UL Backpack for use with inflatable ground pad?

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Intriguing Avatar….

I would start by trying on the packs that you can in a brick and mortar store, such as the Vapor Trail and also possibly the Women's REI Quick UL 45 Pack. If you can find a Go-lite dealer, you may also want to check out the Jam2 and possibly the Lightspeed and Quest packs.

All of the packs you have mentioned from the cottage manufacturers—ULA, Gossamer Gear, Six Moons, offer great packs which would meet your needs but I can't personally counsel you which one will fit you best. All offer returns on packs that don't fit.

Packs, alas, are very much like shoes when it comes to fitting. So very personal and subjective.

You should be aware that ULA is about to take a vacation and you would have to hurry to get one of their superlative packs.

As to your specific questions—-
(1) under 20 lb. load—- my smaller women friends generally like the added support of an internal frame if loads are hovering close to 20 lbs. However, one dearly loves using a frameless ULA pack w/ "virtual frame" —she uses a semi-inflated thermarest.
(2) the Mariposa pack and the framed ULA packs—-yes. Others–depends.
(3) see above.

good luck!
KD

Hehe, regarding my avatar, thank you (I think). ;-)

Unfortunately, there really isn't much I can do about being able to go to a store to try packs on (even the big name ones). The closest outdoor store to me is a small EMS. I went there to see what they had, and they didn't have hardly ANY ultralight packs IN the store. They had one Gregory model that was close to 2 lbs (which I wasn't impressed with), and that was about it. They had no Golite or Granite Gear models at ALL.

Sadly, and much to my great misfortune, there is no REI in the state of Maine (yet).

I'm leaning heavily toward that ULA Circuit pack. I've read WONDERFUL things about it. I think I'd be really happy with it. The only question would be whether or not one is available to be shipped before August 1, 2007, when the proprietor goes on break. I will be contacting ULA tomorrow to inquire…

Edited part:

Seems like the Granite Gear Vapor Ki could be a viable candidate too – though I've read less about it, and it's almost the same cost as the ULA Circuit, and it DOESN'T have the hip-belt pockets…

Good luck getting the ULA Circuit. I just washed mine in my front loading machine today for the first time. It came out like a gem….my father in law was quite impressed that it was hand made in the USA for the same if not lower price than others…knowing that most clothing and such is sewn in China.

I recommend the Granite Gear Vapor Ki. 2 lbs, great suspension, tepex frame, 50+ liters, two small side pouches near the top and two big stretch pouches at the base. It was the third GG pack I've bought, and a gift for my GF, who is also 5'4". It's not the lightest, nor the cheapest, but it is the best comfort for the weight at loads of about 20lbs, IGFO (In GFs Opinion). Get it at REI and it's got the lifetime warranty.
I've bought dozens of packs, but I keep gravitating to my GGs when I need to carry a load comfortably.
PS, you can get a couple pouches for the hip belt at the $1 store. I use one such pouch for my camera.

Sharon,
I have an unused ULA Circuit for sale.
$150.00
Brand New / Never Used.
I filled it with clean gear once, realized that it was larger than I wanted and ordered another pack.

Internal Stash Pocket Option
Torso Length: Medium (18"-20")
Hipbelt size: Small (30"-33")

Hello Sharon, welcome to BPL.

Don't sell the Vapor Ki short. You have probably read many more reviews about the ULA Circuit because it isn't a women's specific pack whereas the Vapor Ki is, and sadly there just aren't as many people buying the Vapor Ki. A lot of women's packs will just not get as many reviews online, though lately more and more women are becoming active here in the forums. But if you remember that the Vapor Ki is very similar (with a few great additions that the Vapor doesn't have) to the Vapor and you read the reviews about the Vapor, you will find many, many great reviews of it. Even though I don't use it so much any more, I still think my Vapor is the most comfortable pack I've ever used. The suspension system is second to none, and the hip belt fits perfectly, with great cushioning. It is very light. My only real gripes with the Vapor are the side pockets (I don't like the compression straps over them) and the closure straps at the top of the pack (can never really get it cleanly shut when the pack isn't completely full).

When you start getting to frameless packs you may want to take a look at the GoLite Jam2, as others have said.

Hey Bill,

That sounds VERY tempting. I notice that your pack is a size Medium. I also noticed that on the ULA site, a small is not offered (medium is the smallest).

Do you know if Medium is the smallest size they make for the Circuit? I emailed ULA last night to ask them, but it seems unlikely they will have time to answer given their imminent closure.

I'm concerned that a Medium will be too large for me. I am 16.5" from the nape of my neck, to the top of my hip bones (I believe that's how one measures torso), and I'm 32" around at the top of my hip bones…

Otherwise, I might consider the pack for my significant other – but I'd have to measure him.

And thank you all for the welcome, and for the help :-D

Hi Sharon,
As far as I know, Med. is the smallest. However, the hipbelt is adjustable for height. The back of it fits in a sleeve and attaches to the sleeve by large patches of velcro on the front and back of the hipbelt. There appears to be about 2" of height adjustment.

Try calling Brian at ULA to confirm the above information (435) 753-5191. Ask him about the adjustment & your dimensions.

As for the GG Packs, I tried both the Vapor & Meridian Vapor. They seem very comfortable. To my thinking, they are very close in size, because the volume of the Vapor includes an annoyingly large extension collar. Check out this review for an explanation: http://www.verber.com/mark/outdoors/gear/reviews/vapor-trail.html.
Bill

Sharon, I have a Granite Gear Vapor Trail and it's extremely comfortable up to about 30 lbs. I also wanted to let you know that Prolitegear.com has the Vapor Ki on sale for $128.98, which is a really good deal. They appear to have both short and regular size. It sounds like you would definately be a short. Hope this helps.

Ok, so talked to Brian (very nice, btw).

The Circuit is not made in a small (he said maybe next year). After talking about my requirements, he suggested I go for the Catalyst in a small. He said the small actually only weighs about 2.5 lbs, and that the bag itself is not much bigger than the Circuit (a little less than half of the volume comes from 5 LARGE outside pockets, and the extension collar).

He suggested that I also order a Vapor Ki, and keep whichever pack ends up fitting me best… Sweet :-)

Sounds like a great idea. Good luck with it!

I just bought an REI UL Cruise 60 that I am very impressed with so far. I'd sure take a look at the women's UL 45. You can always send it back, and it's not too hard to catch them at 20% off.