Best pack for a larger load

I’m selling a Kalais, older model, if you’re interested. M/M. Great shape.

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/fs-elemental-horizons-kalais-pack-mm/

I haven’t done philmont yet but the scouters in my council that have all have one thing in common.  They either start out carrying the extra gear or end up carrying extra gear.  I have a circuit and a catalyst. I’m thinking the circuit is a little small.  The Catalyst is a better size or some thing in that range but the weight isnt that light weight compared to zpacks or gosssmer gear offerings.

Zpacks haul is on my short list if i get bored with the circuit. But  there’s the crying part when the trigger is pulled.

I have no experience with it, but 70 liters and just over 2 pounds for $169 isn’t bad.

My Trail Co. Light 70

My troop is going next year. I’m planning on using a SWD Long Haul 50.

I’d use the Divide.  Nothing else I’ve tried is as comfortable with a heavier load

Are you sure the Divide is 63oz? My Unaweep 4800 is 45.5oz and the Divide should be as light. The Seek Outside frame is the best load hauling frame around (IMO) and is my clear choice for loads at or above 30#.

I have an Arc Haul too and I am currently going back and forth between it and a SWD Long Haul 50 for loads around 26lbs (7 days in WRR with a bear can). The Arc Haul is a pretty neat pack, but I think it would max out at well under the advertised 40# limit. My guess is low 30’s.

My new Divide 4800 weighs about 52 oz with 2 hipbelt pockets, cross stay and bottom straps, x-pac fabric, which is, I think, close to spec. Strangely, I can’t find the 4800 on the Seek Outside site, the 4500 seems to be the biggest Divide at the moment, though I only ordered mine a month or so ago.

The Divide is 4500 and the Unaweep is available in 4800ci and that is what I have. When I bought my Unaweep in 2015, the Divide was on it’s first generation and had the stretchy side pockets I didn’t like.

But last month or so they offered the Divide in 4800, because that’s what I bought.

Hmmmm. I might be wrong (it happens….). I checked my receipt, it says 4500, so Brad must be right. Curiously, though, on the pack itself is this label, which is where my confusion came in:

I picked up the Divide from someone on Gear Swap for this purpose and was surprised at the weight, but it’s measured on my scale with two hip belt pockets, 2x and 2″ extenders.  I believe it is a heavier duty fabric, maybe when that was an option.  This was my first experience with xpac and it seems perfect for this kind of trek.

The pack feels awkward with about 20 lbs – it moves a lot from my hip motion when I walk.  I thought this might just be the stiffness of the frame.  Maybe adjustments would help this?.

At least on the newer packs, you can have the hipbelt either floating or captured, if it’s the same on your pack, you might try whichever one isn’t currently configured to see if that helps.

The following video explains how to set up the hipbelt for either. Start around 7:11.

The Seek Outside pack really shines at 30# and above. If you are going to mostly carry weights at 20#, then it is overkill.

Just did 350 miles of the PCT with my Divide. Carried 30-35 pounds winter gear and a weeks worth of food, which is my heaviest load. The pack has been awesome, in the morning I just load, adjust fit and go and occasional adjustment during the day and I never have to even think about my pack. The only thing I don’t like is the lack of protection on the bottom for the small triangle of fabric that goes around the frame on the center bottom of the frame. Constant setting on the ground, rocks or a boulder will wear that out. So I wrapped it in electricians tape for temporary till I find something better.

@Doug,  that’s a Divide 4500.  Label is a mistake.  New sewer.

@Bob Shuff, the pack should hug your body very well regardless of whether you have a 10 lb or 50 lb load.  If you’re getting awkward motion then some adjustment is probably needed.  The video posted may help, if not feel free to call.  970-208-8108.

Hi Nathan,

thanks for the post.  The hip belt was on the tightest setting (wrapped around the frame).  I moved it to the middle. That helped, but I still have other adjustments to make. The new video is good, much easier to see things vs the previous one.

I’ll be in touch.  I’d like to make the Divide work.

on the Kalais and Marl, I still find those intriguing, but I need to sell off some others before adding to the collection.  Would love to hear from anyone who has experience with newer versions of either to compare to a ULA Circuit.