Update, Granite Gear Crown 60 fit question

I'm only 5'6" but my odd length torso measures 21" using their technique. I was on the fence for Med/Large so maybe I'll try the medium based upon your experience.

Any other input on the pack in general? I'm not so sure I like the idea of a roll-top design but other than that it looks like a nice pack.

Kevin, I've found the Crown to be great as a do it all pack. It compresses very well when you don't need all of the space and you can take out the frame and hipbelt to shave even more weight.

I wasn't crazy about the rolltop on my ULA circuit, but I really do like the rolltop on the Crown. It has a stiff top on the collar that makes rolling it up less fiddly. Overall, a comfortable and durable pack that I have used on both short and long trips.

Also, my torso measures 19.5 inches and the regular fits me well.

This is a truly excellent pack if it fits you. I took it out today to try a folded CCF pad instead of the framesheet, and the carry was excellent. I really like the suspension without the plastic framesheet. Given that I carry a 1/8" Gossamer Gear Thinlight to protect my air mattress, this was an excellent choice. It dropped the weight 5.5 ounces from the pack too.

I am definitely impressed so far.

The problem with in-between size fit could be rectified easily. Their short and medium torso sizes are two inches apart in torso length, while their large is 4" longer than the medium. Granite Gear could just add a size between the current medium and large and call it the large and then change the current large to XL.

I demand it. Who do I talk to?

;)

I got the large Crown and have a 21" torso (per REI measurement). So far, I think it fits great. I am new to the lightweight and UL world and so far don't really know the difference between the medium and large. I just loaded up the large (20 lbs.) at the store and walked around for about half an hour. It felt great and I got it. The fact that I can comfortably put all the weight on my hips just blows me away. The curvature of the back seems to fit right also. The right strap of a backpack rests exactly on the spot where I had rotator cuff surgery and always hurt after a few hours of hiking. Problem solved with the Crown. This thread has me wondering if I should go back to REI and walk the store with a medium and see what the difference is.

Richard, as long as you have some shoulder strap wrap over the shoulders, then the pack is not too long. It could still be too short on someone, but not too long. Sounds like the medium would be too short for you as there is a 4" difference in torso length of the packs.

It is hard for me to say if the large would have fit me better since I didn't have access to both sizes. I told Granite Gear my torso size was 21, and they recommended the medium. When my torso was remeasured by a person I consider to be reliable, it came out to 20. All I can say is that I don't feel the need to trade my medium in for a large.

Now, more details on the pack. I like the roll top. It extends up a foot for more capacity and is easy to roll due to stiffening around the top edge.

The shoulder straps are comfortable and wrap down the top of my shoulder about 1 1/2-2 inches with no puckering. The padding ends at the appropriated place under my arms. The load lifter straps effectively pull the bag closer to my back. Both shoulder straps have little stretch mesh pockets that are perfect for sunglasses, mp3's, or cell phones.

This is a nitpick, but I wish the shoulder straps were wider, with less padding, like the ones on my friends Gossamer Gear Gorilla. He raves about how comfortable his shoulder straps are. I'm not saying the shoulder straps on the Crown are uncomfortable, I just like the ones on the Gorilla better.

The "Vapor Current" back panel is billed as being cooler than normal. I don't know about that, but the pack is not particularly hot on the back. The framesheet is easily removable, although I left it in for my trip. The stretch mesh back and side pockets are well designed and handy. Compression cords run over or under the side pockets depending on your preference. I prefer them under the pocket. Overall the compression system on this pack is very good.

I like the shape of the pack bag. My Friends Gorilla is taller and narrower than the Crown and I prefer the shorter wider style. I could fit most of my gear, including a REI Sub Kilo 20 degree bag, Therm-A-Rest All Season Pad, SMD Trekker tent, Jetboil, and clothing in the pack bag, with the remaining gear in the mesh pockets. I didn't have to strap anything on the outside of the pack and had room left over. I didn't need or want the optional Lineloc Lid that fits on top of the pack. I estimate my load at 20 lbs or under, but I didn't weight it. The pack bag seems very sturdy for such a light pack.

I found the waist belt to be comfortable with effective hip stabilizer straps. It wraps around my waist with no puckering. The pack comes with swappable hip belt lengths, but some sellers don't offer this feature, so be aware of that. It has no waist pockets, but I found I don't really need them anyway.

My overall impression is that a lot of thought by an experienced backpacker went into the design of this pack. It carried really well on my trip to Ohlone and I am very happy with it.

Thanks David. The shoulder straps wrap over my shoulders fine. Also, I'm glad the Crown did not come with hipbelt pockets because a lightweight waist pack seems to make more sense for me. It would hold camera, snacks, and basic fly fishing stuff eaiser.

I was the one that started the original thread about Crown 60 sizing. Thank you so much for reporting back. Sounds like I'll go with the regular as well. I had a few people measure me and my measurements came out between 20" and 21" so it sounds like regular will be the way to go. I'm gonna go ahead and order it in the next few days while REI still has the 20% coupon going.

Has anyone tried the Crown with a Bearikade Weekender yet? Or any other cannister? How's the fit? Hiw's everythign else fit once you have the cannister in? Thanks, Barbara