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Pack Suggestions

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Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)
PostedApr 30, 2009 at 6:59 am

I'm new to light/UL backpacking so I've certainly got plenty to improve upon. I'm currently using a GG Nimbus Meridian but my base spring/summer pack weight is around 18lbs. Is it time to start considering an UL pack? If so, I'd love to hear your suggestions for someone who will not be taking weight reduction to an extreme, but will certainly continue to shave the ounces and pounds. I've read good things about the GG Vapor Trail. Are there other packs you'd recommend that can comfortably handle total pack weights up to 30lbs? I know there are a lot out there, but the number and variety are enough to make my head swim, and over the past few months of lurking around this site I've come to trust it's reader's opinions.

Thank you!
-Dave

PostedApr 30, 2009 at 8:36 am

You will have a lot of choices indeed. GG Gorilla, ula ohm, I’m sure others will chime in with their info, I don't know most off the top of my head. With a weight around 18lbs I myself would look for something with stays. You will be advised however to focus on reducing the weight of your other gear prior to switching packs. For example if you could save 5 pounds by switching your tent for the same cost as switching a pack the obvious choice would be to switch your tent. If you want the quick answer for different packs then I’m sure you will find it here. If you want to go the long and thorough route then post what you have right now, the weights if you have them, and personal preferences that you are not willing to compromise. With that information I believe you will receive a much better rounded answer and an overall pack weight that is lighter without sacrificing comfort.

Tom Caldwell BPL Member
PostedApr 30, 2009 at 9:14 am

Vapor Trail would be an okay choice, you'd save a 1 1/2 pounds right there. Do you need a sleeping bag compression sack, or could you just stuff your bag in the bottom of the pack? You might try window insulation instead of Tyvek, a few more oz. Are you sleeping double, for the Double Rainbow?
Jetboils are heavy, save 12 ounces with an alky and ti pot. Dump that heavy Nalgene and get a Powerade bottle at the C-store, 4 oz savings for $1.50.

Joe Clement BPL Member
PostedApr 30, 2009 at 10:07 am

You know what they always say, get all your gear first, and the pack last when you know what weight and amount of stuff you have.

Oops, looked at your spreadsheet, you've got it. You could ditch the Jet Boil for a Caldera Cone or Pocket Rocket and save a lot of weight, and go to chemical water treatment. As far as packs go, I have a couple of Gossamer Gear products that I am very happy with, an Osprey Exos 46 that is nice, and a Golite Jam2 that gets a lot of use (and was cheap).

Mary D BPL Member
PostedApr 30, 2009 at 2:10 pm

Six Moon Designs Starlight or Traveler, with the "optional" stays, will carry up to 35 lbs. easily. However, unless you can reduce bulk it might be too small.

Looking at your list, I can't really see where your bulk is coming from–even the tent isn't that bulky. My gear, not a whole lot different from yours except the tent, just lighter, fits into the Six Moon Designs Comet, a smaller pack–even when going out for 7 days I don't have to use the extension collar,

The BA pad, suggested as a saving, is far less bulky than a closed-cell foam pad. Weight could be saved by going to a 3/4 length POE pad (17 oz.) or (if you have $$$ or a coupon) a Thermarest NeoAir. With the Six Moons Starlight, your tent could go in one of the long outside side pockets (that's where I carry mine). However, unless you regularly go with another person, or, like me, have a largish dog, you could find a much lighter and more compact solo tent, like a Tarptent Contrail or Sublite Sil. Tarptent's Squall 2, also a 2-person tent, would still be a weight savings over the Double Rainbow. You could consider a Montbell Thermawrap jacket instead of the fleece for more warmth and less bulk (watch for sales online, and note that the sizes run small). Ditch the plastic trowel, they are completely useless when the ground is dry. Use tent stake, trekking pole point, your boot heel. Re the JetBoil, even a simple canister stove plus lightweight pot are lighter and more versatile.

As mentioned above, you seem short on insulation. A cap (fleece or knit) is vitally important since you lose a lot of heat from your head. ("When your feet are cold, put on a hat.") Gloves are also a good idea–you could use spare socks, but once they get wet you have no dry socks!

Tom, he can't ditch the Nalgene since he uses a Steripen (useless gadget, IMHO, but YMMV). The Steripen sounds really light, but by the time you add the required heavy and bulky Nalgene and the very necessary extra batteries (not listed, I notice) it's as heavy as the lighter filters. Dave, be sure to carry some Katadyn or Aquamira chlorine dioxide tablets; the Steripen has been known to fail in the field (check reader reviews on this site)!

PostedMay 1, 2009 at 3:43 am

Thanks all for your suggestions. I was expecting most of it so that gives me some comfort knowing that I'm at least on the right track. Having just started backpacking within the past year I think I've made significant strides to lighten my load and I'll continue to do so.

Thanks again!
-Dave

Eugene Smith BPL Member
PostedMay 1, 2009 at 6:51 am

I'm in the same predicament David, I own the Nimbus Meridian, which is an excellent pack, granted a little overkill for my now sub 10 lb. base weight. I bought it before I found what I really enjoy/need to bring with me, plus my gear is much lighter and a pack that can carry 35 lbs. comfortably is just not all that necessary for a 3 day trip, unless I'm carrying 2 gallons of water.

I'm now going to pick up a pared down UL pack at some point as well, I'm in a toss up between the ULA Conduit and the Golite Jam2. Hopefully you find what you're looking for, but I might heed the advice of the others and pare down your existing gear to what is comfortable and practical for you and then find the bag that suits your gear set, otherwise you might find yourself in the same position a few months from now, looking for the next smaller/lighter pack to suit your shrinking base weight.

The vapor trail might be a good option for you later, if you enjoy your Nimbus, the roll top design is carried through, the side stretch pockets cross over as does the padding on the back, minus the framesheet found on the Meridian, the vapor is somewhat similar and may suit you well down the road.

Turley BPL Member
PostedMay 1, 2009 at 8:49 am

I like the Gossamer Gear Gorilla….it has a wide comfortable hip belt and the internal stay is removable. The stay weighs approximately 4oz I believe so it can be left out to save weight for lighter loads, and inserted when better weight transfer is needed for trips requiring heavier loads.

PostedMay 1, 2009 at 10:14 am

Christopher – Excuse my ignorance but what does sleeping pad frame mean? Is that your CCF pad giving structure to the shape of the pack?

Also, any experience with the G4? Seems like a lighterweight material and no stays, but much greater volume.

Turley BPL Member
PostedMay 1, 2009 at 10:32 am

David,

A sleeping pad sleeve/holder keeps your sleeping pad in place against the internal or external pack up against your back (depending on pack) where the sleeping pad acts as the frame/support.

The Gossamer Gear G4 is extremely light but has alot of volume (too much in my opinion) for ultralight volume/loads. As I've decreased my pack weight over the years, the total volume as decreased as well, and therefore I prefer a smaller volume pack. Additionally, the G4 does not have an internal hydration sleeve..although many do not use the sleeve, I still prefer them…

PostedMay 1, 2009 at 11:01 am

Yeah, I haven't even delved into the world of UL yet and I wouldn't know what to do with 4000 cu in of pack space. Thanks for the info!

Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)
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