Best backpack for a thru hike? ULA,GG,Osprey?

[nc1100c]

I'm considering the following packs. Just wanted to know what experiences people has had with each and what would be a good choice.
1. ULA Catalyst
2. Osprey aether 60
3. Granite Gear Ozone
Or would you recommend any other packs?

[Cheesewhiz]

I switched from a ULA P2 to a Granite gear Ozone for my thru this year and I am super happy with my decision.

[nc1100c]

Two more packs I have thought about are the ULA circuit and the osprey atmos 50. Arer they bid enough for a through hike?

[bigcranky]

I used an Aether 60 for several years, and sold it in favor of a Six Moons Designs Starlite. The Aether 60 is a great pack, and the new model has some definite improvements over my older model. Osprey improved the hip belt stiffness, so it will support a larger load, they improved the outside pockets, and they added an inside pocket for a water bladder (I think). The only downside is now it weighs more like 4 pounds empty. You should probably buy it at an outfitter, since the hip belt needs to be custom molded to your own personal hips. The outfitter has the little oven in which to cook it.

I was looking at ULA packs in Damascus this afternoon (Mt Rogers Outfitters stocks them.) I looked at the Circuit, which is 3200 cubic inches, with a hoop frame made of some sort of composite. My quick impression is that this is a great long-distance hiking pack. It has plenty of room for a lightweight kit, and terrific outside mesh pockets. The suspension felt like it ought to handle 30-ish pounds pretty well, and the whole thing weighed 2 pounds empty. I didn't look at the Catalyst.

I really like my Starlite. I think if you search WB you will find some comments I made in a thread on "packs that use your sleeping pad for the frame" or something like that. The Starlite will handle 30-35 pounds, weighs about 1.5 pounds (plus 4 ounces for the optional alumnium stays, which I always use). But, the pack is really made for larger people. It's adjustable, but from big to bigger <g>.

If you are willing to look at packs from larger companies, you might check out the new model Gregory G Pack. My lovely wife tried one this spring. The pack is well-designed for LD hiking with a light or ultralight kit, though at <3 pounds the pack isn't really ultralight itself. She ended up sending it back because the suspension just didn't fit quite right.

Oh, and what did she end up with? The women's version of the Aether 60, which is called the Ariel 55. So we're back to square one. Great pack, gets its maiden voyage on the Trail near Erwin this weekend.

Good luck.

[bulldog49]

Two more packs I have thought about are the ULA circuit and the osprey atmos 50. Arer they bid enough for a through hike?


I have the Atmos 50 and it is big enough for a thru hike. I've made a number of 7 day solo trips with no resupply with no problem. It is a very comfortable pack with plenty of outside pockets, which I like. Carries up to 35 lbs comfortably.

[rumbler]

It's going to be on your back for a heck of a long time, so make sure it's comfortable.

[DGrav]

The Atmos 50 is the best pack I have ever owned. Plenty of room for a trough hike.

[bearbag hanger]

I have a ULA Circuit and it has served me well on two week long trips. At first I thought it was going to be a little too small, but it's been OK. I don't like the way the nylon shoulder straps keep coming off the padding, but otherwise it has been OK. If you order one, you should have them sew a line down the middle of the shoulder strap and padding, or something. I generally carry about 30 lbs, but have had as much as 34 lbs in it. That's about the upper limit.

[Big Dawg]

another shout out for the Atmos 50!!!

[D'Artagnan]

Let me qualify this by stating at the outset that I'm not a Thru-Hiker, but I have an Atmos 50 and I love it. In my experience, it's better if you have a smaller (more compact) sleeping bag.

[bigcranky]

Packs in the 50-liter range are certainly large enough for a thru-hike. I'd like to mention, though, that this only works if you have light or ultralight gear to put in such packs. If you are carrying a traditional kit -- 2-person double wall tent, 20-F synthetic sleeping bag, Whisperlight stove with the quart fuel bottle, 2 big cooking pots, huge Thermarest, etc. -- you'll have a hard time fitting it in the pack. Plus, the suspension system of the pack may be uncomfortable with such a load.

This comes back to the advice mentioned in many threads here on WB -- buy the pack last. And if you are downsizing your gear from traditional to light or UL, don't start with the pack! Get everything else small and light first, then buy the pack that fits your gear.

[karo]

I bought my Granite Gear Vapor Trail last year. I had heard that lots of thru hikers used this pack. I plan on using it on my thru hike even tho it has some wear on it. I hope it will keep my pack weight in the 20-30 lb range.

[Jack Tarlin]

I have met dozens of hikers over the last few years that have hiked with the Aether 60 (and more recently, the Atmos 50). In many cases, I sold the hikers these packs early in their trips, and then encountered these hikers months, and hundreds of miles later.

I cannot remember anyone who was unhappy with either pack.

[ARambler]

A little too early for a full review, but I recommend the ULA Catalyst. I have used it for 11 nights, 10 nights with 40 to 50 lb. I carried 3 gallons of water to West Mountain shelter in NY and up to 50 lb including a 20 lb bear canister for 9 nights in AK. (yeah, there was some food in the canister, but I swear the pack was heavier on the last day with a soaking tent and clothes than the first day.)

I see why the maximum load rating is only 40 lb, but I was able to lug more. (I got the option with stays) For the majority of hikers who start before April, you want to make sure you drop those extra clothes because you can not because your pack makes you.
Rambler

[headchange4u]

I opted for the Opsrey Aether 70 over the 60. I picked the 70 because of the slightly larger size of the pack and it has a tent compartment on the bottom whereas the 60 doesn't. I don't seperate the tent compartment from the rest of the pack because I like to be able to get at my gear from both ends of the pack and that was my main reason for wanting a tent compartment.

Opsreys are great packs and you really can't go wrong with any of them.
They are very comfortable. I have been looking at an ULA pack for trips where I don't need to carry as much.

[Ridge]

Packs are like Boots, they all fit a little differently, whatever feels and fits the best, is the best (for you).

[RITBlake]

Packs are like Boots, they all fit a little differently, whatever feels and fits the best, is the best (for you).

I was just going to write the same thing. That's the best advice given so far. You've listed four reputable and well made packs. Now you've got to get to an outfitter and see which you like best.

[Ridge]

I was just going to write the same thing. That's the best advice given so far. You've listed four reputable and well made packs. Now you've got to get to an outfitter and see which you like best.

I'd also recommend going to flee markets or yard sales, sometimes a used or broken-in pack at 1/10th the cost feels simply wonderful, if for no other reason than the cheap price. You may even know someone with a pack who might just give it too you. The closets and attics across the land are full of hiking and camping gear.

[dloome]

GoLite Jam, Osprey Atmos 35, Granite Gear Vapor Trail. They all have enough volume for a thru if you keep it simple, all have a great combination of lightweight and comfort. I used the Jam.

Osprey Atmos 50 is another awesome pack if you need the volume.

[Heater]

I'm considering the following packs. Just wanted to know what experiences people has had with each and what would be a good choice.
1. ULA Catalyst
2. Osprey aether 60
3. Granite Gear Ozone
Or would you recommend any other packs?

You just listed the packs I was looking at in the order of interest I had in them. I almost bought the Aether 60 but decided on the catalyst. Being able to try out the Aether as opposed to buying the Catalyst just by sight and reviews is a hard thing to do.

[Footslogger]

Off the packs mentioned I hiked with the Osprey and the GG. In the end I opted to stay with the Granite Gear Vapor Trail and I hike with that pack to this day. No pack it perfect and there are things I would change about the Vapor Trail but from my experience it has everything you need and nothing you don't. It is one of those examples of elegant simplicity.

'Slogger

[shades of blue]

I hiked from PA to ME with my GG nimbus ozone. It's larger than the vapor trail, but for me it was a good step from my huge North Face pack down. GG is a great company and if you have any problems, they will work with you on the trail. I hope to get down to a vapor trail, and many hikers do, but the ozone is definately a great pack.

[stranger]

When deciding on a pack I would recommend looking at the whole picture. So many times people tend to base their decision on things like volume, weight and features...with little thought on fit, suspension, durability, etc..

Volume is important because you don't want to have gear strapped to the outside of a pack if you can help it, all packs work better full and compressed with nothing outside. So be careful not too buy something too small using wishful thinking and end up strapping crap all over the outside.

In my opinion, the weight of an empty pack is not as important as some would lead you to believe, and many people would disagree with this who don't truly understand the science behind pack design. The reality is that once a pack hits a certain weight you will need an adequate suspension to carry that weight effectively. So if your total pack weight is say 30lbs, including food and water, a frameless pack will not support this weight correctly and will also result in a poor fit. So in other words, carring 30lbs of gear in a 20oz pack can potentially be more fatiguing that carrying 30lbs in a 4lb pack that carries the weight efficiently, putting the vast majority of your weight on the lumber and hips as opposed to your shoulders and spine. Your legs are much more efficient at carrying weight than your shoulders. This rule generally does not apply once you get into the lighter loads of say 15-20lbs, but use your own judgement...everyone is different obviously.

Features don't mean much if you hate your pack and it rides like crap so I wouldn't worry too much about features other than compression. Compression straps are absolutely essential to a pack, as well as the location of them. Osprey is a good example of great compression designs in recent years.

Most hikers don't know how to fit a pack, and a good amount of salespeople as well, so buyer beware. Even if the pack is fit correctly, you must know how to put a pack on correctly...believe it or not there is a process. Your pack instructions should clearly set this process out, and it does make a huge difference in my opinion. Once you have this process down, it takes a matter of seconds to do each time, so it's no drama.

Suspension is very important if you are carrying moderate weight on your back. I would recommend looking very strongly at your pack's suspension if you plan on carrying loads over 25lbs total (including food and water). If you can get down in the teens it's questionable if a suspension is needed. Some can get by with nothing or just a foam pad...some will need a stay for proper lumbar support.

Durability is obviously an issue and the comments made earlier in this forum are probably more helpful than I can offer. Good rule of thumb, the lighter the fabric the easier it is for a stitch to pull out. Ultralight packs are built for ultralight loads...you will know if you exceed this when your pack blows out.

Good luck

[JJB]

I will second everything that everyone has said so far and put a vote in for the Osprey Atmos 50. I have about twenty days on the trail this year with one. Great pack!!! Fits like a glove and rides like a dream. It does has it limits. Around 35lbs it kind of craps out but kept fairly light and it rocks!!!
It is light and has enough techy things to keep the geek in me happy. I was looking at the G.G. Vapor Trail but made the "mistake" of trying the Atmos with the same weight that I just had in the V.T. and it disapeared. That realy is no B.S. I had to ask the person that was helping if they had put the same weight bags in or not. Realy didn't want to spend that much but now glad that I did. Peace. J.B.