ULA Conduit

Having used a Conduit for several long hikes I believe that it would work fine for you if you've had experience, at all, with frameless packs (think rucksack). If not, learning to use a virtual frame from a pad is essential. I'm 6'1", have a 20.25" C7 to iliac crest measurement, and found the large a fairly good fit. The shoulder stabilization you speak of does not come into play on a frameless pack such as the Conduit. I doubt that you'll ever extend the pack to the point where it could be used, even if it was available.

John thanks for the feedback, I was unsure of back length as the review of the Conduit said that it was a concern and recommended a XL option as a choice of back length. It is still a decision stage with the Haglofs LIM45 being my other choice, this is a heavier pack, but has a lot of good points, but the Conduit does look a good pack.

Martin,

I will say this- the new shoulder strap design (2008 models, so the BPL review of the Conduit is with the older straps) allows the pack to carry better. Essentially, it pulls the load in closer to the nape of your neck and distributes the weight even better. I was a huge fan of the pack before and even more so now. Brian made a few other simple adjustments, too…notably the way the a sleeping pad is secured inside the pack. By my scale, that shaved another ounce off of the 2007 Conduit's weight. Redesigning a product so that it works better, while cutting down the weight in the process…now that's innovation.

Hi Martin…

The XL may be even better for you since you are that extra inch taller than me, even though I have a relatively long back. As I said the Large fit me, but it was marginal.

The Hagslof LMN45 looks like a good pack, but is not the same type. It's a framed pack and, as could be expected, heavier. Overall, it's close to the same size as the Conduit, but the Conduit's capacity is skewed by counting the outside mesh carrying areas.

Russell thanks, it is getting hard to choose what pack I need. The Conduit sounds real good now with that info you have given me.

John thanks for the info again. Your right it is down to me choosing to go with a frameless pack which is new to me, or going with a heavier framed pack, but still lighter than my G Pack.

I've switched from a Gpack to a Conduit. Went out last weekend w/ 17lbs and actually ran on the trail for a while (a first for me!). Absolutely LOVE it!

I got the Hagslof pack (55L in the end) as the frameless bit challenged me a bit too much. I just like that little more support. I have a slightly heavier pack (around 350g approx) I know, but it is a lot lighter than my G Pack and superb. One of the reasons I did not get the ULA pack was the roll top closure position looks like a rain gathering point and I had this pointed out on another web site. The LIM closure design is sloping and so good it will shed rain no problem. The ULA pack is good no doubt, and maybe if I can try one on I may still be converted.