Good lightweight pack for about 30lb?

"My base weight is around 10-12lb, but I carry around another 10 pounds of camera equipment + food."

How much of the camera gear weight is hanging around your neck? How much total load will be on your back?

Until one year ago, my typical load was 10 pounds of base weight, 10 pounds of food and consumables, and 10 pounds of camera gear. I have since slimmed down on the camera gear, but it varies from trip to trip.

If you are going to be somewhere with a bear canister requirement, then that requires some extra volume.

–B.G.–

Honestly a bear canister isn't required a whole amount. I'll be camping mainly in the Rockies/Cascades and SW..

On the trips to Yosemite I'll take a different pack.

I usually carry probably 3-4lb on a strap on my hip.

I use a Zpacks model Blast, 57L volume. It has enough volume, but not too much more. That model was discontinued, I believe. Zpacks once told me that it was plenty good for 30 pounds, but that for 35 pounds, it would not be terribly comfortable. I used it enough to agree with those numbers. That may get you thinking in the right direction.

In fact, I was going to use that pack to carry in some resupply packages to the PCT.

–B.G.–

Interesting, how does the model blast differ from the current Arc Blast? Every time I look at the Arc Blast I worry how it would carry 30lb comfortably.

Its looking like a Dyneema Arc Haul for me.

24 oz with a decent suspension..

I was considering this. Still wondering just how comfortably it would carry 30lb though..

I'd recommend taking a look at the Katabatic Gear packs. I picked up the Artemis and really like it. The Helios line comes in 2 different fabric choices, as well. I feel like they are as well made (or better) than any comparable cottage company.

Matthew, if you don't like the looks of the Arc Blast, then you probably won't like the looks of the Blast, either.

The Blast has a weight somewhat under 15 ounces. I think the Arc Blast is slightly heavier since it has a lightweight frame of sorts.

–B.G.–

It's not that I don't like the look of it, I'm just worried about how comfortably it would carry the weight. If some people could chime in with some experience carrying these weights on the blast that would be great.

Mathew..

Maybe you should do a bit more research into the differences between the two designs.. The Arc Haul suspension is a substantial upgrade over the Arc Blast .

The Arc Haul is rated for 40 pounds.. Unless there is some sort of individual fit issue between you and that particular design, I'd think it would do 30 pounds if you can;)

Matthew, it is kind of a moot point. The Blast is discontinued.

–B.G.–

Sorry Bob, I'm just getting the names messed up.

Jimmer is right, I didn't realize the haul dyneema was rated at 40lb. Sounds like it may be a good choice. Now to get one before summer kicks in. Nearly time to start heading out regularly.

This is where your philosophy of ultralightweight backpacking gets important.

You are looking for a heavier backpack in order to accommodate the weight that you expect to carry.

The opposite approach is to reduce the weight of the stuff you carry so that the lighter backpack will get the job done.

–B.G.–

And I agree, but in terms of lots of food and water or photographic gear, you can only cut so much weight.

For most folks I'd say. get your base weight WELL under 10 pounds and carry something like the ArcBlast..At one pound, its a hell of a pack.

But for folks who will be carrying 20 to 30 pounds pretty often, a 24 oz Arc Haul carries a miniscule weight penalty compared to packs in tbe 32 to 40oz range.

BG: You wrote
"This is where your philosophy of ultralightweight backpacking gets important.
You are looking for a heavier backpack in order to accommodate the weight that you expect to carry.
The opposite approach is to reduce the weight of the stuff you carry so that the lighter backpack will get the job done."

There's a third aspect to the equation that's equally important, at least to me, and I'm afriad mentioning it in these cricles might be tantamount to heresy. The third approach is to improv eyur own strength and conditioning so that whatever you happen to be carrying isn't burdensome.

Is the whole idea to see much you can get along wqithout for bragging rights? Or is it enabling yourself to cover loads of miles, have loads of fun, and wake u- in the morning feeling good?

For me, 30 pounds IS lightweight! Just my 2¢

Matthew, you might be interested in my recent search for such a pack. My immediate concern for the Arc Haul is that it is brand new and untested, so on paper it looks good but who knows how it is for actual feel and durability.

Packs are as personal as people. Everyone's body shape is different. Everyone's fitness level is different. And everyone's backpacking technique differs.

Fitness: I train with a 40# pack. If you don't, start. This will effect your preferences for wide vs. narrow shoulder/hip belts (and your pack preferences.) If you get out a lot, you won't need a lot. If you get out 3-4 weekends per year, you need much more out of the harness.

Harness: Your shoulder harness and hip belt will pick up the load from your pack, transferring it to your feet. It will do this regardless of how the pack rides on your back. Some people like the weight to ride on their shoulders. Some like the weight to ride on their hips. You need to determine what you like. I do not like stuff on my shoulders because I have damaged vertebrae there. I look for a 30/70 ratio, shoulders/hip. You may prefer a 50/50 ratio. Or, 70/30 ratio. I cannot tell about your preferences on this list. And, your fitness level will directly effect the width and depth of the padding on the harness.

Stiffness: "Load Carrying", "Pack Collapse", "Load Transfer" all generally refer to how stiff the pack will be on your back. No frames, Internal frames, External frames, Hybrid frames, Front Pouches, are all techniques to change where a load sits on your body. Generally, the heavier the load, the stiffer the suspension. For a max load of 30#, you don't need much suspension. An external pad, or a rolled internal pad and/or a couple arrow shafts will work for 30 pounds. But, to be comfortable, you may need more depending on your preferred carry ratio and fitness level for carrying a pack.

Volume: Some prefer large volume packs for tents, extra canisters of fuel, large food supplies (not necessarily calorie dense) spares, first aid kits, etc. Some prefer the bare minimum. For example, a 20oz bottle of WG and a SVEA weigh more than a similar canister set-up, but, it takes up a lot less volume. How do you pack? 10 Pounds of camera gear is a lot of weight. I have a 6oz camera with several batteries and cards that totals about 1# for two weeks of videos and pics. If you need a DSLR with spare batteries and two lenses, padding, stands, etc, it can easily go 20# or more and take up 3000ci. Only you know what you need as far as volume.

As for myself, I can recommend a Mariposa for generally what I *think* you are looking for. At least you can add/remove parts of it to customize it for your trips.

Just because a manufacturer states a pack can carry xx pounds or comfortably carry yy pounds doesn't mean it is true. If 10 people tell you a pack comfortly carries xx pounds, it is easy to find another 10 people who say the pack does not carry well.

I like the tone of this thread — folks are discussing the total pack weight requirements.

The market of light-framed packs is getting expensive. Are you willing to spend $300 – $500 on a pack made from fragile materials that may not last a long thru hike? Does the manufacturer offer an unconditional guarantee?

Carrying weight requires a foundation and structure. The stronger (e.g., heavier) the foundation and structure the pack, if well designed, the better it carries. The trick pony is to find the right balance between the weight of the pack itself, comfortable carrying capacity, and durability.

BG mentioned the principle of paring down the weights of what you carry. I agree with that. However, if I par down 4 lbs of gear weight, I would be willing to add in additional weight for a better carrying pack.

My philosophy is to not let a pack limit me to where I can hike; meaning it is too fragile to hike in a beautiful area, won't carry 7 or 10 days of food, or won't carry enough water to get me across a dry deserts.

Edited a couple typos before BG found them. If there are more, I blame the iPhone :)

While I do agree with you in most circumstances Bob, I make part of my living taking photos, so cutting my gear isn't really an option. Sometimes I only take 7-8lb instead of 10-11 if I know I don't need a specific lens, but other then that there's not much else I can do that wouldn't start to sacrifice the quality of my work.

My base weight is already around 10lb, and again I'm not sure there's much I could cut from that without starting to get extremely picky.

I've carried 25 lbs in my ULA Ohm 2.0 comfortably. Never had 30-35lbs in it so can't say how it would perform. The ULA circuit may be worth consideration.

Almost every lightweight pack has 30 lbs listed as its upper limit. If you plan on rarely carrying 30 lbs, and your load will be much less most of the time, then you have lots to choose from, depending on fit, volume needed, price, weight, pocket arrangement, features, fabric, etc:

Gossamer Gear
ULA
ZPacks Arc (Haul or maybe regular)
HMG
SMD Fusion
Elemental Horizons
Katabatic Gear

Packs from these companies will all probably carry 30 lbs OK. If you plan on carrying 30 lbs frequently and want the ability to haul more, I would recommend the Exped Lightning 60. There is a world of difference in carrying 30 lbs in my Lightning 60 vs my old ULA Circuit.

Probably been said a 1000 times.

The ULA Catalyst or Circuit would be my vote for load-carrying ability. My Catalyst is as capable as any heavy load beast I have used for carrying 30-35lbs.

I don't carry that much anymore but if I had to that is the tool I'd reach for.

You should also add Zimmerbuilt to the list of options.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts. It's really appreciated.

John, most of the time I would only be carrying 20-25lb on 1-3 night trips, it would only be the longer 5-7 night trips where I'd be carrying 30lb which I don't do too often.. Maybe twice a year.