The North Face Verto 26 pack?

Hi all,

I have the Verto, and the Golite Ion, and use them both.
I like the Verto for day hikes more than longer hikes with more pack weight, as I put a 3/4 ridgerest for naps and support and it carries great. With too much weight, I find that as the shoulder straps aren't sewn onto the pack at an angle, they don't ride on my back so well.
The Ion, with the shoulder strpas sewn at an angle, fit my back better and carry weight better. The Verto feels like it's going to slip off all the time, and I end up using the sternum strap more. I've taken it off the Ion.

2c from Fred

>Do you mean when you tried on the Flyweight?

Right, typo on my part. I've corrected my post now.

It would be great if someone who has a Verto could measure the length of the shoulder straps from the upper attachment point down to the end of the padding. Please note if the measurement is a straight line or following the curve of the strap.

Sorry but back in the '60s a padded waist belt on a frame pack was great news because it transferred most of the weight from the acheing shoulders and back to the hips, the largest bones and muscles in the body.

Now you want to REMOVE the waist belt?? C'mon, even with a total pack weight of 15 lbs. a waist belt is still great for "carry comfort".

In fact "carry comfort" is why most lightweight and UL backpackers use internal frame packs with padded waistbelts. There are light weight packs and there are comfortable light weight packs. Just being light weight does not automatically equate to comfort on the trail. And removing a waist belt to save a few ounces is, IMHO, a step backwards.

I know it can't hold much (well I guess that's relative) but I am really attracted to this pack. Thanks for sharing!

With a really lightweight pack load like 15 pounds, you may not need a padded waist belt for carry comfort. However, having some kind of waist belt might improve stability. On one really lightweight pack of mine, the waist belt is nothing more than a webbing strap, but it keeps the pack from bouncing around, and it probably tips the scale at most of one ounce.

–B.G.–

Fred, Thanks for your comments about the straps on the Verto. I wonder, could you take a minute to measure the length of the padded part? I'm now wishing I had bought the Verto before leaving the US. I bought a MH Scrambler, nothing wrong with it really. But I just don't like it.

As to comments about waist belts, personally I always use a waist belt to stabilize the pack when on uneven terrain, climbing or moving fast.

The whole idea of weight transfer is a non-starter as far as I'm concerned. Transferring weight to your waist, or hips, prevents full hip/pelvis movement and can lead to back problems. This was pretty well demonstrated by the army's load bearing gear in the early 60's. Yeah, I was there, codger me.

I know this is almost heresy in the backpacking community, and off thread, but had to respond.

Sorry to bump an old thread but thought this would be the best place to post. I finally got around to buying a Verto 26 after finding it 30% off at my local outfitter. I purchased some mesh and used some silnylon to fashion the pockets. I can't take credit for the sewing though. My wife's grandmother is a seamstress and made short work of the project. I'm very happy with the results. Used it on an overnight this week and it performed flawlessly. One note though, ripping the side seams where the compression loops are was a pain! All of those bar tacks took 2 hours to remove but it was well worth it.

Front

Side

After the trip. Note the huge smile.