Opinions on Golite packs

[Melrenee]

I'd like some opinions on the Golite packs VS internal frame. I have a Gregory Jade 60 now,but am wanting a lighter pack. I hear good things on the frameless. Also does golite make a good one for women?

[Rasty]

Frameless packs are great for light loads of 20# or less including everything. I was using a frameless until last year when I switched to a ULA Circuit. Use your sleeping pad as a frame inside your pack. As for Golite I only have a Rush 14 day pack which the quality is good.

[da fungo]

I believe that Andrew Skurka used a GoLite pack on his first super long hike from Maine to Washungton. On the one hand, I don't recall him reporting any problems with the pack. On the other hand, if I'm not mistaken, GoLite was a sponsor of that huke, and he had worked for GoLite before starting that trip. So I guess you can't draw any conclusions from hus ue on that trip.I own a GoLite waist pack, and have been entirely happy with it - 8 years old and going strong.

[Melrenee]

That's so funny about Andrew Skurka! His book is what got me interested in Golite

[Tucky]

They are good. I bought my girlfriend a Go Lite Jam about a year ago and she really likes it. Also, you can't really beat it in terms of the price. Both Jams (35 and 70 L) are on sale right now for 50% off. I would give it a try at least and see what you think. Max load for these packs is 30 pounds, according to the website, but I think that may still be a little too high for max comfort.

[da fungo]

I just did a search through Skurka's "The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide". He still must be in love with GoLite, because he cites them often. And, in the section on backpacks, he says: "For most solo three-season thru-hikes, my go-to pack since 200r has been the 50-liter GoLite Jam..."

[da fungo]

My previous post should say "...since 2004...", NOT "...since 200r...".

[rocketsocks]

I just did a search through Skurka's "The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide". He still must be in love with GoLite, because he cites them often. And, in the section on backpacks, he says: "For most solo three-season thru-hikes, my go-to pack since 200r has been the 50-liter GoLite Jam..."

Now I'm not saying they are not good packs.....but getting on board with a brand does have it's perks.

[da fungo]

Now I'm not saying they are not good packs.....but getting on board with a brand does have it's perks.

True dat - but I don't think he's formally sponsored by GoLite any longer.

[FarmerChef]

We use 3 GoLite Jams in our family. Mine has seen about 1400 miles of trail and is still going strong. One clip broke on the tie down strap on top but I'm using that to hold on my sleeping pad so it was bound to give out eventually. Cheap and easy to repair/replace. My girls both got Jams as well and they are enjoying the fit and features. I'm not crazy about the new giant logo on the back pocket but for the price, quality and convenience I'm willing to overlook it. I can put 35 pounds in it and be hurting but after the first day and 5 pounds of food (feeding 5) it becomes comfortable again. As others have said, it helps to add a framesheet by using your sleeping pad, ground cover or something else reasonably stiff against the back of the pack or around the interior (if you have a blue foam pad for instance). Once the weight gets around 20 pounds or so, I stop using the waist belt altogether and just go with the straps. Then I occasionally toss it from one shoulder to the next like a school backpack. Very comfortable. Two thumbs up for the Jam from me.

Having said that, if money was no object I would be pinging Joe at ZPacks for a cuben pack and swapping out my silnylon tarp for a cuben one.

[mapman]

Recently bought a Golite Jam 50L on sale. Used it on a 30 mile 2 day trip in Grayson Highlands. Performed well. Handled a 24# load with room to spare. Although frameless it carried as well as my Osprey exos 58 but for much less $$.

[moytoy]

Up until about 5 years ago I only had external frame packs. Although I still use an external frame some my Jam is by far the most used piece of gear I own.

[wornoutboots]

I carry a Go Lite Jam Medium & usually carry 25-30 #'s & I love it. It took me a week or so to learn how to pack it correctly now I fly with it. It's light & tough, I don't use a pack cover, I have a trash bag liner & it's been fine! I am a little twisted on how I'm going to carry my BV450 on top of it on my JMT Thru in August though

[Melrenee]

I'm a bit afraid of the frameless bc I'm new to hiking. I saw an osprey Luna I like a lot. I may go that direction.

[cjlusmc]

Don't be afraid of frameless packs as long as you know you can pack it reasonably well (balanced) and don't think you'll exceed its max weight it can comfortably carry. There are many great frameless packs out there. My advice is to try one out by loading it with your gear at the store and seeing how it feels, or borrow one from a friend.

[kayak karl]

i use a go-lite pinnacle. have about 1500 miles on it. no problems to date. use a Equinox Katahdin Pack in summer.

[dale1627]

I've had a Golite Quest internal frame pack and love it. I typically carry about twenty five pounds in it with plenty of room to spare. I've been tempted to order a Jam. They make great products.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[MuddyWaters]

Pick a pack for the weight range you will be in MOST of the time. You can tolerate short excursions above that puts more wt on shoulders for short time.

If you will spend most time 15-20 lbs, you can get by with frameless
If you spend most from 20-25, you will want some minimal frame with a belt
If you spend most from 25-30 you will want a minimal frame with a good belt
If you spend most > 30 go with conventional heavy pack

Nothing wrong with golite packs, but I have seen a few Jams overloaded / packed poorly. Many people are lured by the low cost.

Google "golite jam" and "frame".
If its such a great pack, why do so many want to make a homemade frame or stays for it?

Answer: They didnt understand what they were buying.

[stranger]

I have no strong opinion on Golite packs, they are fairly decent and hold up well from what I've seen. I just can't see why someone would buy a Golite when you could get a ULA or Granite Gear...it's beyond me.

[moytoy]

I have no strong opinion on Golite packs, they are fairly decent and hold up well from what I've seen. I just can't see why someone would buy a Golite when you could get a ULA or Granite Gear...it's beyond me.

I bought my Jam on sale about 4 years ago. Price is the big reason for me. I've always carried an external frame pack. But wanted to try a frameless pack and didn't want the expense of a handmade pack. If I am able to try a thru hike when I retire (big If) I'll probably do it with a Elemental Horizons pack.