Semi-UL backpack suggestion

Link added.

Osprey Exos 58. 61 liters in L. 9 oz lighter than the Quest. 8 oz lighter than the REI Flash 65. If you don’t end up using the detachable lid, you save another 3.75oz.

As much as you can tell trying out a pack at home, I liked the Exos 46 pack, but it was more volume than I needed and ended up going with a Gossamer Gear Gorilla.

The Granite Gear Ozone would be my choice. It weighs 3 lbs but will carry up to 40 without collapsing, unlike the Exos, which bails at 30.

If your only going to be carrying heavier loads for a shorter while, you might want to go straight to a frameless pack and just be careful with how you pack it until you get your pack weight down. The GoLite Pinnacle is 2.0 lbs and has a 70 L capacity. That's 19oz lighter than the Quest.

I have a lot of experience in the Exos 58 and find that it is fine to 40 lb if needed, and I have never seen it collapse. Here is a review I did for BGT

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Packs/Internal%20and%20External%20Framed%20Backpacks/Osprey%20Exos%2058%20Backpack/Owner%20Review%20by%20Ray%20Estrella/

Will did a BPL review of it too.

I bought the 34 soon after getting the 58 and have a lot of use with it too. All under 25 lb though. I just got a 46 and started using it three weeks ago in preparation of a big hike at the end of the month. I took it on a 3-day water caching trip last weekend. On two days I had three gallons of water inside plus my over-night gear (but no stove/pot) and water for the day/night. The pack handled it better than I did…

I was a huge fan of the Talon series but the Exos has made me switch every size now. The way they keep my back cooler is a big deal. Dave (BIL) and I did a 4-day trip 6 weeks ago that I used the Exos 34 and he used the Talon 22. (Yes he is UL, I am trying.) He was soaked at our rest stops while I was just damp, and normally I am the world’s biggest sweaty Eddie.

Make sure you try it on first! There is no adjustment on this suspension so picking the right size matters. I am 6’ 3” and the Large fits me with room to spare on the shoulders, and the waist belt is almost pulled to the middle. Dave can’t borrow any of mine even though he is 6’ 2” because he has a shorter torso and is skinny (darn him).

Thanks for the input guys. I tried the Osprey but just couldn't get it to sit right. I need the bag fairly soon so went with the Flash for $100, for now. I'm going to keep an eye out for the Pinnacle and Ozone. Thanks for all the good insight!

+1 for the Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone….
it is extremely comfortable, transfers weight to the hips very well, has an adjustable torso, and you can exchange hipbelts and/or shoulder straps for an almost custom fit.

The Six Moon Designs Starlite is semi-UL, with the optional aluminum stays it easily carries 35+ pounds. I've been using mine since 2004, and love it.

+1 on the Ozone, can't go wrong if you can manage without excessive bling (pockets and loops).

Also the GG Mariposa Plus with the new aluminum stay – I'm heading out with 25 lbs this weekend, and in the past have overloaded it past the 30 lb limit by a few pounds with the carbon fiber stays… with the new stay it will work even better. I like it for non-bear-can (or small can) trips.

I too favor the Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone, have used it for 2 JMT hikes. I did have a mod done to make the top straps longer to enable making fuller use of the extension collar. I keep my pack weight <= 30 lbs (base wt = 17 lbs) but with food and water, it can approximate 30 lbs, but gets bulky (I use on the JMT, the bearikade expedition cannister).

+1 on the gossamer gear.