1st Gen SMD Fusion 50 is 3.2 oz over spec. Exchange? Return?

Don, I bought my 1st Generation Fusion shortly after their initial release and was roughly 2oz over spec (Small Hipbelt) and made the decision to keep it as it is extremely comfortable and transfers weight so well. I wish all manufacturers were spot on/forthright with there weight specifications…..but as I use the Fusion for trips longer than a weekend or when carrying a BareBoxer the comfort outweighs the overage of 2oz (at least in my opinion)….plus with the current closeout price it's still a great deal/pack. ***If you bought the Fusion on clearance/closeout I believe I read that all sales were final/not returnable*** Cheers

Just think the weight you've already dropped due to increased metabolism from your agitated state, not to mention all the shed tears. 'Course the real issue is having to revamp your meal plans and carry more food to make up for the massive increase in calorie consumption from carrying that monstrously overweight pack around.

Weight happens. If you want to really show backpacking companies, go get some ping pong balls to measure volume. I'm certain from past BPL articles that hardly any manufacturer is correct in this categories.

I find a lot of gear is overweight by 5% or so. Did you get it on sale?

"To me that is well over spec." I bet SMD thinks differently. Get over it. Or obsess.

~Wow, I doubt I could ever take a trip with a pack so over weight. It's horrible they somehow turned your lightweight pack into a boat anchor. It's going to add up to extra effort and lost time on the trail too, plus extra wear on the shoes. Those ounces make the pack completely useless for the real lightweight backpacker.~

Well, yeah, duh. Nobody bought a Fusion to be ultralight.

Look at the good side, it's still under 2 1/2 lbs!

If it isn't what you ordered and you're not happy with it, I would contact them. While I doubt if it was a deliberate act on their part, it is still wrong. I bought the original version for a gift and they are nice packs. Perhaps there is extra strapping that needs to be trimmed to meet specs.

"" They only other item I have that has come in over its specified weight is my Neoair xlite (13.4 vs 12 oz)"" Weird I thought most peoples Neos were coming in under spec?

It's like a bicycle that they give you the specs for a 48cm. Is the 36 ounces for the small with small hipbelt? I could see the extra weight difference is that were the matter.

Don, I see the snarks are still biting. That, and making queries that were answered in your OP. Ignore them. You mentioned that the pack was '1st gen.' Is it possible that is an older model that did not spec as low as the current model? After substituting really light gear for what is carried in a heavy pack, there is only one way to continue to get the weight down without compromising safety. That is to shave a little weight on each item when making purchases of new gear. It all adds up to a lot of weight which is something many don't get. This is after all, backpacking LIGHT, and companies that cater to light backpackers or market products as extra light should be prepared to meet specs. Unfortunately, it sounds like a return may be refused on the basis of a sale price. Keeping the product and tags intact, I would try the pack on at home carrying your usual weight, and see how it rides, including going up and down stairs. If it is as sweet as some state, that is probably worth at least the several additional ounces. If not, I'd try to get a return and refund based on the failure to meet spec. You could also carry a small portable electronic scale in your glove compartment. I use one all the time. It's getting increasingly tougher to be a consumer these days. I recently returned a MH bag to REI because it was 2.5 oz over spec, and was marketed as a marvel in lightweight tech. Got a Climashield Apex bag from Cumulus in Poland that is the same weight and has a full zip and more insulation, AND was much less money even including overseas shipping. REI did not even have the courtesy to reply to my email inquiry about the status of the return, but they did make the refund. We can beat them. We just have to be careful in making the purchase, and persistent if misled. Your OP was not a rant, there is nothing to be sorry for. Happy Trails.

It's good to have high expectations. When some manufacturers are spot on or within a few grams it sets a standard. I think that the margin of error in this case is indeed outside of what's **generally accepted. If I found it unacceptable and was willing to escalate the matter then I'd contact the respective customer service department and fight for my right. Obviously, given the above comments, some people's mileages may vary. That doesn't excuse snark.

Sorry for the bump off topic, but I'm not able to reply to PMs. Don't know why. The Cumulus bag was an "Intense," a 35 deg bag for heavily rainy weather that I expect will go lower with the Apex and the SUL PG Delta puffy top and bottom that BPL used to market here. Quality looks excellent but too early to make a recommendation.

Sam, you really nailed it. Thanks. Like most of us I came from a traditional set up and don't plan on going back. Ultimately I've decided to keep it. I fully realize that a few extra ounces is not the end of the world but we all know they add up quickly and I scrutinize all my equipment's weight. I did buy it on sale and bought it for trips when I will need to haul more weight for which it has gotten a lot of raves about. It will also be a loaner pack. These are the reasons I'll keep it. Like some have written, I'm not even sure I could return it. The most frustrating part in the end is not the 3.2 ounces but that SMD doesn't change the specs. If it is the weight for a small hip belt set up then state that. They could even put a disclaimer that some packs may come in over spec. There is no doubt they know this. I was also looking at the Kalais which was close to the same weight. Maybe I would've bought one instead. It's still a great deal and it looks great out of the box. I will be modifying it so maybe I'll be able to shave a couple of ounces. In the future when ordering from cottage manufacturers I will ask them to make sure the item they ship is at the specified weight and to email me if it's not so I can decide. I've heard of others asking this and it can't hurt to ask.