Lightweight Pack recommendations

[cams]

After recommendations for packs. Currently I have a 2010 Osprey Aether 60 and a golite peak.

The Aether is too big for most of the trips that I do (2 - 3 nights in moderate conditions) but is fairly comfortable. The current model is relatively heavy too and has alot of features that I probably don't need. The peak I had hoped might work but is too small to pack well without a frame using my current gear.

So I think what I'm after is something around 40L with a frame that is as light as possible but still comfortable. Yes, basically I want a magic pack.

My list of possibilites is currently:
- Osprey Exos 46
- BPL Absaroka (expensive and basically no reviews)
- HMG Windrider (expensive and also limited reviews)
- ULA Ohm
- GG Gorilla
- Elemental Horizons Northern Lite
- Mchale LBP

My biggest worry with most of the ones from the USA is not knowing how they feel. I have tried an exos on and wasn't all that impressed with the comfort (at least compared to the Aether). I've tried a One Planet on but wasn't too impressed with some of the features. Both of these were quick looks though and I would definitely have a closer one if someone has good experiences.

The rave reviews and the extra lengths gone to ensure good fitment draw me towards a Mchale, but the obvious price and shipping back and forth is a big issue. But if I get one of the others at between $150 - $200 plus what I've already spent on aether I'm already getting up towards the price of one of these which may be able to perform the functionality of both because of its improved compactability features.

I'd appreciate any thoughts, especially first hand experiences. ta

[ILUVSWTAS]

I've tried a One Planet on but wasn't too impressed with some of the features. Both of these were quick looks though and I would definitely have a closer one if someone has good experiences.

What on earth didnt you like about it??

I've had dozens of packs in my time and the OP packs are heads, shoulders and light years above anything else on the market.

[cams]

I admit it was a very quick look. But under very first impressions I didn't like the hip belt webbing. Was hard to pull through the adjusters and that it pulled out rather than into the middle. I was also put off a bit by Roger Caffin's review on BPL which mentioned a number of issues that the manufacturer agreed to look into. So maybe I'll look at it again next year if they bring out a new model. This was the shadow. Have you used this one by chance?

[Tony]

Hi Cams,

We are all different when it comes to pack fit, I have four Golites and like them all, my favourite is the 50l Jam2 which I find comfortable to 8kg and have carried 13kg at times.

I recently got a Lightwave Ultrahike 60 pack (1.20kg) and love it, the most comfortable pack I have ever used, two weeks ago I did a very wet walk around Kosi with 11kg and barely new it was on my back, Lightwave also make some smaller packs.

Good luck with your quest to find the "magic pack".

Tony

[ILUVSWTAS]

No but a friend of mine (MJD) has one. I believe he is very happy with it.
I have a Mungo and a Traverse. Others I walk with have the large version the Mcmillan.

They are the best harness on the market. Only pack that is endorsed by the chiropractors association of Australia. I've had back issues, and the OP packs are easily the most comfortable and forgiving pack I've ever worn. We also do a fair bit of off track walking and the packs hold up to this very well.

But if your after light weight, and dont go off track, the GOLITE packs seem very popular..... (<----- EDIT, see above post by Tony.. )

[cams]

Hi Cams,

We are all different when it comes to pack fit, I have four Golites and like them all, my favourite is the 50l Jam2 which I find comfortable to 8kg and have carried 13kg at times.

I recently got a Lightwave Ultrahike 60 pack (1.20kg) and love it, the most comfortable pack I have ever used, two weeks ago I did a very wet walk around Kosi with 11kg and barely new it was on my back, Lightwave also make some smaller packs.

Good luck with your quest to find the "magic pack".

Tony

Thanks Tony. I think I'll keep an eye out for second hand Golites. From what I've read the older original Jam and Jam2 were lighter and just as good as the current Jam model. Did you get your lightwave on the net or find it at a shop? If you got it on the net, just wondering what your process was on deciding to get it untested? Just reading reviews etc and taking a chance?

No but a friend of mine (MJD) has one. I believe he is very happy with it.
I have a Mungo and a Traverse. Others I walk with have the large version the Mcmillan.

They are the best harness on the market. Only pack that is endorsed by the chiropractors association of Australia. I've had back issues, and the OP packs are easily the most comfortable and forgiving pack I've ever worn. We also do a fair bit of off track walking and the packs hold up to this very well.

But if your after light weight, and dont go off track, the GOLITE packs seem very popular..... (<----- EDIT, see above post by Tony.. )

Well. You've definitely convinced me to take a closer look at the OP's. The shadow is probably at the upper end of the weight I was hoping for. But it definitely looks to have extra toughness for that. thanks

[Nuts]

I recently bought a one planet umbra and daypack 42L+15. Seems like a solid pack for 1.2kg.... Initial negatives:, dont like the cut of the side pockets, lowe alpine use similar though better buckles, top collar could be a tad longer dont see the advantage of the side opening limpet daypack and the daypack straps dont seem to stow as well as they could. These are just observations, things i noticed before I bought the pack... it is still one i chose for the many positives...

I didnt see too many determining negatives in that BPL review for the larger OP's??

As for the chiropractic endorsement though, i still find that odd. Like endorsing being attacked by leaches as opposed to ticks.... Surely any chiropractor could only endorse no weight on the back as the best alternative?? Our endorsing chiropractor perhaps doesnt see the trees for the leaves (he would have to be a BPL member )

[cams]

I recently bought a one planet umbra and daypack 42L+15. Seems like a solid pack for 1.2kg.... Initial negatives:, dont like the cut of the side pockets, lowe alpine use similar though better buckles, top collar could be a tad longer dont see the advantage of the side opening limpet daypack and the daypack straps dont seem to stow as well as they could. These are just observations, things i noticed before I bought the pack... it is still one i chose for the many positives...

I didnt see too many determining negatives in that BPL review for the larger OP's??

As for the chiropractic endorsement though, i still find that odd. Like endorsing being attacked by leaches as opposed to ticks.... Surely any chiropractor could only endorse no weight on the back as the best alternative?? Our endorsing chiropractor perhaps doesnt see the trees for the leaves (he would have to be a BPL member )

Thanks Nuts. I didn't realise the umbra was available. Hadn't seen it at the shops. I'll definitely try and find one of them to have a look. Most of the negatives in the review of the shadow were fairly minor things but still made me think that it was a bit of a work in progress.

[Nuts]

no worries cams. i havent used it enough to know...maybe it will work together ok! I can let you know If you can hold out a few weeks... lol
It Is a nice looking pack http://www.oneplanet.com.au/bushwalking ... umbra.html

[ILUVSWTAS]

MJD has one of these. It is a nice looking pack.
Just be careful, it's not very strong. He sat it down on a rock and put a 2 inch tear in it on it's first outing.

[Tony]

Hi ILUVSWTAS,

But if your after light weight, and dont go off track, the GOLITE packs seem very popular..... (<----- EDIT, see above post by Tony.. )

Yes I have to agree any pack lighter than 5kg is not suitable for off track , my Golite packs (especially my old and lightened Jam2) have done many tough off track trips and are still in good condition, Dyneema is tough stuff.

Tony

[Tony]

Hi Cams,

Thanks Tony. I think I'll keep an eye out for second hand Golites. From what I've read the older original Jam and Jam2 were lighter and just as good as the current Jam model. Did you get your lightwave on the net or find it at a shop? If you got it on the net, just wondering what your process was on deciding to get it untested? Just reading reviews etc and taking a chance?

You are right the old Jam2's are lighter, mine is an older one and with some work removing the bladder sleeve mine weighs around 580g.

With where to get the Lightwave pack, I am not much help as I was given after the BPL pack review, it is the pack that was used in the review.

Tony

[Nuts]

I reckon ILSWT is correct with the OP pack, it is a lighter weight canvas (hence the lighter weight pack). Intended mostly for track walking, light scrub (as OP recommend). I think a tear after 'sitting it on a rock' would have to be a stretch Dynema reinforcing is tough, I guess OP stick with canvas for their own reasons? Ive had a couple of golite and other 'lightweight' packs, while the materials are cutting edge I think for a purely Aussie allrounder and useful pack, OP will reach the mark sooner than OS competitors.

[ILUVSWTAS]

I reckon ILSWT is correct with the OP pack, it is a lighter weight canvas (hence the lighter weight pack). Intended mostly for track walking, light scrub (as OP recommend). I think a tear after 'sitting it on a rock' would have to be a stretch

Saw it with my own eyes!! As did stepbystep and stu. MJD may even post a picture on here if we ask nicely......

[ninjapuppet]

for 200gsm canvas to tear like that should surely be under warranty?

[stepbystep]

Indeed I did see the tear and there was no serious scrub bashing or scrambling happening, in fact I don't think MJD could even figure out when it might have happened. I would avoid buying a pack with such light weight material, as a pack will inevitably come into contact with abrasive surfaces, even when on tracked walks. I agree with ninja, a full refund or exchange should be offered.

[ILUVSWTAS]

I'd certainly be asking OP to investigate the product. MJD is too nice a guy to "hassle" anyone though, even when it may be a fault of the product.

[Nuts]

ILSW the canvas is very light though SBS suggests MJD 'didnt know how it happened', a boxcutter on unpacking?, guess there could be a few answers... Has he used it since?
Mines too good looking to take it anywhere... hey, maybe if we ask MJD (nicely) he could do some further testing on his?

[ILUVSWTAS]

Box cutter on unpacking??? Are you for real man?? It didnt have a hole in it for most of the trip, then it did. He is 99% sure it happened after dropping the pack on a rocky shelf we stopped at for a snack.

Anyway, doesnt bother me as I dont own one........

[Nuts]

dropping/sitting... c'mon, which was it

[MJD]

The "tear". Hmmm. I got a One Planet WBA for an extended walk that ended up being a lot shorter and to a different place. Could have used the Shadow, which seems to be a lot tougher (apart from those dinky little elastic side pockets that soon disappeared) but thought that I better use the new pack. Very comfortable. Good capacity. But it does need taking care of. It got a 20 mm (bit less than an inch for the oldies) tear when I sat down on some rocks for a break and inadvertantly snagged the far back on one of the rocks. It did cross my mind at the time that the pack might have rubbed a couple of inches (50 mm for the youngsters) across some rocks but I didn't know about the hole until ILUVSWTAS pointed it out a little bit later on. I intend to get it repaired and will use it when the Shadow isn't quite big enough.

[Nuts]

Thanks MJD, must have been a bit disappointing. Even though toughness wasnt the priority, perhaps slightly heavier canvas would be worth the weight. Im pretty light on gear but snags and tears like that are so easy to do. Should be an easy enough repair though. OP, being a forum member will/should likely be interested. Cheers

PS Not sure if you have older models, they all (shadow, wba, umbra) seem to be made from the same 200gsm canvas? Also, the umbra is the smallest of the three?

[MJD]

Nuts - good point. These packs are now all made from the 200gsm canvas. My Shadow is a couple of years old and made with slightly heavier material. Can't remember what the specifications were.

[Empacitator]

I bought a GG Gorilla as my first and only light weight pack, after using my fantastic Deuter 55+10 pack for years (very comfy, heavy).

Can't fault it at all. Extremely light and it doesn't feel like it's about to fall apart. Plenty big enough for anything I want to put in there. Plus the service I received from Gossamer Gear was extremely good.

If you have any specific questions about the Gorilla I am happy to help

http://gossamergear.com/packs/backpacks ... kpack.html

[cams]

All good information. Thanks. My list has kind of expanded a bit. But also seems to have split into two definite weight ranges. Those around 500 - 600g and those around 1000 - 1200g all with frames. My next step will be to try on an Exos (again) and an umbra since they are the only options I've been able to find locally. I found a shop nearby that has an Umbra in stock for $250. That price sound about right? It's not the sort of shop that is likely to have many sales either. Although post christmas will probably be a pretty good bet to pick up whatever I decide on I think.

[ninjapuppet]

Ive got the exos 58 which my friend totally hates. it was ok when empty but load it up and it didnt seem to move with his back well when he walked. actually 2 of my friends hated it. On the other hand i Love it. mine is 1145 grams.

I just ordered the HMG windrider pack curently on sale 10% off since it seems simple and has what I need to go ultralight: its totally waterproof at 680grams (claimed) with a frame. in january there will be a newer version with ice axe loops and a new compression system. probally for more $$ and weight.

I considered the zpacks version at 210 grams but to add a pack liner to it increased its weight by 50% and it has no frame.
I have a few framless packs from the major UL suppliers and will generally only leave them for day hikes/overnighters. anything above 5kg and i find the few hundred grams for a frame is well worth it.

do you know anything about those McHales LBP????? they are super expensive compared to what you can get in the US. some of their packs cost the same as a hilleberg dome tent!

[cams]

Thanks ninjapuppet. Interesting about the exos. I do like the look of the windrider and as you say the waterproofness is a great feature. Will look forward to seeing your review. Don't much like the look of the zpacks ones. Don't seem to sit very well even on their own models. Guess that's what you get for 210 grams though.

I'm very much interested in the McHale packs but the price is fairly prohibitive. All I know is from what I've read on various forums and from their rather hard to navigate website. Everyone who has one seems to think its the best thing ever. Alot of the UL people seem to turn their nose up at the weight but the basic ones seem to be around the same weight as the exos or Umbra. Not UL but definitely not heavy.

The woven dyneema fabric sounds amazing but you'd want it to be for the premium it adds on top of the base price and I quite like the colour schemes that he comes up with for the custom dyeing. The frames on the bigger ones seem to be fairly unique. The way the load lifters work is interesting in that they don't attach to the shoulder straps. Also the way that the frames can be adjusted for smaller loads. You can basically roll down the top half of the pack I think.

The fitting process is fairly comprehensive too. He sends out a pre-made demo pack after the initial measurements. Then uses your reports and photos taken with it on to make sure the final is right.

Price is probably comparable to the more expensive packs you buy locally though.

[Lindsay]

After searching long and hard on the net I have bought myself a Gossamer Gear Mariposa Plus. Cost $217 all up, including two hip belt pockets and postage. Ordered on Monday, arrived today. I looked at the GG Gorilla but felt it was a little small for me.Fully assembled weight with foam padding inserted and hip belt pockets attatched is 680g. Unfortunately I wont be able to try it out until the New year (early February probably) however I will pack it and have a wander around the yard just to get a feel.

My wife did mention rather pointedly that I had bought a new pack only a year or so ago. I replied that my walking gear is like her shoes, you can never have too many pairs. One up to me!

[cams]

hehe. Yeah. I've bought two this year already :\ Unfortunately my GF dosn't really buy that many shoes and the ones she does buy aren't very expensive so I can't really use that excuse. Very interested to hear your thoughts on the Mariposa Plus.

I'm actually rethinking my options now (again). I had a play with the golite peak again the other night and experimented with the packing a bit. By not using the proper water bladder sleeve it is much more comfortable to carry while full of gear. It may be an option for overnighters afterall. Still going to try on the Umbra and Exos this weekend though.

[cams]

Just updating on my progress if anyone is interested. I tried on an Exos 46 yesterday. Plenty big enough. It clings to the back well (probably even more so than my Aether) but that was kind of what I didn't like about it either. Felt like I was fairly constricted by it. Also looked like this pack could be made a fair bit lighter by using a simpler design while not comprimising on the harness at all (also like the Aether), which kind of annoyed me. It's like they just have to add things to increase the size of the feature list.

Then tried on the Aarn Marathon Magic 30. This was the old model. I did manage to fit all my base gear in it but it was tight and not much room for anything else. However, it was very comfortable and felt like I was carrying pretty much nothing. They didn't have the new MM 33+2.5L which I'm hoping might be a better size. Still thinking about this. The Mountain Magic 44 is an option too. But no one stocks these to try and they won't order them in just to try.

Finally, I tried the OP Umbra this morning. Overall I was very impressed. Water bladder pocket was the best design I've seen. No fuss but very functional compression straps. Simple but functional design. Carried my base gear really well. Started pulling a bit with 12kg loaded. Just wish the waist belt had the extra loops to pull into the middle instead of out. But not a big deal. He would do it for $225. How does this price compare???