
• Volume to Weight Ratio	82 ci/oz, size L (based on 3250 ci, size L, and Backpacking Light measured weight of 39.5 oz)
• Load Carrying Capacity	40+ lbs (18+ kg) as estimated by Backpacking Light
• Carry Load to Pack Weight Performance Ratio	16 (based on 40 lbs and Backpacking Light measured weight of 39.5 oz)
• MSRP	$199
• Manufacturer’s Contact Information	GoLite (888)-5-GOLITE http://www.golite.com

Features

Ratings follow subtitles on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best, and are relative to other Backpacking Light tested internal frame packs.

Frame and Suspension – 5.0

GoLite improves upon the plastic framesheet concept to make their Unlimited Series rigid enough to compete with conventional internal frame packs using twin metal stays. With the Infinity pack, they do this and still bring a 3,250 cubic inch (53 L) fully featured pack with a top lid and durable fabric in at less than 2.5 pounds (1.1 kg). We found the Infinity’s framesheet rigid enough to comfortably support a 40-pound (18 kg) pack load without significant collapse. The key component to GoLite’s framesheet is corrugated polystyrene. This is similar to conventional cardboard used in boxes only made out of plastic. It is the same material the US Postal service uses on their white letter collection baskets. GoLite reinforces the framesheet with 7075 aluminum rods inserted into the sheet’s corrugations. These rods allow you to bend the framesheet to custom fit to your back the same way you would bend an aluminum frame stay in a conventional pack.

The Infinity has one of the most comfortable ultralight harnesses we’ve used on a pack. The harness’ innovative Brock™ foam strikes a good balance between light weight, cushioning for comfort, and resilience for maintaining the shape of the harness under load. The shape and cut of the shoulder straps comfortably fit our upper torsos. The Brock™ foam Schoeller® Dryskin Extreme™ combination is used on the Infinity’s shoulder straps, lumbar pad and hipbelt. The multi-foam-panel design of the hipbelt and large side wings did a better job of contouring around our hips than most single foam panel hipbelts. The articulations between the foam panels helped it flex and conform to our hips. With this design and the slip resistant texture of the hipbelt’s fabric, we had minimal hipbelt slippage with 40-pound (18 kg) pack loads.

One of the Infinity’s strengths is moisture management. Much of this is due to the use of Brock™ foam, which doesn’t absorb water and breathes well due to its open pore structure. GoLite uses Schoeller® Dryskin Extreme™ stretch woven fabric on all harness contact areas which further helps to wick away moisture. The back panel of the pack is covered with porous and breathable Spacer Mesh foam. There is a center channel in the Spacer Mesh foam to create a chimney ventilation effect. While the Brock™ foam, Schoeller® Dryskin Extreme™, and Spacer Mesh foam back panel combination is not a miracle cure for a sweaty back and shoulders, we did not get as sweaty in the Infinity’s harness as with packs using conventional foams and fabrics. What sweat we did generate dried out a lot faster.

Other than shoulder strap length, there are no means to adjust the harness to accommodate varying torso lengths. However, the Infinity is offered in three sizes (small, medium, and large) to fit torsos from 16 to 22 inches (41 to 56 cm). Unless you like carrying weight on your shoulders, we recommend going up a size if in doubt.

One gripe we have with the Infinity is that the load lifter straps attach 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) above the top of the framesheet. This 1.5 inch long strip of very flexible SiLite HG™ fabric significantly limits the straps’ load lifting capabilities. Unless the Infinity is packed tightly in the upper portion of the pack, the load lifter straps only pull the top of the pack towards your back. I still found the pack comfortable as I had selected a large pack which was a bit long for my 19.5 inch (50 cm) torso. As such, the shoulder strap attachment points were high enough that I didn’t have much need for load lifting (mimicking an ‘off the shoulder’ strap design similar to McHale packs). Users nearer the pack’s recommended torso size may find load lifting more of a problem.

Usable Features and Ease of Use – 5.0

The Infinity has a wealth of pockets for an ultralight internal frame pack. There are five in all including two mesh water bottle pockets on the sides, two large vertical bellows pockets using xPac™ fabric on the rear of the pack, and a top lid pocket with SiLite HG™ fabric. We found that we could put a 600 milliliter (20 oz) cup and a large fuel bottle in a rear pocket and still have room at the top to store extra clothing. It’s been a while since we’ve seen an internal framed pack in this weight range with a floating top lid pocket.

Features of the Infinity are:

• 3.0 oz/yd² (102 g/m²) SilLite HG™ main body
• X-Pac™ composite three layer fabric reinforcements in key wear areas and rear pockets
• Floating top lid with zippered security pocket and stretch panel for snug seal (SiLite with HG™ fabric)
• Extension collar
• Two large vertical bellows rear pockets using xPac™ fabric
• Two mesh water bottle pockets on the sides with angled opening for easy access
• 3-liter hydration sleeve
• Dual ice axe loops with Velcro® retention straps
• Three small daisy chains
• Sternum strap and Haul loop

The Infinity has an internal sleeve on the back panel for a hydration bladder and the requisite hydration ports and tube mounting accoutrements on the shoulder straps. Using a hydration bladder with the Infinity steals internal volume on what is not a huge pack to begin with. Refilling the bladder is a problem as you have to unload and reload most of the main pack bag to put the re-filled bladder back in the pack.

Load Volume Flexibility (Compression) – 4.0

With four side compression straps, the Infinity does a respectable job of compressing loads and adjusting to different volumes. The floating top lid and closure strap adds compression in the vertical direction. We had little difficulty keeping all but very small volume loads under control. For very small loads (not really what the pack was intended for) the lack of bottom compression straps was the limiting factor. Larger loads can be accommodated by putting gear underneath the floating top pocket and by strapping equipment to the mini daisy chains on the back of the pack. On a spring ski trip we attached our foam sleeping pad outside the pack using the daisy chains and stashed our synthetic parka under the floating top pocket.

Field Performance

Pack Load Carrying – 5.0

GoLite does not list a weight limit for the Infinity. We found the pack very comfortable at up to 30 pounds (14 kg) on a spring ski trip in Yellowstone’s high backcountry. The pack did an excellent job controlling loads and keeping us in balance while skiing some treacherous descents. We also made a few shorter outings with 40 pounds (18 kg) in the pack just to test the pack load carrying capacity. We felt the Infinity did a fine job of handling these loads as well. The pack’s rigid framesheet and excellent harness are major contributors to this performance. One could probably carry more than 40 pounds in the pack, but the 3,250 cubic inch (53 L) capacity may become the limiting factor. Other than climbing gear or water for a desert crossing we can’t think of many instances where you would find room to carry that much weight in a pack this size.

Durability – 4.5

The Infinity is one of the more durable internal frame packs we’ve tested in the 2.5 pound (1.1 kg) weight range. Much of this durability comes from placing the tough xPack™ fabric in high wear areas, the bottom and back of the pack (via the rear pockets). The 40 denier 3.0 oz/yd² (102 g/m²) SiLite HG™ fabric used in much of the pack is stronger and more abrasion resistant than the 1.4 to 1.7 oz/yd² (48 – 58 g/m²) silicone impregnated nylon used in many ultralight packs. Nonetheless, the exposed SiLite HG™ fabric on the top lid, upper sides of the Infinity, and a small area below the rear pockets, while not as prone to contact with sharp objects, is not up to scrapes against rough granite or extended bushwhacking through head high vegetation. We do feel that with reasonable care there is little chance of ripping this fabric. In some encounters with high branches the SiLite HG™ fabric held up well with no nicks or tears – only a few surface blemishes showed where branches had scraped against the fabric. Finally, the solid feel of the Brock™ foam and Schoeller® Dryskin Extreme™ harness components exudes durability and no signs of wear were detected.

Value – 4.0

It is neither the lightest internal frame pack nor the cheapest, but the Infinity is more durable than most similar packs and has about every feature one would want on a pack including a floating top pocket. At $199, and considering its load carrying capacity, durability, and extensive features, the GoLite Infinity is good value. It will do everything from a casual overnight to a serious winter climb or a backcountry ski trip. For the latter two pursuits, it is a very light pack and a great choice. Add some value points if you intend to use the pack for climbing or skiing, or aggressive cross-country travel.

Recommendations for Improvement

We’d like to see the load lifter straps anchored into the top of the framesheet (this would probably mean extending the framesheet up a few inches). This would improve the straps’ load lifting performance and the shoulder straps’ performance as well. Given the pack’s obvious design for alpine mountaineering and winter backcountry skiing, we would like to see tougher fabric on the top lid pocket – possibly with a crampon pad and/or attachment point for an extra winter sleep pad. We’d also like to see the xPac™ fabric extended up to meet the bottom of the rear pockets to protect a potential abrasion point. A central daisy chain between the rear pockets would help to attach additional gear like a cold weather foam sleeping pad.

Finally, we would rather have seen the hydration pocket located on the outside of the pack, or a pack design that does not include such a specifically designed pocket. Leaving the internal hydration pocket off while retaining the hydration ports would permit the use of an internal hydration bladder without the weight and complexity of the pocket.

Overview

Osprey’s Aether 60 has rightfully become a favorite backpack among many lightweight enthusiasts even though there are lighter alternatives. It is a great stepping-stone for backpackers who are transitioning to lighter loads. The Aether 60 makes its mark by providing a feature-rich, durable, 3,700 cubic inch (61 L) pack which weighs 56.6 oz (1.6 kg). The Aether 60 can handle loads approaching 40 pounds (18 kg) although there was some discomfort in the hipbelt with the heavier loads. It can carry skis, snowshoes, snowboards, ice axes, climbing ropes, kitchen sinks, and other necessary backcountry gear (many of these items can be carried simultaneously). The versatility and durability of the Aether 60 is excessive for those whose pursuit is simply lightweight trail hiking.

Specifications

• Backpack Style	Top-loading internal frame backpack.
• Fabric Description	210d double ripstop used in main pack body and pockets. Heavier 420d “chainlink” fabric used on bottom, sides, and center of compression panel.
• Sizes (Size M tested)	Sizes Torso Length (in) Torso Length (cm) M 16-20.5 41-52 L 20-22+ 51-56+
• Volume (Size M tested)	Sizes Volume (ci) Volume (L) M 3,700 59 L 3,900 64
• Weight (Size M tested)	Sizes Backpacking Light Measured oz (g) Manufacturer Specification oz (g) M 56.6 (1,605) 54 (1,531) L Not measured 56 (1,588)
• Volume to Weight Ratio	65 ci/oz size M (based on 3,700 ci and Backpacking Light measured weight of 56.6 oz)
• Load Carrying Capacity	35 lb (15.9 kg) as estimated by Backpacking Light
• Carry Load to Pack Weight Performance Ratio	10 (based on 35 lbs and Backpacking Light measured weight of 56.6 oz)
• MSRP	$199
• Manufacturers Contact Information	Osprey Packs, Inc. (970) 564-5900 http://ospreypacks.com

Features

Ratings follow subtitles on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best, and are relative to other Backpacking Light tested framed packs.

Frame and Suspension – 4.0

The frame of the Aether 60 combines two composite rods with an exceptional pack compression system to create a rigid frame for loads up to 35 to 40 pounds (16 – 18 kg). The two composite rods run down each side of the back panel, ending where the hipbelt and shoulder harness stabilizers attach to the pack. This design is a lighter weight version of the frame Osprey uses in its larger packs. Tightening the shoulder strap and hipbelt stabilizers flexes the composite rods like a long bow and quite effectively pulls the packbag into the user’s back. The pack hugs the back and has great flexibility while doing an excellent job of transferring weight to the hips.

The suspension consists of a shoulder harness, padded hipbelt, sternum strap (with whistle), and hipbelt and shoulder strap stabilizers. Osprey’s unique Ergopull hipbelt adjustment straps attach to each side of the hipbelt in two locations, one high and one low, and to a single side-release buckle (Photo 2). Tightening the adjustment straps causes the hipbelt to cup, better forming to the shape of one’s hips. Rather than pulling away from a center buckle, the hipbelt adjustment straps are pulled toward the center buckle. Thus, while tightening the adjustment straps, the user is pulling the padded hipbelt and lower portion of the back panel into his or her lumbar instead of away from it. This adjustment is easier to make and more effective at locking the lower portion of the pack to the user’s lower torso. Unfortunately, we found that the padding used in the hipbelt lacks enough suppleness to perfectly shape to the contour of our testers’ hips, tending to be tighter along the lower edge than it was along the upper. We found the poor fitting belt tolerable, but improvements could be made. The shoulder straps, with their dual density foam, are contour cut, and follow body curves well. The point where the shoulder strap stabilizers attach to the shoulder straps can be adjusted. The sternum strap’s vertical adjustment range is long enough to suit all users, both male and female.

Sizing

The Aether 60 is offered in three sizes to fit torsos from 16 to 22+ inches (41 – 56 cm). In addition, the shoulder harness is easily adjustable. The shoulder straps are connected to a short fabric and Velcro covered frame sheet which slides behind the padded mesh back panel and attaches to Velcro on the backside of the back panel. Field adjustment is a simple matter of breaking the Velcro connection and sliding the framesheet up and down. The question must be raised whether this connection will remain firm under a fully loaded pack. After anchoring the hipbelt to the floor and connecting a fish scale to both loose shoulder straps, I was able to pull over 50 pounds (23 kg) on this Velcro attachment without the slightest sign of release. Now consider that the pack will typically be loaded with less than 40 pounds (18 kg) and that most of this weight will be on the hipbelt. Also, the bottoms of the shoulder straps are connected to the lower back panel, so the weight on the Velcro will be that much less. Bottom line: it’s not going to slip.

Usable Features and Ease of Use – 4.5

The Aether 60 is loaded with features to adapt to a variety of outdoor pursuits. Pockets include two mesh water bottle pockets, a larger mesh back pocket, and a top lid pocket. The two mesh water bottle pockets located at the bottom of each side panel are uniquely accessible from both the top and front-facing side. This allows easy access to smaller items and secure storage for larger items. The pockets are large enough for a 1-liter water bottle and both openings are accessible while wearing the pack. The large mesh back pocket is a handy place to store gear and is secured by three of the back compression straps. The top hood pocket is roomy and fits well atop the pack. A keychain clip on the inside prevents those troublesome “where are the keys!” episodes many of us have experienced upon returning to the parking lot, but just prior to finding them buried in the pack. A double slider #5 YKK coil zipper closes this top pocket.

Plenty of essential attachment points are provided for the backcountry skier, snowboarder, snowshoer, and mountaineer. There are two ice axe loops located below the large mesh back pocket. The back compression straps, which are connected with side-release buckles, are ideal for attaching a snowboard or snowshoes. Along each side panel are attachment points for carrying skis. A climbing rope can be secured by the top lid and the upper ski attachment straps located on each side panel. If this is not enough, there are additional attachment points on the hood pocket and removable sleeping pad straps across the bottom that adjust with side release buckles.

The Aether 60 does not have a hydration pocket. There is a space behind the shoulder strap harness, but it was not large enough to comfortably hold a bladder without bulging the back panel out into the user’s back.

Load Volume Flexibility (Compression) – 5.0

Osprey’s unique compression system easily adjusts to varying load volumes. There are four compression straps on the back of the pack. Combined with the compression from the top pocket, these straps quickly reduce the pack to accommodate decreasing volume over an extended trip. For even smaller loads, three of the compression straps can be disconnected via side-release buckles and reconnected at points along the front of the side panels. They act to fold the left side of the pack over the right (like a burrito) creating a volume suited to day-hikes or a summit push.

The Aether 60 has an extension collar and numerous compression straps and accessory attachment points to attach additional gear to the outside to accommodate larger volume loads.

Options

Osprey offers a line of add-on accessories, such as small day packs and crampon pockets, that cleanly attach to their ReCurve and Ethereal suspension packs. On the Aether 60, attachment points for such accessories lie at the sides of the large back mesh pocket and beneath the back compression straps. The accessory packs attach with sliders that button through D-rings on the Aether 60 pack. Those connections combined with the compression straps create a seamless, stable pack set up. We did not field test any accessories; however, we did observe their attachment at a local backcountry store. They add considerable weight (10 to 21 oz, 283 – 595 g) pushing the Aether 60 beyond a lightweight pack, but may provide some utility for those who occasionally need the extra capacity.

Field Performance

Pack Load Carrying – 4.0

The Osprey Aether 60 was tested with loads of varying volumes weighing from 45 to 20 pounds (20 – 9 kg). We found Osprey’s Ethereal two-composite rod suspension system was well suited for maximum loads of 35 – 40 pounds (16 – 18 kg). The frame, combined with the compression system, maintains rigidity up to 40 pounds but the hipbelt becomes less comfortable above 35 pounds. At this weight some reviewers preferred to shift more weight onto their shoulders. For users who find weight on their shoulders uncomfortable 35 pounds is a more accurate maximum comfortable carrying capacity.

The Aether 60’s ability to easily and effectively adjust to smaller volumes allows this pack to carry small, heavy loads with ease. After loading the pack, the compression strap side-release buckles can be reattached to the side panel attachment points. Tightening these effectively contains the load in as small a volume as necessary, close to one’s back, providing a comfortable and stable pack.

Durability – 5.0

Osprey made this pack to handle a considerable amount of abuse from a lightweight enthusiast. The fabrics used are durable and able to handle many encounters with rock and brush. Nothing has been overlooked in this regard as every likely location where durability could be in question is either made with more hardy fabric or reinforced with Hypalon.

Stitching quality is superb, all of the seams are taped, and countless bar tacks hold it all together under the most demanding use. In short, this pack is built to last.

Value – 4.0

The Aether 60 may be a little heavier and pricier than some would prefer, but it is still a reasonable value considering it has features to carry just about anything found in a backcountry store. The weight is directly reflective of its durability, which will appeal to those covering harsh terrain. On the other hand, these features and durability are excessive for trail hikers.

Recommendations for Improvement

Some reviewers found the hipbelt in the Osprey Aether 60 uncomfortable when tightened down for a heavier load. This is the result of the hipbelt not conforming to the hips, particularly along its lower edge. We’d like to see Osprey redesign the hipbelt.

Overview

At 2 pounds 15.2 oz (1,338 g) without options, ULA’s P-2 is one of the lightest, large volume internal frame packs on the market. ULA was able to achieve these weight savings without sacrificing features and comfort. The basic pack has a total of five exterior pockets, an ice axe loop, and other gear attachment options. The P-2 is offered in four sizes (with five sizes for the hipbelt). We also enjoyed ULA’s exceptional customer service and support. Included with the P-2 is a detailed description of the pack’s abilities, how to adjust the various components, and how to install and remove accessories. The information provided goes beyond the market standard, providing even the novice backpacker the tools necessary to achieve pack adjustment nirvana. At 4,900 cubic inches (80 L) for the base pack, many ultralight travelers will find this large volume pack too cavernous for their backpacking pursuits.

Specifications

• Backpack Style	Internal frame, top-loading backpack with roll-top closure standard. A top hood pocket can be purchased as an option.
• Fabric Description	210d, 4.5 oz/yd2 (153 g/m2) Dyneema Gridstop and 1.9 oz/yd2 (64 g/m2) urethane coated ripstop nylon.
• Sizes (Size M tested)	Sizes Torso Length (in) Torso Length (cm) S 15-17 38-43 M 18-20 46-51 L 21-23 53-58 XL 23+ 58+
• Hipbelt sizing (belt size M tested)	Sizes Waist Circumference (in) Waist Circumference (cm) XS 26-29 66-74 S 30-33 76-84 M 34-37 86-94 L 38-41 96-104 XL 42+ 106+
• Volume (Size M tested)	Sizes Volume (ci) Volume (L) S 3,800 62 M 4,900 80 L 4,900 80 XL 5,100 84
• Weight (Size M tested)	Component Backpacking Light Measured oz (g) Manufacturer Specification oz (g) Base pack 47.2 (1,338) 47 (1,332) Pack with all options 56.3 (1,596) 56.1 (1,590) Top Lid 4.2 (119) same Internal Pocket 1.1 (31) same Hydration Sleeve 1.4 (40) same H2O Holsters (each) 0.4 (11) same Hand Loops (each) 0.8 (22) same Embroidered Name Not measured 0.0
• Volume to Weight Ratio	104 ci/oz size M (based on 4,900 ci, size M, and Backpacking Light measured weight of 47.2 oz)
• Load Carrying Capacity	35 – 40 lbs (16 – 18 kg) as claimed by ULA and confirmed by Backpacking Light
• Carry Load to Pack Weight Performance Ratio	12 (based on 35 lbs and Backpacking Light measured weight of 47.2 oz)
• MSRP	Basic pack – $210 Top Lid – $22 Internal Pocket – $5 Hydration Sleeve – $5 H2O Holsters (each) – $2 Hand Loops (each) – $2 Embroidered Name – $10
• Manufacturer’s Contact Information	Ultralight Adventure Equipment (ULA) (435) 753-5191 http://ula-equipment.com

Features

Ratings follow subtitles on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best, and are relative to other Backpacking Light tested framed packs.

Frame and Suspension – 4.0

ULA designed the P-2 to handle 35 to 40 pound (16 – 18 kg) loads, both in volume and in weight, in relative comfort. We found the internal frame and suspension were well designed to handle this task. The P-2 has a single removable aluminum stay running the full length of the back panel. The stay fits into a long webbing sleeve sewn into a closed cell foam pad. This closed cell foam, combined with a piece of open cell foam, makes up the dual density padding for the P-2’s back panel. The stay itself is fairly easy to remove for reshaping. However, the tight fitting padding is not, which prevents its use as a sitting pad in camp. The back panel is covered with mesh and moves perspiration efficiently, however there are no channels or grooves in the back panel for air circulation.

The P-2 comes loaded with shoulder straps, padded hipbelt, sternum strap, hipbelt stabilizers, and shoulder strap load lifters. The shoulder straps are contour cut and do a reasonable job of following body contours. However, we found the shoulder strap padding too long, extending beyond what is needed to pad the shoulders. The lower webbing ends of the shoulder straps are attached to the bottom of the pack, rather than to the lower sides and are reinforced by a large delta wing. In theory, this attachment should distribute the weight of a fully loaded pack better to the shoulder strap connection. In our testing, it appears the angle used to connect the triangular piece to the bottom of the pack is slightly too steep causing most of the load to fall on the rear of the triangle connection (Photo 2). However, we do not perceive any problems arising from this since the fabric triangle is much larger than necessary and maintains a significant amount of load distribution so it is unlikely a seam failure will occur. We did not experience any problems with this junction during our testing which included carrying weights up to 50 pounds (23 kg).

The hipbelt is adequately padded and removable. It attaches to the pack with Velcro behind the padded back panel. Torso length adjustment is made by moving the hipbelt vertically along its Velcro attachment behind the lower back panel. We found the hipbelt fit was exceptional due to ULA offering five sizes of hipbelts.

Both the hipbelt and shoulder straps have stabilizers that effectively compress the load into the user’s lumbar and transfer weight to the hipbelt, respectively. The point where the shoulder strap’s stabilizers attach to the top of the shoulder straps is adjustable. The shoulder strap stabilizers can also be removed altogether. The hipbelt stabilizers are not removable.

Usable Features and Ease of Use – 4.0

ULA’s P-2 was designed with versatility in mind. A total of five pockets (six including the optional top pocket) provide storage for often needed items. The P-2 has a single large pocket on the back that is large enough to dry a small tent fly. Two side pockets, measuring 9 inches wide by 14 inches high (23 x 39 cm), cover both lower side panels. Each side pocket can hold a 2-liter water bottle, but the bottles are not accessible while wearing the pack. The P-2 has two camera-sized pockets, one on each side of the padded hipbelt where small, trail accessible items can be carried. The P-2 also has two shingled water bladder tube ports that allow water to be carried in a hydration bladder within the pack.

The P-2 comes standard with a roll top closure. A top pocket can be added as an option. The top pocket is not a permanent alteration and can be removed easily without leaving behind a multitude of extraneous webbing straps or buckles. As a bonus, it is designed to attach to the P-2’s removable padded hipbelt to create a small lumbar pack (including the two hipbelt pockets) suitable for day trips from camp (Photo 3). The top pocket is too small to haul enough gear for a serious summit attempt or enough water for desert water runs. Nevertheless, we find the top pocket very handy when base camping and appreciate the lack of excess hardware when it is removed.

An optional bladder pocket can be purchased that attaches to the inside back panel with plastic quick clips. ULA offers water bottle holsters attached to the shoulder straps as another accessible water carrying option.Another mesh zippered pocket can be added to the inside of the pack for smaller items. Like the hydration pocket, this pocket attaches with removable plastic clips.

Two other options are available for the P-2. For those who don’t travel with trekking poles, two hand loops can be seamlessly added to the shoulder straps to provide a location to rest one’s arms. On the occasions we were without trekking poles, we found these additions comfortable, but wouldn’t have missed them either. The final option is to have your name or trail name embroidered on the pack. This option was not selected; however the examples from ULA’s web site are attractive.

A shock cord covers the large back pocket and adds compression and additional storage. Other exterior attachment options include two straps that run across the bottom and lower back of the pack – ideal for stowing a sleeping pad should the 4,900 cubic inch (80 L) pack volume be exceeded. These are attached at their upper ends with side release buckles and include enough webbing to secure fairly large items. The P-2 also includes a single ice axe loop on its right side with a Velcro attachment above that on the back panel to secure the ice axe handle. Other long items can be stashed into the two side panel pockets, with their ends secured under the upper-side panel compression straps. These straps do not have side release buckles for attachment. Instead they adjust with ladder locks which require that longer items be fished through the straps rather than simply buckling them on.

Load Volume Flexibility (Compression) – 3.0

The ULA P-2 has volume adjustability to meet the needs of various outdoor pursuits (Photo 4). For compression, each upper side panel contains a single compression strap which begins at the lower back panel just above the side pocket, runs to the back of the pack, and then back to the upper back panel where it attaches to a ladder lock. From the side, this strap looks like a sideways V. The bottom sleeping pad straps can also be tightened to compress the lower quarter of the pack. The roll top closure is compressed by a single strap that runs from the bottom back of the pack, up the center of the back, and over the top opening. The heavier than average shock cord over the large back pocket can effectively be used as a component of the compression system. Although the pack looks lumpy and poorly contained when compressed for a small volume load, the contents are stable.

When gear volumes begin to exceed the pack’s internal capacity, gear can be attached to the outside via the multitude of attachment options including the large mesh side and back pockets. The large extension collar will easily swallow a volume equivalent to a winter weight sleeping bag. If additional volume is needed, request the $22 top pocket option to add 400 cubic inches (6.6 L). For most lightweight backpackers, these exterior packing opportunities will not be necessary as the P-2 is already a huge volume pack. But then again, the P-2 has the makings of a super expedition load hauler.

Field Performance

Pack Load Carrying – 4.5

We tested the ULA P-2 carrying loads ranging from 50 pounds (23 kg) down to 10 pounds (4.5 kg) to confirm ULA’s suggested load carrying capacity. ULA recommends carrying weights between 35 and 40 pounds (16 – 18 kg) for best performance with the P-2. We found this to be entirely accurate. While the frame handles 40 pounds with ease, the shoulder straps and hipbelt begin to reach their comfort limit at 35 pounds, 40 pounds is tolerable, and comfort significantly drops off above 40 pounds.

We also tested the P-2 carrying smaller volume, heavy loads (i.e. desert water trips). Employing the full array of compression options, the ULA P-2 carries these loads with great stability but it is not pretty due to the lack of a comprehensive compression system.

One attribute of the P-2 is its stiff single aluminum stay with a relatively flexible framesheet. The flexibility allows great range of motion when hiking, while still being vertically supportive enough to effectively transfer the load to the hipbelt.

Durability – 4.0

Dyneema Gridstop, similar to Spectra Gridstop, was used throughout most of the ULA P-2. This 210 denier high tenacity nylon fabric adds a 215 denier Dyneema fiber in a ripstop/grid pattern. Dyneema is a high molecular weight polyethylene fiber that is, pound for pound, ten times stronger than steel and twice as strong as Kevlar, which translates into this fabric’s high tear strength. We find Dyneema Gridstop very well suited to backpacking on trails and even off trail to some extent. Unfortunately, tear strength and abrasion resistance are not the same. The Dyneema Gridstop requires some attentive care if this pack is used for more aggressive climbing or off-trail pursuits where abrasion is a factor.

Value – 4.5

At $210, the ULA P-2 is very price competitive with other large volume, lightweight internal frame packs on the market. Its relatively low weight and high volume result in the P-2 having one of the highest volume to weight ratios (104 ci/oz, higher is better) we’ve seen in an internal frame pack. We feel the ULA P-2 is an excellent value, offering large volume, great fit, and low weight.

Recommendations for Improvement

Overall, the ULA P-2 is an excellent large-volume, lightweight pack. A couple of changes will bring it to perfection. First, the triangular reinforcing piece that connects the lower shoulder strap webbing to the bottom of the pack is at the wrong angle for a fully loaded pack, putting more strain on the backside of this triangle. We suggest adjusting this angle such that load forces are more evenly distributed. The padded end of each shoulder strap is longer than necessary for most users. The lower portion was wide enough to rub the inside of our arms, causing a little annoyance, though not chafing. (This is by no means a reason to avoid buying this pack.) Either increasing the taper or shortening the padding by about 1 inch (2.5 cm) would alleviate the problem and save some weight in the process. Finally, it would be more convenient if ULA would exchange the ladder locks on the upper side panel compression straps with side-release buckles and longer webbing straps. This would allow longer items that extend out of the side pockets, and climbing ropes slung over the top opening, to be attached with greater ease.

Overview

Granite Gear’s Nimbus Ozone (top loading) and Nimbus Latitude (panel loading) are exceptionally comfortable lightweight packs designed for 40-pound (18 kg) loads. Granite Gear uses soft padding in their shoulder straps that conforms well to the shape of shoulders and collarbones and better distributes the weight of a loaded pack. The Tepex composite frame used in the Nimbus series offers greater adjustability than that found in similarly priced and sized packs. Torso length and shoulder width are both adjustable. The packs have some of the best load compression in the industry. One complaint with both the Nimbus Ozone and Nimbus Latitude is that the load compression straps cut across the top of the side pockets making it difficult to access items unless the strap is loosened. Both packs are heavier than many ultralight internal frame packs that use less rugged fabrics, lighter albeit not as stiff frames, and less padded harnesses.

Specifications

• Backpack Style	Nimbus Ozone – top loading internal frame backpack with roll-top closure Nimbus Latitude – panel loading internal frame backpack
• Fabric Description	70d 2.4 oz/yd2 (81 g/m2) silnylon, reinforced by 210d, 6.5 oz/yd2 (221 g/m2) hybrid HT Cordura in high stress and high wear areas. Both packs feature 8.5 oz/yd2 (288 g/m2) Durastretch fabric on the side pockets. Durastretch is a waterproof / breathable, laminated, stretch woven fabric with DWR surface treatment. The Nimbus Latitude has an additional section of Durastretch between the two panel loading zippers.
• Sizes (Size regular tested in both Nimbus Ozone and Nimbus Latitude)	Sizes Torso Length (in) Torso Length (cm) Short 14-18 36-46 Regular 18-22 46-56
• Volume (Short and Regular volumes are the same for both the Nimbus Ozone and Nimbus Latitude packs)	Sizes Voume (ci) Volume (L) Short 3,500 57 Regular 3,800 62
• Weight (Size Regular tested)	Model Backpacking Light Measured oz (g) Manufacturer Specification oz (g) Nimbus Ozone 48.7 (1381) 48 (1361) Nimbus Latitude 56.8 (1610) 56 (1588)
• Volume to Weight Ratio	Nimbus Ozone – 78 Nimbus Latitude – 67 (based on Regular size volume and Backpacking Light measured weight (ci/oz)
• Load Carrying Capacity	40 lbs (18 kg) as claimed by Granite Gear and confirmed by Backpacking Light
• Carry Load to Pack Weight Performance Ratio	Nimbus Ozone – 13 Nimbus Latitude – 11 (based on Backpacking Light confirmed carrying capacity and Backpacking Light measured pack weight)
• MSRP	Nimbus Ozone – $200 Nimbus Latitude – $230
• Manufacturer’s Contact Information	Granite Gear, 218-834-6157 http://www.granitegear.com

Features

Numerical ratings follow on a scale of 1 to 5 (1=poor, 5=excellent), and are relative to other internal frame packs tested by Backpacking Light.

Frame and Suspension – 4.5

Granite Gear’s Nimbus Ozone and Nimbus Latitude share the same frame and suspension system. Setting these packs apart from the rest of the market is a three dimensionally molded Tepex composite frame (Photo 2). The Tepex frame lacks any similarity to the industry standard, a thin plastic HDPE framesheet and aluminum stays. It resembles a framesheet but is much stiffer, eliminating the need for an aluminum stay. Rather than being stiff just down the center (along an internal stay), the Tepex frame is stiff and supportive throughout. The drawback with this type of frame is that it cannot be shaped to custom match individual back curvature. However, our samples approximated correct spinal shape to keep our reviewers comfortable.

The Nimbus series have harnesses that include shoulder straps, sternum strap, padded hip belt, and shoulder straps and hip belt stabilizers. The padding used in the shoulder straps and hip belt is luxurious. Our female reviewers like its suppleness which distributes loads over a large area and avoids concentrating pressure on high spots (particularly shoulders and collar bones and the top of the hips). Both the shoulder straps and hip belt bolt directly to the Tepex composite frame for a rigid link between harness and pack. The harness attaches to the frame by inserting metal bolts through grommets in the shoulder straps and hip belt that screw into blind bolts behind the Tepex frame. The Tepex frame has been drilled to provide multiple attachment options for the harness. In addition, the shoulder straps have three grommet holes to extend their length and distance apart. The adjustability provided in this arrangement far exceeds that found in other internal frame packs by allowing both torso length and shoulder width adjustments. Note: this adjustment requires a screwdriver that should be carried on a few trips until the fit is dialed in.

Usable Features and Ease of Use – 3.5

Both of these packs have two water bottle sized pockets made of Durastretch fabric at the bottom of the side panels. These easily hold liter-sized bottles. The smooth Durastretch fabric does not hang up on Platypus bag-type bottles. The high position of the side pocket makes access difficult while wearing the pack (e.g. removing a water bottle while hiking). In addition, the lower compression straps cross over the top of these pockets. This makes removing stowed gear almost impossible unless you loosen the strap.

Both packs feature two ice axe loops. The upper shaft of an ice axe in the loop goes underneath the upper side panel compression strap. We had some concern that the axe shafts might abrade the side panel’s 2.4 oz/yd² (81 g/m²) silnylon fabric. So far, we haven’t had any problems in the field.

These packs feature a hydration port and an internal hydration sleeve located against the back panel. A removable shock cord compression system holds the hydration bladder tightly against the back panel. Like most hydration pockets of this design, the contents of the pack must be partially removed in order to refill the bladder. This is a pain on the trail.

Granite Gear’s panel loading Nimbus Latitude has two YKK #8 weather resistant coil zippers running up from the upper back panel, over the top of the pack, and down to the bottom. They are separated by 5-inches (13 cm) of Durastretch material. As the name implies, this material stretches to allow a minimal amount of overstuffing and to reduce the chance of zipper failure. The panel loading design gave us easy access to packed contents. Behind these two panel-loading zippers, Granite Gear has added two internal compression straps mirroring the two on the outside of the pack. These compression straps allow the user to pack the contents of the pack while the zippered panel section is completely open. Once packed, the interior compression straps are tightened making it easier to zip the pack shut. One caveat with this design is an un-sealable 5-inch (13 cm) wide slit at the bottom of the pack, at the lower edge of the Durastretch panel (Photo 3). There is a 4-inch (10 cm) piece of overlapping fabric between the opening and interior of the pack. We explored the possibility of adding Velcro to the bottom of the Durastretch material to secure this opening. However, the designers at Granite Gear avoided Velcro in this area because it will eventually wear out and abrade the fabric it comes in contact with. They also claim to have 10,000 documented miles (16,000 km) with this design without any losses through this opening. We were unable to intentionally make an item fall out with the pack properly loaded and securely compressed.

The Nimbus Latitude has an unusual internal pocket. It is essentially a short, fat stuff sack with a thin piece of perforated closed cell foam supporting the bottom and a draw cord closure. The pocket attaches to the inside of the pack via two small side release buckles. We opted to leave it out during testing in lieu of a stuff sack or two of our own, which proved to better fill the interior volume of the pack and weighed less.

Load Volume Flexibility (Compression) – 5.0

Granite Gear has one of the best compression systems on the market for their Ultralight Packer series. Both the Nimbus Ozone and Nimbus Latitude use two sets of three compression straps that encircle the side panels and back of the packs. The compression straps create two continuous lines of compression over both the upper and lower portion of the packs. These packs can handle compression of full volume loads down to day trip sized loads with ease.

In addition to the horizontal compression straps, the top-loading Nimbus Ozone has a roll-top closure similar to that found on the Granite Gear Virga and Vapor Trail backpacks. Two compression straps cross over each other on the top of the pack, one that provides the roll top closure similar to a dry bag, and the other that provides over-the-top compression similar to compression straps used to secure climbing ropes on alpine packs.

Both the Nimbus Ozone and Nimbus Latitude offer excellent load volume flexibility for long hikes without re-supply or for alpine climbing. For example, we used the Nimbus Ozone as a winter alpine climbing approach pack. The backpack was large enough to accommodate a mountain tent (Integral Designs MK1 Lite), synthetic 20 °F (-7 °C) sleeping bag (The North Face Cat’s Meow), synthetic winter insulating clothing (parka and pants), skis, and other shared climbing and camping gear (including a white gas stove, 2 liter cook pot, ice tools, ropes, and a full rack of slings, ice screws, and pitons) and still left enough room in the extension collar for 4-5 days of food. Upon reaching the base of a climb, the pack compressed very well to remain stable for easy-to-moderate ice climbing in alpine couloirs.

If you need to extend the volume beyond the 3,800 cubic inches (62 L) mark, gear can be attached behind the compression straps on the outside of these packs (Photo 4). The Granite Gear Nimbus Latitude excels here as the compression straps crossing the back of the pack are connected with side release buckles (a necessity for the panel access) and can be opened to readily accept gear. The Nimbus Ozone, on the other hand, uses ladder locks in this location requiring items to be slipped into position from the top.

Because the Nimbus Latitude is a panel loading pack, it lacks the additional storage provided by an extension collar. Granite Gear’s Nimbus Ozone has a short extension collar at its upper opening.

Field Performance

Pack Load Carrying – 4.5

Backpacking Light’s testing confirms the load carrying performance of the Nimbus Series meets Granite Gear’s claim of 40 pounds (18 kg). Although we were regularly able to carry more than forty pounds in the pack with no ill effects, many testers had hipbelt discomfort with loads of 45 pounds (20 kg) and higher. We fitted the pack to several people in the recommended torso size range (men and women) and found that the contoured and shaped hip belt did not perfectly fit everyone’s body type. Perhaps a flatter (not pre-molded/contoured), thinner (and thus, more likely to conform to people’s hip shapes), but wider (to increase load bearing surface area) hip belt would carry loads as well and increase comfort for a wider range of body types.

For three out of five testers, carrying loads higher than 45 pounds (20 kg) for more than 10 miles (16 km) a day caused some pain in the iliac crest area. The cause of the pain was the collapse of the hip belt under heavier loads. The belt no longer spread the pack’s load evenly across the hips but concentrated pressure at the top of the iliac crest, which resulted in substantial discomfort. Thus, we estimate the reasonable “long-distance” load carrying capacity of the Nimbus Ozone and Latitude to be about 40 pounds (18 kg), consistent with Granite Gear’s claim.

Durability – 3.5

Due to the use of 2.4 oz/yd² (81 g/m²) silnylon in areas that are prone to abrasion, including the lower back panel, upper side panels, and extension collar (Nimbus Ozone only), the Ozone and Latitude have some durability limitations. Increasing the height of the bottom reinforcing fabric a few inches would protect the lower back panel. If you are using the extension collar on the Nimbus Ozone, its light fabric will be exposed while bushwhacking or scrambling. Most other backpacks which use similarly light extension collar fabrics have a top lid that generally protects the collars from abrasion. Granite Gear might consider offering a modular top “flap” or an extension collar using more durable fabric to decrease the extension collar’s vulnerability to abrasion.

The Nimbus Latitude, which doesn’t have an extension collar, does have the heavier weight hybrid Cordura and Durastretch material on its top. Wear in this area from bushwhacking is not as much of a concern. However, the upper side panels, made of 2.4 oz/yd² (81 g/m²) silnylon are exposed in both of these packs (Photo 5). This area is susceptible to abrasion while bushwhacking, and care must be taken to avoid damage.

The side pockets are not durable enough to withstand repeated stowage of metal-edged skis; we found the pockets had holes from ski edges after only a few days of hiking with skis in the pockets. This problem was alleviated by inserting ski tails first into some custom-sewn Cordura sleeves prior to stowing them in the pockets.

Value – 3.5

At $200 and $230 for the Nimbus Ozone and Nimbus Latitude respectively, these packs are not exactly inexpensive. However, they offer a comfortable carry, top-notch construction and materials, and are reasonably light for packs capable of carrying the weight and volume these packs can haul. Attributes that downgraded the value rating include the inaccessible side pockets and unprotected, less durable fabric in highly exposed areas.

Recommendations for Improvement

A few recommendations: first correct the conflict of the lower side-panel compression straps limiting access to the side pockets. One solution would be to run the compression straps behind each pocket. One could do this by adding two small slits along the sides of the pockets so that the compression straps would run through and underneath the pocket. Adjusting the compression straps would become more cumbersome; however, this is usually done with the pack off and would be easier than trying to get a water bottle back into the pocket while moving in the current configuration. If one was concerned with the lower opening on the Nimbus Latitude’s Durastretch panel access, a small amount of sewing skill and a bit of Velcro could easily seal this opening during the hike while maintaining access to the zippered panel.

Overview

The Granite Gear Vapor Trail uses a flexible high-density polyethylene (HDPE) framesheet in combination with a virtual frame to transfer the load to your hips. When packed with 30 pounds (14 kg) or less, the harness design, frame sheet, compression strap system/virtual frame, and load lifter straps work well together to create a comfortable carry. Our primary reviewer found the Vapor Trail pack to be very comfortable and more amenable to the female body than most ultralight packs. In the past, other internal frame packs have bruised her hips and pulled at her shoulders. The flexible HDPE plastic framesheet strikes a compromise between light weight and flexibility to move with your torso but still provide enough ‘frame’ to transfer load to your hips when the pack is fully compressed.

The Vapor Trail has one of the best external hydration pockets we’ve seen on a pack. It doesn’t take away pack volume, sits close to your back for balance, and you can remove the bladder without opening the pack or removing any gear!

The Granite Gear Vapor Trail is made with more rugged fabrics than many packs in its weight class, with substantial fabric reinforcements in the abrasion-prone areas of the pack’s bottom panel, lower sides, and rear panel. The Vapor Trail is suitable, both in load carrying capability and features, for backpacking, off-trail scrambling, and alpine climbing. Major weaknesses of this pack include shoulder strap attachment points that are too low on the backpanel, contributing to poor load lifter strap performance when the pack is under packed, and limited external pocket storage for commonly accessed items. Admittedly, climbers and minimalists may love the pack’s current pocket configuration.

Specifications

• Backpack Style	internal frame pack (framesheet), top-loading with roll-top closure.
• Fabric Description	210d, 6.5 oz/yd2 (221 g/m2) Cordura nylon/polyester blend in high stress (shoulder strap and compression strap attachments) and high wear (rear pack panel, bottom of the pack) areas; 70d 2.4 oz/yd2 (81 g/m2) silicone coated nylon in the packbag. 8.5 oz/yd2 (288 g/m2) Durastretch (four way stretch nylon) on side pockets.
• Sizes (Size Short tested)	Sizes Torso Length (in) Torso Length (cm) Short 15-18 38-46 Regular 18-21 46-53 Long 21-25 53-64
• Volume (Size Short tested)	Sizes Volume (ci) Volume (L) Short 3,300 54 Regular 3,600 59 Long 3,900 64
• Weight (Size Short tested)	Sizes Backpacking Light Measured oz (g) Manufacturer Specification oz (g) Short 32.2 (921) 30 (850) Regular Not measured 32 (907) Long Not measured 34 (964)
• Volume to Weight Ratio	102 ci/oz (based on 3300 ci and a measured weight of 32.2 oz)
• Load Carrying Capacity	35 lbs (16 kg) is a reasonable limit for the average user if a good virtual frame is used to supplement the framesheet. It may be pushed to as much as 40 lbs (18 kg) for hikers who find weight on their shoulders tolerable. Granite Gear claims 30 lbs (14 kg).
• Carry Load to Pack Weight Performance Ratio	17 (based on 35 lbs and a measured weight of 32.2 oz)
• MSRP	$150
• Manufacturer’s Contact Information	Granite Gear, 218-834-6157 http://www.granitegear.com

Features

Numerical ratings follow on a scale of 1 to 5 (1=poor, 5=excellent), and are relative to other internal frame packs tested by Backpacking Light.

Frame and Suspension – 4.0

The Vapor Trail’s anatomically curved shoulder straps are more padded (0.5 in, 1.2 cm thick) than those found on many lightweight internal frame packs. With the pack properly loaded and compressed, the load lifter straps pull the pack close to your back for optimal pack stability and balance while hiking or scrambling on rough terrain. Shoulder straps are attached to the top of the frame sheet but well below the top of the pack and the load lifter straps attachment points. In our opinion, the shoulder straps are attached too low and negate the ability of the load lifter straps to maintain stability (tension) in the upper portion of the pack when the upper portion of the pack is not tightly packed and compressed. Fortunately, this problem can be alleviated in large part by properly adjusting the upper compression system so the section between the top of the frame sheet and the load lifter attachment points is rigid.

We found the well padded, 4 inch (10 cm) wide and 7/8 inch (2 cm) thick, hipbelt provided good load transfer to our hips for loads of up to 30 pounds (14 kg), providing the pack’s compression system was properly used to create a virtual frame to supplement the somewhat flexible framesheet’s performance. Ultralight hikers, who are used to minimal or no hipbelts, will appreciate the well-padded belt found on the Vapor Trail.

The Vapor Trail’s soft foam back panel padding and padded ergonomic harness are more comfortable than those used in many ultralight framed backpacks, especially those in the 2 pound (0.9 kg) range. Alison, the lead tester for the Vapor Trail, found the well-padded hipbelt exceptionally comfortable on her bruise-prone hips. The 2.5 inch wide (6 cm) and 1/2 inch thick (1.2 cm) anatomically curved and padded shoulder straps are a boon to sensitive shoulders as pack weight increases and more weight inevitably gets transferred to the shoulders.

Usable Features and Ease of Use – 3.5

Granite Gear’s Vapor Trail has features that will appeal to hikers and climbers alike. The Vapor Trail has Durastretch side pockets that, when used in combination with side compression straps, are suitable for long, skinny items like tent poles, a fishing rod, trekking poles, or snow anchors. The side pockets are capable of carrying 1-liter water bottles. However, they are covered by the lower side panel compression straps, making it quite a feat to remove and replace a water bottle while wearing the pack. The rear compression straps are ideal for holding bulky and large items like a wet tarp or an additional sleeping mat (e.g., on a snow trip).

The Vapor Trail has most of the features one would want in an off-trail and alpine climbing backpack – durable fabric in high wear areas, dual tool loops, a reasonably slim profile for good balance and arm swing clearance, large capacity, a versatile compression system, and easy climbing rope attachment using the top and side compression straps. When the Vapor Trail was properly packed with a full load, we found its load control and pack stability were excellent for off-trail scrambling, bushwhacking, and climbing.

The Vapor Trail has an additional pocket behind the padded backpanel, accessible from the outside, that will accommodate a full three-liter Platypus bladder comfortably. This setup is one of the best hydration pockets we’ve used, allowing easy access to a bladder without unpacking or opening anything. The water is held close to your back for good balance and is insulated by the foam backpanel and pack contents. This excellent, albeit unintentional, hydration pocket significantly improves the pack’s rating in this category. In addition, it leaves the side pockets free of water bottles and available for storage of other items.

Load Volume Flexibility (Compression) – 5.0

The Granite Gear Vapor Tail’s effective compression system controls loads of almost any size, keeping even day-sized loads stable. With eight compression straps, and two catenary compression panels, the Vapor Trail’s ability to stabilize a load in unmatched by most internal frame backpacks on the market. The dual top closure straps compress the top of the pack effectively, playing an essential role in maximizing the effectiveness of the shoulder strap load lifters.

Field Performance

The Vapor Trail was tested in the High Sierras, the Blue Ridge Mountains of the Northeast, and along the Ice Age Trail in the Midwest. Conditions encountered included difficult off-trail travel over rock, ice, snow, scree slogs, and some serious bushwhacking.

Pack Load Carrying – 3.5

Granite Gear rates the Vapor Trail load carrying capacity at 30 pounds (14 kg). With its sturdy hip belt, well-padded and ergonomic harness, and combination framesheet/virtual frame, the Vapor Trail handles 30-pound (14 kg) loads with ease. If one can tolerate a bit of weight on their shoulders, and a good virtual frame has been created, 40 pounds (18 kg) can be carried without too much discomfort. Overall, we estimate that 35 pounds (16 kg) is a reasonable limit for the average user if a good virtual frame is used to supplement the framesheet.

The Vapor Trail’s compression system can compress the packbag to create a nearly rigid pack enhancing the framesheet’s performance and efficiently transferring the load between shoulders and hips. Pulling the pack tight to the back allows for excellent load control and wearer balance when carrying loads up to 30 pounds.

Durability – 3.5

The only thing holding the Granite Gear Vapor Trail back from a higher durability rating is the use of silicone coated nylon fabric in the pack body. Even so, fabric reinforcements in key areas make the Vapor Trail suitable for alpine scrambling and bushwhacking in conditions where you won’t constantly drag your pack against sharp rock or plow pack-first into groves of slide alder. The Granite Gear Vapor Trail uses a more tear and abrasion resistant 2.4 oz/yd² (81 g/m²) silnylon as compared to the more common 1.3 to 1.7 oz/yd² (44 – 58 g/m²) fabrics used by other manufacturers. Cordura (6.5 oz/yd², 221 g/m²) is used in high wear areas, such as the bottom, back panel, and much of the rear panel. The Durastretch side pockets protect the silnylon on the lower side panels. Still, the pack has some of the lighter fabric exposed, and as strong as it is relative to lighter silicone coated nylons, it won’t withstand repeated abrasion.

Value – 4.0

At only $150 we think the Granite Gear Vapor Trail is a good value. For its weight, the Vapor Trail provides efficient load transfer to the hips, offers a comfortable harness, is durably constructed, and offers a versatile compression system suitable for a wide range of load sizes. The Vapor Trail’s durability, climbing friendly amenities, stability, and minimalist design will appeal to aggressive off-trail travelers and fast and light climbers who don’t overly abuse their packs. We especially like the Vapor Trail’s external hydration pocket.

Recommendations for Improvement

• The Vapor Trail’s lower compression straps run over the top of the side pockets. If you have these compression straps tightened down, you’ll need to loosen them to access pocket contents, a nearly impossible task to perform while hiking. We suggest moving these straps up to clear the top of the pockets.
• The lower portion of the pack is prone to abrasion (e.g., sliding down a steep slope) and would benefit from tougher fabric in the region below the lowest compression straps.
• While adaptable to a wider range of torso sizes than other frameless packs, the Granite Gear Vapor Trail’s shoulder strap-and-load-lifter system is quite sensitive to torso collapse when the pack is under-loaded or improperly packed, making the Vapor Trail more appropriate for lightweight hikers who pay a reasonable amount of attention to packing their pack. Extending the frame sheet to the top of the pack and raising the shoulder strap attachment points would increase the pack’s load carrying capacity.
• In lieu of the solid side pockets, we’d prefer to see mesh pockets that better expand and contract to different volumes and allow us the capability to see what is in the pockets.

Overview

The Mountainsmith Auspex is a top-loading internal framed pack offering extensive options and exceptional load carrying capability at a lighter weight than many of its competitors. While there are many packs that weigh less than the 4.1 pound (1.85 kg) Auspex, you will be hard-pressed to find one with as many features – convertible top lid, tough abrasion-resistant fabrics, an innovative bungee system, hydration system capability, water-resistant zippers, side panel access, and the ability to carry 65 pounds (30 kg). If you are a 20 pound (9 kg)-carrying fastpacker, the Auspex will be way more than you need or want. The Auspex is a light expedition worthy pack that is also ideal for climbing or mountaineering.

Specifications

• Backpack Style	Internal frame, top-loading with side panel zipper access.
• Fabric Description	Pack body constructed of Dimension Polyant x-Pac VX-21 and VX-42 fabrics that utilize a 3-ply design with a grid of high tenacity fibers in the middle (somewhat like Spectra). High tenacity nylon is used for the bottom and other high wear areas. Breathable Brock foam and nylon mesh are used at contact points for moisture transport.
• Sizes (Size LT tested)	Sizes Torso Length (in) Torso Length (cm) LT 19-22 48-56 MT 17-19.5 43-50 Chimera (Women) 15-17 38-43
• Volume (Size LT tested)	Sizes Volume (ci) Volume (L) LT 4,000 66 MT 3,850 63 Chimera (Women) 3,600 59
• Weight (Size LT tested)	Sizes Backpacking Light Measured oz/yd2 (kg) Manufacturer Specification oz/yd2 (kg) LT 65.3 (1.85) 64 (1.81) MT Not measured 63 (1.79) Chimera (Women) Not measured 58 (1.64)
• Volume to Weight Ratio	61 ci/oz/yd2, size LT (based on 4,000 ci and Backpacking Light measured weight of 65.3 oz/yd2)
• Load Carrying Capacity	60-65 lbs (27-30 kg) as estimated by Backpacking Light.
• Carry Load to Pack Weight Performance Ratio	16 (based on 65 lbs and Backpacking Light measured weight of 65.3 oz/yd2)
• MSRP	$230
• Manufacturer’s Contact Information	Mountainsmith (800) 551-5889 http://www.mountainsmith.com

Features

Ratings follow on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best, and are relative to other Backpacking Light tested framed packs.

Frame and Suspension – 4.5

The Auspex pack utilizes Mountainsmith’s Mountainlight suspension system. This system consists of two corrugated aluminum stays, a plastic mid-panel framesheet, padded shoulder straps, and a wide padded hipbelt. The stays are exposed in the lower section of the pack, and the hipbelt and upper shoulder pads are the only body contact points (Photo 2). The back panel is much more airy than a traditional full-contact design. Brock foam and nylon mesh, used for the shoulder and hipbelt padding, transports moisture and keeps the pack dry against your skin, even when worn without a shirt.

Side compression straps and a back bungee work together to keep loads compact. With the Auspex properly loaded and compressed, the load lifter straps and hipbelt stabilizers pull the pack close to your back for optimal pack stability and balance when hiking or scrambling on rough terrain. Torso length can be adjusted by moving the shoulder straps up or down along the two exposed corrugated stays. The sternum strap adjusts vertically along a unique piping channel, which offers no technical advantage but looks great. Stays are removable, but it is not an easy task. The user will most likely remove them once for bending and then leave them in the Auspex. It is essential to properly adjust the exposed stays to your back; one reviewer felt the non-adjusted stays jam into his back (Photo 2) on an extended hike. Another repeatedly hit his elbow when donning the pack at first, but then adjusted to the design.

Usable Features and Ease of Use – 4.5

The Auspex is full of many usable features often found in much heavier packs. It has a floating top lid with two pockets. The top pocket has a water-resistant zipper and is accessible while wearing the pack. Another pocket, hidden underneath the top hood, is constructed of mesh for easy viewing of the contents and includes an internal key clip. The top lid converts to a convenient fanny pack for day tripping (Photo 4).

Convenient side pockets hold items such as a wind shirt or water bottle securely and are protected by high-tenacity nylon on the bottom for durability. The side pockets are easily accessible while wearing the pack. The Auspex is hydration system-friendly with a removable internal hydration sleeve and shingled exit ports on each side of the pack body. Elastic loops integrated into the shoulder straps keep hydration hoses secured and within easy reach. A water-resistant panel loading side zipper allows access to items inside the main body of the pack; however, our reviewers found it easier to access items through the top as the water-resistant coating makes the zipper stiff. The Auspex includes two ice-axe loops at the bottom of the pack’s back.

Although these features make the Auspex usable over a wider range of backcountry adventures, the added features increase the pack’s weight. The typical lightweight backpacker will find these features get in the way more often than they are needed.

The shock cord on the back of the pack is quickly removable from the side attachments making it easy to attach large objects, such as sleeping pads or tents, without the need to feed the items through a web of cords (Photo 5). Simply remove the cord attachments from one side, center the object on the pack, reattach the cords, tighten the one-handed cord lock, and the hiker is ready to go.

Load Volume Flexibility (Compression) – 4.0

The Auspex’s effective compression system allows it to comfortably carry loads much smaller than the maximum capacity. By tightening the side compression straps, tightening the bungee system, and leaving the top lid empty, the user can comfortably carry even day-sized loads with great stability. Because the aluminum stays are difficult to remove, the Auspex remains tall and stiff while carrying these minimal loads. With large volume loads, the exterior side pockets, top lid pocket, and shock cords across the back provide suitable expansion of an already large (by lightweight standards) pack.

Field Performance

Pack Load Carrying – 5.0

The Auspex can haul heavy loads with ease. During one field session on the badly washed out Enchanted Valley trail in Olympic National Park, a reviewer carried both his and his wife’s loads (approximately 35 lbs, 16 kg) in complete comfort. In an effort to find the pack’s carrying limit, the pack was filled with 50 pounds (23 kg) of water and rocks . Even with the rough terrain, the Auspex did not flex and carried the weight comfortably. In further tests, the pack was filled with 65 pounds (30 kg) of water and weights and taken for several miles on local trails. The Auspex carried this load comfortably. We think it could probably carry even more. Through the full range of loads carried, the wide hip belt and high-density foam shoulder straps transferred the weight as comfortably as packs weighing much more. The Auspex is a true expedition worthy load hauler. In addition, its compression system and slim pack design kept the load close to the user’s back for a good center of gravity.

Durability – 5.0

After extensive use, Mountainsmith’s Auspex only showed slight fraying in the piping that frames the base of the pack. All straps are internally sewn into piping which is very strong. The use of highly abrasion-resistant Dimension Polyant x-Pac fabrics enables the Mountainsmith pack to hold up well, even in off-trail hiking and climbing. Heavier high-tenacity nylon is used on the bottom of the pack for further durability in this high wear area.

The reinforced x-Pac fabric used behind the bungee made it possible to carry crampons without a reinforced bag. This narrow, durable pack makes an excellent companion for climbing trips.

Value – 4.0

At $230, the Auspex is not an inexpensive pack. However, you are getting all the bells and whistles such as waterproof zippers, convertible top lid/fanny pack, bungee system, durability, side access, high tech fabrics, and a suspension system that can handle expedition weight loads. Further, this is accomplished at just a hair over 4 pounds (1.85 kg). As a lightweight expedition pack, the Auspex is an excellent value.

Recommendations for Improvement

Mountainsmith has hit their target market quite well with the Auspex pack. While not as light as some other packs, you would have to eliminate features and durability to bring the weight down; this is simply not Mountainsmith’s goal with this pack. Our only concern with the Auspex is the exposed frame stays. During testing, we repeatedly scraped our triceps against the sharp stay edges, especially when the pack was filled to capacity. A better design would have the stays covered in soft fabric or at least sanded smooth along the edges.

Overview

The Gossamer Gear (formerly GVP Gear) Mariposa represents a significant step forward in the ultralight backpacking industry; a 1-pound (0.5 kg) pack capable of carrying loads up to 30 pounds (14 kg) in reasonable comfort. Gossamer Gear does this without losing features like full peripheral pockets, padded hip belt, bear canister compatibility, and an ice axe loop (Photo 1).

The key to this carrying capacity: two carbon fiber stays combine with the hiker’s sleeping pad to form a rigid frame that effectively transfers pack weight to the hipbelt. Another innovation is the use of pad pockets on the shoulder straps and hip belt that permit exchanging the included closed cell foam pads with articles of clothing, thus leaving the padding weight at home. Further weight is reduced by the use of 1.3 oz/yd² (44 g/m²) silnylon for most of the pack body (oxford cloth is used in key stress/wear areas). Obviously, a pack made of such lightweight material is not designed to handle the rigors of off trail backpacking and climbing. One gripe: the harness on the prototype Mariposa tested was not a great fit. We’ve talked with Gossamer Gear and expect a few tweaks will significantly improve comfort on production packs.

Specifications

Backpack Style	Internal frame, top-loading pack with roll-top closure
Fabric Description	40d 1.3 oz/yd2 (44 g/m2) silnylon and selected use of 210d 4 oz/yd2 (136 g/m2) urethane-coated ripstop nylon
Sizes (Size M tested (prototype))	Sizes Torso Length (in) Torso Length (cm) S 16-19 41-48 M 18-22 46-56 L 20-24 51-61
Volume (Size M tested (prototype))	Sizes Volume (ci) Volume (L) S,M,L 4,200 69
Weight (Size M tested (prototype))	Component Measured Weight oz (g) Manufacturer Specification Weight oz (g) Pack complete 17.0 (482) 17.4 (493) Pack stripped 14.9 (422) 14.6 (414) Stays 0.9 (26) pair 0.8 (23) pair Hip belt pads 0.3 (9) pair 0.4 (11) pair Shoulder pads 0.4 (11) pair 0.4 (11) pair Sternum strap 0.5 (14) 0.5 (14)
Volume to Weight Ratio	247 ci/oz size M (Based on 4,200 ci, size M, and Backpacking Light measured weight of 17.0 oz)
Load Carrying Capacity	30 lbs (13.6 kg), maximum comfortable carrying capacity as determined by Backpacking Light. Manufacturer claims 40 pounds (18.1 kg) maximum carrying capacity and Backpacking Light agrees the Mariposa will carry it, but with reduced comfort and with greater concern for fabric failure.
Carry Load to Pack Weight Performance Ratio	28 (based on 30 lbs and Backpacking Light measured weight of 17.0 oz)
MSRP	approximately $140, price not set at time of review
Manufacturer’s Contact Information	Gossamer Gear, 877-ULTRA-LT, http://www.gossamergear.com

Features

Ratings follow subtitles on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best, and are relative to other Backpacking Light tested internal framed packs.

Frame and Suspension – 3.5 (pre production) 4.0 (if production changes made)

Gossamer Gear’s Mariposa uses an innovative frame and suspension setup to comfortably carry loads up to 30 pounds (13.6 kg) in a pack weighing just a shade over 1 pound (0.5 kg). Currently, only two other pack manufacturers are employing similar frame designs (Six Moon Designs Starlite and ULA Fusion). The Mariposa integrates the user’s sleeping pad with two hollow carbon fiber frame stays to create a rigid back panel. The pack’s pocketed back panel has an opening slit in the center, where a sleeping pad is inserted, first into the bottom half and then into the top. Most thin 3/4-length closed cell foam (i.e. RidgeRest or Z-Rest) or any length rectangular, self-inflating pads should fit. This pocket measures 11 inches wide by 20 inches high (28 x 51 cm). If a self-inflating pad is used it has to be inflated before inserting, as there is no opening in the pocket to gain access to the valve. Inserting a sleeping pad into this pocket is slightly cumbersome, but the design is extremely light and simple.

The two carbon fiber stays look similar to carbon arrow shafts, but are nicely finished on both ends with a dome-shaped aluminum cap. The shape and smoothness of the caps prevent inadvertent fabric wear within the stay sleeves; an important consideration in such a light-fabric pack. The stays are easily removable by opening the Velcro closure at the tops of each stay pocket. It is not possible to reshape them, though the sleeping pad tends to conform to one’s back shape to some extent.

The back panel/pad pocket material is mesh. This material is thin and the portion of the sleeping pad, between the upper and lower sleeves is directly against the user’s back. The type of sleeping pad selected will determine pack comfort while on the trail. Closed cell foam pads that contain ridges and valleys offer some additional breathability over the self-inflating types, a relief when hiking in hot weather.

The Gossamer Gear’s harness sets it apart from most lightweight packs. Upon first inspection it appears simple, but this belies a sophisticated design. You can use gloves, socks, or other articles of clothing to replace the closed cell foam inserts (included) in the shoulder straps and hipbelt. This saves the weight of the foam padding and even gives you some extra pack room.

The Mariposa has a removable sternum strap with a safety whistle. Both the shoulder straps and hipbelt are sewn onto the back panel. Thus, the harness does not adjust to accommodate varying torso lengths. It also lacks shoulder strap and hip belt stabilizers. Unnoticed initially are Velcro openings along the seams of both the shoulder straps and hip belt, which allow the user to remove the padding to save weight. My first unfounded concern was that my clean socks were going to get soaked with sweat before I had an opportunity to wear them. However, a layer of 1.3 oz/yd² (44 g/m²) silnylon lines the inside of these pockets to keep the contents dry. In addition, the shoulder straps are a whopping 3.5-inches (9 cm) wide at their contact point. With lighter loads, many users will find the padding unnecessary. I was also concerned that articles of clothing used to replace the closed cell foam would not provide enough padding for comfort. Because the shoulder pads are so wide, the “padding” need only spread out the shoulder straps and keep them wide (Photo 2). In our testing, a shoulder strap without any padding would curl and become narrower, concentrating the pack weight on a smaller area and increasing discomfort. However, with as little as a thin polypropylene balaclava, the straps would maintain their full width and evenly distribute the load. Care must be taken to insert and remove clothing items without snagging them on the Velcro openings. You can also put the item in a light baggie to solve this problem and keep the article extra dry.

The fit was not perfect with our “pre-production, prototype” Mariposa. While the fit of the prototype will be discussed here, we have spoken with Gossamer Gear to learn others have expressed similar concerns with the prototypes and production runs will be corrected. With that said, the hip belt is sized fairly large on the size Medium prototype tested. With the padding removed, the hip belt was too big for my 33-inch (84 cm) waist. Even with the foam pads inserted, the adjustment straps would bottom out before the hip belt was completely snug. Production runs will have a slightly shorter hip belt (padded portion), which will alleviate this concern. Also, the webbing that the sternum strap adjusted on was too high. Referring to Photo 2, the sternum strap is at the bottom of the adjustment webbing, which is attached to each shoulder strap. Notice that the strap is well above the center of the wearer’s chest with nowhere to adjust but up to the neck. Again, production models should be corrected in this area.

Usable Features and Ease of Use – 4.0

Even at 17.0 oz (482 g), the Gossamer Gear Mariposa is still a full-featured pack. It has a total of four external nylon mesh pockets, not including the pad pocket and harness padding pockets. The pockets serve two purposes-to provide convenient storage and retrieval of frequently needed items and to protect the lower portion of 1.3 oz/yd² (44 g/m²) silnylon making up the pack body. The lower back is covered with a large pocket suitable for storing wet tarps and the like. On the left side panel, a long 13-inch (33-cm) pocket provides enough room for a 2-liter water bladder. There are two pockets to protect the right side panel, one above the other. The lower 1-liter water bottle pocket is easily accessed while wearing the pack. A thinner map and compass sized pocket is above that.

The pre-production sample received for this review did not include the internal hydration pocket that will be found on production models. The hydration pocket will be constructed out of 1.3 oz/yd² (44 g/m²) silnylon, be non-removable, and will include two drinking tube ports. Since it is going to be made of silnylon, we don’t expect it to add much weight (approximately 0.2 oz, 6 g).

The back pocket is covered by a removable shock cord, which provides some minimal compression and an additional location for storing wet gear. The shock cord is laced through grosgrain attachment points located along both vertical seams on the back. These attachments points are repeated down each vertical seam on either side of the back panel, at the front of the side panels. These offer additional gear securing options and because they are tied into the 210 denier nylon oxford fabric, they are a more durable attachment point. These can be used to attach the tops of long items (trekking or tent poles) that are inserted into the side pockets, as an additional location for compression shock cords, or as a convenient location for one’s bandana or towel. Use your imagination.

For those who like to venture over ice and snow, a single ice axe loop is centrally located below the large back pocket. It could also be used as a place to attach adjustable trekking poles. When the back pocket is full, items attached to this loop are pushed away from the pack by the pocket contents. Attachment for other climbing hardware is not provided. A single haul loop is included between the shoulder straps.

The top of the Mariposa closes like a stuff sack, with a draw cord closure. The top of the pack is then secured with a Y-shaped compression strap. This grosgrain-webbing strap attaches at the top of each shoulder strap and extends all the way to the bottom of the large back pocket. In addition to compressing the pack, its wider profile across the top provides storage for larger items, like a bear canister, that might sit on top of the pack.

Load Volume Flexibility (Compression) – 2.5

The Gossamer Gear Mariposa can adjust to varying volume loads, though this is not its strong suit. To adjust to smaller loads, the contents initially stored in the mesh exterior pockets can be brought to the inside and the single top compression strap tightened. This, combined with tightening the back shock cord, is the only means of converting this pack to daypack dimensions. Heavier items will tend to stretch out the shock cord rendering compression less effective. Because of the limited number of compression straps, the fully compressed Mariposa looks lumpy. Very small volumes do not compress well to the point of having loose contents in the pack. Larger loads that exceed the pack body’s 2,900 cubic inch (48 L) main volume, can overflow into the 500 cubic inch (8 L) mesh pockets and 800 cubic inch (13 L) extension collar, with the remaining gear attached using various shock cord arrangements, before resorting to hand carrying gear.

Field Performance

Pack Load Carrying – 4.0

The Mariposa was tested while carrying weights ranging from 15 to 40 pounds (7 to 18 kg). We tested it both properly loaded approaching full volume, and with small volume, dense loads (i.e. water hauling trips). Although Gossamer Gear rates this pack as able to carry 40 pounds, we find this weight pushes the limits of the Mariposa. Here we evaluate the comfort of the different suspension components, as some hikers will have higher tolerances for discomfort in different areas. With the foam padding inserts, the shoulder straps and hip belt can comfortably carry up to 35 pounds (16 kg). It would seem replacing the foam padding with articles of clothing would greatly reduce the carrying comfort. Actually, the wide 3.5-inch (8.9 cm) straps dissipate the pack weight so well they only need enough “padding” in them to maintain their wide shape. Thus, with articles of clothing filling the shoulder straps and hip belt, we feel they are still comfortable supporting pack loads of up to 35 pounds. The frame stays remain solid up beyond 40 pounds and are not contributors to discomfort. Although the frame stays remain stiff at 40 pounds, the sleeping pad does not. Beginning at 30 pounds (14 kg), and after several miles, we find the sleeping pad within the Mariposa’s back panel collapses a bit and bulges in a way that does not complement the shape of one’s back. While we found it uncomfortable, it was not a level of discomfort that made carrying the pack miserable. It is appropriate to state that the Mariposa is capable of carrying weight upwards of 40 pounds for short legs of a trip where extra water or food is needed. Nevertheless, we found this pack performs best with weights at or below 30 pounds.

The Mariposa does not have a compression system that fully compresses and controls small, heavy loads. This pack’s ability to stabilize this type of load was exceeded at weights above 15 pounds (7 kg). Therefore, while short trips for water are acceptable with this pack, using it as a daypack or for a summit push may not be appropriate. Gossamer Gear did not design the Mariposa with carrying small, heavy loads as a requirement.

Durability – 2.0

A tradeoff with most lightweight packs is fabric durability. Gossamer Gear’s Mariposa is no exception; however, design elements are in place to minimize the 1.3 oz/yd² (44 g/m²) silnylon fabric from exposure to fabric destroying elements. Both the bottom and back panel of the Mariposa are covered by the relatively more durable 210 denier coated oxford. These areas are exposed to abrasion from the ground and fabric stress from the harness and internal stays. The silnylon, which is used for both side panels and the back, is partially protected by the nylon mesh pockets from the bottom of the pack up to 13-inches (33 cm) high. Assuming these pockets are completely empty, the silnylon can possibly be damaged through the mesh but to a limited extent. The real vulnerable areas are on the upper back and side panels above the 13-inch high pockets. Low branches can wreck havoc on the upper end of this pack.

This pack is not well suited as a climbing pack or for off-trail bushwhacking. Frequent contact with rock, trees, and other abrasive surfaces will eventually cause fabric failure. This was not the intended purpose of the Gossamer Gear Mariposa, which was designed to meet the needs of long distance trail hikers interested in reduced weight. If you are looking for a lightweight climbing pack, this is not it.

Value – 3.5

Considering the weight of the Mariposa, you don’t get much for your money, and we like that. Although higher priced than most silnylon packs, the price reflects innovative design and quality construction. You probably won’t find another 1-pound pack with the features of the Mariposa that can comfortably carry 30 pounds or more. The Mariposa value was slightly downgraded due to its lower durability; though this is the tradeoff for its reduced weight.

Recommendations for Improvement

When the back pocket is filled with gear and bulges out, trekking poles or an ice axe attached to the centered ice axe loop at the bottom of the back pocket tend to stick out rather than ride close to the pack. Relocating the ice axe loop to either side of the back would fix this problem. We also expect to see corrections to the hip belt (which was too long) and the sternum strap (which was too high) when full-production packs hit the market. We do not wish to see any improvement to durability, as this would also increase the weight. There are plenty of light, durable packs on the market. The incredibly light, not-so-durable Gossamer Gear Mariposa is a needed extremity to satisfy those on the lightweight fringe who spend most of their time hammering out long miles on the trail.

Overview

The Gregory G Pack is the result of Gregory’s experience making comfortable packs applied to lighter fabrics and materials. The hollow core single aluminum stay and well fitting harness combine to create a very comfortable pack suspension without being overly stiff. Weights at or around 30 pounds (14 kg, Gregory’s suggested weight) carried very comfortably in the G Pack. However, Gregory’s G fabric (1.3 oz/yd², 44 g/m² silnylon) is rather thin and will not handle a lot of abuse. We also found the lack of accessible pockets, limited exterior attachment options, and the omission of hydration compatibility disappointing.

Specifications

• Backpack Style	Top loading internal frame with top lid pocket closure.
• Fabric Description	Silicone impregnated 30d, 1.3 oz/yd2 (44 g/m2) “G fabric” for the main body and 210d, 4.8 oz/yd2 (163 g/m2) HT ripstop nylon for high wear areas and reinforcements.
• Sizes (Size M tested)	Sizes Torso Length (in) Torso Length (cm) S 15.5-17.5 39-44 M 17.5-19.5 44-50 L 19.5-21.5 50-55
• Volume (Size M tested)	Sizes Volume (ci) Volume (L) S 2,650 43 M 2,900 48 L 3,100 51
• Weight (Size M tested)	Sizes Backpacking Light Measured oz(g) Manufacturer Specification oz(g) S Not measured 41 (1,162) M 43.6 (1,236) 44 (1,247) L Not measured 46 (1,304)
• Volume to Weight Ratio	67 ci/oz, size M (based on 2,900 ci and Backpacking Light measured weight of 43.6 oz)
• Load Carrying Capacity	30 lbs (14 kg) as estimated by Backpacking Light
• Carry Load to Pack Weight Performance Ratio	11 (based on 30 lbs and Backpacking Light measured weight of 43.6 oz)
• MSRP	$149
• Manufacturer’s Contact Information	Gregory (800) 477-3420 http://www.gregorypacks.com

Features

Ratings follow subtitles on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best, and are relative to other Backpacking Light tested framed packs.

Frame and Suspension – 4.5

Gregory lightened the G Pack by reducing fabric weight while retaining a fairly substantial frame and harness for a pack designed to carry 30 pounds (14 kg). The frame consists of a single hollow core 7075 series aluminum internal frame stay and a supportive HDPE plastic framesheet (Photo 2). Although Gregory describes the frame sheet and stay as removable, removal is very difficult and not a task that one would repeat often. The one time I accomplished the task, it took me 15 minutes, and I broke out in a sweat. Nevertheless, once removed, the stay can be bent to make minor adjustments to better match spinal curvature.

The Gregory G Pack has padded shoulder straps and hipbelt, both cushioned sufficiently for the load carrying capacity of this pack. There are no means to adjust the harness to accommodate varying torso lengths. However, the G Pack is offered in three sizes (small, medium, and large) to fit torso sizes from 15.5 to 21.5 inches (39 to 55 cm). The shoulder straps are contour cut and fit very well. The harness is completed with waist belt and shoulder strap stabilizers and a sternum strap. The padded back panel only makes contact at the lumbar and shoulder blades creating channels in between that allow air movement between the pack and wearer.

 

Usable Features and Ease of Use – 2.5

 

The G Pack has an unusual pocket configuration that is both uniquely functional and cumbersome to use. Rather than having two side water bottle pockets and one large back pocket, as many lightweight packs do, the G Pack has one large pocket that covers both side panels and the back, named the “bucket pouch” by Gregory. It can accept lots of small gear, or take on enormous items, as needed. This pocket is secured along its top edge by three side-release buckles that connect the pocket to each side panel and to the top compression strap. These also act as the pack’s primary compression system. The deep side panel pockets are unreachable with the pack on. For that matter, none of the pockets are accessible while wearing this pack. What makes this pocket cumbersome to use is the top or center compression strap. A single strap compresses the top of the pack, underneath the top pocket, and also attaches and compresses the center panel of the back pocket. Since one webbing strap does it all, this arrangement necessitates the adjustment of both the top compression of the pack and back pocket at the same time, a task that requires removal of the top lid pocket. We would prefer the increased weight (a weight only measurable in grams) of an additional piece of nylon webbing that would allow independent adjustment of the top and pocket compression.

The top lid pocket is standard enough. It attaches cleanly with four adjustable side release buckles, one at each corner, and compresses the pack well. A #5 YKK weather resistant coil zipper closes this pocket. Although the top pocket can be removed, doing so leaves four long sections of nylon webbing dangling from the pack. Diehards, wanting to loose the top pocket permanently, can do so by cutting these nylon straps.

The main pack bag closes like a stuff sack, with a draw cord and cord lock. As mentioned previously, a single nylon strap with a side release buckle goes over the top of this opening (underneath the top pocket) for vertical compression. Gregory added an extra bit of reinforcement material where the draw cord enters the pack to protect the silnylon from ripping.

The G Pack further misses the mark by not providing a hydration system friendly pocket and tube port. It is difficult to stay hydrated while wearing this pack. This pack also lacks the ability to carry ice axes or long items as there are no tool loops or upper side panel attachment points. The pocket and compression strap configuration limits sleeping pad storage to the inside.

Load Volume Flexibility (Compression) – 3.0

With a total of eight compression straps, the G Pack excels at compressing loads. Oddly, all of these compression straps compress in a mostly vertical direction. The exceptions are the compression straps connecting the sides of the main large pocket to the upper side panels, which angle at an upward diagonal, towards the backpanel. Nevertheless, the G Pack compresses well enough. Smaller loads are easily swallowed within the pack. Larger loads are a little more problematic. The G Pack lacks a daisy chain and only the two front compression straps connected to the top pocket can be used to lash on extra gear.

Field Performance

Pack Load Carrying – 4.5

Gregory claims a carrying capacity of 30 pounds (14 kg), which was unequivocally confirmed in our testing of the G Pack. We tested the G Pack with loads as high as 40 pounds (18 kg) reducing down below 20 pounds (9 kg). At the heavier weights, the lighter hip belt and single stay were unable to completely transfer weight comfortably to the hips. The single, centered aluminum stay could not transfer this weight to the shoulder strap stabilizers’ upper attachment which caused some torso collapse. This required adjusting more weight onto the shoulder straps, which were not up for the task and quickly became uncomfortable. At, or around 30 pounds (14 kg), the G Pack’s frame and suspension was comfortable, with minimal frame collapse and sufficient padding for those loads. The single stay and framesheet are vertically supportive and able to transfer weight to the hips and provide enough pack flexibility for the hips and shoulders to twist independently of each other. For a pack designed to carry 30 pounds, the G Pack does so in comfort without unnecessary rigidity.

Durability – 2.5

Although the main body of the pack uses 30 denier, 1.3 oz/yd² (44 g/m²) silnylon “G fabric” to reduce weight, most high wear areas are covered by 210 denier double ripstop nylon. The 210 denier ripstop was used for the bottom, up the middle of the back pocket, and across the top of the top pocket. The nylon mesh used in the sides of the large back pocket protects the G fabric side panels. The silnylon is exposed in two narrow strips down the back pocket and quite extensively above that pocket.

We tested the G Pack down a narrow, trail-less canyon in northern Arizona which included numerous encounters with dense vegetation. In our testing, the 210 denier double ripstop held up well to conscientious use, but not at all to abuse. The silnylon was hidden well enough behind tougher fabric to resist most encounters with abrasion and snags, which generally occurred on the lower portion of the pack. The exposed silnylon on the back pocket was susceptible to wear, particularly when dropping the pack on the ground or leaning against brush. Care must also be taken when passing low overhanging branches so they do not find their way through the exposed G fabric on the upper portion of the pack. It was suitable to omit climbing attachment options on this pack, as its fabric will not tolerate encounters with abrasive surfaces.

Value – 2.5

At $149, the G Pack is priced on the low end compared to other lightweight internal frame packs. However, the exposed areas of G fabric greatly reduce its durability. It also lacks accessible pockets and options for hydration.

Recommendations for Improvement

The comfortable-to-carry Gregory G Pack could be optimized with improved pocket accessibility. In order to keep the current pocket configuration, we recommend adding two water bottle sized pockets, one on each lower side panel. Attaching them with side release buckles, such that they can be attached low and are removable allowing the bucket pocket to remain, might be the best option for this pack.

We would really like to see Gregory add an additional nylon webbing strap for the back pocket’s center adjustment strap, thus allowing separate adjustability for the back pocket and pack’s top compression. This would only add a nominal amount of weight, if any at all, as the current single strap is much longer than necessary.

More options for attaching gear externally would be an improvement that could extend the load volume carrying capacity. Even a single daisy chain running up the middle of the back pocket, with an ice axe loop at the bottom, would make a significant improvement in this regard. The benefits of these changes would outweigh the minimal weight increase. Although this is not a climbing pack, the additional attachment options would be suitable for attaching trekking poles or a jacket that does not fit inside the pack.