Heavier loads with newer gossamer gear frame?

Serge,  I would also consider the Elemental Horizons Kalais or Aquillo.  Matthew has redone the suspension with the stay (better than the Gossamer Gear stay IMHO) integrated into the belt similarly.  The old suspension was good and I have carried 40# comfortably with it.  I have tried on the new packs and they will carry even more weight very comfortably.  Better hipbelt and load lifters than GG too.

I converted my Dyneema gorilla to the new design frame- belt connection.

Works fine and better load carrying before.  Only Carried 30 pounds max (5days food) on a recent 10 day trip. Bad weather 3 season kit.  Lots of steep rough offtrail work in Scotland.  No noticeable loss in flexibility. Just better load transfer to hips. Very pleased.

The newer GG packs have a stiffer hipbelt, so I guess they’d carry more weight better than my old pack.

I’d prefer a heftier pack for 45pound load if I ever got to carrying that again.

Thanks for the input guys.

@abhitt

I’ve long wanted to try a kalais, it looks about perfect to me, but a little out of my price range at the moment.

I bought a silverback, GG’s burlier and higher volume gorilla, on sale. Took it on a 3 day trip this weekend, and so far really happy with it. GG packs are so damn comfortable. I carried as much as 27 lbs with camera gear and 3 liters of water in case of an having to bivy on a long ridge. The pack carries a load well, but also feels agile like a kumo with lighter loads. I’d love to carry a lighter pack, but after tearing through a lot of mesh on my trips, I’m happy to have a decently light pack with tough fabric.

I loaded the pack with 45lbs (at home) and was impressed with how good the suspension felt. I compared it to the Sierra Designs flex capacitor and while the load transfer was a little more effective on the flex, the overall ride was still better on the GG. Even 40 lbs directly on the shoulders doesn’t feel bad in this pack because of the wide and well cushioned straps. I know GG has been getting a lot of hate for the weight creep, but the silverback is a seriously impressive and well rounded pack for a bargain price at the moment. Maybe not as attractive as some packs, but more comfortable/functional.

Serge, I look forward to your reviews.  I also think the Silverback looks to be a contender and at the current sale price of $129 hard not to try.