question for golite ion owners

[Scott White]

Hello:

I am planning on buying a golite ion pack but I am uncertain about the sizing.

I have a size large golite jam 2 that fits perfectly. However, I was thinking about purchasing a medium size ion. I don't think I'll need the waist belt. In fact, I plan to cut it off. So, I'm thinking, if I don't plan to use a waist belt, my torso length shouldn't really matter. I figure the medium pack will weigh a fraction of an ounce less and I don't really need the extra capacity of the large pack.

Am I right? Please critique my thinking.

PS: I plan to buy the pack online and none of my local outfitters stock the ion.

[Jason Griffin]

I don't own an ion but your theory sounds right. That hipbelt isn't useful IMO unless you are climbing. When walking a trail a hipbelt is there for weight distribution which that hipbelt probably doesn't offer much of, If I had one I'd hack it too. From my Jam the shoulder straps are highly adjustable so you should have plenty of room in those a medium should work fine. Just be sure about the volume; it's a small pack.

[Erik Graf]

I have an Ion and have been pleased with it thus far – but, as mentioned, I'd pack my stuff in it before I ripped off the tags and declared it my very own.

You have no choice but to be lightweight with this pack b/c of the size – you just can't get much in it at 1500 cubic inches. I use a sub-5lb list of gear and it just does fit inside (with some food and my platy). I kept the hip belt b/c I have GG belt pockets on it for my camera and other things (the Ion is a bag with straps – so I put a snack/map/lip sun block / etc. in this hip belt pocket).

As for sizing – I'm 5'8" and have the M. I'm wondering if the shoulder staps are longer for a L. That is to say, if you get a M and really need a L will the "soft" part of the shoulder straps be where they're supposed to be if you have a pack which is really too small for you.

As a side note – the M is the most popular seller – you may find a better price with a L.

There has been quite a bit of discussion about the Ion including additions, etc. Here are some threads (with photos) I read carefully before buying mine:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=15322&skip_to_post=115902#115902

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=13855

If it helps any the cheapest I've seen the Ion is $29.99 at this place (this is where I got mine):

http://www.travelcountry.com/shop/golite/ultra-lite/golite-ion-pack.html

Good luck….

[Jamie Shortt]

Scott, I have a medium golite ion that I have used with sub 5lb weekend trip. I am 5'9.5" tall and weight 156 lbs. It worked fine…at times I had my gear, + 2.5 liter platy + 1 liter platy + 2 days of food (but that was close to all it would hold). I did use the waist strap and sternum strap, but I dont think they were really needed so I have since removed them and my pack now weighs 7.15 oz.

Now I just purchased a Jam 2 for colder weather trips. I purchased a size medium which I think fits fine (this is contrary to what most people would say for my size). I would say that if I was much taller I would size up in both packs. Without knowing your size I would guess the medium ion will work even with the waist strap.

Side note…I thought it interesting that so many people have commented on the small size of the golite medium Jam 2. I compared this pack to my Granite Gear Virga (size regular) and found the distance between the top of the shoulder strap attachment to the bottom on the waist straps/hip belts to be nearly identical…actually the GG was slightly smaller.

Jamie

[Erik Graf]

Hey James – I was wondering if you'd post in this thread. If you still have the PM you sent me on the Ion it might be good to share. Your thoughts on it helped me out on my purchase. I was thinking of posting it but didn't want to without your permission.

Hope you're doing well. Loving my Ion – have taken it out twice including a couple weeks back in Ceasars Head, SC. Next will be about 30 miles on the AT near Charlottsville, VA. Hope you're getting out some….

[Jamie Shortt]

Hey Erik, Please post away. Glad your getting out…last October I did a section of the AT with loops near Charlottesville that totaled around 35 miles. I started at Blackrock Gap headed up AT then a figure 8 loop that included riprap, wildcat ridge, AT, S. Morman River FR, Charlottesville Reservoir, N. Morman back to Blackrock parking. There is a nice little swimming hole with a rope swing on the S Morman FR about 1.5 miles from the reservoir if the trip takes you that way.

I haven't done anything over night at all the summer, but someone my upcoming (sept 28) business trip to Eugene,OR accidently got my airline ticket booked 5 days before my meeting and I think my backpacking gear is accidently coming with me. I'm planning on trying to hit some trails in the 3 sisters wilderness area but so far can not find much of a map to plan it. If anyone has suggestions I'm looking for a 40-50 mile loop that possibly takes me up one of the sisters (if that is even possible)…the loop needs to have access to water and reasonable places to pitch a tarp.

Alright Erik…enough of my hijacking the Gear forum looking for trail advice…glad to hear from you and yes please post any part of my PM that you think will help.

Jamie

[Erik Graf]

I'll have to look into that route. My plan runs me down the AT for a while S. of Shenandoah and then doing a lariat called Three Ridges.

Wish I could help you with Three Sisters. That should be nice. I've hiked near Hood and then up in St. Helens, Ranier, and Olympic NP. Funny, all of my trips out there were business too where I just had to tack on a few days at my expense since my job was paying for me to get out there and back. A good gig if you can manage it.

Good luck but watch the weather. Tricky time of the year at altitude…

e

[Erik Graf]

Scott:

Here is some good info. that Jamie gave me when trying to decide on an Ion (in addition – the Virga – which I also have – was discussed and compared)

I might be able to give some thoughts on the Ion and specific to Virga comparison. One thing I have done to my ion to lighten it is remove the sternum strap and remove the hipstrap. The sternum is detachable, but the hipstrap is not so I have sewn in lightweight couplers to the original strap so it can be easily reattached. The ion now weighs 7.15 oz compared to 9.1 oz. I do think the I will need to stick with the virga for sub 40 degree nights though because of the size of sleeping bag needed. On the Virga side I have trimmed all straps and cut down the extension collar by 6" (requires some sewing skills) …my virga weighed heavy compared to manu. spec. and even after removals it is still 20.55 oz. What drove me to look beyond the Virga is my lightest summer load did not come close to filling the virga up. It was simply too large, but not so in winter.

Ion Pros:

Light – 9.1/7.15 oz (not the lightest, but pretty good)

Durable – that gridstop stuff seems stuff, I like lightweight, but also like to have some level of durability.

Simple – one bag thats it

Zipper – this is the one thing I didnt think I would like, but it works surprising well and seems to be fairly waterproof.

Waterproofing – I suspect this pack is more waterproof then most – no real test though

Size – 1500 cubic inches worked great for me, it is a good bit smaller then the virga.

Straps – light but nicely padded

Price – can not beat $50 and if you wait you can find them on sale. I think I paid $39

Cons:

No Outside pockets – you have to unzip the pack to take a drink and wet raingear goes inside. It does have a hydration tube hole though so you could go that route. (pockets would add weight)

No compression system – less of an issue then I thought if you keep the load light and use a sleeping pad coiled to frame it out. The pad works extremely well. I used a Gos. Gear 3/8" thinlight trimmed down to 3.45 oz. Add the end of my trip my pack was underfilled (as in photos), but the sleeping pad kept it plenty rigid.

Things to consider between the 2. First is size, the Virga is considerably larger and if you have a 20oz+ sleeping bag (i.e. for me in winter) the ion will be tight. Also my ion was near full with 2 days of compact food, I could put 1 more day in and thats it. The virga's shoulder straps are better (actually they are awesome), but with even 10 lbs load (gear+food+water) they are not needed. Neither is the wider belt. I really like having the Virga's outside pockets for water bottles. I prefer the virga's drawstring opening especially after cutting down the long collar. For the Virga in winter I use a Montbell 90 self inflating pad for the frame (folded into 1/4 flat then placed against the back of pack for the frame) and attach the GG rolled up vertically to the outside. You can not really attach anything to the outside of the Ion so with this much ground insulation I need the Virga.

In the end I think it comes down to volume of gear. If the overall load is light and fits inside I am sold on the ion…if the volume increases (food or winter gear) then I will use the virga. I must say I love the Virga, but since using the ion I am looking at buying a Jam2 to possibly replace the Virga. But then again I am always looking for something.

One last thing…on sizing…I am 5'9.5" tall and weigh around 155 lbs. The ion medium fit me fine, but if I were any taller I think I would get a large (but it does weigh 1oz more with a bit more volume)

Hope this helps. If I missed anything just ask.

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