Boreas Buttermilks 55 Review

I've put roughly 200 miles on mine and I love it, although I agree some things could be improved. I'd like to throw in my impressions as well.

After you put in about 40-50 miles on it, the foam back pad softens up a bit and forms better to your back. I had an issue when "breaking in" my pack where it would really press into my lower back but the problem has corrected itself.

I've never had the sternum strap slide around. Maybe I use it a bit differently, or its resting position is the correct one for me, but I haven't had any problems.

I too would be thrilled with a Granite Gear hip belt, although I feel the current hipbelt is adequate, especially under 30 lbs.

I am still debating whether I like this or the AC Blaze better, but that little zippered pocket towards the top has me hooked: it's plenty of space to store the little things I need access to easily.

I've seen very little wear despite scraping on a lot of rocks and branches.

The zippered hipbelt pockets are *awesome*. I usually stuff them full of snacks for easy access. This is the other thing keeping me using my Boreas instead of my Granite Gear.

This pack feels a bit awkward with a Garcia bear canister fit horizontally inside the pack. I don't know if it's wrecking the weight distribution or if it's simply causing the pack to shape a little differently, but if you carry a Garcia on 100% of your trips you might steer clear.

The simplicity of the design is super refreshing, although I hate carrying my foam pad on top of the pack. Bottom straps in this case, would be much appreciated.

The pack compresses down well enough to carry daypack loads without looking awkward or floppy.

My lower back is a bit problematic.

I tried on both the Buttermilks 55 and the GG Blaze AC 60 at REI. Due to the pressure and discomfort that I, too, felt in the lower back, I went with the Granite Gear pack.

The lower back discomfort on the Boreas was reminiscent of my first pack, a used Eureka! that never got comfortable to me, no matter how hard I tried.

The lack of hip-belt pockets on the GG Blaze was solved by purchasing two add-on pockets from Zimmerbuilt.

I guess I don't get it. For me, a three-pound pack with all the nitpicks you listed would be a deal-breaker. As I understand the review, it sounds like the Buttermilks does a lot of things okay, but nothing really well. Given the ability of packs a pound or so lighter to provide the same or better benefits but without the little disappointments(e.g., a ULA Catalyst or Ohm 2.0), what place does the Buttermilks have in the quiver? I see it as a pack without an identity or a niche to fill. If I need more, I would go heavier with something that offered me more. If I need what it offers, why not go significantly lighter?

Maybe I'm misreading things, but I just don't get it. The pack doesn't look bad, but all of it looks done before–and done better and lighter.

Nice review Brad.

How much use did you get with the pack? I can't tell from the review and all the pics look like they are from the same trip.