UL Backpacks w/ Top "Brain"?

[capehiker]

Hi Folks-

I'm looking for UL backpacks that come with a top panel pocket or "brain", generally found on larger company packs (Osprey, Gregory, etc). It looks like Gossamer Gear has something along those lines, but with not as much storage.

I recently bought an Osprey Talon 44 to use as a day pack/ town errands pack and honestly, have fallen in love with the top loading brain pouch. It's a pinch too small for my hiking needs or else I would be using that. I currently have an Elemental Horizons Kalais, which I love, but am looking for the top portion now. I find it so convenient to keep the things I need for the day, without having to unroll the main compartment and rifle through everything.

Thanks.

[MuddyWaters]

Mountain laurel designs sells a pack lid for UL packs. Add it to their packs or any.

http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com...products_id=95

Chris zimmer will make you wnatever you want so will joe @ zpacks.

[Vegan Packer]

ZPacks makes a multipack.

[Venchka]

Who makes up this stuff? Hey?
I own a Dana Design ArcFlex Terraplane back pack with a floating top pocket that converts to a lumbar pack. It is large enough to hold a 1 liter Platypus bottle and tube to my mouth.
Is that what you're looking for?
Try Zimmerbuilt online for a custom pack. Or Mystery Ranch for the current evolution of my Terraplane.

Wayne


Sent from somewhere around here.

[Venchka]

Ps: I underestimated the capacity of my top pocket.
It is more than big enough to hold my rain gear, snacks, etc. The water bottle is outside the pocket under a strap.
Dan McHale makes removable top pockets.

Wayne


Sent from somewhere around here.

[capehiker]

Thanks for the replies. I'm considering Zimmerbuilt. It seems like a logical choice since I want features from different style packs.

[ekeverette]

I love my brain...... Keep all my get to quick stuff in there. osprey 70, I love it.

[Venchka]

I love my brain too. I keep all my get to quick information in it.
I use my floating top pocket to hold my get to quick gear. I also use my fixed real external pockets for things that I want to find quickly. Stove. Fuel. Cook kit. Tent. Clean clothes.
Raise your hand if you remember external pockets on backpacks.

Wayne


Sent from somewhere around here.

[George]

Who makes up this stuff? Hey?
Or Mystery Ranch for the current evolution of my Terraplane.

Wayne


Sent from somewhere around here.

mystery ranch packs on the lw forum - this is so wrong - what is next, lead filled toothbrushes with extended handles ?

[Kaptainkriz]

That is good to know, I may need to have a couple side pockets made for a pack I'm messing with.

Mountain laurel designs sells a pack lid for UL packs. Add it to their packs or any.

http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com...products_id=95

Chris zimmer will make you wnatever you want so will joe @ zpacks.

[Venchka]

mystery ranch packs on the lw forum - this is so wrong - what is next, lead filled toothbrushes with extended handles ?

When the UL crowd stops inventing dumb new names for traditional gear, I might stop mentioning working solutions for some of Y'alls problems.
I also didn't make up any ludicrous items that no one in their right mind would consider carrying on their back.
Get a grip.

Wayne


Sent from somewhere around here.

[George]

I try to always keep a firm grip on humor

[Venchka]

There you go.
I lost sight of the humor. I should not get online after an all day drive in the rain.
Cheers.

Wayne


Sent from somewhere around here.

[andyg]

The Talon 44 is too small? Volume wise or weight carry capacity?

[capehiker]

The Talon 44 is too small? Volume wise or weight carry capacity?

Volume wise. My base pack weight is 12.5 pounds. My Duplex takes up a third of the volume. For an overnighter, it's fine, but if I want to do 3 or more days, I can't fit the food in.

[andyg]

Volume wise. My base pack weight is 12.5 pounds. My Duplex takes up a third of the volume. For an overnighter, it's fine, but if I want to do 3 or more days, I can't fit the food in.

I was able to get 3 days of food and a 3 season kit into an Talon 33, but it made it ride weird and it was awkward. I went to an Exos 58 and it's almost too big, was thinking of going to an Exos 48, I like the brain too but hike without it on the 58, just too much volume.

I really like the Exos 58. I think it's 2.5 lbs, but it's very comfortable even up to 30lbs. My base is around 15.

[Just Bill]

I was able to get 3 days of food and a 3 season kit into an Talon 33, but it made it ride weird and it was awkward. I went to an Exos 58 and it's almost too big, was thinking of going to an Exos 48, I like the brain too but hike without it on the 58, just too much volume.

I really like the Exos 58. I think it's 2.5 lbs, but it's very comfortable even up to 30lbs. My base is around 15.

If you liked the talon, I'd second the recommendation for the Exos series. It's ounces difference to go from the talon 44 to say an Exos 48 and it will have all the features you're looking for. Other than those imbecilic hip pockets it's a pretty nice commercial pack and comes in a few bigger volumes as well. I put 50lbs in it and wore it around the store for an hour or better- the butterfly hip frame is a bit too narrow for me, but for an off the shelf pack it's pretty nice overall.

[capehiker]

Yeah- the lower side pockets on the Osprey packs are horrendous. I can't believe they have survived a few renditions. With that being said, I do love my Talon for day trips and I do like the Osprey Exos 48.

If the Gossamer Gear Mariposa had a bigger brain, instead of a small sleeve, I would snatch that up real quick. It has all the other features I look for (2 pockets on one side, tall pocket on the other).

[Venchka]

I just pulled the rigger/slapped plastic/ordered a Boreas Lost Coast/60 liter/Monterey Grey backpack.
The top pocket/lid/Brain is removable. I don't think the young lady will arrive with the pack.



http://www.boreasgear.com/collection...onterey-grey-1

Oh, by the way, 40% off for email newsletter folks sealed the deal.
Cutting my backpack weight more than 50%. Priceless!

Cheers, Y'all!

Wayne

[Casey & Gina]

mystery ranch packs on the lw forum - this is so wrong - what is next, lead filled toothbrushes with extended handles ?

image.jpeg

...just needs a hole bored down the center and a lead rod glued in...