got everything but the pack!

[snickerssave]

i am just curious to see what everyone feels is the best pack for me.. i have all the other gear and i would like to get a pack i can use for my 07 thru hike of the AT. this summer i am going to be hiking the Northville-Placid trail in the Adirondacks, the Long Trail in Vermont and some of the Finger Lakes Trail and a section of the North Country Trail. Along with some of these hikes i am going to be finishing my ADK 46. so here is the gear i have so far and would like to get some input as to what pack i should get.....

marmot hydrogen sleeping bag
oware tarp (6x8)
vargo stakes
equinox bivy sack
ridge rest sleep pad (short) cut down
snow peak 600ml mug
homemade stove windscreen/pot stand
polar max silk weight top and bottom
marmot precip jacket
2 pairs smartwool trail runner
photon light

and a bunch of other odds and ends, not all my clothing or my first aid kit are on here, but alot of the clothing is subject to change whether i am backpacking or thru-hiking. so any first hand experience with some good lighweight packs would be appreciated. thanks guys

p@uL

[Whistler]

Your gear list is very similar to mine, and I'm in love with my GoLite Jam. 21oz off the shelf. I trimmed mine down to 16.5 after learning what I wanted to keep and don't want [straps, sleeves, etc]. I've gotten a comfortable carry up to 25lbs, but never needed more than that. It's also really, really durable for the weight, so I think it could suit you well on those trails you mentioned.

If I were going to buy an additional pack for similar purpose... I would go with one of the smaller ones from ULA, an Aarn Liquid Agility, or a Six Moon Designs Essence. None of which have I tried, but I'm quite intrigued by all of them.

But yeah, the Jam is great.
-Mark

[g8trh8tr]

Take a look at the Gossamer Gear packs. I have the G4 and like it alot.

[verber]

There are lots of choices given your small load. You are in the range (weight / volume) that a frameless pack might work for you... especially since you are using a closed cell foam pad. I would take a serious look at the Gossamer Gear and Six Moon Designs packs. There are a lot of people who love these packs. They are light-weight, have good features, and carry better than most frameless packs. I keep hoping I will find one of these packs which is just right for me, but I keep going back to...

My favorite pack is still the Granite Gear Vapor Trail. Downsides are that it is not the most convienant pack to use (side pockets are tight and the extension collar gets in the way) and it's heavier than the packs listed above. On the good side, 1lb extra (2lbs total) gives me the the most comfortable pack I have carried for weights under 25-30lbs and it's a great size for me on trips 3-10 days.

One other pack would be the recently discounted Mountainsmith Ghost. 2lbs, 3000ci, carries up to around 28lbs comfortably, Panel loading, very durable fabric. Somewhat reviews on carry comfort (some people think it's ok, most seem to rate it close to but not quite as good as the vapor trail, some people think it's great).

If you have lots of cash I would checkout McHale Packs because everyone who has used them raves about them, but I have no personal experience with Dan's packs.

[vipahman]

Golite Jam (21 oz) for the 20-25 lbs range and Golite Dawn (14 oz) for the 13-18 lbs range. I've used the Jam upto 23 lbs and it works great. Just bought the Dawn for my wife so I can't comment on it but if it's anything like the Jam, I'm a happy camper.

The Jam is going for only $69 on Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8721315238&category=36111

Also check out post# 56 on sub-pound backpacks below for a comprehensive list.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=11964&page=3

[Fiddler]

so here is the gear i have so far and would like to get some input as to what pack i should get.....

and a bunch of other odds and ends, not all my clothing or my first aid kit are on here, but alot of the clothing is subject to change

I am not as experienced as some here, but this is my suggestion. Get everything you will be taking on the thru, add regular clothing to make up the volume your trail clothing will occupy, food items to approximate the volume and weight of your intended normal food supply, the odds and ends, in short everything (at least comparable weight and volume) you will be taking on the trail. Take all to an outfitters store where they will let you pack different packs and carry them around the store a little to see how a certain pack fits on your body and feels on your back. A good outfitter will do this, and they can also be a big help getting the pack adjusted best for your body. Also be sure they have a good return policy in case for some reason it doesn't turn out right after a week or two of actual use.

[vipahman]

Volume of a cylinder = Pi times radius squared times length.
V = 3.14 x r x r x l

So for a 7" x 15" stuff sack,
V = 3.14 x 3.5 x 3.5 x 15 = 577 ci

This helps estimate pack sizing in terms of main body volume if you are shopping over the internet and cannot actually size the product in a store.

[dstenberg1]

Check out the Six Moon Designs Essence pack that is going to be available again in March. I have mine on backorder and cannot wait until it gets to me. It has some awesome features and is designed for ultralight hiking at 13 ounces.

www.sixmoondesigns.com

[neo]

i am just curious to see what everyone feels is the best pack for me.. i have all the other gear and i would like to get a pack i can use for my 07 thru hike of the AT. this summer i am going to be hiking the Northville-Placid trail in the Adirondacks, the Long Trail in Vermont and some of the Finger Lakes Trail and a section of the North Country Trail. Along with some of these hikes i am going to be finishing my ADK 46. so here is the gear i have so far and would like to get some input as to what pack i should get.....

marmot hydrogen sleeping bag
oware tarp (6x8)
vargo stakes
equinox bivy sack
ridge rest sleep pad (short) cut down
snow peak 600ml mug
homemade stove windscreen/pot stand
polar max silk weight top and bottom
marmot precip jacket
2 pairs smartwool trail runner
photon light

and a bunch of other odds and ends, not all my clothing or my first aid kit are on here, but alot of the clothing is subject to change whether i am backpacking or thru-hiking. so any first hand experience with some good lighweight packs would be appreciated. thanks guys

p@uL

i love this pack mine weighs 9.2 oz:cool:


http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=8074&original=1&c=member&imageuser=3462




http://www.fanaticfringe.com/page5.html

[Pacific Tortuga]

Volume of a cylinder = Pi times radius squared times length.
V = 3.14 x r x r x l

So for a 7" x 15" stuff sack,
V = 3.14 x 3.5 x 3.5 x 15 = 577 ci

This helps estimate pack sizing in terms of main body volume if you are shopping over the internet and cannot actually size the product in a store.

YA! what vipahman said :-?

[Dingle]

ive got a similar load. I use the GoLite Jam pack. 21oz

Dingle

[snickerssave]

thanks for all the help guys..... i ended up going with the golite dawn pack and i just got it in the mail today. i must say it is more than i thought it was going to be. i have packed it and it has plenty of room. i was very worried after i first ordered it in terms of how much volume i would have. i am glad i saved some weight by going with the dawn over the jam......thanks for all the help guys.

p@uL

[vipahman]

Good choice. My wife really likes her Dawn. And I got a decent deal at $60 too.