View Full Version : Nimbus Ozone
I'm thinking about buying a nimbus ozone very soon (since my parents are willing to foot the bill for christmas).
Does anyone have any experience with the pack?
The Nimbus Ozone is an awesome pack. It's a top loader only, so it might be a little bit of a hassle to have to dig down for what you want inside the pack....... But mine has held up great, and I really like its' empty weight... You'll garner many differing opinions, but I wouldn't own anything else.
Scott
I have the Ozone and think it's a great pack. I found the size to be perfect for a week's supplies. You can get these on sale-the list price is $200, I got mine on sale at EMS for $160--you need to shop around. Also, buy it from an outfitter that has a good return policy. REI and EMS are money back if you don't like it.
My first pack was a Gregory Shasta-but at over 6#, it's just to heavy.
Try it to be sure it works for you. Good reviews from others doesn't mean the pack will fit YOU.
shades of blue
12-06-2005, 07:47
Love my nimbus ozone. I had some problems with a tear after Mahoosuc notch. The company replaced the pack free! Here is another thread on the Ozone.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3235&highlight=nimbus+ozone
Thanks a lot for all of the good reviews.
As far as the return policy goes- If I buy it, it will be from New England Backpacker and not from REI or EMS. I like to support the little guy even if it ends up costing a bit more. So I'm not sure how their return policy is.
Hopefully I won't have any problems
hikerjohnd
12-06-2005, 09:53
I like to support the little guy even if it ends up costing a bit more. So I'm not sure how their return policy is.
Hopefully I won't have any problems
But if you do have problems with the little guy, rest assured that GG will stand behind their product. The Ozone is a very popular pack for a reason!
tlbj6142
12-06-2005, 11:01
I use my for a "Dad the packmule" pack and for winter trips. Its a great pack. If you have an issue with pockets, you can always get the top-lid (more like a flap) add-on.
A local store had them on sale for $119 a couple of weeks ago. They must have had 5-8 in stock.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=11198
Kerosene
12-06-2005, 15:12
I recommend going with The Lid (http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/accessdetail.cfm?PRODUCTS__ProductID=GG350). At 2 ounces it provides a place to put items you need to readily access but want to keep zipped up. My only suggestion for improvement would be to put a hook in there where I could securely attach my car keys and wallet.
Yeah I think I'll probably get the lid. It seems like its worth the twenty bucks.
Wow $119? Thats awesome. Too bad I don't live out that way.
tlbj6142
12-06-2005, 17:47
Wow $119? Thats awesome. Too bad I don't live out that way.If you know your size, give them a call. They might ship it.
You can deal with GG directly to swap out hipbelts and shoulderstraps for free (other than your shipping cost).
Thats very tempting.
Thanks a lot for the info!
anneandbenhike
12-07-2005, 19:26
I have had this pack for 2+ years and it is great. I have used it on several long hikes, including a three week section this fall and it was plenty big enough for everything I needed. I own the lid and definitely recommend it for all those little things that used to sink to the bottom of the pack! Granite Gear has been great, swapping out shoulder straps (for Women's) and the belt which was too big. They did it at Trail Days for me. Can't say enough ggod things about the GG people!
Just a question for anyone who has the ozone- What other gear do you use with the bag? especially your tent.
I'm looking into various possible shelters and was just wondering what fits well with the bag.
tlbj6142
12-07-2005, 21:40
Just a question for anyone who has the ozone- What other gear do you use with the bag? especially your tent.
I'm looking into various possible shelters and was just wondering what fits well with the bag.I put gear for 3 (me plus 2 young kids) in my pack. That includes 3 sleeping bags, my clothes, my pad (prolite 3 S), cookware/fuel, food (three days for the 3 of us) and misc gear (first aid, head lamps, etc.) all inside. Outside I strap a 40"x60"x0.25" pad rolled up vertically and my 3+ person 2# home made tarptent-like shelter in a stuff sack (6"dia x 13") across the top. In the outside pockets, I put water treatment/tp/handgel, hat, wind shirt, 1L softsided Nalgene Cantene and a 2L softsided Nalgene Cantene.
And, on more than one occasion I have carried one of my children's pack (their extra clothes, mess kit, "blanket", BMW Torso light pad) lashed across the top.
Kerosene
12-08-2005, 10:29
I use either a Hennessey Backpacker A-sym Hammock (http://www.hennessyhammock.com/catalogue.htm) or the Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo (http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=36) tent, either of which fits nicely inside but you could lash the tent to the outside if desired.
I usually bring either my Western Mountaineering Ultralite 20F (http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=Products&page=Sleeping%20Bags&cat=ExtremeLite%20Series&viewpost=2&ContentId=17) or the WM Highlite 35F (http://www.westernmountaineering.com/index.cfm?section=Products&page=Sleeping%20Bags&cat=ExtremeLite%20Series&viewpost=2&ContentId=16), packed on the bottom just above a folded TorsoLite Sleeping Pad (http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/torsolite_inflatable_sleeping_pad.html).
Add a small clothes bag, Frogg Toggs (http://www.froggtoggs.com/original.htm), a lightweight fleece sweater, two 1L Nalgene Cantenes in the side pockets, small ditty bags for first aid, foot care, toiletries, and camp necessities. I have taken to attaching my Crocs or sandals to the outside of the bag using a lightweight caribiner.
The food bag is probably the most frustrating item to pack, since it grows and shrinks. I've taken to dumping into a large sil-nyl stuff sack that I can hang upside down with a caribiner attached to the webbing on the bottom.
anneandbenhike
12-08-2005, 16:14
We use a Tarptent Squall 2 attached to the center outside. I put my hydration pack between the lid and the top of the pack. We use one 45 Degree Western Mountaineering Mitylite for use over the top of us (it fits really well across the bottom of the Ozone (three season) and put a 3/4 Prolite 4 pad inside the pack. Various clothes and rain gear are inside. I agree with previous post that food is a problem for weight and bulk but I try to pack it in two separate bags and always have it inside my pack. Waldies are attached from the outside with a mini-'biner and maps go in one of the side pockets. The other side pocket is for whatever...extra bandana, socks which are drying. The only complaint I have is that the lower compression straps are too short. My comfort item is a crazy creek chair which goes under my feet in the tent after use for meals, etc. and the bottom strap is really tight around this item which I carry on the outside!
anneandbenhike
12-08-2005, 16:21
Oops..forgot to talk about what I put in the lid...TP, hand wash gel, sunblock, lip gloss, extra snacks, pack cover (it is really small!), and the tiny Eagle Creek sil nylon "wallet" which I bought at Trail Days last year. It hooks to the hook inside the lid and has my driver's license, credit card, a little cash, and for when we went into Canada in Glacier National Park this fall, a passport, which will be mandatory soon for going to Canada.
thanks for all of the info! :D
I've been looking into the Hennessy Hammock after so many recomendations. I've always thought it was pretty cool but never took it seriously until recently. I think I'll give it a try.
Kerosene
12-09-2005, 11:41
I've been looking into the Hennessy Hammock after so many recomendations.Just make sure that you've got the right setup to work below 50F, and test that setup to make sure it works for you. Hammocks are a lot more comfortable than sleeping on the ground, but I think that the solution gets increasingly complicated as you consider using for colder temperatures.
What do you do for sleeping below 50 degrees in your hammock? I was just thinking a warm sleeping bag and a pad underneath me
Kerosene
12-09-2005, 17:31
Below 50 degrees you will want to make sure that you have sufficient insulation between you and the outside air. Anywhere your sleeping bag is pressing against the side will reduce loft and create a cold spot.
A pad is your first line of defense, ideally somewhat wider than your bag and shoulders since the hammock will wrap around you somewhat. With lower temperatures you need more insulation. A lot of folks like one of the Jacks 'R' Better (http://www.jacksrbetter.com/index_files/Products%20List.htm) underquilts that slings below the hammock itself, using a down quilt and avoid a pad altogether. Hennessey has a 4-season solution called the SuperShelter (http://www.hennessyhammock.com/new-products.htm) that is specifically engineered for some of his models. As you explore and evaluate, I encourage you to post your questions as there are an increasing number of experienced cold weather hammockers on this site.
Thanks for you help. As soon as I get one I'll start experimenting and let you know what I find.
For solutions galore you only need to goto the Hammock Camping thread at this website! I bought the Ozone for winter hiking and had it so full of stuff,I had to add extensions straps to get the top closed. If you use a thermarest, don't bag it but fold it so that it fits against your back on the inside of the pack. Ths straps and "flaps" on the back make it easier to lash on snowshoes, and one can weave crampon bags through the side compression straps. Come srping/summer, I switch to frameless packs like other choices of Granite Gear Packs. The Outfitters in Harper's Ferry carries them becasue of their popularity with thru-hikers.
http://community.webshots.com/album/249133634FeJSmb
http://community.webshots.com/album/250513150DVoSgF (my pack did not come with a set up for an internal platypus, now the packs do)
Thanks for the pictures and the advice.
SO, I bought a Nimbus Ozone today and it seems great. New England Backpacker was great- they fitted it to me and wouldn't let me buy it till I was 100% sure it was the right pack for me. Great people there.
They loaded it up with 20, then 30, then 40 pounds and the pack felt great. When I got home I held the Ozone up and my old pack up and the weight difference is incredible. Then I loaded up all of my current gear in it and everything fits in great. For winter hiking I'll probably have to use some of the top sleeve but I mostly go hiking in the other three seasons anyway.
To all of you who own an Ozone: How do you prefer to carry water? Hydration bladder or Nalgenes (or whatever else).
I use the 2 liter hydration bladder because the hydration tube is easy to access. I find it difficult to get the bottles out of the side pouches without stopping.
Some put the bladder on top instead of using the sleve-easier to refil this way.
With the tube hydration system you can drink while you hike. No need to remove your pack or fumble around for a bottle. Platypus makes an adapter so that you can attach a water filter tube directly to the bladder. (You can also do the same with a nalgene bottle) Take along a spare screw-on top. So you can use the bladder as your water holder while at camp and leave the tube in your pack. The coantainer itself is also lighter than an empty nalgene bottle. The nalgene bottle does have advantages in winter. It is a good container for hot water, and a wider nmouth is easier if the water has frozen.
Another add on is a cover for the mouth piece. When you swing your pack to the ground, the tube often gets there first.
Good post Rambler.
I forgot one really great advantage in the warmer months. Jusy lay the bladder in the sun, and in a few hours you have hot--well maybe just warm--water for a shower.
tlbj6142
12-12-2005, 23:46
I'm not a fan of bladders. I just don't drink enough when using them. I sip all day, but still end up with too much left over. I think its partly because I can't see how much is left so as to pace myself.
Frankly, I am not bothered by taking my pack off to drink. So, I use two soft side bottles to carry water (usually 2 1L plattys and a small 16oz juice bottle [mainly used as a water scoop]). And just make it a habbit to stop every hour for 10 minutes to take a drink and air out my feet.
Kerosene
12-13-2005, 00:07
I bought a 1L soft-sided Nalgene Cantene (http://www.backcountrygear.com/catalog/accessdetail.cfm?PRODUCTS__ProductID=NA1100) (2 oz) and a hydration tube (http://www.wildernessdining.com/as703012.html). The Cantene goes upside down in a side pocket and the tube clips to my pack strap. So, it functions just like a bladder except that I don't run the risk of the bladder leaking into my pack (I had a back experience with a Platypus Big Zip long ago). I usually put a second Cantene in the other pocket, but I tend to carry a lot of water ever since I ran out one warm afternoon.
Interesting. Yeah I have a 2l camelback hydration bladder and its seems pretty tough. It would be terrible if it leaked into my pack.
I still like Nalgene bottles.
Well I have plenty of time to experiment
Kerosene
12-13-2005, 10:59
I think the Camelbak screwtops offer a better solution, as long as the bladder isn't inadvertently punctured somehow.
Cheesewhiz
12-13-2005, 19:27
I use a 2L nalgene bladder but I cut out the sleeve and daisy chain in my nimbus ozone because I find it easier to just lay my bladder on the top of my pack but on the outside of my pack liner which is goose necked over so if it does leak it does not get everything wet. This is easier I think because every time I used to refill on H20 I had to remove half my packs contents now I remove nothing.