Ultra light backpack wanted

**kiwihiker** · 08-09-2007, 16:23

Hey there,

I wondering if anyone can point me down the right trail to finding a ultralight backpack? I have a Kelty 3300 which is 3lb 12oz but im thinking i can do better than that. I was looking at the Mariposa plus pack at gossamergear.com. Anyone used one? I need a pack that will handle 30 to 35 pounds, Hydration compatible and to be able to strap a sleeping bag, Bed roll and maybe my tarp to the outside of it. Help would be great!!

**Kerosene** · 08-09-2007, 16:45

Note that you may not want to rely on a sub-2 pound pack if you need to carry 35 pounds total weight, as the suspensions on the lighter packs tend to not carry heavier loads all that well.

I can recommend the Granite Gear Nimbus line of packs, which range from 3 to 3.5 pounds and meet your criteria (although you will probably want to put your down bag and sleeping pad inside the pack, lashing your shelter across the top or back of the pack). If you can get your pack weight down around the 25-pound range then the Vapor line tends to work well.

A number of other WhiteBlaze posters will likely recommend the ULA Circuit and the Moonbow Gearskin, neither of which I have direct experience with but believe could also meet your requirements.

**hopefulhiker** · 08-09-2007, 16:45

You will find out that if you get a really light pack you need to lighten up all the way around.. The granite gear vapor trail is a good choice. Golite and gossamer gear make good stuff.. but I think you need to get under thirty pounds to use these packs..

**Tobit** · 08-09-2007, 16:48

I agree with both Kerosene and HH. You are asking a lot for a lightweight pack. 30 to 35 pounds + strapping all kinds of stuff to it would destroy most packs under 3lbs.

**Hana_Hanger** · 08-09-2007, 18:43

I have the Mariposa Plus it was designed to carry 30 to 35 lbs....but I will say it feels better at 25 to 30 lbs.

Why do you need all of that gear on the outside, it all fits inside the Mariposa with no problems...including a bear canister.

I will say I use the carbon poles included as well as I form my sleeping pad inside for more support. I also have used my chair kit in the back potion to give even more support.

Added: You should check out the web sites that show test reviews on the Mariposa and the Mariposa Plus, plenty of users on those sites...it may help you some.
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/

http://www.backpackinglight.com

**bigcranky** · 08-09-2007, 19:53

Check the Six Moons Designs Starlite. With the two stays it'll carry 35 pounds reasonably well, and it weighs 30 ounces. I've had the '05 model for three years now, and it's my year-round pack. At about 3800 cubic inches it has plenty of room for all the food you'll want to carry out of a town, plus I can fit my winter gear inside.

Backpackinglight has a good review, though you have to be a member to view it.

**greentick** · 08-09-2007, 20:13

I have had 35# in my ULA Circuit (just for training hikes) without any signs of strain. It is a well constructed pack that transfers weight well. Great storage in the exterior pockets and the hipbelt pockets are large. Made in the USA and the owner of the company will respond to any questions you have. It is the best pack I have owned. Previous and other packs include: Gregory Keeler and G-pack, Kelty Moraine, GI Large ALICE pack, GI SPEAR pack, Golite Jam.

**capoken** · 08-13-2007, 02:23

I got a G4 custom made by this guy:

http://www.freewebs.com/litepacks/

I got all the bells and whistles, and had it made out of very tough fabric instead of silnylon. It was not expensive, it's bomb proof, and it weighs 20 oz. You just gotta convert to the G4 style of carrying your gear (no stuff sacks, sleeping bag on the bottom, sleeping pad for the frame). I use my thermarest chair sling instead of adding carbon shafts. I found it was more comfy to use foam inserts in the shoulders and hipbelt at 25 lbs. Under 20 lbs. and maybe you could use the "stuffing" method.

The best part is that it fits like it was MADE for me - which is was!

**SGT Rock** · 08-13-2007, 05:59

If you want to still be able to carry 35 pounds, most ultralight backpacks are going to sag, feel bad, and it will most likely shorten their operating life. There are some ultralight packs that can handel this, but many do not pack the way you describe.

I have a couple of Gearskins and I know they can pack that heigh but they only weigh about 22-28 ounces depending on how you have one made, you just have to get use to how they pack if you go with one.

http://www.moonbowgear.com/1trailgea.../gearskin.html

**Jaybird** · 08-13-2007, 07:25

Originally Posted by hopefulhiker

You will find out that if you get a really light pack you need to lighten up all the way around.. The granite gear vapor trail is a good choice. Golite and gossamer gear make good stuff.. but I think you need to get under thirty pounds to use these packs..

if you want the G.G.vapor trail + top pouch..
try the "LATITUDE VAPOR". 10 more oz but has a nice large storage pouch on top. (same frame as Vapor Trail)

**neo** · 08-13-2007, 11:47

Originally Posted by kiwihiker

Hey there,

I wondering if anyone can point me down the right trail to finding a ultralight backpack? I have a Kelty 3300 which is 3lb 12oz but im thinking i can do better than that. I was looking at the Mariposa plus pack at gossamergear.com. Anyone used one? I need a pack that will handle 30 to 35 pounds, Hydration compatible and to be able to strap a sleeping bag, Bed roll and maybe my tarp to the outside of it. Help would be great!!

i really like this pack,great pack,perfect long distance pack

neo

http://www.backcountrygear.com/catal...ail.cfm/EQ2010

**neo** · 08-13-2007, 11:59

Originally Posted by kiwihiker

Hey there,

I wondering if anyone can point me down the right trail to finding a ultralight backpack? I have a Kelty 3300 which is 3lb 12oz but im thinking i can do better than that. I was looking at the Mariposa plus pack at gossamergear.com. Anyone used one? I need a pack that will handle 30 to 35 pounds, Hydration compatible and to be able to strap a sleeping bag, Bed roll and maybe my tarp to the outside of it. Help would be great!!

i just ordered a golite gust for 69 bucks,my ex wife took my old one

neo

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/st...uctId=39323966

**Rambler** · 08-14-2007, 22:25

Like Sgt. Rock, I like the Gearskin. I use three waterproof stuff bags one for food, one for clothes one for sleeping bag. They are stacked one atop the other. Very convinient for getting at your gear, since they open to the side. It carries well. It has an optional outside mesh poket on the back which is also handy to have for raingear and misc. gear. I have a Golite Jam, but it is full to the brim with a five day supply. The Granite Gear Virga is a bit bigger option without the frame of the Ozone. ULA-Equipment has a nice line of packs of various volumes. The smaller companies (eg. Mountain Laruel Designs) have excellent customer service

**HUNTHIKELIFT** · 09-02-2007, 23:19

What do you all think of the Golite Quest? I bought the Pinnacle and sent it back. The hip belt was way to thin for my needs. But the Quest looks like a nice pack. 4400cu 3.5lbs and really good reviews for the mens (L).

**stranger** · 09-04-2007, 22:10

Remember that the reason your Kelty is a bit heavier is most likely because it has a "decent" internal suspension system, which will obviously add weight. I think you should consider two things when deciding on light packs. The first is will it hold up overall, and the second is how does it feel on your back?

Too many people make the mistake of using ultralight packs and overloading them to the point where they are uncomfortable. It doesn't really matter if a pack is durable if it feels horrible on your back all day, so I would recommend focusing on fit and comfort as well as weight.

Saying that, there are a number of light packs on the market, or available online, that are around the 2.5lbs mark and offer some form of suspension and fitting options. A good rule of thumb with packs is to avoid adjustment and focus on sizing. Just like shoes, multiple sizes work better than a huge range of adjustment. A pack that comes in say 3-4 sizes with hipbelt and shoulder harness options will generally be superior to a pack that comes in two sizes with loads of "adjustment". And yes, it will be heavier.

**Miner** · 09-05-2007, 16:23

My personal recommendation would be the ULA Circuit or catalyst packs as they carry the weight well (especially the Catalyst with the dual stay option). Six Moon Designs also makes a good pack. Gossamer Gear makes a good pack but I prefer something more durable. The Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone would also be a good pack though it won't save you that much weight.

**Rough** · 09-05-2007, 20:04

Originally Posted by bigcranky

Check the Six Moons Designs Starlite. With the two stays it'll carry 35 pounds reasonably well, and it weighs 30 ounces. I've had the '05 model for three years now, and it's my year-round pack. At about 3800 cubic inches it has plenty of room for all the food you'll want to carry out of a town, plus I can fit my winter gear inside.

I've backpacked all summer with the Six Moon Designs Starlite, without the stays, carrying a max of 25 lbs. It's very comfortable, I love the outside mesh pockets for quick access items, and it has lots of room in the sack. The hipbelts have zippered pockets and the pack w/o the stays weighs I believe 28 oz. Last week I stayed at a shelter with an AT NOBO carrying this same pack and she said it has been very durable in her hike from Georgia up to Vermont.

**WILLIAM HAYES** · 09-08-2007, 19:18

Check out the Equinox packs

**ScottP** · 09-09-2007, 18:49

You should keep using your current pack until you get the wieght of all your other stuff down. If you're strapping stuff to the outside of a 3300 cui pack you shouldn't be looking at getting an even lighter pack. The pack is the last piece of gear that you should go ultralight on.

Pare down your other gear--sleeping bag (20 deg. should be below 2 lbs, 35/40 deg should be below 1.75 lbs. there's a ton of options out there for good sleeping bags--W. Mountaineering, Montbell, jacks r better, nunutak, and marmot all come to mind.), go with a tarp or tarptent (6 moons wild oasis is the lightest tarptent i know of at 14 oz)

Gossamer Gear: As a gift to GG, I wrote them a motto "***** so UltraLITE that it doesn't even WORK!"
Golite is the new North Face: Hello SELLOUT!

As for a pack, ULA makes great stuff. I've heard good stuff about 6 moons designs as well. You could use the ULA circuit (rated at 25-35 pounds) and probably be ok, but it makes more sense to get everything else figured out so you don't end up having a whole closet full of gear like us people that made every mistake on the way to being ultralight.

If you want to post your gearlist you'll get way more tips than you'll want, but some of them will probably be useful.

**BenWaller** · 09-12-2007, 01:50

Gregory Z55. not ultra light at 3 pounds 2 ounces but hell for stout (it is not see-through fabric), requires no special handling (I've squirmed through wait-a-minute brush out here in California with it nary a rip) and is comfortable beyond belief. it will definitely handle 35 pounds no problem, though sub-30 all up is way better. the drawback is that it won't handle a lot of cubes, but it will handle all that you need for about a week in the woods so long as it's not winter. way to small for winter work.

but a great pack IMHO. 'course you already have a pack about the same size, though a little heavier, so there's probably no point in looking at the Gregory. still, I think it's fine and worthy of inclusion in the list.

good luck,

ben

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