Article: Backpack Comparison Chart

[Roland]

Whiteblaze members frequently ask questions about different pack models. The chart below displays the models, commonly mentioned by Whiteblaze members, and provides basic information for comparison.

Backpack Comparison
Brand	Model *	Weight (oz) **	Volume (ci)	Max. Load (lbs)	MSRP		Link
Gossamer	Whisper	4	2000	?	$100		http://www.gossamergear.com/
Fanatic Fringe	Alpine Trail	6	2400	20	$100		http://www.fanaticfringe.com/
Gossamer	G5	7	3800	25	$125		http://www.gossamergear.com/
Fanatic Fringe	Thompson Peak	10	3600	20	$70		http://www.fanaticfringe.com/
Golite	Breeze	14	3750	20	$70		http://www.golite.com/
Golite	Dawn	14	2500	20	$80		http://www.golite.com/
Gossamer	G4	16	4600	30	$85		http://www.gossamergear.com/
Gossamer	Mariposa	16	4200	40	?		http://www.gossamergear.com
Granite Gear	Virga	19	3200	20	$100		http://www.granitegear.com/
Golite	Gust	20	4650	30	$100		http://www.golite.com/
Golite	Jam	22	2750	30	$90		http://www.golite.com/
Equinox	Katahdin	22	3350	?	$110		http://www.equinoxltd.com/
Moonbow	Gearskin	22	2500 - 6500	?	$180		http://www.moonbowgear.com/
Six Moon Designs	Comet	22	3700	35	?		http://www.sixmoondesigns.com
Six Moon Designs	Starlite	23	4050	35	$150		http://www.sixmoondesigns.com
ULA	P1	24	4250	?	$125		http://www.ula-equipment.com
Golite	Race	30	3100	30	$100		http://www.golite.com/
Granite Gear	Vapor Trail	30	3600	30	$150		http://www.granitegear.com/
ULA	Fusion	32	3500	?	$165		http://www.ula-equipment.com
Mountainsmith	Ghost	34	2800	25	$150		http://www.mountainsmith.com
Golite	Speed	36	3600	30	$140		http://www.golite.com/
Granite Gear	Latitude Vapor	42	3800	30	$180		http://www.granitegear.com/
Gregory	G-Pack	44	2700	?	$140		http://www.gregorypacks.com/
ULA	P2	47	4900	?	$210		http://www.ula-equipment.com
Granite Gear	Nimbus Ozone	48	3800	40	$200		http://www.granitegear.com/
Gregory	Z-Pack	51	3300	?	$180		http://www.gregorypacks.com/
Osprey	Aether 60	56	3700	25	$200		http://www.ospreypacks.com
Granite Gear	Nimbus Latitude	56	3800	?	$230		http://www.granitegear.com/
REI	Morningstar 65	68	4200	?	$135		http://www.rei.com
REI	Morningstar 75	71	4950	?	$145		http://www.rei.com
Osprey	Aether 75	80	4500	30	$240		http://www.ospreypacks.com
Gregory	Shasta	99	4950	?	$250		http://www.gregorypacks.com/
Dana Design	Terraplane LTW	105	5800	?	$440		http://www.danadesign.com/
* Models shown are those said to be used by Whiteblaze members, and gleaned from various threads.
** Specifications shown are from the manufacturers' websites, for medium sized packs, whenever available.

Thanks to SGT Rock for converting my spreadsheet to HTML and appending it to this post.

Roland

[SGT Rock]

Sorry, it took a couple of tries to get it to work correctly.

[Roland]

Sorry, it took a couple of tries to get it to work correctly.

Nice job, Rock!

I could have listed 100 more pack models, but limited the chart to those commonly mentioned by Whiteblaze members. There is no intention to discredit models that do not appear on the list.

[Peaks]

Include the Gregory Forester.

[hikerjohnd]

Or any external frame pack...

[Peaks]

Or any external frame pack...

Unfortunately, dam few are being made currently. Kelty and that's almost it.

[Jack Tarlin]

Osprey has a new 50 liter pack, the Atmos 50, which is so recent that I don't even think it's on their website, tho it's in their new catalog and should be available for examination in good shops.

VERY innovative design, lots of extras, compares favorably weight and price-wise to the ULA-P2 and Gregory Z-Pack (which is a lousy piece of gear in my opinion). It is probably good up to 35 pounds, same as comparable Granite Grear packs, such as the very popular Vapor Trail. It costs a bit more, but I think it's a lot more comfortable, and has more features (extra pockets, including very clever ones on the hip belt, and several places to pack/stuff that might not fit inside.

A little birdie told me that the Atmos is about to be given Backpacker's Gear of the Year Award; I think this is going to be a very hot pack.

Incidentally, while the above chart is handsome, a few quick comments:

*30 pounds in a Go-Lite? Only if you want it to explode.

*The Granite Gear Vapor Trail can probably go 35lbs, not 30. It's a sturdy
little pack

*The Osprey Aether 60 can easily go 35-40 lbs., and not 25, and it's
bigger brother, the Aether 75, can easily handle 45-50 pounds, and not the
30 as listed.

[tlbj6142]

Sorry, it took a couple of tries to get it to work correctly.

How do you put tables in a message? I don't see a tag for table?

[SGT Rock]

There isn't a tag. What we do is limited to this forum only and that is allow a type of copy and paste into the post. You have to change your reply editor type and then you could do it. It won't work in any other forum.

[schwenkler]

Jack's absolutely right about the GoLite packs. The maximum for the Race is 20 pounds, in my experience anyway, and I think the Speed is the same pack w/ a hydration system?

[minnesotasmith]

1) The empty weight/volume capacity ratio, divided on out to a number.

2) The empty pack weight/maximum safe payload (in pounds) ratio, also calculated out to a number.

3) Data on these good packs:
Gregory: Acadia or Forester
Arcteryx packs, such as the Khamsin

4) Whether or not a pack has a separately accessable sleeping bag compartment (that's a BIG deal to me personally).

5) Color options, color also being a big deal to many hikers. The Gregory Denali Pro backpack* (as an example) only comes in "chili red", which anyone wanting to keep a low profile while hiking may not care for. Too, I doubt many LEOs/former mil guy hikers would go for a pack that only came in "young chick light pink" or "typical San Francisco guy lavender", or the like.

*Yes, I am perfectly aware that that pack is too big for the AT. I was using it as an example only. I may carry it on the longer stretches between resupply points on the CDT or on my East-West Alaska hike, though, if and when I hike those places.

[Just Jeff]

Jack's absolutely right about the GoLite packs. The maximum for the Race is 20 pounds, in my experience anyway, and I think the Speed is the same pack w/ a hydration system?

I've regularly carried 30-35 lbs in my Speed and haven't had a problem yet. It's only got a few hundred miles on it, though.

[hopefulhiker]

not necessarily for women but the chart did not include the Luxury Lite pack which is a viable choice for a thru hiker pack.. I used one in 2005. It weighs around 2 lbs, is external, modular and has a front pack.. luxurylite.com

[cutman11]

After looking at the table, it seems to me that my original decision to go with the ULA P-2 still holds up. For its weight, it generally holds more and carries more weight comfortably than the others with comparable weights. I have yet to hear anyone have any negative comments about it, other than its heavier than the smaller size packs that can only carry less weight comfortably. It allows a bit of "margin for error" or flexibility if you will, in the volume and weight carried for long distance hiking that I feel outweighs the slightly higher weight. And besides, mine has "CUTMAN" sewn right onto the outside lower left corner!!

[SunnyWalker]

What about Kelti packs?
-SunnyWalker

[Programbo]

Boy there`s some real junk on there...A one pound 4,600 cubic inch pack for $90??????...Looks like an oversized stuff sack with some shoulder straps..I bet 30 pounds feels like 50 in that thing..The same 30 pounds would feel like 20 in a 4 pound pack of equal cubic inches

[Egads]

Boy there`s some real junk on there...A one pound 4,600 cubic inch pack for $90??????...Looks like an oversized stuff sack with some shoulder straps..I bet 30 pounds feels like 50 in that thing..The same 30 pounds would feel like 20 in a 4 pound pack of equal cubic inches

I happen to have this pack. It's a great pack for UL backpacking and taking care of your down bag / quilt / jacket. Gossamer Gear make great niche products for those of us who want to conserve our energy for the trail.

Egads

[springfieldjones]

You guys are spoiled using fancy named packs. We need special packs if we are pushing the limit, but most of us are not. I am still using my Kelty frame Gerry pack for open trail hiking. I have yet to beat it's comfort and ease. I replaced some of the old straps with new lighter ones and it weighs in at about 5.5 lbs. It carries 30 to 45 lbs, depending on the season and it never breaks or rips.

[tlbj6142]

You guys are spoiled using fancy named packs. We need special packs if we are pushing the limit,

A thru-hike is "pushing the limits". And frankly, why would you want to carry a 5.5# pack, when a 2# pack will do? That 3.5# difference is almost 2qts of water. I don't know about you, but on my longer trips, adding 1 additional qt of water to my pack is quite noticeable.

[No Belay]

A thru-hike is "pushing the limits". And frankly, why would you want to carry a 5.5# pack, when a 2# pack will do? That 3.5# difference is almost 2qts of water. I don't know about you, but on my longer trips, adding 1 additional qt of water to my pack is quite noticeable.

Tony, I'd argue the point that the AT is "pushing the limits" but I won't because everyone has their own preception of what " the limits " are. I've got to agree with Jack that a modified Osprey is hard to beat for comfort and durability. I did the UL routine for several years and the Spartan existance it demands detracts from the over all quality of the trek, in my opinion. I would much rather carry an extra 10lbs and enjoy myself than to carry a UL load and feel like I'm in survival mode all the time. I use a modified Osprey Exposure 66 and have had no regrets. It expands to 4200 for the days after resupply but cinchs down and retains it's balance once the viddles, fuel, and H2O disappears. I've modified it to weigh just under four lbs and even if I were to carry an extra 2 liters of water it would be allot more comfortable than my ULs because the weight is on my heat molded waist belt and not between my shoulders. I carried a UL (Go Lite) pack on the Northern New Mexico portion of the CDT and always had sore thumbs for several days after resupply from holding them under my shoulder straps. Went back to a belted, stay supported pack and have never looked back. Your 2lb Ul is probably all you need when you're hiking a "park trail" and only 4 days from your closest resupply or cache but I'd still prefer the comfort of a suspension pack.

Savor Happy!
DragonAss