pack recommendations

the only solution is to try on as many packs as you can … whether a pack weights a few oz above or below 2 lbs is fairly irrelevant if it is uncomfortable at the carry weight as youve found out with your jam …

what fits me well may not work for you …

go for something that works for you and that you wont resell later …

Hilarious.

The OP specifically states what he wants and then you two bring up other options outside of the requirements. What's next? Recommendation for a hammock when he needs a tent?

So if one leaves the top pocket at home, the pack hits 2lbs but may not have the volume he needs (your comment)?

My comment originally was that the Talon 44 does NOT meet the OP's initial requirements. Guess what? It doesn't. You have trim straps and remove top pockets and then you still won't have the 50L volume.

Wait a minute – Does the Talon have a padded hipbelt?

Yes the talon has padded hipbelts doesn't meet his 50liter spec I stated it didn't neither does the wind rider ? Hmmm if your gonna be mr spec police why don't you do it for all the recommendations

It will if you consider the front pocket, side pockets, extention collar, and belt pockets. Ask me how I know this?

No – I mean a real padded hipbelt.

I have looked at the Talon 44 . . . I'm pleased with my Talon 33 which I use for field work at school and day hikes. It's a nice design, and I would not be surprised to find its capacity closer to 50L than 44L . . . the Talon 33 is certainly bigger than its published capacity. I'm just uncertain about the weight penalty. For a couple ounces LESS I could do the Exos 46 and have a vented back panel. Basically I fed up with poor load transfer and biting hip belts. While both of these are heavier than I initially was considering, a FEW ounces for improved comfort can really improve my trip experience overall.

I use the pack for the same reason as you are looking for Jason i find it's load distribution and how well it carries to be WELL worth the small weight penalty and yes I find the hipbelt very comfortable

Jason, Both the Osprey Talon and Exos 46 are nice packs. I think it comes down to which one fits you best. For some reason the Exos just didn't fit well for me. After returning my Osprey Hornet, I actually wanted the Exos over the Talon, but fit came into play. FWIW here are the major items of gear that I have fit reasonably into the Talon 44, the ULA Ohm, and the SMD Swift:
Tent – TT The Moment
Sleeping Bag – WM Summerlight
Clothes Bag with raingear.
Homemade alcy stove and pot
Sleeping Pads – Z-rest or KookaBay Inflatable
First aid kit and toiletries
Bearikade Weekender bearcan.
2 32 oz. bottles – 1 on shoulder strap, 1 in side pocket.
Patagonia – Nano Puff to take up space around bear can.

Without the bear can ALL of the above packs would serve you well. With a bear can, I wasn't as impressed with the OHM or Swift. I have a Circuit on order and will let you know how it fares with a bear can if that is a requirement or not for you.

Keith, I love the photo of the wooden backpack! Inquiring minds want to know if you use it for real, or is it a great conversation starter!

There is an Exos 58 too. In the BPL article on UL framed packs it was noted that the 46 seemed smaller than the rated volume. I have one and it suits me, but I have no way to really compare the volume to other 46 liter packs. The Exos packs are nicely ventilated and give good weight transfer. I wish Osprey would take that basic design and drop all the straps and gee-gaws.

I would love to test drive one of the new Hornet models— looks promising. Nearly a pound lighter than the Exos.

http://www.ospreypacks.com/detail.php?productID=220&colorCode=356&tab=features

Dale, The Hornet is a 'sweet' pack design. I traded mine in for the Talon due to it's torso sizing. It is a simplified pack and all of my gear fit in it nicely, and I REALLY wanted to like it, but with a 19" torso and the size M/L, it was just not a good fit height-wise. The load-lifters were slightly below my shoulders, making them useless. I hope Osprey listens to the reviewers and makes some changes that would make the Hornet a great UL pack! I think if you have a shorter torso, this pack could be a good choice.

For rough comparison since many packs are in Cubic inches and not Liters.

1L = ~61 Cubic inches. 50L = +++3000 cubic inches.

As far as I am concerned any pack claiming cubic inches/liters from "mesh side pockets" don't count. Mesh back pocket, ok as branches and what not won't rip said pocket and contents to shreds. Personally back mesh pocket volume is half as efficient as internal volume except its very nice to be able to put wet socks/shirts or even tarp in said mesh/kangaroo pocket.

Likewise is it really all that smart to invest/buy a pack that will have a hole in its bottom after you set it down 3 times? IE a pack without a cordura heavy nylon bottom.

HYOH, YMMV, FWIW hmm I am sure I missed some of the qualifiers that all the forum police Yerks get all miffed about if you don't add them because they take everything so personal.

Check out the Gossamer Gear Mariposa Plus. It's around 22 oz., has an aluminum stay, and I find the hip belt has sufficient padding. I think it's around 59L. Might as well look at the Gorilla as well at 46L. You could even order both, load up both, and see which works best.

I had Chris Zimmer make a Gorilla clone out of xpac material. That might be worth looking into. I got a custom pack for a good price. I can forward his information on if that's something that might interest you. He built the pack around the aluminum stay I use for my mariposa plus.

"As far as I am concerned any pack claiming cubic inches/liters from "mesh side pockets" don't count"

Yeah – those guys at ULA are such marketing hacks! It's not like that extra volume is actually used.

You mean the ULA p2 I own? Good Pack by the way. Side mesh pockets are good for water/fuel bottles only. Then only if you like drinking hot water. Yuck. Made the mistake of putting a wet shirt in the side mesh pocket and pushing through brush. Needless to say the shirt was ripped. Unless said side pocket is made from whole fabric, don't bother counting it as a pocket.

I'll second the Mariposa Plus recommendation. I don't have a lot of miles on mine, but so far I love it and it meets all of the OP's requirements.

I got a look at a Hornet at REI and it has a lot of the right stuff, but the sizing scheme is going to kill it. I wear a long torso pack and the M/L is a medium, IMHO. The Delrin stays are too flexible for my liking. It would be easy to use that design with carbon fiber stays. The top end of the stays are about 3/4 of the way up to the shoulder strap mounts and there is no cross piece. I guess it can work, as they are tied into the frame sheet, but I would do it differently. They never ask me about these things and I could make is SO easy for them :)

Forget about the 2lb pack weight limit, and you can open things up a bit.I'll throw my McHale Merkebeiner into the ring, and still be left standing, although,I'm not sure that it meets your volume requirement. A McHale LBP36 probably would though and carry 30lbs without any excess adjustment straps to deal with too, just put it on and go!

Oo no micheal you broke they rules he said under 2 lbs there gonna get you I already got my warning so we better be careful now or well get in trouble ;)

Despite your consistent attempt at sarcasm, we have to understand that if the OP wanted suggestions for 'a pack' then we could provide upwards of 100 or more possible options from every manufacturer. Of course, this does not help the OP. You mistakenly interpret my reponses that a pack over 2 lbs is heavy. This is not the case. But the OP asked for a pack no more than 2 lbs, which obviously narrows the lot.

Well William (it is their, not they), both Mike and I have an affinity for Mchale and own one (he owns two). They carry like no other but given what the OP was asking for, likely not even on the radar (the cost might also be prohibative).

If you are trying to 'educate' me on pack fitting or the concept of load transfer, I think you may be barking up the wrong lamp post.

why not the new golite jam? new frame sheet and padded hipbelt, and it meets all the criteria. please no yelling.

"please no yelling."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! .. oops, erp. Sorry.

it's they're

No it's Their not They.

It's also we'll

And I do love my Ohm.

http://outdoors.webshots.com/photo/2525735110100930373ckrvsx?vhost=outdoors

Ohmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…….Ohmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

(love ULA – but don't count their pockets in total volume….heh, heh)