Favorite Backpack and Why

EDIT: *recent transition OUT of packs that are twice as heavy.

Keith – what kind of pack do you prefer and what conditions do you hike in? Are you only looking for a framed pack, and have you ever used a frameless pack? Will you be doing lots of bushwhacking, or staying mostly on established trails? Do you hike a lot in wet places (Pacific NW)? And what volume and weight do you carry for your gear plus 3 days of food (most of the packs you listed are around 40L in the main compartment)?

I certainly love my Gorilla, but if you already have a Mariposa, you might consider a second pack that complements your Gorilla more, something significantly lighter and perhaps lower volume. Some ideas that pop to mind would include the KS40 or Arc Blast 40 if you want a framed pack. For frameless packs, I’ve been debating between the MLD Burn, Zpacks Zero small, and the GG Murmur for short, light, 3 season trips (all lower volume).

Lester’s questions are good ones.

The Mariposa and Gorilla are relatively close to each other in spec. Although it’s not perfect, My GG Kumo is my favorite pack so far. I’m very comfortable with it at 18-19 pounds total pack weight. maybe keep the Mariposa and try a Kumo?

If you go this route I’d recommend the 2015 Kumo over the 2016 Kumo if you have broad shoulders. The 2015 had higher quality hardware and was lighter. The 2016 fits me much better with the shoulder straps set noticeably closer although I’m dissapointes in the quality of the plastic hardware. I won’t be surprised at all when I have a buckle fail in the field some day. Hopefully it won’t be a shoulder strap buckle…

I purchased a MLD Burn sans belt in dead sexy Wasabi color earlier this year and have found it to be the perfect size for me for weekend adventures.  My base weight tends to be at or below 10lbs.  I also own the MLD Prophet which is a bit larger and found it to be more than what I needed.

As to why I like the Burn, it’s simple (no zippers or frame to break) and well built.

I started with a heavier Osprey Kestrel 48 and still have it but mostly just loan it out to (small) students that want to go backpacking and don’t have gear.

Next I bought a Mariposa and thought it was ok but after trying other packs I found it lacking in the hip belt and straps area. Not very comfortable to me even at lower than recommended weight.

Next ( I know..) my daugher was giften an Ohm by a dear BPL friend and I ended up using it quite a bit. I still like the pack a lot.

Then I saw a pack I just felt I had to have ( same friend from above had it an the ggg a couple of years ago). It was the Elemental Horizons Kalais. This is the best pack for me of all I have and have tried. It sits on my hips really well and carries the load off my back. The side pockets are perfect for my reach. The heavier stretch fabric for the external back pocket can handle quite the gear I fit in there. Everything compresses real nicely. The only two things I dislike are that the hip belt needs adjusting too often as the grosgrain slips, and the side compression straps are too thin, cheap, twist around. A better grosgrain would have made the pack much better imo.

the one that fits you best … everything else is secondary

you can deal with lack of certain features on a well fitting pack … but not with lack of good fit on a pack with whatever features you want

thats all there is to it

;)

No question about packs is going to be limited to just those you mentioned! :)

For me, 2 qualities are very important (in addition to comfort for your carried weights): Breathability and durability. I went through all you mentioned on my quest so I’ll share my personal thoughts as relates to my needs.

The Arc series are breathable but durability for off trail and how I use a pack isn’t there. Those flexed carbon rods wouldn’t last for me and while I know they are great about sending replacements, I don’t want to deal with it in the middle of a hike. Yes, they are fine for most through hikers but as I hike with my kids who sometimes sit or lean on my pack I know it would be asking for trouble. Also, I love cuben for my tents but I won’t use it for packs… but that’s a whole other discussion!

I don’t like how GG packs sit on my back; they get way too hot for me and feel “sloppy” on more technical trails. I’m tall and thin with muscular shoulders and back and it didn’t feel great. YRMV.

HMG’s were close until I got one and saw how much of a barrel it is so there’s not much stability. I’m off trail a lot so that sort of killed it for me. For very light loads they work great but with 20lbs total is wasn’t as good as I hoped. I also wasn’t thrilled with the materials for my use, see above.

I used a few packs and now settled on the Katabatic Artemis and love it my 12lb base weight. Total weights up to 24lbs are comfortable, it’s ultra durable and the back keeps the load close but allows for breath-ability. Biggest downside is price, which is very high. Oh, and it doesn’t have a mini-pocket for wallet and keys which to me is a pretty big oversight. Just did Wonderland trail in 4 nights and could not have been happier with it, it even remained waterproof in 2 solid days of rain. That said, if your mind is set on the three you mentioned, if the GG fits you I’d lean that way as it’s a good price, has lots of options, tends to be durable and has more pockets.

I have only used framed. I have never tried a frameless but I am not looking to get my baseweight down to the super-max lowest point since my trips are relatively casual weekends yes with miles but just for a weekend and not a multi-month long adventure I would rather keep the comfort of a frame for the extra pound, I think… I would like protection from the elements since I live in Michigan (for the time being, maybe plan to move to the PNW in the near future where rain is also present to say the least). My base weight is around 12lbs-ish for 3 season activities mostly due to approx. 2.5 lbs of cloths and 2lb shelter (tent not tarp) which is a must for me in Michigan 3-season camping due to bugs and crowded campsites. Here is my “lighterpack” list. I stick to the trails mostly but have high hopes to do Sierra High Route before I turn 30 which is sometime around +/-2020. Maybe my Mariposa will do the job for that trek since I will need the capacity for food but that type of “route-finding” adventure is less of a thought when thinking about an additional pack. Does this info help?

I wish I had access to these packs in the stores but all the cool ones just aren’t available to try on. I would need to get each one and go hike around for a day only to return the other 3… would have to swipe like $1000 for that which wouldn’t be fun.

Keith, that’s pretty much what the rest of us have had to do… :/

I am always open to new suggestions as there are so many cottage industries that I am still learning about. Price, on the other hand, is a factor for me…

I use a Granite Gear Vapor Trail (no longer made, I picked it up used on gearswap). I love it because it carries well and it’s the right size for my torso. It’s got all the right features. Top loading, extension tube if needed, good compression, comfortable shoulder straps and hip belt. But more than anything else, I just love that it truly fits me. I had never previously owned a pack that fit me just right, the Granite Gear does. I dread the day this one wears out.

Aarn featherlite freedom, completely eliminated any shoulder/back pain from 7 day section hikes.  Shoulder straps are totally weightless and float a few mm above my shoulders, literally all the weight is on the front and back of the hips, perfectly distributed.  It’s heavier than most of the packs you guys mentioned but I’ll gladly take it for the benefits it gives me.  Plus I can store all the things I need up front and never have to open the back of my pack until I get to camp.  I keep stove, snacks, water, gps, phone, maps, med kit, etc in the front pockets. Best Pack I ever owned.

Forgot to mention how much more balanced I am, especially on inclines and declines.