Need pack able to carry wetsuit on outside.

I'd think the mesh pocket on the ULA packs, or Gossamer Gear packs would work great. I'm really happy with mine. You might want to leave a little space in the middle of your pack, so you could use the compression straps to pull the wetsuit in somewhat closer.

Joe,
The ULA packs look especially nice. Which do you have? Top straps might be good for wetsuit, Camino being low and wide maybe too.
By GG meant Granite Gear, but you're right Gossamer Gorilla could do it.
Heavier but Black Diamond Quantum 55 or Predator maybe too.
Don

Could you use the ULA Epic and have your wet stuff in a mesh(?) bag under a dry bag with your gear in it?

May be unclear- I'm saying two bags in the Epic instead of one.

Possibly a horrible idea- just throwing that out there

I suspect Jeff's idea is in the ballpark.

I have this vision, right or wrong, of a complete wetsuit being *really* bulky. I have a ULA Circuit and while the back pocket is large and the mesh really tough, I'm not sure an entire rig could fit there. Some of it, certainly.

The Epic concept seems more versatile and accommodating.

Cheers,

Rick

> I have this vision, right or wrong, of a complete wetsuit being *really* bulky.

Right – they are!

I use a largish old frameless pack with holes, put the wet suit at the bottom, and use a dry bag for the stuff which has to stay dry.

I would not put the wet suit in a back pocket – that would throw the balance way off.

Cheers

Thought about that, like you guys are saying could keep wet and dry separate. But $275 seemed high since you byob(ag), which also adds weight. Still really slick, could be the way to go.
Can't remember the name but came across another similar idea when googling. It was designed so you lay your shelter down and rolled your gear up in it, then the bundle gets strapped to harness/pack. Think they also had showed using separate bags.
Anyone know that one?
Don

Rick, the wetsuit, booties, gloves are bulky, pretty much the size of a basketball all together. But we usually drape the suit so it's hanging half length, lashed by 1-2 of the packs front straps. Floppy but dries on the walkout.
The other thing forgot to mention is it's often drizzling or raining during part of trip, so a pack with coating is best. Tho Epic/bag style avoids this (that is a good idea hunh…)

Might want to take a look at the mollymacpack.com website and look at their design. I know a lot of people that use them, and it seems to be a good modular design.

That's the epic-ish one was thinking of. No frame tho. Epic looks stronger.
I'll check out the mollymac, thanks.

in bottom of a pack.
Roger – missed your post (running around doing errands today). Sounds like you have drain holes, suit in bottom, dry bags for rest. Keeps weight in better place. Simple solution.
Might just do that with grommets on bottom – tho could let in dirt when pack laid down. Could rig some rubber plugs for normal use…if it's a problem.
The bagless frame systems look useful. Could myog one with old pack too – internal or external. Expect plenty of folks have been doing that.
Thanks for the ideas everyone.
Don

@Don Was this what you were talking about? Moonbow Gear's Gearskin or Powerpac?

http://www.moonbowgear.com/1trailgear/1Custom packs/Powerpacks/1powerpac.html

http://www.moonbowgear.com/1trailgear/1Custom packs/Gearskins/gearskin.html

Aaron

Powerpack idea is pretty interesting. So used to classic packing – fitting each piece in it's own spot, but maybe a bundling everything would be more efficient.
Anyone use it?

You pretty much have to move past classic packing for any ultralight pack- even your Granite Gear pack only has one lid pocket and two side pockets in addition to the main bag. You could get a Gearskin or Powerpac with a pocket arrangement like most cottage ultralight packs- two side pockets and a mesh pocket on the front of the pack.

I've never used it, but I was also intrigued by the idea. To specialized for me, but very interesting.

A basically new GG Nimbus Ozone for $80! Impossible to resist. Weighs 3,1oz. Should handle 30-40 lbs if ever needed. Fits great, I like the GG padding.
Doesn't bring any new solution to carrying a wetsuit…but who cares at that price.
Will try suit strapped on top for best weight/balance – especially since the pack is short. Maybe could roll wetsuit up in the long bivy/sleeve…(but will likely just cut that thing down to 6-8"'s).
Probably get their little top pocket too.
Cool, now can get a better sleeping bag (have recently sold heavyish sleeping bag, tent, backpack locally so the new gear is painle$$.
Don

Congrats, and enjoy! It's hard to beat GG's plushiness. :)

I made a few mesh sacks for my wetsuit gear and snapped it to the sides of my pack with bungies / velcro / etc.

Booties / gloves on one side, shirt on the other. Pants in another one hanging under the floating pouch. Handled ok by splitting up the weight ortherwise it pitched the pack at weird angles.

Doesn't really depend on what type of pack in that situation and it dries really well. The big mesh bags double for bear bagging.