Best UL Hauler Under 2.5 pounds and $200

have you considered the golite pinnacle? just a tad over 2 lbs and only $105 from the company site with the code BSF10. Max recommended load is 40 lbs, but isn't that about the same as the other packs? And, it has GOBS of volume, at 72L/4300 cu in.

Might be worth considering.

-Daniel

In reference to:

"Considering a MLD Super Exodus or Super Ark," and G4. These frameless packs with that much volume are 'probably' not going to be comfortable at weights anywhere near 40 unless your a master at packing everything perfectly with the perfect sleeping pad as a structure. You'll be carrying more dense items where these packs are designed for light high volume items. I'd guess the MLD belt would not be substantial enough either.

I'm sure I'm not telling you anything you don't already know but I just posted on MLD's website asking if he would ever consider adding a removable frame since I'm responsible for others as well but he ignored my post.

If you appending your request to my post maybe he'll say something.

To be polite I even said up front that it might not be in his business model so he had an easy out. Maybe he just missed it.

Unless you have shoulders like an Ox, no frameless pack is going to be comfortable with that much weight.

Luke,

Maybe consider the ULA Epic, someone was selling one here a few days back for about the price point you're looking to stay within.

Start here: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/lw_internal_frame_packs_part_2.html

You will need a pack with some sort of frame. The Exos 58 would be my choice.

For real weight and bulk hauling,, I think there is something to using a classic external pack frame with UL stuff sacks or pack liners, sleeping pads and tents strapped on. The old Jansport frames are much lighter once you get all the heavy extras out of the way. For example, the current Jansport Carson is 4 lbs12 oz/2.18 kg all up. I'd bet you could cut the weight in half with the removal of the pack bag and extraneous hardware. I have bought them in thrift stores and garage sales for $15-$20.

The old Coleman Peak 1 plastic frame backpack would be another interesting frame system to experiment with. Again, they are dirt cheap used.

With the advent of high quality waterproof stuff sacks I'm surprised there hasn't been more development in external frame "freighter" packs. Titanium tubing and carbon fiber composites come to mind. The ability to dial in a pack with a selection of shoulder straps, hip belts and torso adjustments is really appealing to me.

at those loads you really need to try it on with that weight for a few hours up and down stairs …

i find that if the fit is even slightly off at 40+lbs … youll definately feel it

Yeah, I don't think any of the packs the OP listed are going to be fun hauling 40 pounds in. The Vapor Trail is good to about 25 on most people and then it start to go south.

You might want to check out Backpacking Light Absaroka Backpack although it costs a few bucks more it seems like it might do the best ob of all.

IMO, you are not going to find a 2.5 lb pack able to haul 40 lbs comfortably. You are entering the realm of McHale, Mystery Ranch, etc. Obviously my choice is McHale. To me the most important piece of equipment is a pack, because most of us are wearing one 8 to 12 hours on a trip. Why not get the most comfortable one?

UL Packs is a matter of definitions.
Some people consider the following categories:
SUL: 8oz or less
UL: 1lb or less
Light: 2lb or less
traditional: more than 2 lb

Some people consider:
Frameless: UL
Internal: Light
External: Traditional

Some people consider:
No waste belt: UL
Waste belt: Traditional

Anyway, for 40lb and above I would consider a Gregory Baltoro. This is a traditional pack but has an internal frame. For that load range (30-50#), I consider it to be amung the most comfortable packs I can use. The downside is that it is heavy at 5#9.

For 50# and up, I would consider an external frame pack. Kelty makes a good external version fairly inexpensivly. Unless you are packing for a family of 5, I would not consider these.

For a light weight pack with less volume and loads between 30-40#, I like the Osprey Atmos series. I am ignoring lighter loads, because you said 40#. Again, very comfortable, but heavy at around 3#8 or so.

Mostly, packs in that range are heavier or are pricier than you you would like.

I haven't tried all the packs you listed, but I have tried many of them, or near relatives. I personally wouldn't choice to carry 40lbs in any of them. Those with framesheets or stays are ok into the 20s or maybe low 30s, but not beyond that. If I HAD to use one of them to 40lbs, I would choice The StarLite with both a foam pad in the pcoket and the stays.

As other have indicated, unless you are unusual, you aren't going to be happy carrying 40lbs without a frame. I know people who tru-hiked the AT carrying upward of 40lbs in a frameless Kiskil Mithril… but you couldn't have paid me to do that. Ouch!

Either you are going to spend a fair bet more than $200, or decide that you aren't going to mind some discomfort when carrying 40lbs.

–Mark

I suggest you look at Aarn packs. Some models are available in the USA. I find my Marathon Magic 33 very comfortable at 24 pounds. I suspect the larger models will be as comfortable at much heavier loads but I don't have a need to find out.

I at times carry up to 50-60 pounds for 100+ mile backcountry packraft/hiking trips here in AK so no stranger to weight. Ran 62 pounds (30 of which was food for my wife and I and 12 of which was packraft and associated gear and 5 pounds of which was starting with 3 liters of water so ;) ) at the start of last summers 135 mile trip in my Osprey Aether 85 and hunting is often the same weight when going in and upwards of 120 lbs going out with a Mystery Ranch. However, I have at times carried 45 pounds in a buddies GG vapor trail and really seemed to do quite well, but was looking for other options. So no stranger to weight. Good to see some options for sure. I eyed the ULA epic with a dry bag and it certainly is an option. Checked out the frame of the Exos 58 at REI last week and honestly the frame felt stouter than my Aether 85 as in it was hard to bend.

Looks like I won't be able to skimp and get sub two pounds. Since I know the GG vapor trail works maybe I will just go that route, was hoping to be able to get down to the 1.5-2 pound weight class but apparently not. :D Oh well.

Luke,
If you make it into Anchorage one of these days, I'll let you check out my ULA Epic. No obligation to buy it, but to take a look at. Fits a 65L POE dry bag + packraft & sleeping pad. It is a size M.

Shoot me an e-mail at Chriswood at kinneyeng dot com.

Later

"Anyway, for 40lb and above I would consider a Gregory Baltoro. This is a traditional pack but has an internal frame. For that load range (30-50#), I consider it to be amung the most comfortable packs I can use. The downside is that it is heavy at 5#9."

I have a Gregory Whitney 95, which I think is somewhat similar to the Baltaro. Although subjective, I did a trip in the Whitney and then the same one with a McHale demo. No contest. The McHale won big time in the comfort test. And the McHale weighs less.

I own the Exos 58 and I love the pack. I consider it to be an external frame pack. Can't say I've carried 40 lbs with it, but I believe it'll work. On this site I've noticed small hip people seem to find the Exos series more comfortable. I believe it has to do with where the hip belt comes away from the body. Go to your local REI, try one on, toss in 40 lbs of sand bags, and spend an hour shopping….going up and down the stairs.

with the coupon, all their packs are are quite well priced. pursuit or quest could haul that weight, if you want to haul more they have their new series of packs. Still lighter than most traditional brand packs.

GG vapor trail can easily carry 35lbs loads. I am sure that they offer other packs that may be checking out.
Regards,
John

i agree with john. i use the exos and it fits your 2 criteria…

I have used the Granite Gear Ozone for the 40-45 lb range. It was as comortable as any pack I have worn with that amount of weight in it.

It also has the ability to be very adaptable fit wise. It is also expands to a large volume when carring some of the kids gear.

Edit: I had a Exos 58 before this pack, returned it because it did not fit my waist very well. The GG OZone fit and carried beter than the Exos, at least for me.

+1 the Pinnacle. I've had 15lbs to around 40lbs; it held and didn't destroy my back.

I didn't know you could buy a new McHale for $250.
Corse, you can't do much about weight, either.

A regular Vapor Trail comes close to 2#s and you can always modify them a bit to cut off some of the extra weight to help meet your goal. That and they always seem to on sale or used for about $100 or less. You also might just want one of the bigger versions of it also.

Funny because I feel that either the VT really fits you or really doesn't. If you are between sizes, you are kind of let down. I thought it was abysmal at anything over 30lbs.

Don't get too hung-up on the weight of the pack, an extra 8oz is not going to kill you and won't even be noticeable with a good pack.

I'll let you know when I get my hands on my McHale Merkebeiner pack, although it doesn't match your requirements of price or weight. (2lbs 8oz+) and double the price.

40lbs in a ULA Circuit may not be fun, its rated at what? 35lbs?

I'd agree with a Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone too, fitting the bill, although its comes in at 3lbs or so.