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I will be replacing my current (heavy) Gregory pack with a lighter one, hopefully shaving off several pounds. I’ve been looking at ULA and Hyperlite, but I can’t help being curious about Granite Gear’s Crown packs because of the price (super deals on VC at REI right now). Wonder if anyone has thoughts on these packs? I’m very petite and would be going with a women’s model. It would need to fit a BV500 but not on every trip, so a tighter fit for occasions when I need to carry the can is probably okay. Thanks!
My wife has a Granite Gear Crown 60 Ki. The GG packs don’t have an aluminum frame just a plastic frame sheet so they don’t carry as much weight as a pack with an aluminum stay(s). The price is right and they work well enough if you have your pack weight down low enough (say 25lb total pack weight or less). Granite Gear is known for great hipbelts and shoulder straps.
If your weight is closer to 30lb the ULA Circuit is an awesome choice. I’m not a huge HMG pack fan but they do work well for some, at a heafty price.
My two favorite UL packs at the moment are the SWD Long Haul 50 and the Seek Outside Flight One – though both are around the $300 mark so they aren’t cheap.
I have a SWD and tested a prototype Flight pack so I have experience with both (along with just about every other brand it seems! – I have a problem)
I’m a few days away from purchasing Zpacks scout Cuban fiber arc blast. My torso is 16 inches. Waterproof – I like arch, load lifters Thru hike JMT plans – will see…
For canister you can get top v shape strap carry empty put food in bag, I eat ketogenic food I make High calorie less bulk I work on , bringing scout bearacade – canister adjust the arch if needed. Send Resuppies for dinners, breakfast as often as possible, cheese and fat bombs for lunch …
Over 5 years of hiking the AT, with two thru hikes included, I tried lots of different packs. Most were ok, but certainly did not provide the comfortable carry, or versatility I was seeking. I used Mountain Smith, ULA, Mystery Ranch, Osprey and Granite Gear packs, among others. For me, a Granite Gear Crown2 60 pack was the most comfortable and usable pack of all. The hip belt is effective at transferring weight, and is adjustable as body weight and conformation changes on a hike. I found the pack easy to load, durable and comfortable. Most of the time I am able to keep total pack weight, including 2 liters of water and all food under 32 pounds, and am often in the mid to high 20 pound range. I did not find the Crown to be uncomfortable even at about 36 total pounds; the frame continued to function well, and there was not sagging. As I prepare for the upcoming season, the Crown is still my choice of pack.
Renais
I have a GG Crown 60 and a GG blaze 60. You would think that these are the same size pack, but… I cannot fit my Bearikade weekender canister into the Crown. It will simply not go. It fits great in the Blaze with room to spare, and the Blaze carries much better with the extra weight and bulk of the canister. My base weight is about 15 pounds with the canister, and I’ve carried up to about 28 pounds in each of them; both packs handle that weight well. I wouldn’t go over 30 pounds but not because of the packs, but simply because I won’t be happy carrying more weight than that.
I now use the Crown when I don’t need the canister or I can carry an Ursack instead. I did see a PCT through hiker using the Blaze, in Lyell Canyon. Not sure if she made it all the way to Canada but she was still really liking her pack at that point in the hike. It’s heavier than the packs mosts PCTers use so i was a little surprised.
I have been using a Crown2 since they first came out, and I have been very pleased with how it fits and how it carries. At 2 lbs, it has all the functionality I want and no “fluff.” I really like the compression straps on the sides, front, and top – they allow for several different carry options for pads, tent, food. I cannot comment on its ability to carry a BV500 – I use an Ursack with the aluminum insert and place it between the lid and top of pack. That arrangement allows for 5 days’ worth of food and gear and my “luxuries:” several fishing rods and camera.
You can get a BV500 horizontally in a Crown2 60 regular size but it is a tight fit.
(wife answering) – I have the Crown II 60, Women’s Short (even though I’m not a small person, apparently I have a short spine) and carry the Bearikade Weekender on nearly every trip. It needs to go in vertically, not horizontally, and I imagine the BV500 would be the same. I just pack clothing around it to make it sit sturdily, and it rests against my Platypus in the back and on top of my stuff-sacked sleeping bag. Definitely try to keep your total weight under 30 lbs. I find this the most comfortable pack I’ve worn to date. Try the pack on before buying if possible – the sizing is critical to your comfort.
For me, having had a number of GG packs, they’re uncomfortable, period. I’ll take a properly fit ULA any day. BUT you must learn how to fit the stays to your back.
“For me, having had a number of GG packs, they’re uncomfortable, period.”
I could not disagree more vehemently! And this is why…
“Try the pack on before buying… – the sizing is critical to your comfort.”
I will gladly accept that GG packs do not work for some, but ALWAYS try packs (loaded with your gear) and shoes before you buy.
“For me, having had a number of GG packs, they’re uncomfortable, period.”
Also strongly disagree. The crown 2 is the most comfortable back I have found in 35 years. Backpacks are like shoes. What fits you well may not fit someone else. You have to find what works for you.
I’ve been carrying a crown 60 for about 1.5 years. I initially bought it because it was on sale for $89 shipped when they released the crown 2 with the brain, and I couldnt pass up that deal. I ended up absolutely loving it, and it is now my go to pack. For 3 season use I really only need 30-40 liters of space but it compresses down very nicely so it’s not loose and floppy when carrying my summer gear, and there’s more than enough room for my winter load out. I dont think I’ve ever carried over ~30lb, but it has carried every load comfortably for me. I’m not the most gentle creature with my gear and it has held up very well so far. Other than some dirt stains on the bottom it still looks basically new. Unfortunately I can’t speak to its bear canister carrying abilities, but i did research it before buying, and most of what I read said it had to be carried either vertically (I gather that this is not very comfortable), or strapped to the top of the pack.
So, my opinion is it’s a great value, and fairly rugged for the weight.
” I’m not the most gentle creature with my gear and it has held up very well so far.”
In my opinion, this is one of the key plusses for GG packs. One could argue that they are perhaps to heavy to be considered ultralight packs. They are however, excellent packs, and a great choice if your trips are tough on gear.
I own both a Crown 60 and a Blaze 60. The Crown is good for me into the 25-27 lb range, while the Blaze will handle 40 lbs if you must. Both are supremely comfortable once adjusted properly and carry as well as any pack I have tried.
The Crown no longer sees much use since acquiring an Arc Haul, but the Blaze is my go-to for shorter and/or more luxurious basecamping trips. I have not seen the Crown 2 in person, but would not hesitate to check it out were I in need of a new pack as it is 2/3 the cost of the Zpacks.
I just tried out my Crown for the first time this past weekend. I have that and an REI Flash 65. I can say that for over 1-1.5 pounds lighter, I don’t miss much of the Flash 65. It is a little bit tighter inside, as most of the stated capacity seems to be in the roll down top . I had about 25 lbs of gear, a bearvault with carrybag and a thermarest z-lite. I had to get a bit creative trying to strap both the canister and pad to the outside. I used the loops on the carry bag connected to the top straps instead of placing the straps all the way around the circumference.
As far as comfort, the gear was lighter than my last couple trips; but overall it fit well and I think I prefer it to the Flash. Switching from a metal to a plastic/foam backframe was no issue at all and actually made the pack feel more ‘connected’ to my body than the lumbering Flash.
Yeah, I also had an REI Flash before owning the Crown2. The Flash was a good enough pack, but I always felt that it swayed a little bit and didn’t fit as snugly to my back as I like. It also didn’t provide the strappage and carry options that the GG pack does. The Crown2, however, fits like a glove and carries with no sway at all, and I like the location of the compression straps. Both are pretty good lightweight packs for the money, if they fit.
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