Backpack suggestion under $300 & 3lbs; over 55L; 35-40lb load

I could never get comfortable with the Aether 70, even with loads below 30lb. For the family trips where I'm the sherpa, I switched to the Catalyst and couldn't be happier. If you don't need the volume, try the Circuit.

Look at the Gossamer Gear Mariposa
Under 2 pounds for all except the X-Large. Capacity for a medium pack is 57l(~3500ci) but this does not include the extension collar. Fits a bear ball easily. Carries 35 pounds with an internal frame (I typically overload my GG packs with no problems.) The Nylon used is fairly water resistant and fairly abrasion resistant. And it is only $255.

The internal frame can be bent to suit your back. The hip belt and sitlight pad form a nice lumbar pad that can be increased or decreased according to how you bend the frame. Load it up and walk around the neighborhood. If you really don't like it, you can send it back. But, I wouldn't recommend it if I didn't think it was a good pack. I have had Osprey packs. It carries as comfortably as those, but it is a LOT lighter…about half the weight. The sit-lite pad doubles as a pillow in a bag, too. Or you can insert another pad in the pad-keepers increasing the pack capacity 300-400ci.

I have the Exped Lightning and find it carries 40 lb loads comfortably, no weight on the shoulders and a thick comfortable hip belt.

Some people have problems with the shape of the frame, but I find it super comfortable, as long as it is adjusted for me.

I suspect the issue your having with the frame is because the curve doesn't not match your body.

There are some adjustments that can be made to the frame. I have heard of people cutting and/or bending the frame, but be careful it is heat treated aluminium so it can be brittle.

Contact Exped for advice.

I've yet to find anything I don't like about my Catalyst. I've only had it loaded to about 35 lbs, but at that level it carries like a dream. Some of the things I like best about it: the large-capacity front mesh pocket is great for wet stuff, tents, anything I need quick access to; the bottle pockets are big enough for actual bottles and are easy to reach–both pulling bottles out and putting them back–without removing the pack; the hipbelt pockets are big enough to put actual stuff in; the four-point adjustable hipbelt buckle allows good fine tuning of the fit; the back panel hugs my back nicely and doesn't slide around, which helps keep weight on hips, off shoulders.

ETA: Forgot to mention the shoulder harness bottle holders–priceless.

Steven – thanks for the advice. I contacted Exped and they send me these links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffkyAt6E6v8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeLLtxQODfU

They also mentioned the lumbar pad may need to be broken in. Did not realize all the adjustment points including a bendable stay. Will give some “trail time” around the neighborhood and try to adjust to a sweet spot. Will report back…

ULA Catalyst

>>Looking for backpack suggestion under $300 & 3lbs; over 55L; 35-40lb load.
>>Generally my load will be in the 25-30lbs range, however, would like it to have
>>the option to haul at least 35lbs comfortably and ideally up to 40lbs.

The Granite Gear Blaze AC 60 is the best backpack I have found that matches your specs, and it matches them almost exactly. You mention it is too ugly for you, but honestly physical beauty is a attribute that IMO is more aptly applied to the fairer sex and supercars. My pack spends it's life in the woods…nobody is looking at it, not even me. I want my pack to work as well as possible and when TPW exceeds ~25 lbs, for me thats the GG Blaze.

I honestly believe if you set aside your cosmetic apprehensions, you will find it to be an amazing pack.

>> The Granite Gear Blaze AC 60 is the best backpack I have found

And I HATED this pack when I bought it and tried it on a couple of hikes – it just didn't fit
me right. As with a lot of things, finding the pack (shoe, shelter…etc) that works for YOU means trying it out on a few hikes loaded up with the weight/volume you expect to carry.

I don't mean to suggest that the Blaze is not a nice pack; just that it did not work
for me.

On another note I read a lot of posts on here (yes I do understand this BP LIGHT)
about how such and such pack carries 25 lbs well. In my experience, almost *any*
pack will carry 20-25 lbs well. In fact I have a frame less "day pack" that I re-purposed for
shorter or even longer backpack hikes and I've carried 35 lbs in it admittedly with some discomfort on longer days. It's been my go-to pack for most trips these past few years.
Yes I can even fit a Garcia bear canister in it…..

I guess my expectations of a well built pack are just a bit different; not that I'm always hauling big weights but I do need to on occasion and I expect a well built pack to carry those loads well.

>>As with a lot of things, finding the pack (shoe, shelter…etc) that works for YOU means
>>trying it out on a few hikes loaded up with the weight/volume you expect to carry.

Exactly, and I should have been more clear about that in my initial post.

>>In my experience, almost *any* pack will carry 20-25 lbs well

Again, in principal and contingent on the first point, I agree. It's that 25-40 lb load that is the trick. Too light for the 7lb expedition pack that you can load up with the living room furniture, and too heavy for the UL pack that carries 20lbs so easily.

So to restate: *IF* it fits you well, the GG Blaze 60 is a great pack for the stated conditions, appearance be darned.

So I went on a 5 mile walk last night with 32lbs in the Exped Lightning 60. Bottom line I just felt it carried awkwardly with the thick protruding lumbar pad and the shapeless back. Also, I am used to the traditional twin stay and back panel style of pack and the Exped, while innovative, was just too different of a feel. I also felt the compartment was a bit too shapeless and I would have to pay a lot of attention packing it just right and working the compression straps to perfection to get it to carry optimally. After the walk I put on my Osprey Aether 70 with the same weight and no packing effort and it felt very comfortable.

So I am down to checking out the Exos 58 and ULA Catalyst. Can someone provide feedback if the Catalyst provides any air ventilation? That is a big part of Exos advantage (at least in marketing) plus I can get it at $176 (20% off) vs $262 for the Catalyst (with shipping), and the Exos is several ounces lighter. They both claim they can go up to 40lbs though I would use for 25-35lb range and the Aether for anything heavier. Does anyone feel the Catalyst is better to justify the price or does it just come down to personal fit?

Regarding the GG Blaze, I guess I am too vain. I am a picture person and the landscape and I share many the Kodak moment which I look back at fondly for years to come. I would rather potentially miss out on a comfortable lightweight pack than to look back and say “WTF am I carrying” every time I look at the pics.

Re: "Bottom line I just felt it carried awkwardly with the thick protruding lumbar pad and the shapeless back."

I agree that it just feels strange for those of us that are so familiar with frame-less or internal frame packs, but think of it as an external frame pack, which it is, you don't wear it flat against your back.

The lumbar pad, when placed on you shoulder blades, keeps the frame and the back of the pack from touching your back. It creates a small gap that I find more comfortable because of the very slight gap that allows ventilation.
No, pressure on the back or shoulders. The weight rests on the hip belt only, unless you tighten the upper too tight.

IMO, this is the the best way to carry 35+ pounds of weight.

The Lightning kinda feels like a traditional external frame pack, but close enough to not make you feel off balance the way traditional external frame packs do.

There are other aspects of the pack you may not like though. I like the weight and minimalism.

If the Lightning is not working for you, maybe check out what Elemental Horizons has to offer. I have never heard bad reviews about them when it comes to heavy loads in the UL range.

The SMD Fusion 65 is under 3lbs and within the price range ($230).
I use the 50L version and it is extremely comfortable in my opinion and transfers weight well to the hips.

"So I am down to checking out the Exos 58 and ULA Catalyst. Can someone provide feedback if the Catalyst provides any air ventilation? That is a big part of Exos advantage (at least in marketing) plus I can get it at $176 (20% off) vs $262 for the Catalyst (with shipping), and the Exos is several ounces lighter. They both claim they can go up to 40lbs though I would use for 25-35lb range and the Aether for anything heavier. Does anyone feel the Catalyst is better to justify the price or does it just come down to personal fit?"

If I read this I would just try the Exos first.
Easy to return (I presume) and if the pack fits your body well and carries your intended weight comfortably, you get to save weight as well as money – while often saving weight costs money.

"Can someone provide feedback if the Catalyst provides any air ventilation?"

No, and for me that's one of its selling points. Packs that try to ventilate tend to do other things that are bad–hold the load away from your back so your center of gravity is wrong; put pressure on certain spots so other spots can get air; depend on nothing but the lumbar pad to hold the thing from sliding down and putting weight on shoulders; etc. And your back sweats anyway.

But that's just me.

I've used both and have none of those issues with the Exos.

OTOH, frameless packs are hot for me and carry like a big lump, even with the cute little stays they put in them to hedge their bets.

The Exos has too many bells and whistles and that's a legit beef with all Osprey packs, but that suspension rocks, in my book.

Go for it.

I have the catalyst and it is a very hot pack. I don't usually sweat much but when I wear this pack in weather over 20 celsius my back is drenched. I love this pack though. I've gotten 45 pounds of books into it. It was not comfortable the belt starts to sag even with the extra pull straps and load lifters. I'm not sure you could fit 40 pounds of gear in there unless it's mostly food or you have a heavy tent strapped outside.

Well, The Osprey people seem to know what they are doing. Their packs carry really well at heavy weights, ie, >30 pounds. They are fairly cool against your back with the slight penalty (as with Gossamer Gear packs and a thick pad) of pushing away from your body a bit. Center of gravity with Osprey's are just about an inch further back. They compound the problem with a thicker body(12") putting even more of the loading out beyond the center of gravity. The Osprey I have really carries well for "mule" trips, though. I expect an off center pack carrying around 30 pounds.

I agree with Richard. There are WAY to many bells and whistles on Osprey packs. Finger pulls with moulded finger grips built in. Buckles, clips, belt/ribbon/strap locks, excess strapping, key loops with clips, massive/thick sternum straps, compression straps, strap minder loops, reversed tensioning on the hipbelt (excess weight,) and so on. Zippers, and pulls all over the place. Hell, even the top lid has two pockets, with zippers and pulls.

I would eliminate as many as you can. The Exos series really cleans up well if you take the time to do it. And lube all the zippers with wax/silicone. Blowing one out is annoying till you can get it replaced. Not to worry, they are fairly heavy duty.

The pack is quite tall, but is also designed to carry your pad/tent below, making it feel exceptionally tall. You might like that and it saves internal space.

But, stripping a lot of the finger pulls (replacing with a small spectra loop)and cutting down extra strapping, etc will only save a couple ounces. Still it weighs in at over 2 pounds, though…not really a UL pack.

The Airstream suspension works very well. Avoid putting stuff between the pack and suspension, though, otherwise it gets as hot as any frameless. The hip-belt pockets are fairly large, surprisingly so. These are quite nice.

On the Gossamer Gear Mariposa, I can get you a 15% discount on one purchase. Just send me a self-addressed envelope, I will send you the card. Of course, you can do the same types of stripping down with the Mariposa. It just does not give as much weight reduction.

Really hate to go down the "looks" path but…I just visited the Osprey site to look at the new Exos 58, and to me it is as gaudy and visually overwrought and unappealing as any piece of backpacking gear I've seen. To each his own.

That said, if it is *functionally* the best pack for you…go for it.

Packs fit everyone so differently so it is impossible to say what will work best for you. The previously mentioned Exped Lightning 60 and ULA Catalyst "should" carry that weight and meets all your requirements.

If you can find a HMG Porter on gear swap it should meet your requirements too.

If you can swing another $50, the Seek Outside Divide might be a good choice.

The Exos and Mariposia might meet your requirements but I think that would be pushing the weight limit for both.

The hipbelt seems to be the weak point for UL packs and seems to be the first thing to get overwhelmed when packs get close to their weight limit.

That being said some people tend to tolerate more weight in packs than others. This is a great place to get ideas and suggestions as well as to get pluses and minuses of each packs design but in the end the most important part of the equation is fit and that's a very personal thing.

>> ULA Catalyst "should" carry that weight and meets all your requirements

Before I bought mine, I was a bit put off by the manufacturer's warning that "if you try to carry more than 40lb, you'll be disappointed". I will have a bit more than that, at the beginning of a GC hike with a week's worth of food and enough water for a dry camp the first night (maybe 7 liters). Probably at least 45lb. But, given that I start reducing the weight quickly (drinking a couple liters of water before hitting that first night dry camp), I did not find it to be a problem.

If it wasn’t for the $300 limit, I’m sure we would all suggest this:
Flextrek

I have an Osprey EXOS 58 (size large, so it's actually a "60").

So far it is the most comfortable 3 season pack I've ever tried or owned. Osprey has hit the "comfort zone" in almost every way, from the mesh trampoline back to the soft foam on the shoulders and waist belt.

But still it's made of durable fabric and has a lot of good design features like a remmovable lid compartment and fabric flap to cover the pack top when the lid is off.

And yeah, it will carry 40 lbs comfortably and not strain the pack construction.

BTW, the space behind the mesh trampoline back can hold clothing like a rain parka without affecting breathability. Works for me.

I have an exos 58 and love it. Its a well designed pack and the airstream suspension makes a difference when carrying big loads in hot weather. I don't care how it looks. I care how it feels and how well it holds what I need it to. Im going backpacking not walking a runway.

Further update to my backpack trials.

Exos 58 – just not for me. I loaded up with 32lbs and felt like I was falling backwards even after tightening load lifters and shoulder straps. Also, I felt uncomfortable just walking around my house (including and the stiff frame at the bottom and lack of padded hipbelts and marginal padding on shoulders). I did not bother taking it for a spin outside.

Granite Gear Leopard AC 58 regular – similar to the Blaze just with more unnecessary straps etc, but somewhat more importantly to me, a better color (blue/gray). I tried it in the house and 32lbs felt like nothing. The problem is that it was already on the heavier side at 3Lbs 1oz and 2lbs 12 oz without the lid per GG. Unfortunately GG is fudging a bit because in came in at 3lbs 5 oz. I’ll remove the lid and probably add a belt pocket or two bring the weight to about 3lb even (about the same as the Blaze assuming the weight is fudged too).

Given my liking of GG so far I am curious if I should try the Crown VC (in Black/Bleumine). My needs are in the 25-35lbs range so it should work per GG. What are the significant differences between the VC and AC suspensions? Are the hipbelts and shoulder straps the same? I know the strap height is not adjustable with the VC so I would just have to see if it works for me.