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New for spring 2008, Granite Gear packs a lot of comfort, features, and load carrying capacity into the 2000 cubic inch (32 L), 2.5 pound Vapor Day Pack. While it is not the lightest day pack available, it is very lightweight for the comfort and features it provides.
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By Will Rietveld
Will Rietveld Ph.D, Senior Editor for Gear and Apparel, joined the BPL staff in April 2004. In his former career, Will was a research scientist, project manager, and R&D program administrator. Now retired, he lives in southern Colorado where he takes up a new career of backpacking year-round in the mountains and canyon country of the Southwest. During the summer months Will and his wife Janet are volunteer wilderness rangers in the Weminuche Wilderness. He has been a lightweight backpacker for 52 years and an ultralight backpacker for 13 years.
Discussion
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Companion forum thread to:
Granite Gear Vapor Day Pack Review
Hey Will, could you post a close up picture of the side pocket strap system, Ive been thinking of doing this to my regular vapor trail and I'd like to see how they actually do it.
I actually bought two of Granite Gear's hip pockets and two shoulder strap pockets which I transfer to all my packs as needed, even my fanny packs. I have now spoiled myself with them and can't live without the front pockets.
The shoulder strap pockets are really useful for holding a GPS unit making it both available to me but also making the satellite signal available to the GPS.
I must admit that the pocket transfer process constitutes a lot of threading straps through tight buckles and by the time you're done, you are ready to order a set of pockets for each and every pack in your inventory. (So far, I've been too cheap to do that).
I use a Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone pack (3800 c.i.) as my winter pack and I can attest to it's extreme comfort no matter what the load! Note that the N. Ozone has a beefier suspension than the vapor suspension.
I beleave what Johnathan is referring to is the lower side compression straps that can be run inside the side pockets. Gregory has also done this on the Makalu Pro alpine pack. This allows the compression strap to be run inside the side pocket and not interfere with removal of water bottles or other items stored in the packs side pocket. The strap would be tight against the pack bag and a bottle would be in the pocket but over the strap. The strap can also be run outside the pocket if a user wishes to have the strap help secure an item stored in this location. I have not seen the Vapor first hand but from the pictures posted this looks to be the design intent. I know of other packs that allow for the lower compression strap to run either behind or over the side pocket in some manner.
Hi Will
Interesting. Looks as though rain could pour in through both the top zips though??
Cheers
40 ounces is way too heavy for a daypack and dare I say, worthy of a review on BPL! I would expect this type of review from BP, but not from BPL.
I would much rather see reviews on the ULA AMP/Relay, Golite Ion, MLD [Super] Zip/Prophet, GG Murmur, Zpack Zilch, Oware Day pack.
Hopefully there's not a Osprey pack review in final edit.
I completely agree Frank!
Hi Jonathan. Here's a photo of the side pocket with a compression strap routed over the pocket. The slits on the sides of the pocket allow the compression strap to be routed inside the pocket, not inside the pack, so things like water bottles hang up on the strap when inserting them.
Hi Will,
Do you know if the hip belt on the Vapor Day is removable? It'd be great to be able to take it off when you don't want/need it.
Thanks,
Dave
The belt is removable. It's the same belt that's on the Vapor Trail.
Eric
Hi I was wondering if you could let me know what the dimensions of the Vapor day pack are when full? 2000 cubes is perfect for a 6month+ trip with clothing, laptop, etc as long as I dont bring camping equipment. Hopefully this bag is carry-on sized. You dont need to measure with the hip belt as its removable. Thanks for the help!
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