Help me choose a new pack!

I think the Ohm or Gorilla would be good for your application. The Jam 50 is a bit bigger than either, but has cost on its side.

So the Ohm and Gorilla both have frames, and the Jam does not, correct? I haven't tried a frameless pack, but with weights lower then 20 pounds and loaded correctly I should be able to make the transition painlessly I am guessing. I've heard that the Jam takes a while to dry out after getting wet from back sweat, does any one have experience with that? Also how much bigger is the Jam then the other two? I do like the low price of the Jam.

I am also open to suggestions on other packs. Any others I should consider?

Custom guys are the lightest. Tell them a comparable pack and they'll make it… but lighter. All big companies build in extra stuff to reinforce it bc they want no returns. These are perfectly good and much lighter.

The Jam does not have a frame, just a quite stiff sheet of foam in a sleeve. The Gorilla has the U stay behind the removeable pad. The Jam can be packed to carry quite well. If you end up having to tote odd loads (like a bear can) that can make this kind of packing a bit harder to do. The lack of any contour in the lumbar area ends up being a hard shortcoming for packs like the Jam, and is an area where a pack like the Gorilla has much more potential.

The Jam 50 is probably more like 55 or 60 liters when stuffed full. The Gorilla would be more like 45 liters by comparison. The Jam is a a bit taller and quite a bit deeper.

I don't think the Jam takes all that long to dry when sweaty. The heavy-gauge 3D mesh Golite uses doesn't hold much water.

There are a ton of options in the ~45 liter UL range. HMG, MLD, Elemental Horizons, SMD, Zimmer, even Osprey. Do a bit of research and pick one whose fabric and feature set suit you.

Ok so the Jam may be too big for my purpose, and thanks for the tip on the bear canister. I haven't needed to carry one yet but a JMT section hike maybe in my future so the Jam is out.

Thanks for suggesting some other companies! I love the HMG packs but a cuben pack doesn't interest me at this point. I also don't like the look of the SMD packs for some reason, same with Elemental Horizons. The Osprey packs seem over rated, maybe I need to take a second look. The Exos does not interest me either. Zimmer packs… are pricey no? I will look there too. I have done some research and am stuck on the three mentioned above because of the materials and features, as well as the aesthetics! I will look some more into the other companies!

Which "custom guys" are we talking about here?

I'd try a frameless pack with 20 lbs. before you buy one.

MHO frameless packs are good for loads 15 lbs. or less.

Osprey's take on frameless packs is that the "comfort" derived from losing the weight of a frame does not nearly compensate for the comfort of a frame pack. I heartily agree with that statement.

I am convinced I don't want a frameless pack. I have gone over my gear/consumables and I would be closer to the 15 pound mark for total weight, 20 max.

Ok so my next questions are:

1. Will a bear canister fit in a GG Gorilla or ULA Ohm?

2. Which pack would hold up better for bushwacking?

3. Will I find either of these packs having too much volume for my application, leaving the bear can out of the equation?