Best 50l+ backpack

See the link below, it’s a good choice for what you described as…

I think I want a lightweight frame since weight could creep up a little when packing with kids but I am not opposed to a frameless pack

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/ks50-has-arrived-first-impressions/

I’ve been impressed with the Zpacks Arc Haul. I have a Haul-Zip, which makes it very easy to access anything in the pack without having a yard sale. That may be useful when carrying gear for others.

http://www.zpacks.com/backpacks/arc_haul_zip.shtml

+1 for the KS Ultralight KS50.

Take a look at McHale Packs as he will “build” one to your specifications and needs.

http://www.mchalepacks.com/

Another vote for the ZPacks Arc Haul.  I have the 60L roll-top version w/optional lumbar pad.  Love it!  Best LW pack I have ever used.

Thanks for the info. I had not even heard of the other packs that are mentioned. I will take a look!

Kids! If it goes for you like it did for me, then your true UL days are now limited. Maybe something relatively light (3 lbs) but really capable at any weight, such as the Unaweep 3900?

“Best”?  A McHale.  They’re both pricey and on the heavy side, though.

Otherwise, I’d say a Seek Outside sounds like what you’re looking for.

Wow. Thought I’d look at the McHale and then looked at the price. All of the HMD stuff looks cheap now!  Unaweep looks good as well as the ks. On to looking at the zpacks next.

Thanks for the advice you all are opening my eyes to gear I never knew existed!

Micki, here are a few more to consider

I’d be looking at a seek outside also, but that’s based on my experience backpacking with a kid, not with the pack.  I usually wear some heavy but comfortable dana or osprey pack when family backpacking, and it’s not the pack that slows me down.

i’m looking for something similar as we start to dream of trips with our kid.

the choice seems to be to either go super light (zpacks arc haul, which weighs nothing but is ‘rated’ for 40 lbs) or with a beefier/heavier/serious suspension style pack.

in that market there are a lot of options from traditional makers like gregory, osprey, and on down the rei line.

i am considering the six moon designs fusion 65 (http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/packs/Fusion65.html) which some people rave about.

seek outside would seem to fall in this category as well.

the benefit of something like the arc haul is that it’d still be quite useful when traveling lighter/without a child. but at heavier/bulkier loads, it might not be quite as happy as a burlier choice.

ben – As with anything worn, comfort is dependent on the wearer, but I can comfortably carry 40 lbs in my Arc Haul-Zip. During a trip in the Chisos Mountains, I packed 9L (20lbs) of water in mine along with the rest of my load to see how it’d fare at its limit, and it carried well for me. Care must be taken to avoid damage from abuse, like any other pack, but one of the reasons I went with this one was for its load carrying abilities. I have a larger, considerably heavier traditional pack that I doubt will see much use now.

A new, more affordable option on the market is the Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor. Skurka was involved in the development, and it looks like a pretty nice pack. He has several articles about its development on his site.

I wouldn’t want to haul 40+ lbs in the Arc Haul for very long. It’s great up to the mid 30s but would become unpleasant quite quickly above 35 lbs.

Both the SMD Fusion and Katabatic packs get a lot of praise for loads between 35-45 lbs.  Above 45 lbs I think you have to accept a non-LW pack.

JCH – I should add that I did opt for the additional shoulder and lumbar pads in expectation that I might occasionally max out the pack. As I said, comfort depends on the wearer, too.

A REI Flash 65 might well serve the OP’s purpose.

Sort of a “tweener” pack for me when the UL concept was just entering my noggin, but the slightly older vintage Flash 62 was pretty comfortable with a larger load and easier on the wallet… I got mine for $93 (REI regulars will recognize that number) at an in-store season close-out. I still have mine and will hang onto it as a loaner for my brothers-in-law/nephews, etc.

all good ideas!

i haven’t done the math but i (and the OP it sounds like) generally own and buy light gear.

so while weight is naturally a concern, in this case volume may be just as important.

if i start adding up two 25″ pads, warm [and likely not very compressible] baby clothes, diapers, possibly a bearcan, etc., it sounds like a lot of s p a c e :)

the difference in liters (and their placement around the pack) is somewhat similar among most of these packs, but how they fit together and work in real life use may not be.