New pack

Giggle

https://mytrailco.com/products/backpack-light-50l

Was the GoLite version that heavy back in the day?

Heck no. The first version was maybe 19-21 oz. Then it gained an ounce or two on the second version. Third version popped it up to around 32 oz. The MTC version is even heavier. I have the first or second gen Jam and still use it everyday for commuting and travel, and sometimes backpacking.

I can’t see spending $100 on a frameless pack that weighs 33.5 oz. So many better options out there. Also, there is NO WAY this can comfortably carry 40lbs. It has a foam framesheet, so maybe 25lbs is the upper limit. I’ve got one in my office if anyone has questions.

Also curious about the name: BPL 50.

I saw the reincarnated version on the AT last month and it looked decent for the price and materials. The hiker said they liked it.

Yes. The golite breeze was around 16 oz.  The jam was around 1.5 lbs but added anti-sweat mesh on the shoulder straps, a padded hip belt and the compression system.  The jam 2 added a mesh foam back panel, hip belt pockets, and load lifters (Ie: fit adjusters).  The end result was a 2 lb pack that was a great size, comfortable, and full featured.

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Looks good. But at “only” 50 L. I’d find a lid and some side pockets for more room and better organization of things I may need in a hurry. That would add 8 0z. and about another 10 L. volume. Then we are getting away from SUL toward UL.

Looks good. But at “only” 50 L. I’d find a lid and some side pockets for more room and better organization of things I may need in a hurry. That would add 8 0z. and about another 10 L. volume. Then we are getting away from SUL toward UL.

Uhhh, this thing is barely UL. It’s a looooong way from SUL…

XSUL: <5oz, <3lb base and maximum load ~15lb
SUL: <8oz, <5lb base and maximum load ~20lb
UL: <16oz, <10lb base and maximum load ~25lb
Light: <32oz, <20lb base and maximum load ~45lb
Everything else is unusably heavy to be carrying around for a couple weeks and really doesn’t belong on this site. I got these from the old BackpackingLight mail list about 15 years ago.

I can’t tell if James is being serious or not, but to say that a pack like the Osprey Exos 48 (37 oz in medium) doesn’t qualify even as “light” is pretty silly. My base weight, including the Exos, is usually around 9-12 pounds depending on the weather and how many gadgets (especially a camera and a battery pack for my phone). Likewise for the claim that someone with a Zpacks Arc Blast (21 oz) can’t call themselves an “ultralight” backpacker.

I’ll accept I might not have my UL credentials, but to say that someone with a gear list like mine isn’t a lightweight backpacker is hard to take seriously.

If I wasn’t supposed to take it seriously, I apologize for missing the joke.

Quite serious. Backpacks, in general, have been gaining about 1-2oz per year. I wish that was me…10-15 years ago, I could find several candidates for SUL packs. Now, no one manufactures one. No joke. They all say a 1 pound UL pack is not durable. I have two from that time, one I use along with a newer Murmur…all 5-12 years old with LOT’s of miles on them…more than enough for a simple PCT thru hike. The joke is on the consumer.

I think the Cicuit is the ideal 10lb base weight 7-10 day hike pack and even my 1st Gen large is over two pounds.

So your 1.5lb threshold for for UL packs seems excessive for trips where food/water make up the majority of the weight.

That said I agree with you that the grocery bag with straps products for packs has really diminished.  In my opinion that is due to the proliferation of the inflated sleeping pad.  Without a folder up z-rest or ridgerest creating the frame stiffer foam and frame sheets have been used.  Also the intelligence and experience of the average hiker has decreased so in order to maintain good reviews you need to idiot proof the products more.  Also since it’s so easy to be UL without any sacrifice or experience the comfort loss to go SUL is higher than it used to be even though the absolute comfort level of SUL is higher.

Combine that with the main streaming of companies and weight creep is the eventual result.

SUL and UL are system based concepts that needs to be backed by experience and supported by the right mindset.

Buying a UL pack alone, without embracing the complete transformation to the tiniest detail, including nutrition, is only going to work if the pack no longer is true UL. So the manufacturers offer exactly that.