UL Internal Frame Pack: Mountainsmith Ghost v Granite Gear Vapor Trail vs Others

Packs are pretty personal, gotta try them on—- I prefer for your 1st application the ULA packs—I have the older P-1 and 2 now replaced by the Circuit and Catalyst. The basic suspension is similar to what Ryan and co. were using on their ULA made packs for the Arctic 1000. Light and tough Dyneema fabric.
http://www.ula-equipment.com/

The Vapor Trail is a fine pack, if it fits.

For the Ski Tour/Mtneering Pack—- given everything you want from it, I would suggest the very expensive custom made McHale Packs. For a production pack, well, there’s not many panel opening packs in the 50+L range. Generally , they will be top loaders. You might check out the Brit made Crux packs—
http://www.prolitegear.com/crux_ak57.html
or the larger Granite Gear Packs such as the Stratus Latitude. Top loaders all. Add the Alpine Vapor.

I personally use my Wild Things Andinista for large loads taken Ski Touring or Alpne Mtneering. It does not have a frame–stiffened w/ a bivy pad and in addition, modded by me w/ a sheet of plastic. It’s zipper compression system can shrink the pack to a summit size load carrier. It also has a slash zipper main compartment access down the back of the pack. Loads above 40 #s are not real comfortable but my brand of Winter camping and mtneering is about lighter loads.

All of these packs are absurdly lighter than what you’ve been using.

I have a Six Moon Designs Starlite and it might fit the 2-5 light pack. I have carried up to 45 pounds with it, but for me it is only comfortable under 30 pounds.

For ski touring I use a McHale 0-SARC. 58.7 oz with the summit flap. 3.3 oz. for the shovel pocket. The big advantage is the holsters fit the OR insulated quart bottles. The McHale construction is robust.

Hi Summit,
I would agree with Kevin that packs are pretty personal. That said, I have been using the Ghost(old blue-gray version) for 5 years and, for my money, you’d be hard pressed to find a better pack for your intended use for that kind of money. I have had it loaded up to ~38# for extended trips up to 12 days, both on and off trail, and it has alway carried well, like a dream below 30#. You definitely won’t notice it at 20-25#. I tried on the Vapor Trail at REI with 30# or so and just didn’t like the feel, but that’s the personal part I guess. I also have a 0 SARC(weight~60 oz.) which I use for even longer, rougher trips and, if you have the bucks, you will not find a better pack anywhere. When the Ghost wears out, I will probably use the 0 SARC for everything for the rest of my career. The thing I don’t like about Six Moon Designs and ULA packs from their website descriptions is that so much of the advertised volumn seems to be either outside the pack in mesh pockets or in an extension collar. I would have reservations about both of those features for either bushwhacking or steeper offtrail routes where balance is crucial. Just my personal observations, as I have not used either makers packs and they both have quite a following. Best of luck.

These two packs were the “finalists” back when I was shopping for a lightweight pack, so I’ll share my views — with the caveat that fit/comfort/features are all personal, so YMMV.

I found the VT the more comfortable of the two — although the Ghost too was very comfy. What I mean is that the difference in comfort was slight, albeit perceptible.

I ended up with the Ghost because of its “ease of use”. The panel loading feature makes this one of the fastest to pack and unpack, and also one of the easiest to retrieve things while on the trail.

I particularly like the two bottom compression straps as they allow me to cinch my tent outside. My tent is the first thing I reach for when setting camp and the last thing I pack up when striking camp. When raining, it’s nice to be able to take out the tent without having to open up the pack. As well, it’s nice to be able to pack up and zip up everything inside one’s tent, and then take down/pack up the tent itself afterwards. With the Vapor, the tent has to go inside, thus taking up a significant amount of space.

Another ease of use advantage: with the Ghost, I can reach for and put back my water bottles without breaking stride (although more difficult to do in winter when bundled up). This is essentially impossible to do with the Vapor — esp. with the side compression straps in the way.

So, we have two excellent packs here. I gave the nod to the Ghost. Hopefully, you can try out both and then decide for yourself.

Definitely check out a ULA Circuit before you buy something else. I recently picked it over a Vapor Trail. Fabric is significantly more durable. Mesh pockets are much more useful. Construction is top notch, carries very well. Took it on a weeklong desert trip, at times carried tons of water taking the pack weight up to 35+ lbs, pack did fine. Only complaint is no compression on lower part of pack, but that’s remedied by good packing. Happy to add info if you need it. Also, Compared to Ghost, shoulderstraps are more comfy, and it’s a top loader, which in my opinion is more versatile.

I have both the Ghost and the Vapor Trail. Both are first generation. Both are good packs. But since I started using the Vapor Trail a few years ago I haven’t used the Ghost at all except for equipment heavy day trips. The Vapor Trail is that much more comfortable on my back. The Ghost gives you much better access to your gear, though. As others have mentioned, packs are like shoes. You just have to try them on.

I tried both these packs and preferred the suspension of the Ghost over that of the Vapor Trail. The main difference for me was that the load lifters on the Vapor Trail weren’t very functional because they didn’t attatch to the frame, and as a consequence the load did not sit as close to my back as it did with the Ghost.

>As others have mentioned, packs are like shoes. You just have to try them on.

I’ll second that. The Vapor Trail would have been in my final list except that I had a chance to use one last fall, and it just wasn’t comfortable for me. (I bought a Gossamer Gear Mariposa Plus and am using the stays, but that isn’t on your short list.)

I know packs are personal. I would love to try the Ghost but the only places I have found it are online. Almost would be nice to have an earlier generation which had the ski loops (according to some reveiw site) although the old ones were heavier and had a different frame maybe?

All of your responses are extremely helpfull, especially from those who have tried both packs. Thank you very much everyone!

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I tried the Vapor Trail at REI today… I thought the suspension was quite comfy, but at 31lbs load added it was not the comfyest… 23lbs was great.

The mesh pockets seemed useless when it was loaded. The load lifters seemed useless too.

The roll top expansion was quite large and that seems like where a lareg portion of volume is, not lending to stability and it exposes the silnylon.

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John:

I don’t know how a top loader is more versatile for anything vs a panel loader except waterproofness/no zippers opening randomly. I hate the inaccessability of gear deep in a top loader. Especially with a ski pack, some gear needs to be instantly accessable leading to external carry of certain items on a top loader. When carrying photo gear, which is dense and belongs at the bottom of the pack for stability, it is hard to get to.

However, the Circuit looks like a great pack, but it’s $175, built to order 2-3 week deliver, and I have no way to try it on first. Additionally 1/3 of its volume is in the mesh pockets and the extension. It seems to have a carbon hoop but no padding? Build quality looks bomber.

GG Mariposa looks interesting but fragile fabrics. Soooo light.

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I’m leaning towards a blind purchase on the Ghost if only for its good reviews and $90 price, but I haven’t made up my mind yet b/c pack is so imporant imho… still listening for experience, opinions, and other options.

I’ll have to check out McHale for that ski pack.

One reason why top loaders could be more versatile than the Ghost is that it is easier to strap a bear canister on top.

Understand your logic re: panel loaders… For me, the versatility comes from being able to stuff more stuff in if need, be, a toploader in a way is never quite full in the way a panel loader is. Anyway, understand your point, good luck!

The zipper on my Ghost is water resistant and requires a bit of force to open/close. I’ve never had problems with it “opening randomly”. It just isn’t anywhere near that loose! I have tried other Ghosts as well — same thing. This made it all the more surprising when I read the review in BPL about ‘randomly moving’ zippers — and makes me think that the tester got a defective pack.

If you order “blindly”, just make sure beforehand that you order from an outfit with a “no hassle” return or exchange policy. Your only risk should be just the postage. And in case you get a pack with a loose zipper, be sure to exchange it.

Check with Randy at ColdColdWorldpacks.com. I have the stock Chaos for winter and it is awesome. He can make you any pack out of any material you want. The cost is the regular pack price plus material. He can also change the design slightly to suit your needs.

There were significant amounts of complaints on the “bronze” MS Ghosts… the QC was horrible and MS ended up recalling a lot of them and rebuilding them.

My blue Ghost is very durable, very comfortable, and I have had absolutely no problems with the zippers. As Ben Tang said, the zipper requires quite a bit of force to open, and I have not had a single incident with the zipper opening randomly.

Ben – I know that you’re a huge fan of your Ghost. Is yours the “blue” or “gold” model?

Ben

“Ben – I know that you’re a huge fan of your Ghost. Is yours the “blue” or “gold” model?”

Oh oh, maybe I am singing its praises a few times too often… Mine is “bronze” color, purchased in 2004. I believe it carried into 2005 without any further changes — and now discontinued along with the rest of the ‘Mountainlight” line.

Nah, you at least keep your dignity when you rave ;). Have you experienced the horrific fabric failures that some people have reported with the gold packs?

Ben

The pack fabric is quite robust actually, and looks completely new even now. Thus far, the only sign of wear is in the mesh-like padding material of the hipbelt. Nothing significant, the padding is still there doing its job — just that it doesn’t look pristine any more.

Are you thinking of getting one?

I tested the Ghost last year for this site. It would be high on my recommended list–provided it fits as there’s no back length adjustment. Should you buy on line, be sure there’s a return policy in case it doesn’t fit.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/mountainsmith_ghost_lt_backpack_review.html

The older (blue) version had a different frame (a continuous loop), and suffered from problems with the rod ends poking through the fabric. The newer version is reinforced in this area.

I’d not heard of fabric failures (delamination?) in the newer (bronze) version before the mention in this thread, so can’t address that. Presumably, Mountainsmith would honor their warranty in the case of a materials failure. I find the fabric up to the task.

The panel zips will auto-unzip under certain conditions, despite their having the stiff action typical of water-resistant zips. It occurs with heavy, partial loads that stretch and distort the pack’s shape, but can be countered by either closing them off to the side or clipping the zipper pulls together. A little insurance here is prudent.

In sum, the Ghost is well thought out and little details, such as the side pockets and rear bungee cord, add value. For those who would prefer panel loading and a useful frame in such a light pack, I’d encourage a trial.

Rick – thanks for the detailed response. I’m actually looking at the Seraph for my wife, and it looks perfect so far. It’s nice to hear that the QC issues seem to be taken care of, and that your and Ben’s experiences have been good.

Ben

I know that Rick tested the Ghost for BPL last year. Believe me, he must have had a defective pack because I have never found the zips anything but tight and secure over 1,000 miles of hiking. If anything they are too tight. I have met several other packers with the Ghost and all say the same thing. Great fit, great ride, super comfortable, plenty of room for a lightweight kit AND a bear can if needed, and finally no complaints about any part of the pack. I love mine and just bought one for my daughter from STP. Since they are being discontinued and only run $90, I’d grab one. You will never look back!

You will look back if it doesn’t fit. One’s lust for a piece of equipment is nothing more than a tawdry affair unless it fits— then, voila!–it’s a relationship.:-)>

Never proceeded beyond the 1st date, myself, w/ the Ghost.