GG Kumo or ULA OHM 2.0

Frameless vs. framed

Padded hip belt vs. web belt

No preference on either?

The Kumo and Ohm are very different packs and hard to compare directly. One has a webbing belt, no frame, and is 36L- Kumo. The Ohm on the other hand has a fully padded belt, an internal stay, and is over 60L. About double the specified size you wanted recommendations on.

Conduit/CDT maybe?

My bad, didn't see the total volume below the page fold. No way the OHM is gonna fit my needs. Much too large.

My preferences tend to ward a minimum hip belt, usually just webbing. Frameless is fine as my weekend load rarely exceeds 12 pounds. I used a Granite Gear Virga for years but started having issues once my gear volume downsized. Been using a Golite Jam 50 for a bit, but really don't like it.

So frameless, webbing belt, simple design. Really there is a theme to the packs I've liked. The Breeze, the Virga, each was similiar in many ways.

The ohm is not 60 liters. I don't care what they list on their site, an ohm can't fit nearly as much gear as a regular 60 liter pack.

"The ohm is not 60 liters. I don't care what they list on their site, an ohm can't fit nearly as much gear as a regular 60 liter pack."

Agreed. No way my Ohm fits that much. For some silly reason ULA includes the absolute maximum storage space for every single pocket on the pack. I'd say my Ohm 2.0 is closer to a 40L pack in terms of what it can realistically fit.

While I agree that it sucks that ULA gives a false impression of their pack volumes ,they are not the only one. Every pack maker does it. So do tent makers ,etc . Tgey allplay the ol weight vs capacity game.

The thing is, ULA does accurately list the main bag volume which us THE measurement you should be focusing on. Realistically ,pockets and extension collar, etc add about 1/3 more to that figure.

On the OHM, the main bag volume is 2,100 CI which is about 36 liters . To get a true working volume, add 1/3 extra and youv'e got a 48 liter pack..

40 liters sounds about right.

What's your base weight and how many days of food do you want to fit in the pack?

With a 10 pound base weight, 7 days of food in an ohm is no problem. Could probably push that up to 10 days with careful packing. 25 lbs is about the comfort limit. Hopefully that gives an idea of it's capacity.

del

The Kumo has a pad sleeve which is good for a sit pad. Just something to note. Could fit a bigger pad (eg a 1/8 torso pad folded) but check with them. It isn't meant to stretch as much as the sleevse of say a mariposa or G4. But if you are a neoair user, for example, having a pad sleeve is perhaps not that helpful to you.

Similar sort of sizes (and frameless, webbing belt options):

Zpacks Zero, "Medium" (That's medium volume option, torso length is customizable). Many many options to get it just how you like it. Its kind of like a fishing rod blank in many ways, its a pack blank that you then build up from.

MLD Burn. 32L main compartment.

I've not seen either of them ('cept handling some Zero's and a 2013 Burn in a store in Japan briefly a couple of years ago), but I'd hazard a guess that the 2015 Burn might have a better fit profile as it now has curved side panels, vs the Zero's more simplistic construction (basically a cylinder of cuben with straps attached). But both packs will have their own specific niches which might tempt you either way. The customizability of the Zero is definitely pretty cool.

Ohm and Gorilla is a pretty fair comparison, ditto CDT and Kumo.

Yup, I agree with David. You really cannot compare the Kumo and Ohm. They are designed toward different goals.

The Zimmerbuilt Quickstep is perfect for you needs I think. You can order it with a hip belt and padded shoulder straps also. http://www.zimmerbuilt.com/backpacks.html

I have no interest in Zimmerbuilt other that a very happy repeat customer.

Concur with the posts above. Ohm vs Kumo isn't the best comparision.

I do own both packs however and they're my primary carry options for under a week. I like the sleek design and fold over lid of the Kumo a lot. It's minimalist yet there's a little 'race car' appeal to it…. BUT even at a 10lb base, I still find myself wanting a decent hipbelt unless it's just a day hike. I have the 2014 version with the wide/thin shoulder straps and find those painful by day two of a hike. I see they've changed the shoulder straps in this years version, but I'd still be cautious.

The Ohm 2.0 is an amazing pack. It's defininitely heavier than the Kumo but we're still talking a 2lb pack – and to me those extra ounces are absolutely worth it. The load transfer even at minimal haul weight is significant and the hip belt is refined and robust for such a small pack. It feels more like it's floating whereas the Kumo feels like it's constantly pulling. I take the Ohm over the Kumo 9 out of 10 times – even if it's just an overnight trip.

Again, these are two very different packs though. If you compared the Kumo and CDT, I'd probably have a hard time deciding. I'm hoping GG one day puts a decent hipbelt on the Kumo.

I've been seeing a lot of good reviews on the Zpacks zero from people carrying less than 15lbs.

You can strip a bit of weight off the ohm. Mine is like 22 ounces with every non essential loop and cord cut off. I also removed the hip belt pockets (didn't use them much) and also removed the back mesh pocket, not because I wanted to, but because it was ripped.

I find that the ohm carries really well as long as I put my z-lite sleeping pad in the back. Then I have a thick foam pad along with the metal stays. No problem up to 25.

Comparing the CDT and Kumo three differences come to mind, aside from the obvious variations in features (lid on the Kumo, etc). First, the larger sewn in belt on the CDT is going to provide a bit more load transfer. Second, the Kumo back/sit pad does a fair amount to dissipate sweat, which the fabric of the CDT will not. Third, the shape of each packbag is pretty different. The CDT is narrower, gets fatter at the top, and has a tapered bottom. The Kumo is wider, has a uniform circumference, and a squared off bottom. Both approaches have their virtues.

The gridstop on the CDT is probably a hair more abrasion resistant than the robic on the Kumo, with the Kumo fabric holding less water when it finally wets out after hours of rain.

The ULA CTD costs less and is built in the Utah by the actual owners of the company.

The Kumo is build outside the US.

To some folks here ,that may not matter- but to some of us,it does ;)

Also you can get the CDT customized for no additional expense. Incredibly fast shipping as well. I ordered a custom pack and it shipped the same day.

Ken,

What were your custom changes?

I'm interested to know as well. Please share Ken. Thanks.

Reread my post. First sentence.

I actually had them leave off/out a bunch. No hip belt, robic fabric, no pole/ice axe retention, no bottle loops, no hand loops, no clip in stash pocket.

I also had a custom CDT made and am very happy with it. It was shipped in less than 24 hours after placing the order. I don't have any detailed photos, just this one.

I had them omit the following:
Internal Pad Holster
Hipbelt
Hydration Ports
Sternum Strap
Ice Axe/Pole Retention Loops upper and lower
Hydration Sleeve
Internal Stash Pocket
Water Bottle Holsters
Handloops
Foam Pad

I probably could have also omitted the haul loop and D rings on the shoulder straps.

Weighs 13.8oz

And it's orange.