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  1. #1
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    Default Backpack Comparison Chart (Gear)

    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
    BrandModel *Weight (oz) **Volume (ci)Max. Load (lbs)MSRP Link
    GossamerWhisper42000?$100 http://www.gossamergear.com/
    Fanatic FringeAlpine Trail6240020$100 http://www.fanaticfringe.com/
    GossamerG57380025$125 http://www.gossamergear.com/
    Fanatic FringeThompson Peak10360020$70 http://www.fanaticfringe.com/
    GoliteBreeze14375020$70 http://www.golite.com/
    GoliteDawn14250020$80 http://www.golite.com/
    GossamerG416460030$85 http://www.gossamergear.com/
    GossamerMariposa16420040? http://www.gossamergear.com
    Granite GearVirga19320020$100 http://www.granitegear.com/
    GoliteGust20465030$100 http://www.golite.com/
    GoliteJam22275030$90 http://www.golite.com/
    EquinoxKatahdin223350?$110 http://www.equinoxltd.com/
    MoonbowGearskin222500 - 6500?$180 http://www.moonbowgear.com/
    Six Moon DesignsComet22370035? http://www.sixmoondesigns.com
    Six Moon DesignsStarlite23405035$150 http://www.sixmoondesigns.com
    ULAP1244250?$125 http://www.ula-equipment.com
    GoliteRace30310030$100 http://www.golite.com/
    Granite GearVapor Trail30360030$150 http://www.granitegear.com/
    ULAFusion323500?$165 http://www.ula-equipment.com
    MountainsmithGhost34280025$150 http://www.mountainsmith.com
    GoliteSpeed36360030$140 http://www.golite.com/
    Granite GearLatitude Vapor42380030$180 http://www.granitegear.com/
    GregoryG-Pack442700?$140 http://www.gregorypacks.com/
    ULAP2474900?$210 http://www.ula-equipment.com
    Granite GearNimbus Ozone48380040$200 http://www.granitegear.com/
    GregoryZ-Pack513300?$180 http://www.gregorypacks.com/
    OspreyAether 6056370025$200 http://www.ospreypacks.com
    Granite GearNimbus Latitude563800?$230 http://www.granitegear.com/
    REIMorningstar 65684200?$135 http://www.rei.com
    REIMorningstar 75714950?$145 http://www.rei.com
    OspreyAether 7580450030$240 http://www.ospreypacks.com
    GregoryShasta994950?$250 http://www.gregorypacks.com/
    Dana DesignTerraplane LTW1055800?$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

  2. #2
    First Sergeant SGT Rock's Avatar
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    Default

    Sorry, it took a couple of tries to get it to work correctly.
    SGT Rock
    http://hikinghq.net

    My 2008 Trail Journal of the BMT/AT

    BMT Thru-Hikers' Guide
    -----------------------------------------

    NO SNIVELING

  3. #3
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by SGT Rock
    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.

  4. #4
    Registered User Peaks's Avatar
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    Default

    Include the Gregory Forester.

  5. #5
    Livin' life in the drive thru! hikerjohnd's Avatar
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    Default

    Or any external frame pack...
    So be it.
    --John

  6. #6

    Default

    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.

  7. #7
    Yellow Jacket
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by SGT Rock
    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?
    Yellow Jacket -- Words of Wisdom (tm) go here.

  8. #8
    First Sergeant SGT Rock's Avatar
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    Default

    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.
    SGT Rock
    http://hikinghq.net

    My 2008 Trail Journal of the BMT/AT

    BMT Thru-Hikers' Guide
    -----------------------------------------

    NO SNIVELING

  9. #9
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    Default Go-Lite

    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?

  10. #10

    Default This chart is a great start, but needs to add...

    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.

  11. #11
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    Default Speed Pack

    Quote Originally Posted by 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?
    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.

  12. #12
    Registered User bulldog49's Avatar
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    Default

    If possible, it would be interesting if we could conduct a formal survey to find out how many Whiteblazers use each pack.

    I just purchased the Vapor Trail, after carefully considering the Atmos 50, which is on Osprey's website and has a very cool 360 deg view feature. I was a little reluctant to spend the money on a brand new pack because it seems every time a company comes out with an entirely new model there are some bugs that are improved in the next model year.

    http://www.ospreypacks.com/3D_Atmos/atmos_intro.htm
    "If you don't know where you're going...any road will get you there."
    "He who's not busy living is busy dying"

  13. #13
    Yellow Jacket
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by minnesotasmith
    5) Color options, color also being a big deal to many hikers.
    Very few packs are actually offered in more than one color. And to make matters worst, the color changes from one year to the next. Use the link provided to "look-up" the current color(s), don't fill the chart with noise.

    Separate sleeping bag compartment? I didn't realize anyone actually used those damn things. Figured they were there just to sell packs to suckers. Why do you need separate access? Shelter rat?
    Yellow Jacket -- Words of Wisdom (tm) go here.

  14. #14
    Yellow Jacket
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by bulldog49
    after carefully considering the Atmos 50, which is on Osprey's
    What little I have read, and heard from my local outfitters, is that it is not that great of a pack. More of a gimmick. But, then, if it gets an award from bp'er, people would buy bags of dog****.
    Yellow Jacket -- Words of Wisdom (tm) go here.

  15. #15
    Registered User bulldog49's Avatar
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by tlbj6142
    What little I have read, and heard from my local outfitters, is that it is not that great of a pack. More of a gimmick. But, then, if it gets an award from bp'er, people would buy bags of dog****.

    Does your outfitter sell Osprey packs? If not, he may be a bit biased.

    I tried it on in the store loaded with my gear (about 25 lbs worth) and it felt very good, but seemed a bit delicate. Time will tell how it holds up on the trail. The deciding factor for me was when I found the VT on sale for $127 at Backcountry Gear. Too good an offer to turn down.

    I agree with your assessment about Backpacker recommendations. I couldn't understand why they pimped the G pack so heavily in the last two issues given all the quality problems with last year's model. No mention at all of the GG packs in the gear guide issue, probably the most poplar packs on the market at this time.
    "If you don't know where you're going...any road will get you there."
    "He who's not busy living is busy dying"

  16. #16

    Default Tlbj asked...

    "Separate sleeping bag compartment? I didn't realize anyone actually used those damn things. Figured they were there just to sell packs to suckers. Why do you need separate access?"

    I very much like the idea of not having to choose between putting a (possibly damp/not too clean) sleeping bag on top of my other stuff, or having to take EVERYTHING out of my pack every time I want to take my bag out or put it back in. The pack I used in Boy Scouts many years ago let me avoid that.

  17. #17
    Registered User Peaks's Avatar
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    Default Externals

    Quote Originally Posted by hikerjohnd
    Or any external frame pack...
    Unfortunately, dam few are being made currently. Kelty and that's almost it.

  18. #18

    Default

    If anyone wants to hike the AT, any of these packs are all one needs. It's a nearly perfect list. Good job.
    Singletrack

  19. #19
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    Default

    Gregory Z-Pack (which is a lousy piece of gear in my opinion)
    Jack, what is your reasoning behind this? I'm considering getting a Z-pack, a friend uses one and really likes it, and it seems to get good reviews pretty much everywhere I've looked. The material seems a lot more durable than much of the material used in other packs, which is one of the main reasons why I'm considering it.

  20. #20
    Springer-->Stony Brook Road VT MedicineMan's Avatar
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    Default Jack, just curious

    how many shares of Osprey do you own? or has it gone public?

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