1-3 day Pack Suggestions?

The zPacks Arc Blast. External frame, transfers weight to the belt well. Lighter than most of the ultralight packs out there. It’s a terrific pack if your full walkout weight is less than about 28lbs. If you’re regularly carrying 30lbs or more, look at other options. Dixie, who carries a lot of camera equipment, recently did a review of a few packs suitable for loads in the mid-thirties and up.

I have been looking at that one. Thank you.

I also have an Arc Blast and recommend it. Even if you don’t fill it, with the roll top you can cinch the size down and yet it still has volumen for multi-day trips with a bear canister. It’s comfortable but not a cushy ride like some other packs. The DCF layer in the fabric with the rolltop closure means that it is functionally a big dry bag, so you can save further weight by dropping pack covers or liners.

I have an ArcZip and love it, but if you’re looking for 1-3 days max, then you might want to consider the Dan Durston 40L pack on Drop.com.  It’s only $150 and is probably one of the least expensive packs you’ll find with a frame.  I picked up one for my daughter and it seems to be made really well, but we haven’t had a chance to use it yet.

Six Moon Designs also has some closeouts on their Fusion 65 pack for $157.50.  I have three SMD packs – The Starlite, the Swift, and a Fusion 65.  I like them all and have held onto them to offer to other people I take backpacking.

For 1-3 day trips I’ve been happy with frameless packs.  I have a GG Murmur with a lot of weekends on it and I just picked up a ZPacks Nero (which another one of my daughters loves).

Crap…I clearly have a problem with packs (and hammocks and tarps and stoves and quilts and…)

Thanks @kbabione. Seems most frameless just don’t do well beyond 20lbs total weight.

No – You’re right.  I usually max out at around 18 pounds when I’m able to use the frameless packs.  It may jump up to 22-23 pounds for an hour or so if I know I’m spending the night at a dry campsite and pick up an extra couple liters of water.

The other packs in my inventory are framed in various ways.  The Starlite has two aluminum stays, the Swift has a U-shaped frame, I don’t recall what the Fusion has and haven’t looked enough at the Dan Durston Drop pack to think about it!

Superior Wilderness Designs Long Haul Internal Frame 35L or 40L:

https://www.swdbackpacks.com/product-page/LongHaul35

https://www.swdbackpacks.com/product-page/LongHaul35