Is Newer Better?

As an "old" Golite Jam owner, I've been wondering this myself. I've checked out the new version at the Golite factory in Boulder but, of course, it's not the same as actually using one on the trail. I'd especially like to hear if the new angular mesh side pockets are better than the old version and if you can easily remove a water bottle or Platypus from them without taking the pack off (that's one of my complaints about the older design). Also, I normally hate those waterproof zippers. Is the one on the front pocket hard to open?

Great review on this site. Also look for a review of the larger Pinnacle coming up!

I've only tried the old Jam in the store, so I can't really say with confidence what the differences are, except that I like the materials, the fit, the volume, and the workmanship much more on the new Jam2. I can't help but feel that GoLite made a great effort to improve the way they sew their stuff together and which materials to use. Even the quality of the urethane coating inside the pack (I used to have the old GoLite Gust and I hated the sticky, cheap urethane coating inside) seems to have improved dramatically.

Having had the Jam2 now since last July and used it on a number of occasions, I can say that it is a wonderful pack. The size is just right, the materials tough, yet light, and the huge front pocket takes just the right combination of gear to make it useful. What I don't like are the floppy webbing for the hip belts, making it hard to attach any accessory pockets; the way the shoulder straps are constructed, so that they have a tendency to roll on your shoulder, making for an uncomfortable ride when the pack is fully packed and heavy. I also don't like the top cinch strap at all. I just cannot understand why so many pack manufacturers insist on sewing on a short cinch strap that stops at the upper side of the front panel. When the pack is underpacked it is impossible to cinch this tight to keep the contents stabilized and compressed down. I much prefer the cinch strap of the Mariposa, which goes all the way down the front face to the bottom edge of the pack. This means you can cinch the pack down right to a flat, empty load.

The volume adjuster loops at the bottom of the pack are very useful for reducing the volume of the pack and diminishing the profile of the pack.

I was torn between using this pack or the Mountainsmith Ghost that I eventually took when heading to Europe last summer. Looking back now I think I would take the Jam2, to save weight and make things easier when getting on the plane.

I wonder how Andrew Skurka liked his pack and what problems he found with it?