Hi everyone! I recently bought the Fanatic Fringe pack for my thru hike this 08; season. made the desiscion based on several influences I'm wondering now if I should have followed through with! It's a top loading pack with three pockets. This is it. I've had several friends use them on the PCT and CDT with great success so I figured the AT was no different. AM I wrong? It has a hip belt, but no sternum strap, it fits funny because of this and it concerns me. Does anyone have any expereicnes with this pack? My goal is to be 20 lbs or less once fully loaded. I know this sounds like a dumb question but due to the dimensions of what I'm carrying and this pack, I'll have everything in little stuff sacks - normal? I'm so used to having a pack with a ton of pockets to put crap in. So even packing it up is different than what I'm used to. ANyone have anything to share on the topic?

Didn't you start this exact same thread yesterday? What's up with the duplicate?!! :confused:

Look into the MLD Zip pack as well, its 10oz with a winged mesh hip-belt and a Sternum Strap.
The back panel is made from Dyneem? Grid-Stop nylon, so it should be a little more robust, compared to the Fanatic Fringe pack.

I won't have my MLD Zip pack, until late August, so I can't comment any further. I'll let you know what I think of it, once I finally get my hands on it.

There's a current AT hiker using the MLD Zip pack, (1,100 mile mark) and I believe the only issue's he's had were a few of the small side compression loops pulling out. But, changes have already been made to the packs currently being made.

Check out www.backpackinglight.com (http://www.backpackinglight.com) for reviews on the F.F. pack as well as many other packs. Threre is also reader reviews available too.

Didn't you start this exact same thread yesterday? What's up with the duplicate?!! :confused:

AHah I did!! Sorry - just thought I'd ask peeps in this forum. :cool:

Sounds great - let me know how everything goes!! This is my pack now, I mean I bought it, so I'll have to dig my own grave accordingly hahaahaah - I can always switch something out at a resupply but rather not you know?

Respect the weight limit on that pack. They mean it. I tried to take mine on a 2.5 week hike in vermont but was carrying almost 30 pounds. The stitches started coming apart in several places.

I'll have everything in little stuff sacks - normal? I'm so used to having a pack with a ton of pockets to put crap in. So even packing it up is different than what I'm used to. ANyone have anything to share on the topic?

Using stuff sacks is more than just "normal" when using this type of pack- it is darn near essential in order to stay organized and to be able to find what you need. The stuff sacks also help keep things dry.

Thank you so much!! The weight limit is up to 20 lbs fully loaded, I can handle this, I just have to completley re-think everything I ever knew about lightweight backpacking. I have a feeling I'll be changing it out at trail days. Let's hope it lasts that long!