larger pack advice

The only pack i have of those listed is the Seek Outside Divide, which I got gently used here on BPL.  It’s a big pack for sure, and supposedly able to carry the heaviest of loads.  I’ve test packed it, but haven’t taken it on the trail yet.  I love the Ohm and like the circuit, but haven’t tried the catalyst – ULA in the size you want is probably a good choice.

I’m looking at a Zpacks Arc Haul as a step down in size (and < half the weight) of the Divide.  I’m still searching, and will be interested in what others suggest too.

I wanted to note that the multipack, which I also have, makes a great top lid on any pack I’ve tried.  That’s one of my essential items, and holds most of my other essentials whether day hiking or on a long backpack.

Here is my review of the Kalais, great pack, and thoughts on other packs too.

I have the SO Divide, which I think is a nearly perfect choice for hiking in the Western/Desert areas of the USA.  Their suspension system is truly great for those big water carries that are an inevitable part of desert backpacking, and yet the pack is light enough that you can still justify it at other times.

I changed out the shoulder straps (I have a tutorial on that in the MYOG section of BPL).

The downside of the SO packs are that they’re pricey…but they are well made, and their hipbelts are so comfy!

For weights above 30 pounds, I strongly recommend Seek Outside Packs.   I have used the Seek Outside Unaweep 4800 on an 11 day  Backpacking and packrafting trip in Brooks Range Alaska and a 14 day Backpacking trip in the Chugach Mountains in Alaska both times carrying a Bearikade Expedition and it carried fantastic.   I tried a bunch of lightweight load haulers and it was without a doubt the most comfortable.

When I bought mine the current Divide wasn’t released but would be my choice today over an Unaweep

I’ve heard mentioned many times that the shoulder straps on the SO packs is set wide. Is that still the case and how would someone know before ordering if it was an issue? For reference, I’m 5’4″, ~ 170s (should be ~ 150lbs but I’m fat), 33″ waist, large shoulders, chest and lats for my size and an above average torso length for my height (I have a 27-28″ inseam).

I’m very interested in a Unaweep 4800 since I have 3 small kids (5,4,2yo) I’ll need to haul gear once we start backpacking and my size small Circuit is already tapped out on space. I picked up a size small Catalyst, which is a fabulous pack, but sold it after determining it wasn’t large enough for kid duty.

I am 6’ 160ish and wear a 39R coat and never had a issue with the SO harness but that isn’t saying you might not.

That being said I think they have either narrowed the harness or have a narrower harness they could probably send you.

Brad, why would you choose the Divide over the Unaweep? Not questioning the choice, just interested in the reasoning.

Also, the video on the Divide on the Seek Outside website seems to show a ‘pull forward’ to tighten hip belt, I thought they went with the ‘pull back’ hip belts?

Large (70 liters), not expensive (frequently and now on sale for $169), and not heavy (nor super light) at 2.1 pounds, I’ve used MyTrailCompany’s BPL 70 (actually I have two of the original Jam 70s from GoLite), for a lot of family or winter trips when I needed more volume.  It carries okay if you keep the heavy stuff near your back or if you put Z-rest in the pocket (inside the pack) against your back.

https://mytrailco.com/collections/packs/products/backpack-light-70

At 40 pounds, the comfort is moderately close to my external-frame Kelty at 42-43 pounds (i.e. with the same stuff inside).  The BPL 70 hikes hotter due to less ventilation but butt-sliding on snow and grassy volcanos is easier without the frame projecting below my butt.   Above that weight and I’d accept the extra 2 pounds for a (relatively light) traditional pack.

David- 40lbs in a Golite Pinnacle – you are tougher than I am.

Doug- Just due to the fact that the Divide is designed as a stand alone pack and the Unaweep is designed for use with a Talon. I didn’t use a Talon because I wanted to keep it as light as possible and though it worked fine, I did come cutting and work arounds to get there.  If you don’t mind the weight of a Talon or mind the work around the Unaweep fine.

Thanks Brad.

A Jam 70 definitely takes careful packing – so much of its volume is down low.

It might be in part in because I rarely use hip belts on any pack, so its limited ability to transfer weight to my hips goes unnoticed.

I just had shoulder surgery, which is another reason I’m considering a SO pack so that the majority of the load is on my hips.

Thanks for the info Brad. I guess I should get ahold of SO and ask them to confirm fitment. I’ve honestly never worn a pack where the straps were too wide so I doubt it’s a problem but when dropping that kind of coin I want to make sure this is a purchase that is perfect and that I’m happy with for years, if not decades to come. On that note, I know XPAC is durable, but how long lasting is it? Will it delaminate over time?

I use an Osprey Exos 58 for multi day trips with kids (using Ursacks, not cannisters) and have been super happy with it (and osprey packs in general for heavier loads.) It sounds like you need more than 58 liters, so maybe the Volt is worth looking at.

Another vote for the Divide. Great for heavy loads (Grand Canyon water carries, climbing gear, family packhorse), but so comfortable that it’s a pleasure for light loads too. A true multitasker.

SO is great to work with. Order it, try it out, return if it doesn’t work for you.

I have had three packs made of X-PAC and it should not delaminate.   In my opinion the X-21RC (210d) is more durable than the 150d hybrid Cuben used on the HMG Porter 4400 (obviously the 50d hybrid Cuben too) but not as abrasion resistant as 210 Dyneema grid.

X pack is long term waterproof, you just have to seal the seams.

Has anyone tried the Seek Outside Gila 3500?

Alex, I had seen your review of the Kalais earlier in my search.  Very well thought-out and detailed!

David, you’re a better man than I am.  I took a Golite 70 liter to Glacier 5 years ago and it was miserable.  No matter how I packed and repacked I could not get it to work for me.  I need a suspension in my new pack for that much volume and weight.

So not much love for the ULA? I see the Divide is the clear favorite, but any other alternatives?

The Gilla is a smaller Divide – same frame and suspension which is both a strength and Achilles heel for the Gilla.  On the plus side it should be very comfortable and carry heavy weights well, but the downside is that that frame and suspension is boarderline overkill for the weights most people would carry in a 3500ci pack.

It certainly has a niche though and would be a good pack especially for loads 30# and up.

As for other choices the obvious one is the HMG 4400 series of packs but I found the suspension to be far inferior to the SO at 30# and above.  Another choice is the Exped Lightning 60, which carried weight better than the HMG but not as well as the SO.  I also hated the Exped’s water bottle pockets.  The aforementioned Catalyst is another option, but I didn’t try it due to concerns about it not handling weight as well and being unsure about the size of the main compartment.

I’m a big ULA fan. My go to pack is my circuit and I had a Catalyst for a bit and it’s a great pack. If it had a little more volume I would have kept it but I already have too many packs and really want something that I won’t be limited by carrying volume or weight carrying capacity. The Unaweep 4800 is currently at the top of my list.

Seek Outside claims the suspension is good for something crazy like 110lbs so it will carry whatever you put in it weight wise.   I believe thier claim too as it was designed for hunters to haul elk quarters out of the backcountry.

As for volume the Unaweep 4800 is a good size for a two week Backpacking trip with a canister or a week long packrafting trip.  They used to have a  Unaweep 6300 which would be great for packrafting trips over a week.  I’m not sure if they still sell it or not.

The Unaweep 4800 is bigger than the HMG.

“I’m not sure if they still sell it or not.”

They still do sell it. And thanks to you, Brad, I just ordered a Divide 4800.

I apologize for lightening your wallet but I do think you will really like the pack.

I struggled with the decision to get the Unaweep 6,300 or the Fortress 6,300 on the Revolution platform. I ended up with the Fortress.

I have a ZPacks Zero Blast and love it for an overnight in good weather.  I prefer a larger pack where I don’t have to carefully pack it. The 6,300 is perfect for me. It rolls up into nothing. It will be good on an early Spring cold snap and Fall and winter hikes. Heck, I’ll use it in summer to.

I love the darn pack and will have it out on its maiden voyage in two weeks.

Eric…if you’re considering the Unaweep, I’ll suggest you look also at the Fortress 4,800 or maybe even the Goshawk 4,800, both on the Revolution platform.

Is there a difference between the Unaweep and Fortress other than the “breakaway bag” factor? Don’t they use essentially the same frame/harness? I’m just trying to think of a time where I’d need a dry bag in addition to my main bag assuming that’s the only difference.

I’ve honestly been contemplating the 6300 in addition to the 4800 but I’m a pretty small guy and I think the 4800 will be huge let alone the 6300. I had a size small Gregory Baltoro 75 years ago and that was actually a fairly small pack because of it’s layout, really not any bigger than the Catalyst. My ULA Circuit and Catalyst were small too so I found I had a more difficult time fitting things than friends with medium or large packs. The SO packs are just one size so I have a feeling the 4800/79L will seem huge to me. I wish I knew someone local with one I could check out.