Absaroka Pack

No real experience here, but it seems over priced and not very unique to me. Also a little on the heavy side.IMHO, there are better packs for the same or less money out there.

About the only person with real-world experience using this pack is the pack designer himself. You can read some brief, initial thoughts from his blog.

Absaroka Pack. This one has been through the ringer of a dozen prototypes that have accompanied me on most of my trips for the past sixteen months. It wasn't until I used the final one in July in the Beartooths that I knew it was going to be ready for prime time. That said, I still consider this a "Version 1.0" pack, but it certainly has the look and feel of something a little more mature. I like that it carries 40 pounds OK, holds 40L of volume, has a rolltop closure and a long top strap for expanding capacity in a dry bag or securing a packraft, will offer interchangeable hip belts and shoulder straps for tailored fit (coming soon), and is more durable than a sailcloth pack. It's also really simple to use.

buy a vapor trail or nimbus ozone for half the price and actually available

The Absaroka is currently available.

Obviously none of us can really speak to how well the Absaroka succeeds at its goal of carrying larger loads for a minimial weight, since this pack is just reaching customers hands now. The concept behind the Absaroka does seem worthwhile though.

Some people do need a pack that can carry 40 lbs for winter conditions or longer unsupported stretches and I can't think of another pack that can do this for 34oz. The ULA Circuit is 36oz and rated to 35 lbs. The Granite Gear packs suggested (Vapor Trail, Nimbus Ozone) are both heavier (37oz and 48oz) and only the latter is rated to 40 lbs.

I don't think BPL is suggesting that this pack is the best pack for a typical UL 3 season hiker who engages in usually short trips. IMO, they are trying to fill a niche to meet the needs of some weight conscious hikers who are engaging in more extreme trips (ie. extreme cold, desert crossings, long unsupported stretches). Time will tell how well this pack succeeds at it's goal.

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judging by the initial threads and response on said threads, the funny named pack ain't meant for the majority of folks on BPL … at least the ones that vocally post about counting grams

i get the feeling that most people here don't usually carry 40+ lbs, or do trips needing such capacity …

whether there remains a market for such a pack at that price point remains to be seen

personally i cant buy a pack without ice axe loops ….

While I didn't use it, I got to see this pack up close and personal recently, and was pretty impressed. Had a great feel to it, seemed very well made. I even liked the color (but I like to be visible hiking in the northeast). Didn't seem to weigh what it weighs. Nice pack overall. FWIW.

I agree Eric. Even with a sub 10lb base weight, for trips of 7 days and limited water you would be at between 30 and 40lbs.

Suck it up boys; more choice the better.

For those that have purchased the pack could you measure the torso length?

I'm still confused about the sizing on this pack, TS=18-23 inches for both M and L packs?

Douglas-

Appreciate your input.

For ME, I see this as A) a semi-UL pack suitable for my family outings with 4 kids, where dad routinely carries 30-40 lbs. (would replace an Aether), and B) a semi-UL pack useful for longer trips up to a week where I'd have to carry a lot of food and possibly water. I'm not truly UL yet, but have gotten to where my MLD Exodus does quite well for 2-4 day trips in shoulder seasons.

And I gotta admit, I'm a bit of a gear junkie, and I really, really like the look and layout of this pack.

"i get the feeling that most people here don't usually carry 40+ lbs, or do trips needing such capacity …"

I'm still trying to figure out how one would reasonably get 40# in a pack with 2600 c.i. capacity. Anybody care to explain that to this dense old bird? Keep it simple, I get confused easily.

water, dense consumables like white gas filled fuel bottles.

synthetic sleeping bags are pretty heavy too…

"water, dense consumables like white gas filled fuel bottles."

I guess maybe, if that was all you were carrying.

"synthetic sleeping bags are pretty heavy too…"

And correspondingly bulky.

I probably should clarify my question. I was referring to a typical kit carried in the backcounty: Clothing, sleep system, cooking system, shelter system, food, etc. It would be easy to get 40# if all you were carrying was water or fuel.

At first I was supportive of this pack, but now Im a bit confused about this offering as well. Clearly the pack is meant for people that intend on carrying 30+ lbs. But my problem is that I already have packs that do that load range and weigh pretty similarly. Moreover, there are a decent amount of packs out on the market that do that load range as well for around the same weight (albeit maybe 1/2 lb to 1 lb more). Yes, i know, you're probably saying "But Konrad, you admit that other packs are 1 whole lb more" But more on this later.

I imagine this thing carries as well as my Nimbus Meridian. Bbased on the way bpl describes it, the absaroka carries like a dream if its 30lbs, and its okay if its above that…this is the same as my nimbus meridian. Sure my nimbus weighs like a lb more, but honestly, when im carrying 30+ lbs, I stop caring about grams…I just kind of suck it up because that's what the details of my particular trip entail. There is no reason for me to drop $200+ for a pack that saves me 1lb off my total 40lb mountaineering/extended trip/ pack mule for the girlfriend weight. Now if I didn't already own a pack to fill my load hauler niche, than maybe I would get this one…but for everyone else that already has a similar pack…it's kind of hard to justify the purchase of this one, even if you are a gear junkie. I'm a huge gearjunkie, and my major weakness being pack hording…yeah totally that old crazy lady on your street who hordes. But I still don't really see myself buying this, except for the novelty of it being bright orange, which I think is cool.

Also, i think this pack doesn't really know what it wants to be. Aimed at climbers by its load capacity and color, yet it doesnt provide any durable ice axe loops and lash points. I don't know about you, but I wouldn't feel that comfortable stashing my ice axe with bungee cords attached to what appears to be thin grosgrain loop-points the pack provides. Aimed at thru-hikers? You would think it would have a mesh front pocket to help them dry out their gear while they hike during the day…yet nothing.

<—-confused consumer who still wants one b/c its purdy if nothin more

You'll need a down to get 40 lbs worth of bag into 2600 ci… :)

The volume is my only beef. I welcome packs that carry 30-40 lbs in comfort, but this won't likely be my pack considering the volume. But as Mr. Ure said, bring on the choices…

What Aaron? You've never hauled gold bricks into the backcountry?

Actually, I get pretty close… I spent spent the summer hiking 6 mi/day to and from work on Superior Hiking Trail, carrying two laptops, 1-2L of water, textbook, and lunch. It only felt like I was hauling gold bricks. :P

Instead of focusing on the top weight of the recommended load, consider how it will carry at 30lbs. If it does this well, then it will compete with the VT and the ULA Circuit in terms of volume and carry. More feature rich than the VT with a more (potential) robust suspension than the Circuit, I think the price is very competitive.

We also need to be wary of pack size. Some packs are distinctly smaller than others despite the capacity rating. Consider that the VT is noticeably smaller than the 59L would have you believe. Ditto the Circuit's main bag.

Speculation is great. I am nore interested in user reports at this point!

It looks like a good pack. I like the design, and presume there's a lot more going on than simple carrying capacity to weight analysis would reveal.

In particular, the fabric, padding material, and suspension design seem to be quite unique. And thus, perhaps better than anything else around. So where are the lavish details of the above? This mystery approach to marketing the 2011 goods is rather peculiar, especially given the empirically-driven approach this website fosters.

"This mystery approach to marketing the 2011 goods is rather peculiar,…"

But pretty typical.

Try to find solid information about the bivy, the quilt, or the cocoon. Mystery shopping at its best.

Tom …

Camalots .3 to 4, double 3,4
link cams full set
Zeros full set
tcus gray to blue
full set offsets
full set peanuts
tricams from .5 to 2
12 trad draw
2 screamers
3L water
helmet
nut tool
harness
rock shoes
sunscreen
skitter spray
60m 10mm rope
dead bird gamma sv hoody

all came to 40lb+ in a 38 L pack

"Speculation is great. I am nore interested in user reports at this point!"

It's all academic to me at this point. I'm happy as a clam with my Ohm, and not inclined to cough up 208 Washingtons for the privilege of writing a gear report for all you other cheapskates. Now, if they do actually come up with that UL version in 2011, and it is actually in stock…… ;=]

"Tom …

Camalots .3 to 4, double 3,4
link cams full set
Zeros full set
tcus gray to blue
full set offsets
full set peanuts
tricams from .5 to 2
12 trad draw
2 screamers
3L water
helmet
nut tool
harness
rock shoes
sunscreen
skitter spray
60m 10mm rope
dead bird gamma sv hoody

all came to 40lb+ in a 38 L pack"

Eric,

Otherwise known among older climbers as 10# of S%!t in a 5# bag.

BTW, just what heinous route might you be setting out to flash with that MOTHER of all RACKS, Dood. ;-)

"And thus, perhaps better than anything else around."

Now if that doesn't get a rise out of Dan McHale…..