Pack upgrade – which pack?

I could be wrong but I think all of the cottage makers allow returns on clean, unused packs. They know that you have to buy their products based on online reviews and word of mouth. Read their return policies carefully, but typically you pay for return shipping ($10–20 insured) and they pay for shipping you a different size of pack in the case of a return. I’ve purchased two packs from ULA and each required sending packs back and forth until I had a good fit. Don’t try to do this a week before a trip…

If you have a pack that fits you well now put a bit of weight in it and don it.  After you have it adjusted the way you like it measure the torso following the maker’s instructions.

That’s what I did when I made the jump from a Gregory Z35 to a Zpacks Arc Blast and the fit is perfect.

Zpacks Warranty/Returns:

ZPacks accepts returns and exchanges for 30 days from the date the product is received. Please try out your new gear on a short trip. If you are not completely satisfied you are welcome to send it back for an exchange or a full refund.

If you have sizing issues you can swap for a different size or a different product within the 30 day exchange window. If there are any other problems with your gear, please let us know. We may be able to make a modification for you or suggest something that will work better. If not a return is ok. We love feedback!
 

I suspect they will be more than happy to advise you by phone or email on how to make the best guess for your size and features before you order, and also how to fit and check the pack once you get it. I recently went through the process with ULA on and Ohm 2.0 and even needed a different size and everything ended up about perfect (except for a bit extra shipping expense). In retrospect I’m not sure why I didn’t consider an Arc Haul.

I agree with not being afraid to buy-to-try, Zpacks should let you return it if undamaged. With the adjustable torso height on the AH you should find that you can get the fit dialed in pretty well. I also like to transfer a bit of weight from the pack onto the hip belt, I have the Arc Blast and a pair of Zpacks roomy hip belt pockets and stuff them full, it’s lightweight stuff so I don’t know how much weight I’m actually distributing but it definitely works for having a lot of things handy without having to take off your pack. And I love the trampoline suspension to keep cool air flowing across the back.

My original plan was to order both the Ohm 2.0 and GG Gorilla so I could compare them side-by-side and return the one I didn’t like as much. Unfortunately GG has had supply problems with their packs this year and I decided I was happy with the Ohm 2.0 before I could get a Gorilla. Again, I have no idea why I didn’t include a Zpacks product in the comparison. It was probably the price jump, but in retrospect I’d probably be willing to trade the money for the weight savings.

I thought about doing the catch-and-release thing, but I wanted to be sure I ended up with exactly the right product in exactly the right size and fit exactly the right way.

I might suggest trying the Osprey Exos packs at your local REI. Though not the lightest option, it carries my 18+lb loads with ease, comfort and no sweaty back. I had an Arc from Zpacks. I didn’t like it as much. Joe took the return no questions asked. For lighter, smaller loads, a Zimmerbuilt Quickstep fills my needs.

Another vote for the Exos. It’s not perfect for me (which I think I’ve narrowed down to my torso length being between a small and medium, so the fit isn’t spot on), which lead me to try out two other packs, both of which I returned and went back to the Exos.

On BPL, you’ll find people who love it, hate it, and like it. It’s worth checking out to see if it’s right for you.

+1 on the Exos. It has more features than any pack that light should have but it just wouldn’t work for me. If it is comfy and a good fit on you it could be your winner.

Definitely try on the Exos with weight inside of it, especially over 25lbs. I found the hip belt to be flimsy, poor lumbar support and poor weight transfer from the frame to the hip belt. YMMV, plenty of people love the Exos – I saw multiple happy customers nearing the end of the PCT with the Exos in WA last Fall. In contrast, the 2015 GG Gorilla provides excellent weight transfer with a study rigid hip belt and direct frame weight transfer to the back of the belt. The only downside you may not like is a sweaty back – the Gorilla carriers close and tight against the back (which I prefer, even with the seat).

Though I’m generally pleased with my Exos, I do agree with Lester’s critique. The flimsy hip belt makes it very comfortable for me with under 25 pounds, but above that, it pushes beyond its limit. And  it definitely doesn’t stay planted to my lumbar with heavier loads.

Most of my trips are one-to-three nights out, so that’s not a problem. I generally only can fit in a week long trip once or twice a year, and then, my food weight pushes me over 25 pounds. Next year, I’m planning a Colorado or Utah trip with my soon-to-be wife and my son, and for that trip, I’ll play the role of pack mule, and looking at a starting pack weight of around 35 pounds, maybe more. I know the Exos won’t be very comfortable for that, so hopefully between now and then, I’ll find pack nirvana.

Anyway, enough about me. Catherine, you might find it suits you well, since your pack contents are now lighter and smaller and you want good back ventilation. Definitely take Lester’s advice, and try it (or any backpack) with an adequate load. Load it up and take a pack out on a couple of day hikes before your trip.

It’s nice that you can get the Exos immediately and easily from a local store (e.g., REI) and return it if you need to, so it’s worth trying. But packs seem to be such a personal matter, try out multiple packs if you can.

And let us know what you decide and how it works out for you. On my own search for personal pack nirvana, I appreciate hearing other’s experiences.

It might be helpful for me to list some of the things I like about the Exos. As Richie says, it has more features than the weight would suggest:

• Lightweight, by my standards, though others have stricter standards.
• Suspended mesh back helps sweaty beasts like myself be a little less sweaty (and maybe a little less beastly?).
• Removable lid with two useful pockets: under the lid, on top of the lid. Under the lid goes my first aid kit, on top goes my gloves, rain jacket, and other light items I might need on the trail. Save a couple of ounces by removing the lid if you don’t need it. Put the lid in the highest position, and you can hold a sleeping pad (e.g., Z-lite or rolled CCF) under it.
• Attachment loops on the lid, great if you want to put a small solar panel on your pack.
• Great side pockets with two openings. You can hold a water bottle vertically, or at an angle to make it easy to remove and insert on the go.
• Stretchy beaver tail pocket, which is good for a tarp and wet items like a tarp.
• Shoulder strap pockets, which seem to be a rarity on any pack, let alone a lightweight pack. My iPhone 6 (no case) fits in easily and securely, so I can pull it out to snap pictures or check my location. They’ll even hold an iPhone 6 Plus or a compact camera (Sony RX100), though the latter isn’t as easy to insert and remove, so I’d use the hip belt pockets instead.
• Soft, flexible hip belt, which I find very comfortable for lighter loads, but as mentioned earlier, isn’t the most supportive for heavier loads.
• Good price, just over $150 for the Exos 48 if you use a 20% off coupon that are fairly easy to come by (REI, Campsaver, Backcountry Edge, etc.).

It’s not a perfect pack, but it’s go a lot going for it in the right situations.

I’ve been proselytizing a lot about this pack recently, so I won’t go on about it unless asked.

But I’d whole heartedly recommend the Seek Outside Divide.

I’m kicking around an upgrade myself…is the GG Mariposa a good pack to transition to from a Gregory z65?…I’ve not tried any of the sub 3 pound packs

I’ve got an absurdly long torso plus hips, so need a tall women’s fit.

This last sentence from the OP makes me want to recommend the ULA Circuit.  I have a long torso and like to carry my pack on my hips as well.  The Circuit really ticks off a lot of important qualities: load transfer, space, compressibility, outside pocket volume, hip belt pocket size.

My experience with the Exos is unless it’s packed full, the stability and way it rides sucks, especially if the body of the pack is not full but you have the lid packed.

I’m kicking around an upgrade myself…is the GG Mariposa a good pack to transition to from a Gregory z65?…I’ve not tried any of the sub 3 pound packs

There will be a variety of opinions but I think this would make a great transition. I went from an Osprey Atmos to a GG Gorilla and absolutely loved it. For an even stiffer carry thus more weight on the hips, I replaced the stock sitlight with two layers of ridgerest. Amazing carry…

I’m a slow burn with these new purchases, but my old pack finally gave out. I just ordered a Z-packs Arc Haul, can’t wait for it to arrive!

Just got my Arc Haul last week – love it so far!