my first bag? Ohm or Flash

"I would highly suggest trying the Ion, with all of the money you save you can always upgrage later on your trip if you cant live with it. The worst case sinerio is that you will still have the sweetest pack on the planet."

Is it really that good? It doesn't look fundamentally different than my old school backpack. Its about the same size. What makes this thing the sweetest pack on the planet?

Robert, it probibly is not any sweeter than your old day pack. I wish I had my old Kletter sac. These days small packs are so crazy and heavy and totaly worthless. The Ion Is just a good old rucksac, I would like it better with a drawstring top. The gridstop patern is beautiful I like to play with my pack often..Even after having it with me all day everyday I still come home and pack and repack it searching for perfection. It also fits me perfectly. It is thin and trim. I would prefer a removable waist stap. Its very easy to scooch around on public transportation because it has a slim profile. It is highly water resistant
Ali

The Ion is the greatest?

I own one and use it for day travels, but it doesn't even have a place to secure a pad? Greatest? Ever try a ULA Conduit?

Yes – it is a floppy book bag that has no features. Kind of like a big hung of Dyneema. I like it for what it is but in stock form it has very limited features. Hence the price of $50.

David, the beauty of the Ion is in her simplicity. Ali

fwiw, I thought the ION had the goofiest zipper in the world. try modding it to make a drawstring closure or even velcro – but the zipper and lack of compression straps/bungee absolutely blows.

Mr. Ure, Conduit is the best pack ive used after trying about 10 of them. my days of pack purchasing are over. one word: ULA

The ULA is a great bag but like virtually all other manufacturers they completly ignore the ul weekend warrior. I could literally put everything I own in the world in a 3200 ci pack. Some of us look for simplicity in a small pack and thats where the Ion comes in with all of its liitle quirks it is still my favoirite. I dont put any price restictions or budgets when it comes to purchasing. All I ask is that I love it and it takes care of me. My WM bag GL Ion S2S poncho and TR zrest are impossibly perfect. Anything else is icing. Ali

That must be one packable sailboat you own. Haha.

I dont own it it owns me. But good point. :)~

"Mr. Ure, Conduit is the best pack ive used after trying about 10 of them. my days of pack purchasing are over. one word: ULA"

Hi Mike – I received mine about 4 days ago and it is the best fitting frameless pack I have ever tried. I almost feel like I should buy a couple just in case Brian decides to pack it up and move to the Bahamas.

Ali- not to say it wont work great, the ION (after my mods which made it much more "friendly") was a nice pack. I just found the top closure to be a hassle. In stock mode, I just thought something else would fit the bill. If it works for you, wonderful! I also will be the second to chime in about the 3200cuin/weekend and say its (the conduit) is much too large for my 3 season overnighters. But. The conduit is the best fit ive ever had on. Like David, it seems the conduit was made for me. If I could have only one pack, like the OP is trying to find, it certainly would be neither the conduit or the ION. Maybe the perfect pack doesnt exist, thats why we all have at least 2 of 'em. (i have four :) )

one of them is a custom Blast 1600. water pockets and an outside pocket. cuben. 3.9oz with waistbelt. ask Joe Valesko to make one.. mine was $60

Someday, somewhere, somehow It will show up the mythical 1500-2000 CI pack. My old Kletter pack was 1800 CI toploading weighs about a pound. It had a small top lid and side compression straps. It cost about 60 bucks. :( Ali

Shhhhh (I am whispering here)…..rumour has it that there may be a replacement for the ULA Relay coming, which would put it about 25L or so and comfortably under 16oz…….

just received my z22 today. havent try it though.. guess i will go for a pinnacle now.

Sorry if I come across as a perpetual naysayer… but I still wonder if the large sized Pinnacle will carry your travel gear, laptop, etc. comfortably???

Anyway, buying packs is like buying shoes — the only way to know for sure is to try them out yourself. Best of luck — and be sure to report back.

The pinnacle is on the way home. Sadly the z22 is everything perfect but smaller than i thought so maybe should go out…..

Really any pack with compression straps will compress down to whatever size you want.

Have you looked at the good old fashioned Kelty Redwing? Kelty even advertises it as "Compact enough for a carry on, and roomy enough day hikes…" I have seen folks carrying this pack finishing a thru hike of the AT so it can do it all. You said earlier that you like simple packs, but the Z22 and Pinnacle both have amenities so take a look at the Redwing.

"Sorry if I come across as a perpetual naysayer… but I still wonder if the large sized Pinnacle will carry your travel gear, laptop, etc. comfortably???"

Ben, the Pinnacle has a thick firm piece of foam for a back panel and excellent compression. If you mean whether it will carry in comfort – no issue, assuming it fits you. I have carried 34 lbs for 22 miles without any discomfort…..