pack suggestions

Howdy,

Pack choice can be a pretty overwhelming issue if you are just starting out. For 2-3 day trips you probably want to look at something in the 3000-3500 cubic inch range for what you are carrying. I didnt see a sleeping bag listed so I am not sure how much capacity that would take up, but I would take a look at the Gregory Z55 which you can find good reviews about all over the place. You may want to take a visit to your local gear supplier to try out some different packs and see what works for you. If you are going to do that bring the gear that you would normally bring on trip to fill the pack.

A lighter pack will cost less than many of the others. But I will tell you, even if you get one around 3#, you'll be buying something lighter soon, if you stick with it.

Edit – I read lots of good things about ULA packs. I have been going thru a lot of packs; recently sold an REI Cruise 60. Currently rotating between an Osprey Exos 58, Golite Jam2, and GG Mariposa. So many packs, so little time….

If money were no issue and I were starting out again, I'd pick up either a ULA Catalyst (http://www.ula-equipment.com/catalyst.htm)or a Six Moon Designs Starlite (http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=34). They're both pretty roomy and can hold around 35 lbs comfortably. The only problem with them is that they're not available at your typical sporting goods store, so it would be hard to try them on; I'd buy them in two different sizes and return the one that doesn't fit. It's good to check if you can do this first.

Fitting everything in a pack that's 3000-4000 ci was difficult when I was first starting out. I ended up strapping my sleeping pad on the outside and using compression stuffsacks for a few items. My favorite compression sacks are the Event kind that are waterproof; they're lighter than the kind with straps.

Edit: sleeping bags. A lot of people on these forums use sleeping systems that are meant to save weight; instead of a typical 20-30°F bag, they might use a 40° bag and their warm jacket & insulative bottoms. Some people make or buy quilts that leave the head & some parts under the body uncovered; the reasoning is that you can use your balaclava or warm hat anyway, and the material beneath you gets flattened and doesn't insulate much either. The bag I'm currently using is an REI Nooksacke UL +35, but that's just me.

You've got a good start on gear…Lots of good packs out there. Tough decision. I will say that while I don't own my granite gear packs anymore, I used to own a Vapor Trail, Alpine Vapor, and Latitude Vapor. They all have the same suspension system and to this day are ultra comfortable. I think they are good all around if your carrying ~30 or so lbs. Of course, like Joe mentioned, you'll soon be looking for lighter and lighter if you catch the bug!

Is the gregory Z55 a bad idea?

Chuck…that's a good idea! I bought my girlfriend the Jade 50, which I think is the female version of the Z55, and she loves it. Hip belt pockets, Front pocket, decent weight – you really can't go wrong.
Now, with that said, it is MUCH too heavy for me to carry. But, if you weight train regularly and focus on building back strength, you should be able to bear the load. :)

Chuck,

My first lightweight pack was the Z55 and I still have it and would use it for any trip where I am carrying more then 25 lbs of weight.

I have carried it on the High Sierra Trail to Mt. Whitney for 70 miles over 4 days and it was a dream to carry.

I have since moved on to a GoLite Jam2, which is lighter, but honestly not as comfortable as my Z55.

The biggest decision that I see for you is if you want to take that leap of faith into lightweight/UL and shoot for a frameless pack or not.

My thought is that if you like going light and want to go UL, then YOU WILL end up at some point with a frameless pack.

I am relatively new at the light weight thing but tend to think that you have different tools for different jobs.

So having a frameless and framed pack is not a bad thing.

My friend, Jeremy, used a Granite Gear Vapor Trial on the same 70 mile trip and was fine. It has a frame in it and is 1 lb lighter than the Z55.

If you are looking at the Jam2, check out the offerings by Laurel Mountain Designs. Ron's packs seem like highly customized and lighter versions of the Jam2. (My friend Jeremy just bought the Exodus and it is a beautiful thing that makes me jealous that I did not get one vs. my Jam2).

Anyway, good luck to you on your lightweight journey.

-Tony

The Z55 is a good pack, but it is a bit heavy depending on what standards you are going by. You wanted something that fit your criteria by either Deuter or Gregory and the Z55 fits in there. I think what everyone is trying to say is that most people start off with "heavier" equipment and then transition to lighter gear. If backpacking is something you think you may stick with for awhile you can always buy a used pack and then after a few trips try something lighter. Another option is starting right away with a lighter pack and see how this does for you. If you are looking to start light then take a look at Golite, Granite Gear and REI has their updated Flash series which has some nice options. These are packs that may be more readily available for yout to try.

I love my Gregory Z55 as it is one of the few packs that fits my large body comfortably. Most of the frameless packs don't fit me well as the shoulder straps are generally too close together or too short for my big chest and broad shoulders.

+1 on the Z55. I bought mine a couple of years ago and it's been standup reliable throughout that time and more comfortable than any other pack I've used to date. It's a large, 60 liters, 3 pounds 6 ounces (on my scale). Yeah, yeah, I know, anything over 2 pounds is sacriledge these days. Damn good pack, though not as good as the ULA stuff I've seen.

I use a light (40 degree) down bag, down jacket, alcohol cooking, Aircore, tarp, gravity bag etc. so my base is pretty light, according to my standards. Hard to get a cannister to work in this size pack, and because of the "bowed" shape of the bag I abandoned the internal bladder approach for water; a long bladder hung against the frame just hammers capacity. Unworkable. Took me a long time to figure that one out, but then I don't give up easy.

Anyway, check out the Gregory.

Packs are like shoes – you gotta try them on.

i would have to second the granite gear vapor packs as they do have a decent frame but are lighter than comparable bags from other companies. ny friend had a dueter that he did not like, can't remember which model though.

I'm new here, and I wish I'd found this site a year ago, when I was getting back into backpacking and replacing all my cheapo Sports Authority/Mart quality gear. I knew I should buy light, but had no idea how light 'light' could be. Now I'm using the stuff I read here to 'upgrade' (if that's the right word) as I can afford.

Based on that experience, I say buy as light as you can afford now. (and light often costs the same or less). You've got a nice light tent, and that, along with your backpack and sleeping bag are the first things you'll look to replace if you don't go light to start out, so best buy well now. 2 ounces here and 3 ounces there aren't much alone but add up across all your gear.

I have a North Face Skareb 55 pack that weighs 3lbs 6oz, 3600ci capacity, suitable to 2-3 day trips. It's a nice pack and carries close to 40lbs well. But now I'm looking for a smaller, lighter bag because I've learned how to better pack. I've been looking at the Osprey Exos 46, and, based on what I've read here, am also considering the lighter ULA Ohm and the Six Moon Designs Comet, but will probably end up with the Osprey due the the combination of REI 20% member sale + a tbd dividend check amount, and I can't actually touch the Ohm in a store to fall in love with it. But the Ohm has almost the same capacity as my Skareb, and weighs a almost 30oz less even with all the options. It also seems much-loved on these forums.

Good luck