Pinnacle vs Conduit???

[melinda]

I'm looking for a new lightweight pack for 7-10 day walks.
From what I'm seeing the choice comes down to a ULA Conduit or a Golite Pinnacle.
I really like ULA packs, the only downside being the black mesh doesn't stand up too well to off track conditions.
I don't know that much about the Pinnacle. (Looks good but heavier than the Conduit)
Can anybody who knows both these packs help me out on this????
Melinda

[alliecat]

I have a ULA Catalyst and love it, but I do understand what you mean about the mesh on the side pockets. Having said that, the mesh is really easy to repair, and you can use garden shade cloth to patch it if necessary (I've got some shade cloth scraps and I can't tell the difference between it and the mesh on the Catalyst...). The ULA packs are very well made and mine is the most comfortable pack I've ever worn.

I've seen the pinnacle but not used one. At least one person on BWT has a Golite Jam (or maybe even a Pinnacle) so they might be able to help more.

They are both really good packs - I think it just comes down to personal preference with this one. Sorry, that's not much help I'm afraid, but I think as long as the pack is comfortable on you, you'll be happy with either one.

Cheers,
Alliecat

[melinda]

Cheers Allie Cat,
Thanks for the shade cloth idea. I have patched the pockets in the past but not with shade cloth. I'll give it a go.
Melinda

[Earthling]

I have a Golite Pinnacle and find her an excellent pack.
I dont know the Conduit.
Ive loaded it up to 17kg and apart from some minor soreness on my hip from the thin hipbelt she handled it fine. Get the weights down below 10kg and you hardly know its there.
The side pockets are absolutely HUGE, and the front pocket also holds a lot of gear.
Sturdy material and well padded shoulder straps.

[melinda]

Cheers Earthling,
I know the Golite Pinnacle looks pretty good, some US sites have the womens version at half price at the moment.
I'm waiting on a reply from ULA to see if they will make me a Conduit to my specifications. (Pockets made from Dyneema instead of mesh.)
The Conduit is the lighter pack. Apart from the mesh, the ULA packs stand up to off track conditions pretty well.
Melinda

[rohjoe]

I can also vouch for the GoLite Pinnacle. I've had one for about 12 months and it's holding up well. Have never had an issue with comfort. It survived 10 days in the Southern Ranges & PB, as well as several off-track exploits. The mesh side pockets are a minor draw back in scrub - mine are starting to look pretty shredded - but partly my fault due to carrying a metal water bottle in them which grates on rock etc. The pockets are very handy though & should be repairable. To be honest I'm happy to accept a shorter life span than a full canvas pack due to the 2 kg+ weight savings. Outlay should be a lot lower than a decent canvas pack anyway. I think the manufacturer recommends a max load of 18 kg. My max has been about 17 kg.
Rohan

[rohjoe]

Just noticed the Conduit max recommended weight is only 25 pounds (11.4 kg) versus 18 kg for a women's Pinnacle size M.
Conduit is also smaller: 3200 ci (53 litres) versus Pinnacle 61 litres. Very different packs really. The Circuit might be a better match?
Conduit has a mesh front pocket versus dyneema on the Pinnacle.
Cheers,
Rohan.

[melinda]

Hi Rohan,
Thanks for the advice on the packs.
I agree 100% on the shorter life span vs weight.
My ULA Relay is about 2 years old now and even if I had to retire it tomorrow I would be happy. However it is still in great condition despite all the "bush bashes" it has seen. (Few patches to the mesh!) Its a shame ULA isn't making them any more because they were perfect for overnight trips. (Brian might make one on request????)
I've seen the Conduits used as canyoning packs (therefore carrying ropes, wet suits, the kitchen sink, etc) and surviving the canyons/creeks pretty well.
I know the Golites have got a pretty good name too. I'm just scared of the size of the Pinnacle, I might be tempted to fill it up! (18kilos would kill me!) Circuit is a good option.
Its nice to have this sort of choice in lightweight gear!!!
Melinda

[melinda]

Hi all,
Thanks for all you advice.
After much debate I have decided to try the Pinnacle.
I love ULA packs but found a women's Pinnacle for half price at http://www.sunnysports.com (Hard to justify buying more gear just before Xmas when there is a teenager in the house!)
Haven't tried this company before so we'll see how it goes.
Just have to be careful not to fill the pack up.
Will let you know how it goes. (i.e. the pack and sunnysports)
Melinda

[Earthling]

Melinda, just a quick heads up....I had a look after you said there half price in US at the moment and your right...however after an email to Sunnysport they are the 2008 model...which whilst good...(what Ive got) the new model has a thicker hip belt which would make a difference to comfort with heavy loads.
Im buying the girlfriend one (Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh Santa job) but as shes a newcomer to hiking I will go the newer model to soften the journey for her a bit

[Nuts]

Sorry, didnt click this thread was about packs..... so i never looked before.

We had aq bunch of Pinnacles in hire use. Sold them on last year (great pack, tough, though just need experience to deal with the limitations) Correctly packed, about the only drawback is the mesh panel pockets as youv'e mentioned..

Looks like the full price (mens version) on that site is the new range (is there much difference?)

Anyhow, I have one female small (avocado green) remaining. Been meaning to fleabay it for a while...
It's pretty much new but has the obligatory small hole in the mesh pocket . It was patched a bit roughly but could likely be redone- 'invisibly' sewn)
(say $50 (+post) if anyone wants it )

[kanangra]

I'll take it. I like the Pinnacle packs.

K.

[Nuts]

Wow... i'll fire you a pm

[melinda]

Heh Earthling,
That was some nifty investigative work you did there!
From what I can figure out the 2008 model might be a little bit lighter. Sunnysports are saying the womens medium weighs 1lb 8oz.
The Golite site, which I would imagine to be the 2009 model, says it weighs 1lb 14oz.
Hope there isn't too much difference in the comfort department!!!
Cheers, melinda

[melinda]

Hi all,
Pinnacle arrived in the post yesterday! Looks good, can't wait to try it out!
On delivery times: Pack took 10 days to arrive from the States, as I was advised.
3 days to get to Sydney, BUT 7 days from Sydney to Wollongong! (according to the postal service that delivered it)
I know we are entering the silly season, BUT 7 days???
Melinda

[isoma]

Hi Guys,
I'm also interested in the Pinnacle (2009) - seem to be on sale at around US100$ (not including postage) from backcountrygear and sunnysports. I'd be keen to hear from owners as to the waterproofness of the "lid" .
Cheers

[Tony]

Hi isoma,

Hi Guys,
I'm also interested in the Pinnacle (2009) - seem to be on sale at around US100$ (not including postage) from backcountrygear and sunnysports. I'd be keen to hear from owners as to the waterproofness of the "lid" .
Cheers

The Pinnacle does really not have a lid, the lid is only a drawstring but if the pack is not stuffed absolutely full the top can be rolled up which is then held down by the top strap. I would not consider a Golite pack water proof but the Dyneema material does shed water quite well.

I have used Golite packs for years, my first Golite pack called a Trek was basically a pinnacle with a lid, I retired the Trek as the zipper on the lid broke, I now use a Pinnacle for snow trips and a Jam2 for all other trips, I have a smaller Ion coming. The Jam2 is without a doubt my favourite and is the most comfortable pack I have ever had. My Jam2 is currently being used by my daughter in Nepal.


Tony

[isoma]

Thanks for that Tony,

Havent seen the Pinnacle in the flesh so was unsure about the 'lid' - the 3 pictures on Golite website give little away as well.
The cinch system with the top strap which covers the drawsting opening would give reasonable protection in rain I guess? - but I'd probably get a pack cover as well.

[Tony]

Hi isoma,

Thanks for that Tony,

Havent seen the Pinnacle in the flesh so was unsure about the 'lid' - the 3 pictures on Golite website give little away as well.
The cinch system with the top strap which covers the drawsting opening would give reasonable protection in rain I guess? - but I'd probably get a pack cover as well.

Below are some pics of the top of my Pinnacle pack

Tony


Draw string pulled closed

Top rolled over and strap done up.

[isoma]

Very helpful thanks Tony,
I'm almost sold on the Pinnacle - could be the pack to get me started on the lightweight journey.
Cheers

[Tony]

Hi isoma,

Very helpful thanks Tony,
I'm almost sold on the Pinnacle - could be the pack to get me started on the lightweight journey.
Cheers

I have been using lightweight gear for a while now and it has made my walking much more enjoyable, I would never go back to a traditional gear.

Even though the Pinnacle has some back support I use my sleeping mat (Prolite 4) as extra support, For my Jam2 I use a prolite 3 small, for me this works very well I also remove the hydration sleeve to save some weight as I would never use it anyway.

If you need some advice to help you go lightweight please feel free to ask.

Tony

[Jellybean]

I have a smaller Ion coming.
Tony

Tony, you will LOVE the Ion, it's an awesome little (25L) pack - very light (255g; I made it even lighter by chopping off the waist belt, I've found the sternum strap to be ample) and compressable (for stuffing in your main pack if need be), very durable and very comfortable (as long as you obviously pack it thoughtfully - soft gear against your back). In addition, its fairly narrow profile on your back means it doesn't get attacked too much by overhanging scrub. I bought it as a lightweight day/peak bagging/travel pack - it's perfect for all of those things. Fits an amazing amount of gear (e.g., fleece, heavy duty waterproofs, 2L water, food, camera, first aid kit easily). Doesn't have any external pockets for water bottles but does have a hydration tube opening. As a result, I've just become a hydration bag girl (have previously used Sigg or Nally bottles) - I've just bought an MSR Hydromedary Hydration Bag. I use a Sea to Summit ultrasil dry bag inside if there's any chance of rain. Have been meaning to write a review on the Ion here but no time lately - 'will do so after Christmas.

I love my Ion so much that I just took advantage of the Christmas sales and bought a Pinnacle (bought the MSR hydration bag at the same time - a bit silly to just buy one thing when you can buy two!? ). To date I've been using a Macpac Ascent which has been an excellent pack (durable and comfortable) but with a starting weight of 2-3kg (can't remember exactly) before any gear is added and me on a mission to reduce my load to save my knees, the Pinnacle (just under 1kg) was too tempting. Can't wait to use it!

Cheers,

JB

[Jellybean]

P.S. There's some reviews for the GoLite Ion here:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin ... ad_id=7620

Some of the UL guys use the Ion for trips of up to 3 days duration.

Cheers,

JB

[Tony]

Hi JB,

P.S. There's some reviews for the GoLite Ion here:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin ... ad_id=7620

Some of the UL guys use the Ion for trips of up to 3 days duration.

Cheers,

JB

Thanks for your review and the link to the reviews on BPL, I hope to use my Ion for three day off track walks.

Tony