What pack do you carry?

[Nate Ward]

I’ve got a 2020 slot, it’ll be my 4th trip to the hill and curious of your pack selection….Ospry is probably the most common, along with Kelty….I carried those in 2010 and 2016.  Not looking for one of the heavy internal frame packs out there, thinking about a Hyperlite Southwest 3400 or Maraposa 60. What have y’all carried?

[TAG in AZ]

In 2017, I carried an HMG Windrider 3400.  Worked perfectly for me.  My kit was pretty small.  Even carrying a Triplex, I had plenty of room for my share of the crew gear and the enormous food bags. If I was going in 2020, that’s what I would take again.

[John O]

This past year I carried a Zpacks Arc Haul Zip… with my Duplex… too light… too easy.

[KEVIN W]

what size Zip did you take?  This is the pack I have been looking at and really debating the Zip vs. no-Zip.

[Brian W]

First generation exos 58. I know lighter options are available. But it feels great on my back when I have to carry a bear canister.

[John O]

I went with 64L and never thought twice about the Zip.  Not that price was an issue when I got it, but ~$12/oz & l is worth the easy access for me.

[Nate Ward]

The concern I have with the Arc Haul is the main body is 49 liters and the pockets make up the 15 liters.  In ’16 we had a 5 day food carry, that was a stupid amount of food, especially since we walked past two other commissaries, I hope they changed the logistics of that trek and cut that in half.  Hyperlite packs don’t count the pockets in the “size” of the pack, they are bonus inches.  I found a Windrider 3400 that I think I’ll give a try.

 

[Tim P]

I saw a pack line where all the packs were ULA packs.  It was cool.

[Mark Verber]

GG Gorrila since 2008.  No plans to change it, but Osprey Levity for hot summer trips continue to be tempting.  I am surprised by the love of HMG packs one BPL. I tried one and it felt like a large bag hanging on my back. I like packs that feel like they become one with my body.

[Tom K]

ULA Ohm, 1.0 and 2.0.  I still use the 1.0, modified to reduce sag  for backpacking, and the 2.0 for day hikes to reduce unnecessary wear and tear on the 1.0.  They’re both going strong after 10 plus years of use in all sorts of terrain and weather.

[Russ W]

Elemental Horizons
Hyperlight Porter
Hyperlight Southwest
Zen
Northern Ultralight
Gossamer Gear Murmur
A few Homemade contraptions

Yep… I have a pack problem.

Last 3 trips longer than 10 days with a bear can were courtesy of the Porter. A no frills hauling machine.

Depending on trip length and weight, I can recommend all of the above.

[James Marco]

GG Murmur 36L up to two weeks
GG MiniPosa 40L up to 3 weeks
HMG Southwest (black) (tools/campgear for L2R’s)

[Gerry H]

The food issue was pretty wonky in 2019. Probably impacted by Ute Gulch being closed after the fire. It is certainly not optimized from the camper’s perspective.

We picked up food our SECOND day on the trail. So we had ONE day of food issued to us in Base Camp. Then we got 4.5 day issue and another 4.5 day issue. During that last batch, we had a chuck wagon dinner but were still issued the bagged dinner.

[Bruce Kolkebeck]

Old school Golite 70. Rockin’ the old stuff.

 

BK

[Brad P]

I took an Arc Haul and it worked well.  My son took an REI Flash 55.  He had the lightest, most compact gear among the scouts and was definitely at the limit of the pack.  His Duomid, CF sleeping pad and one other piece of gear were strapped on the outside.

The weight of Philmont gear/food isn’t as bad as the bulk.

My Arc Haul worked well for me.

[Dennis P]

In 2019 I carried an Osprey Aether AG 70 and loved it.  Plenty of room, very durable and above all others, very comfortable.  I would highly recommend it.

[Elliott Wolin]

Still carrying my old large Golite Trek when I need capacity (e.g. for bear canister) and Golite Speed otherwise.  They both are in great shape, are reasonably light (34 oz w/brain and 26 oz, and I’m too cheap to buy new ones).  My wife uses a Golite Pinnacle (24 oz I think).

[James Marco]

Yeah, I have an old Trek for use with large loads…think winter. It was on a thru with me on the NFCT. Good pack…

[Jamie Barnes]

I’ve used a zPacks Arc Haul all four times I’ve been to Philmont. I added a multipack that’s detachable from the top (handy to keep meds, etc. in and throw in the oops bag at night), two hip belt pouches and a shoulder strap pouch to it for some extra storage. The hip belt pouches are great for carrying things you need to get to quickly like snacks, knife, compass, etc. It’s served me well and holds everything I need plus up to four days of Philfood. With a four-day food drop it’s a bit tight on space but it works.

Hope that helps!

Jamie.

[Jason T]

I’ve brought my Gregory Baltoro 75L on the last three treks to Philmont. If we had had a full contingent this last time, I probably could have gotten away with a smaller 60L pack.  And lighter for that matter.

[William K]

Just swapped my son over to the REI Flash 55 so he’s taking that but I’m taking the Mountainsmith Zerk 40. We arent using any Philmont gear so we’re doing shakedown hikes with the whole crew with the gear we’re taking to dial in packing. And now that we have our itinerary we’re only looking at a 3 day max food carry so it shouldnt be too bad on bulk.

[David Y]

@williamkapes said, “We arent using any Philmont gear so we’re doing shakedown hikes with the whole crew with the gear we’re taking to dial in packing.”

Kudos to your approach and glad to see you are gearing up for your trek and practicing the techniques.  Crews going to Philmont should train with gear like Philmont issues.

[Brad P]

Just swapped my son over to the REI Flash 55 so he’s taking that but I’m taking the Mountainsmith Zerk 40.

Good choice!  Just remember that Philfood is bulky, too.

 

[James A]

I used a Gregory Baltoro 75L last year. Not light by any means, but it rides like a dream.

I am interested in a lighter pack, but haven’t found anything nearly as comfortable.

[JCH]

Every Gregory pack I ever used felt like I could carry my car in it…super plush, but at the cost of being quite heavy.  At almost 2lbs lighter and $50 cheaper you may find the Granite Gear Blaze 60 to work well for you.  I find it can carry into the upper 30 lb range as well as the Gregorys.

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