Pack that doesn’t lead to shoulder pain

Vargo is doing a titanium external frame pack now

http://www.vargooutdoors.com/ti-arc-backpack.html

No other pack I've tried compares to it.

+ 2 on the Fusion. I've got maybe 300 miles on mine so far and love the carry. Uber adjustable ( I am 5-8 and have the harness at the "M" position.) Bending the aluminum stay to contour my back made a big difference in the fit and comfort.

The Vargo looks interesting. 2 lbs. 13 oz., a little heavy perhaps. Looks like it carries a bear canister well. Not nearly as large as a Unaweep, but those were designed for big loads; the Vargo looks like it has enough volume for most backpackers. The belt is huge, with a nice lumbar pad. I really like a plush hip belt when carrying weight off my shoulders.

I'd like to see a nice big mesh pocket on the front of the Vargo. I love those things!

+3 for the SMD Fusion. The frame transfers weight incredibly well to, in my opinion, one of the best hipbelts on the market as I feel very little weight on my shoulders. Of all the packs I've tried, the fusion is the most comfortable when a framed pack is needed.

Jeffrey,

The Luxurylite Frame and belt is 1 lb 11 oz.

Three cylinders (not the expensive cuben ones) seems to be 13 oz.

Total weight is 2 lbs 8 oz.

Cost is $169.00 for the frame and belt and $75 for three cylinders for 3845 cu in or 63 L of storage.

Total cost is $244.00.

I live over in Danville, so not too far from you.

So I might take you up on that offer to try out your pack….just to see if the hip belt will fit her and the feel of it for her.

Do you have a PM setup for emailing each other?

Tony

That's not that expensive after all–and pretty light. I'm set up for pm.

–Jeff

Thanks everyone for the great discussion. Here is an interim update: After going through a lot of good suggestions, we somewhat arbitrarily ordered the Exped Lightning 60 and the SMD Fusion 50. I'll post an update after my wife tries them out.

By the way, the Women's Exped Lightning 60 at campsaver.com on clearance + 20% off coupon + active junky 7% rebate + free shipping + no tax comes out to around $150! Pretty good deal there.

Gene

I think we finally have a dark-horse winner in the "no shoulder pain" category.

Pain:
Osprey (older women's pack and new-style women's pack)
ULA Circuit
Boreas
SMD Fusion

No Pain:
Kelty TrailLogic PK 50
REI Flash 58

The REI Flash 58, which my wife just tried on because she'd already tried everything else at REI, felt good. We took it on an 18 mile overnight hike in the Santa Cruz mountains this weekend and it worked beautifully.

Thanks for the update. Glad you found something that worked.