Granite Gear pack volume ?

The GG Latitude Vapor is 3800 ci, and has no extension collar. Because of the panel loading feature (which I *love*), the pack is about 12 oz heavier than the VT, but the suspension is identical.

I’ve compared both side by side, and the Latitude does appear to have much more space, although I didn’t attempt to pack them with the same gear to compare. All of my gear and food fits inside the pack. I can go for almost a week before food takes up enough room to bump something to the outside of the pack.

This link below is a snapshot of my pack before my last trip. You can see everything except my food bag, and it fit between all the gear and the zipper panel that opens the pack. It may not look like it, but there is probably enough room for 4 days or so of food there. I could rearrange a little for more space if I needed to (move the TarpTent to the outside of the pack).

http://frontiernet.net/~dmclec/misc_img/gglv-packed.jpg

I have both a Vapor Trail and a Latitude Vapor, both small. The former weighs 2 lbs 3.5 oz and the latter 2 lbs 8.5 oz, though I use it without the top pocket/butt pad it came with.

I can pack for a week including food and water with the Vapor Trail, strapping my tarptent and butt pad to the outside and without using much of the extension collar. I agree with the factory rep that the stated volume doesn’t include the extension collar.

With the Latitude Vapor the tarptent can go inside. I also really like the panel loading and I pack it pretty much like you show it.

It also takes a bear canister (in my case an Ursack with an aluminum liner) better than the Vapor Trail.

And the greater volume is handy for Spring and Fall trips where I carry more bulky clothing.

Thanks.
Since it’s still not clear for me if the main pack body of a Vapor Trail is indeed 3600 cu in or just 2600 cu in, not counting the extension collar, I could perhaps rephrase my question this way: is the internal volume of a Vapour Trail, without the extension collar, as big as that of the Osprey Aether 60? I haven’t had an opportunity to try a Vapour Trail but I tried an Aether 60 so that could give me an idea.

The VT has about 2800 cubes in the main compartment (not scientific, just comparing to one of my 45L – 2800 cube packs). Without employing the extension collar, there is no way this pack is 3600 cubes.

I just asked Granite Gear about their capacity, here is the reply:
” …the Rg torso Vapor Trail is measured by cubic inch by empty cavity only. That includes no measurement of the stretch size it can contain up to or the expansive collar sleeve or exterior mesh pockets. The expansion collar sleeve can contain up to an additional 600-800 cubic inches.”
Granite Gear says that it indeed holds the stated volume without the extension collar volume. Thought this might help those who are wondering.

IMHO the Nimbus Ozone has 3800 cu in without the extension collar. I have tried to measure the length, width and height of it but as anyone who has tried, backpacks don’t cooperate with this operation very well. But to the best of my ability, the dimensions added up to 3800 cu in without the extension collar or side pockets.

By the way, I love the backpack for heavy loads. I hike with my wife and, as in all areas of life, my share of the load is not equal. (but that’s OK, she’s worth it)!