larger pack advice

wiiawiwb why did you have to make me look at stuff other than the Unaweep 4800…

That broadwing looks insanely utilitarian. It’s a whole lot bigger and heavier than I want/need but it sure does pique my interest with the upper passthrough side pouches.

Seek Outside has an amazing arsenal of packs. The Broadwing and the Brooks are pretty unique packs.

I was drawn to the 6,300 because the weight difference between it and the 4,800 was 3oz. Why quibble about size when, for a mere 3oz, you can have a pack that will carry everything in the cold weather too?

I was drawn to the breakaway capability for two reasons. First, I backpack and hike alone 90% of the time. I wanted the ability to remove the bag easily and go out and bring back timber. Not twigs, not branches…timber. Second, I wanted to be able to remove the bag and replace it with an ultralight bag for day hikes. The Talon and lid will carry up to 1,600ci. Add a ZPacks extra-large, roll-top, dry bag that carries 2,800ci at 1.8 oz and I’ve got a superlight day pack. That same ultralight day pack can comfortably carry well over 100lbs with the Fortress 6,300 bag.

So, to summarize, you can have a monster hauler or an ultralight pack depending on how you decide to outfit it…thanks to the breakaway capability. I love the Revolution platform.

http://www.zpacks.com/accessories/dry_bags.shtml

There are also Sea to Summit bags and many other dry bags to choose from.

If the pack you are looking to backpack with for many year to come, that will fit you 100% ALL of the time, carry load weights that you desire today and in the future, light weight, with your choice of fabrics and materials, and  a pack you “build, try and personalize” may I suggest Dan McHale Packs. Knowing that Dan’s packs are expensive compared to many you have looked at, you have a McHale pack designed to YOU,  and you will get a pack that will last you for many years of use. If you play the “pack today, pack tomorrow” route the money spent in that pursuit will be comparable to getting a pack that you can personalize and know you will enjoy for years to come as this advice comes from one that has gone that route and has a McHale pack.

http://www.mchalepacks.com/

With regards to the wide shoulder straps: They have fixed this problem. My friend has a 2016 Divide and I have a 2017 Divide and the shoulder straps on his are super wide and the shoulder straps on mine are perfect.

That’s what SO told me when I inquired. They said they’ve changed the shoulder strap spacing several times in the past 18 months.