65L minimalist pack w/cush

I think the granite gear nimbus meridian would come close to what you're looking for. I find the pack very comfortable. Maybe consider trying to drop some weight though?

If you drop your base weight, then the size of your pack will decrease as well. I use a 50L frameless for weeklongs now. Alot of those bag wouldn`t be very comfortable with heavy loads being there mostly just framesheets for suspension.

I have the Mammut Heron Light 65 in size long. It's right at 4lbs and is really more of a 70L pack. It doesn't have too many bells & whistles, and is extremely comfortable and adjustable.

IMHO,it carries much better than Granite Gear, Gregory, Arc'teryx and Osprey packs I've tried. The suspension handles up to 50 lbs with ease but is comfortable and light enough that a 25-30 lb load doesn't preclude its use.

Moosejaw is having quite a sale right now:

http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/shop/product_Mammut-Heron-Light-65-Pack_10093887____?cm_mmc=CSE-_-GoogleBase-_-na-_-Mammut-Heron-Light-65-Pack&ad_id=GoogleBase

Hey Bob,

Why don't you post your standard gear list, and get some ideas about cutting base weight to go along with a new pack? 70L is a HUGE pack to talk about on BPL!

I wouldn't try to cut much weight out of the pack itself before trying to get the base weight down a lot. And then you'll find that 70L is too much space to fill up (unless you are doing winter trips with lots of higher-volume items).

"Why don't you post your standard gear list, and get some ideas about cutting base weight to go along with a new pack? 70L is a HUGE pack to talk about on BPL!"

Good idea. I think I'll do that as well. :)

http://www.cilogear.com/nwd60lworksack.html

For the size you are looking at this is the best pack on the market, but you need to be made of money or a sponsored climber to afford one.

Granite Gear Escape 60 – not the exact size but may work.

yes, my weight numbers were more accurate for 'then' (slacker weight consciousness, but not weight weenie). I should be able to drop 6-7lbs, but moving from an 80L to a 65L seems most prudent to me for my next step. I have a 45L BD pack I love, so if I can get down that far, I'm covered.

Wow, that's almost expensive as a custom McHale pack!

If I was carrying 40+ pounds, I wouldn't be looking for a very "minimalist" pack. I'd be heading towards a burlier Granite Gear or Osprey, with a real suspension, and it would probably be a 4-5 lb pack maybe.

Post gear list! Really, it should be easy and painless to get another 15 lbs out of your pack.

ospreys exos 58 fits your bill

i love my deuter 65 air contact lite. i dont remember the exact weight but its a little over 3lbs. with a nice hip belt and shoulder straps. Then i modified it by removing the top making it roughly 3lbs. note: the newer model is 3lbs. 15oz., i just looked.

"Wow, that's almost expensive as a custom McHale pack!"

More, actually.

For a bomber big pack with great suspension and minimalist features, I picked up a Macpac Pegasus off ebay for £40. Take off the zip-on daypack and you have a workhorse which weighs 3.3lb. You could trim a few more ounces by removing the grip handle and harness cover too.

I don't often use this for backpacking, but it's great for hauling climbing plus camping gear in to a weekend site and taking big parcels to the post office. Makes good motorcycle luggage too.