Help choosing an UL Backpack

18 lbs plus a lightweight pack is pretty light, but you haven’t said what size you need (volume).  Like others probably will, I suggest you have different packs for much different scenarios.

I have a Zimmerbuilt Quickstep at 1700-2200 ci and < 10 oz w/o a waist belt that I use for day hiking.  I don’t know if it would fit all your gear for a winter trip, but it might fit 3 season gear.  the straps are not padded, but are wide and comfortable.  I thought I would miss a waist belt, but I don’t.  I think Zimmer will add a removeable one, but having no suspension you won’t use it to transfer much weight to the hips.

I pair that with a ULA Ohm 2.0 for overnight and longer trips.  The waist-belt is removable and replaceable if you end up needing to size down.  I’ve stopped buying clothes and gear hoping I would size down, but all the power to ya.  I have the large size belt and will be happy to buy a new M belt if this becomes too small.  There’s lots of other choices in this category – not sure which ones have replaceable hip belts.

I’ll be interested if anyone comes up with a pack that does it all.  You could maybe argue that a smaller overnighter backpacks with removeable hipbelts and internal suspension would be lighter in day pack mode, but I still don’t think it will be as good as different day and overnight packs.

Packs like the GG Gorilla and the larger GG Mariposa have sturdy but removable hip belts that are sold separately, so you could change belt sizes later if needed. These are both 2 pound-ish backpacks, so they are well suited for light weight backpacking and the upper end of UL too. If so inclined, the Gorilla can be stripped down to less than 20 ounces by removing the hip belt, aluminum stay, pack top and back pad.

Six Moon Designs Fusion packs also have removable waist belts that are very heavy duty.

Six Moon Designs still has some Fusion 50 backpacks in their bargain bin for $100.  My son uses the 65 L model, with adjustable torso it’s great for growing kids.  These are great packs and load haulers.

I highly recommend a granite gear crown vc 60. Regular size, around 2lbs and has a removable hip belt. I upgraded to the air beam suspension and its a very comfortable pack for my needs.

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Check out the Hanchor Marl. It’s got a removable hipbelt, durable/waterproof fabrics, good frame and it’s pretty light.

I posted a review of the Marl on my blog recently, and there’s some comparison there with other packs like the GG Gorilla.

Also look at the Elemental Horizons Kalais, you can change hip belts and I think it compares favorably with all the packs listed so far including the Marl

Right now, the weight of my gear is 18 pounds including cold weather clothing, food for three days, fuel and 2 liters of water.

That’s actually very good weight for winter. Does that include snowshoes, ice axe, crampons or microspikes?

I use my Arc Haul for winter trips and it is plenty big enough for all that, and with the side compression cords it snugs down nicely for summit day trips.

However, I simply don’t believe there’s one pack that’s going to keep you happy year-’round… when carrying high summer, SUL-ish loads it is kind of ridiculous to carry a 62 liter pack and you’ll soon be longing for something with less volume. I have 28, 36, 52 and 62L packs for various seasons and purposes, and a couple more “beaters” (Dana Bomb Pack is one) if I have to drag it over rocks/ice.

But you might end up needing something large in the summer for desert water carries, bear can, lotsa food, etc.

I really like my Osprey EXOS 58. Most comfortable UL pack I’ve owned.

As a slight addendum to kona’s post, take a look at the new version of Granite Gear’s Crown, the Crown 2.  One of the new features they added was the resizeable Re-Fit waist belt – it’s not only removeable, but when removed, you can change it’s basic size by separating the two pieces of the velcro secured belt and extend or retract it to fit between 28″ and 40″ waists.  I’m 6′ 1″ and 245, and this pack fits me well.