Real World Backpack Comfortable Max Loads

I have GG Gorilla (the 40 liter version) and Mariposa. Both carry extremely well at 25 lbs (especially the Gorilla). At 30 pounds they are both starting to sag a bit and ride too low – not enough structure in the hip belt and hip belt to pack connection. Tolerable at the start of a long trip when I know I will eat my way down to a better weight in a couple of days. I suspect this is a pretty common issue across a lot of lightweight pack designs. Many years ago I had a SMD Starlite and it behaved similar – and it was way to high volume for the structure of the pack and tended to carry the weight too far away from my body.

Doing just fine with a MLD Exodus at the 25# mark and plan to push a few pounds higher for food weight on 10 day trip this summer, possibly with a bear can.

Bill in Roswell,  not going to dispute the importance of total weight, being in the pack, worn, body weight, or whatever. I thought the point of this discussion was about pack comfort with a stated weight. I have 10 ounce packs for weekend trips, and load haulers for longer excursions. How much a given pack can carry comfortably surely matters. That “weight on the scale” for a given pack is what I thought this discussion was about.

I guess I should make a list here. I will try to compensate for my disabilities to give a more accurate idea of weight load for normal people. These are including the pack weight. If the pack weighs 5lbs, you bet your donkeys that weight is felt in the total load.

Zpacks Arc Blast and Haul: 20# without lumbar pad – 25#+ with lumbar pad (could do 30# for very short water carries if needed)

Granite Gear Perimeter 50 – 30# (I use it to carry out up to 4 King salmon at a time from my fishing spot, starts to droop at 35#+)

Gregory Baltoro 75 – 40# (I know a Canadian dude who put 80lbs into 85L one for a 50 mile arctic trip. Maniac. LOL)

Osprey Atmos 65 – 33# (after that, the hip belt struggles to take the load. I tested this one very specifically for weight)

Teton Sports Outfitter 4600 – 30#

When it comes to the Zpacks, I think many people could increase the load with a lumbar pad, lessening the arc bend, and even going up a pack size. When loaded heavy, the carbon stays bend with the weight, making the torso length smaller. If you can keep the load lifters above your shoulders when weighted down, it makes the pack vastly easier to carry. The flex in the stays actually helps my knees a bit as it absorbs some of the walking cycle shock of the pack weight. By lessening the arc in the frame, you increase the torso height and you also pull the weight of the pack closer to the body. I think way too many people size their UL packs without realizing they need to size up if pushing the weight limits. ALWAYS SIZE UP THE TORSO LENGTH WHEN PUSHING WEIGHT LIMITS.

I like comfort and haven’t ventured to frameless packs yet. Total pack weight for me (bag included) is about 30lbs. I use a Mystery Ranch Stein 60L. Great pack and I’ve carried 45 lbs comfortably.

I use a Mystery Ranch Ravine 50L, weighs 4.6 lbs., but carries loads so well I am ok with the weight penalty. Bag included, very comfortable up to 40 lbs., probably more for some.

McHale Sarc-asm – I’ll say 55lbs as I’ve not pushed it beyond that.  This was my start weight for a 9 day hike along the Tonto Trail in Grand Canyon.  About 30lbs was water to get me from the S. Bass trailhead to Boucher Creek so the weight dropped rather quickly over the first couple days, but at that load, no issues with shoulders, hips, etc.  The pack can handle it.

HMG Windrider 2400 at 25#, give or take. I also use this for the short hauls (~15mi) Lean-to Rescue (L2R) trips up to around 35#. I also use a Murmur at about 20# for UL/SUL packing, usually a week or less. I have an old (2012) Murmur I use for heavier trips, up to about 25# for longer UL trips (2 weeks or so.)

As one gets older the all day comfort number gets lower for the same pack.  All weights include everything hanging from the shoulders and hips (includes the pack ;-)  )

SMD Starlight with stays 30#

SMD Swift with folded ridgerest frame 25#

Elemental Horizons Kalais 35#

Atom Packs Mo – 30 pounds

The Mo Carrie’s up to 30 pounds like it’s nothing. One pound over and you feel it. If your gear is dialed in and total pack weight is under 30 then this is a great choice