The Quest for a New Backpack

Hey Gabriel,
What size are you looking for? 5 days for me is a new Jam 2 pack

Check out ULA Equipment's line, especially the Relay [2900 cubic inches, $99, at only 17 ounces]. http://www.ula-equipment.com

And Brian has three new packs for 2007. The 1st (AMP) is due in Feb; the 2nd in March. The 3rd is hopefully the panel-loader he's been designing.

Gabriel,
Consider the Outdoor Research DryComp Summit Sack; 30liters at 12.2 oz.(346 g).
If a pack can carry 20 liters and weighs one kilogram, I consider it traditional heavy; 40Liters of capacity/kilo is light, and 60Liters/kilo is UL. For example, a popular UL pack is the REI Flash, (17Liters/281grams = 60L/kg). This Summit pack is 86L/kg(!) and should carry well with my sit-pad as an internal frame.
I ordered mine today and will report back in the 'reviews' section.

Are you sure about the Flash as a 5-day pack? I think you could fit a shaped quilt in there easily, but I have problems stuffing my Polarguard Delta/Pertex 30 degree bag in the thing.

It certainly excels as a summit pack or daytrip pack.

Shameless plug, but I have a MountainSmith 'Mountainlight Series', 'Phantom' for sale for $60 brand new in the bag, w/ hangtags.

I bought 2 when I had my original one stolen, as it is such a decent pack. I now realize that i may never wear the one I'm using out as I am easy on my gear; and the pack is built tight!

It has a removable/low profile hip belt that's really comfortable IMO. If you are going out for a light 3 dayer', and don't need the support of a hipbelt, you can leave this pack's belt home.

It has a removable inner back/foam bivy pad that works as a ground pad for your legs, out of the pack.

It has comfortable pack straps w/ a sternum strap.

Removable hood w/ large pocket in it, don't need it? Don't take it!

The Pack body is conical cut for easy gear access as a top loading pack. It has a canted bottom for ease in hill climbing, rock climbing or rappeling or ascending by rope. With spinal chimney torso pads allowing great airflow between you and the pack.

Quick release dual gear loops on the bottom, and gear cuffs on the hip belt.

Hydration compatible w/ exit ports for the hose on either side of the top of the pack body; and an internal (against the back) bladder pocket that can hold a 2L Platy.

Pack is made of Dimension Polyant VX-21 fabric.

17-19" torso size/ 2,600cu/ 42L internal/ 2lb 6oz total (not stripped of top pocket, belt, or inner pad).

24H x 12w x 7Deep/ steel blue & black was $135 new!

I carried this pack for 2 years now, and it carries up to 30lbs comfortably. I hiked the VT Long Trail with it, so I know it can go the distance for your needs.

Here's some photos:

Thanks for all the suggestions, maybe I should put in some more specifications, im thinking of a pack meeting those conditions that weighs under a pound, I already have a jam but I have just barely managed to enter the superultralight catergory so a lighter pack would allow me to bring more heavy but comfortable items.

Look at Gossamer Gear's pack line. Most are under $100 and under a pound, but still big enough to carry a sleeping bag without major compression.

http://www.gossamergear.com/cgi-bin/gossamergear/xdpy/s/Packing/index.html

Im right now trying to choose between the GG G5 and the ULA Amp, I really like how much more space the G5 has to offer and also it's lighter and has more pockets then the Amp for easy storage but the amp has a great compression system and is made to be a bit more rugged then the G5 now if only it had a front mesh pocket and a taller side pocket. Anyone have any other perspectives to offer?