I thought I was finished with this finding a pack thing..

If you like the Atmos but want something lighter, you could have a look at the new Osprey Exos series of packs.

I've thought about the exos, but at $180, I'd just rather spend $120 and get an atmos. I'm just having a hard time adding almost a pound to my base weight by going from the vapor trail to the atmos. I might just get another vapor trail. However, if I had the money I would be all over and exos 46.

The air vent suspension is really neat. You should know, however, that it cuts into usable volume making packing the pack a game of Tetris. It will also push the load away from your back, which can make the load feel heavier compared to a similar pack without the curved suspension. Think of a fulcrum v.s. leverage. Personally a sweaty back is not a big issue for me.

In a nutshell – why add almost a pound and a half for an effectively smaller volume pack with some load transfer (in my opinion) design deficiencies? Just my 2 cents….;)

I like mine (4 years old). I have back problem…so I use a frame pack to put 99% of the weight on my hips. I keep a 3 L bladder in the space between the bag and the mesh. I fill it by syphening water from a 1.8 L. Platy.
Takes a bit to learn how to pack, but no big deal. I have a custom sack for my sleeping bag that is as wide as the bottom of the pack, and that goes in first, then my InsulMax Air Pad in it's sack. I put clothes next and food in last. I use the two external zipper pockets for my kitchen, bath, hanging kit, water treatment and "spares & repairs". I keep first aid, rain ware, maps and pack cover in the top pocket. I have my SMD Luna Solo strapped to the bottom with the (shortened) "Sleeping bag Straps".

Escalente Mudbath trip (it always rains in the desert!)

I removed the internal Hydro pocket, cut all the straps down, removed the ice ax loops and anything else I could find that I did not need and have mine down to 48.6 oz. on my scale.
I have had a 36 LB load (desert hike with a dry camp on day 1 carrying 6.6 L of water) and that is about the max the hip belt will do.
The front mesh pockets are Tits on a Bull useless on mine – too tight and small to access, but I think they made them larger on later versions. The current model has much less space between the back mesh and the bag. I looked at one at REI and there is no way to carry water back there any more.

Hope that helps.

Edited for that spelling thingy

well i've never used a ULA pack so i can't comment there except that they look like a good investment. however i have a granite gear nimbus latitude and have tried the osprey atmos packs.
i like the idea of the ventilated back as i live in NM, but have found that the pack shape makes them hard to pack. they can also have hot spots where the pack does contact your back.
what i like about granite gear is the good suspension mated with simple lightweight packs.
personally i like to have a decent frame, i like the ability to carry more weight when the need arises. i am one of those "one pack" kind of guys. i use my GG for a daypack as well.
my suggestion would be to take him and yourself to the store to see if the atmos would be comfy, if not stick with the GG vapor trail. especially if you like it. pack fit is a personal thing and if you find that you like the vapor trail then keep using it.

I agree that the Atmos is an odd shape to pack around. The Exos is better designed in that regard, but there is the price difference to think about. I really like the feel of the ariflex type of suspension.

Another pack you might want to consider is the MontBell Versalite 50. I just bought the Versalite 35, and like it a lot so far.

It has similar features to the vapor trail and my 35 weighed 32oz. 3oz less than advertised.

I thought I was finished with this finding a pack thing

WHAT?! Not looking for the next best _____? (fill in the blank with just about any gear item)

That kind of thinking would leave the typical BPL member with nothing to live for!

Hi Clay,

The vent system is not necessarily as great as you might expect… your back will still get sweaty. My father always used to complain about a sweaty back, and ended up getting a pack with a vented back… but soon abandoned it when he discovered that it only improved things 'somewhat'.

My recommendation would be to stick with the vapor trail for the time being. In six months or a year's time you will see some Exos 46 packs start to appear on Gear Swap and you'll be able to pick one up much cheaper. Or there'll be a sale no doubt sometime before then. In the meantime you should be able to get a cheap vapor trail which will serve you well.

I would avoid the Atmos, because you will just want to upgrade to the Exos anyway (because of the weight, and the smaller air gap). The circuit is a good option, but you'll be paying $180 for that if you want this year's model (which has a number of improvements). Again, you'll be able to find it on Gear Swap in 6 months or so for quite a bit cheaper.

When buying lightweight gear my two main considerations are:
1. Do I know whether this is EXACTLY what I want?
2. What is the resale value?
The reason being, I end up selling about half (or more!) of the stuff I buy because it doesn't turn out to be what I was after. Probably the same for many BPLers here. I only pay top dollar (eg. full RRP for cottage gear) for gear that I am 100% sure of (eg. a WM sleeping bag) and when in doubt as to whether it's exactly what I need I always buy stuff with good resale value. If nothing else, the gear I buy and resell helps educate me about what I do and do not like about packs, bags, tents etc.

Anyway, I'm rambling. Happy shopping!

Wait a minute………..are you implying that you only have one pack now? Heretic!!!

Get a rope.

Haha..yes yes I know, I've only got one pack. But hey, I only started 2 months ago. I got into this hobby thinking, "hey it can't be as expensive as the other stuff you do, (golfing and kayaking) All you need is a pack and a sleeping bag"…..WRONG..

Anyway I decided I'm going to try to pickup another vapor trail on gearswap or maybe catalyst. But only one of those two.

Thanks everyone

Cheaper than golfing.
Cheaper than kayaking.

You have NO excuse to only own one pack.

That said, just keep your pack, and tell him to get the one you are thinking of. On day two of your first hike, swap packs. If you like it, just throw your VT up on the gear swap since they sell really quick and get the one you like. If you don't like it, then you have a pack you already like. If the old man doesn't like his pack… well… that's his problem. :)