Looking for pack recomondation

[Son Driven]

My borrowed older internal Kelly pack 5# 3oz. given to me, from a friend. I have been using it for training. Fits well and functions, I have trimmed down the base weight (no food water or fuel) to 24 pounds. Any suggestions from a AT thru- hiker who loves a his pack that is lighter the 5 pounds. I am 6 foot 210 pounds.

[Red Hat]

I use ULA packs... www.ula-equipment.com/packoverview.asp

[dwarfnebula]

I'm certainly not an expert, but my advise would be to try on packs and buy the one which is comfortable. The thing is gonna be on your back for a lot of miles so it better fit you. There are lots of good packs out there from lots of companies, and every person is shaped differently. I probably tried on a dozen packs from various companies last time I went looking and there really are a lot of good ones out there.

As to what I use? I have a Golite 50L and a Lowe Alpine 90L. The Lowe has absorbed many years of rough handling and is still solid (and 7#) The Golite is new and largely untested, but comfortable for me and I'm a really tough fit.

[thebrewguy]

+1 on the ULA packs for an ultralight option. I also have a Dueter ACT Lite 65+10 that's about 4lbs. It is the Cadillac of suspension & padding. So comfortable, I never have any problems wearing that pack.

[Rasty]

At 24# total weight a ULA circuit is a great pack. Anything heavier get a ULA Catalyst.

[Loneoak]

I have a Osprey Aether 60 and its fits and carries really well, I'm just trying to go lighter. Is says it is 4.5 lbs, not sure, never weighed it. It's bomb proof tho. I really wanted to go with ULA, but after trying them with weight and walking around for some time, it was not as comfortable as my Osprey Like was stated earlier, try on lots of packs, ( I did ) and see what is the best fit for you. Also, make sure you get measured correctly for the right size pack.

[MuddyWaters]

You should try to drop 5-10 lbs of excess gear weight, and you would be very happy with a ULA pack.

At the weights you are at currently, stick with a conventional pack, you will be happier, the weight will FEEL lighter.

[Son Driven]

Sounds like I might save a pound or so by changing packs. The Kelly Hurricane 4900 I have been training with is comfortable. I feel confident I will be ok. However when I add food water & fuel, I might be pushing 40 pounds total weight.

[swjohnsey]

I am a ULA fan but your load is too heavy for a ULA pack.

[SoCalled]

Many great packs out there. What is your pre selection ? You are not the UL type. You will need a good suspension.
After research and tryouts I settled on my Osprey Atmos 50. Great, great pack.

But if it was available in the US, the Exped Backcountry model (55-55) probably would be my first choice.

http://www.exped.com/exped/web/exped_homepage_int.nsf/

And for pack porn, the Kifaru KU3700 does the trick, but is obviously overkill.

http://www.kifaru.net/KU3700.html

If I go to europe this year as Im planning to do, I will bring back an Exped Backcountry with me. Thats for sure.

[bigcranky]

The OP's total weight is going to be closer to 34-35 pounds, even with a slightly lighter pack, once food and water are added in.

The ULA Catalyst can handle this weight, but you'll save only 2 pounds or so. In my mind you're better off getting the rest of your gear down before you buy a new pack. Anything that can handle your gear is going to be at least 2.5-3 pounds empty, because you need a real frame to carry 35 pounds in any sort of comfort.

Good luck.

[Odd Man Out]

I too am shopping packs. Elemental Horizons is a new company. Their packs have gotten some very good reviews.
I think their Kalais is at the top of my list.

[Rasty]

I am a ULA fan but your load is too heavy for a ULA pack.

Agree. I misread the base weight as total weight.

[SoCalled]

I too am shopping packs. Elemental Horizons is a new company. Their packs have gotten some very good reviews.
I think their Kalais is at the top of my list.

This Kalais does look very good and 736g is impressive for the price tag. Never heard of that compagny before. Worth some more research for sure.

[whiteout]

Had to try an Osprey, Golite, REI's two different ones, Arc'teryx and now a Black Diamond Infinity 60. The BD fits and feels good and at 3 lb 14 oz it works for me.

[Drybones]

Granite Gear Crown 60...2 lb - 2 oz.

[Beuhler]

I also have a Dueter ACT Lite 65+10 that's about 4lbs. It is the Cadillac of suspension & padding. So comfortable, I never have any problems wearing that pack.

I live my Dueter ACT Lite 65+10. I carried ~35 lbs in it last year and it felt great the whole time. Swallowed my BearVault 500 and everything else I needed. I broke the little plastic buckle the goes over the top and clips onto the front pocket but I emailed Dueter and they sent me 2 new ones.

[susiecruise]

+1 on the ULA packs for an ultralight option. I also have a Dueter ACT Lite 65+10 that's about 4lbs. It is the Cadillac of suspension & padding. So comfortable, I never have any problems wearing that pack.

I just purchased a Dueter ACT Lite 65+10 and I LOVE it! I finally let go of my old Madden with the two large side pockets. I am now having a hard time figuring out how to pack it wisely because I am lost with out those big side pockets where I stored my stove, fuel bottle water bottles and cooking oil.

[Hikin' Boy]

If you have your base weight down to only 24lbs, go with an even smaller pack. I just got the Dueter ACTLite 40+10. My base weight is 21lbs and everything fits with lots of room to spare. The best part is, its only 3lbs5oz and its only $165!

[stranger]

24 lb base weight is fairly heavy...get something that carries that weight well, if you can get down to 15-16 lbs...then maybe lighten the pack...I would look at something like an Osprey Aether 60 - not too heavy and can handle 35-40 lbs fairly easily IMO