Choosing a pack for thru-hike.

[Studley stomper]

What are the most popular brands of packs used on the trail now? I plan to stay 30 lbs or less.

[Heliotrope]

What is popular? Or what fits your needs? What features are important to you? ULA packs probably stand out as excellent quality and are popular. Gossamer Gear is another outstanding company. No need to carry a pack much heavier than 2 lbs.


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[gbolt]

I would add the feature of frame or frameless to the list. Again, 30lbs would require light frame. ULA Ohm 2.0 is a great choice. Agree, Gossamer Gear is also a great company but some of there best choices are frameless. 30 lbs. may be to much for frameless.

[dudeijuststarted]

I found the ULA circuit to be a perfect balance for the AT. A comfortable ride the whole way.

[capehiker]

Appalachian Trials does surveys after each season and I believe the Osprey Exos (48 & 58) packs were the most popular this year. ULA and Zpacks were also popular packs.

[Sarcasm the elf]

Appalachian Trials does surveys after each season and I believe the Osprey Exos (48 & 58) packs were the most popular this year. ULA and Zpacks were also popular packs.

I'm not sure I'd trust that sort of survey to provide any sory of guidance. Most hikers buy their gear at home before hitting the trail and without any real knowledge of what is the "best" pack for their needs while long distance hiking. The relative popularity of Osprey or Gregory (or big agnes tents for that matter) Is primarily because they are sold at nearly every major outfitter in the country, advertise nationally and will be the first names mentioned by the average store clerk at REI. ULA and Zpacks are niche operations that are primarily sold factory direct with a tiny retail presence, yet despite their tiny footprint in the market are extremely popular among long distance hikers.

A more fair survey question would be to find people who have hiked extensively with packs from multiple manufacturers and ask them which ones they prefer.

[ChuckT]

Where is this survey published?

[capehiker]

I'm not sure I'd trust that sort of survey to provide any sory of guidance. Most hikers buy their gear at home before hitting the trail and without any real knowledge of what is the "best" pack for their needs while long distance hiking.

I agree, but the OP asked which were the most popular packs. :)

ETA: I spent this past summer hiking PA/NJ and what I saw fit the general consensus of Osprey and ULA for NoBo and SoBo hikers.

[capehiker]

Where is this survey published?

Found it: http://appalachiantrials.com/backpacks-on-the-appalachian-trail-2015-thru-hikers/

[Hiker6301]

My everyday pack is the Osprey Exos but I'm going to use the ZPacks Arc Blast.


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[Hiker6301]

Found it: http://appalachiantrials.com/backpacks-on-the-appalachian-trail-2015-thru-hikers/

Great info. I never saw that survey before.


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[capehiker]

My everyday pack is the Osprey Exos but I'm going to use the ZPacks Arc Blast.


I did a backpack trade with someone recently and got my hands on an Exos 58. I actually really liked it. The suspension system felt really nice. The only problem was the 58L was too large for my gear amount. If I had a 48L, I would keep it and put it in rotation.

[Hiker6301]

Something to keep in mind is that the Osprey Exos 58 in size small is actually 55 ltr. I'm sure the same is true with other manufacturers. You can't just go by the number on the pack, 58, 60, 70. You really have to check the specs.


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[capehiker]

Yes, but the Exos series has fixed torso lengths for their packs. I fit between a 22-23 inch torso depending on the pack so I'm a large.

[ChuckT]

Have you tried one? The old one I have is about a half size too small for me at 6' tall, a longish torso, & 200#s.

[snicklefitz]

Windrider 2400, it's around 25 Oz, tough, waterproof, and versatile

[Venchka]

Windrider 2400, it's around 25 Oz, tough, waterproof, and versatile

Small. Flimsy. Anemic.
Depends on your point of view.

Wayne


Sent from somewhere around here.

[Cheyou]

Small. Flimsy. Anemic.
Depends on your point of view.

Wayne


Sent from somewhere around here.

anemic ? It's low on iron ?

[Venchka]

anemic ? It's low on iron ?

Aye. Needs more iron!

a·ne·mic
əˈnēmik/
adjective



suffering from anemia.


synonyms:
colorless (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+colorless&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoIHjAA), bloodless (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+bloodless&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoIHzAA), pale (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+pale&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoIIDAA), pallid (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+pallid&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoIITAA), wan (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+wan&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoIIjAA), ashen (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+ashen&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoIIzAA), gray (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+gray&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoIJDAA), sallow (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+sallow&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoIJTAA), pasty-faced (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+pasty-faced&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoIJjAA),whey-faced (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+whey-faced&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoIJzAA), peaked (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+peaked&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoIKDAA), sickly (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+sickly&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoIKTAA), etiolated (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+etiolated&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoIKjAA)"his anemic face"





lacking in color, spirit, or vitality.


synonyms:
feeble (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+feeble&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoILTAA), weak (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+weak&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoILjAA), insipid (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+insipid&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoILzAA), wishy-washy (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+wishy-washy&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoIMDAA), vapid (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+vapid&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoIMTAA), bland (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+bland&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoIMjAA); lame (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+lame&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoINDAA), tame (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+tame&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoINTAA),lackluster (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+lackluster&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoINjAA), spiritless (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+spiritless&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoINzAA), languid (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+languid&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoIODAA), lifeless (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+lifeless&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoIOTAA), ineffective (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+ineffective&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoIOjAA), ineffectual (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+ineffectual&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoIOzAA), etiolated (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+etiolated&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoIPDAA);
informalpathetic (https://www.google.com/search?espv=2&biw=1600&bih=1115&q=define+pathetic&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjugrOl-fnKAhUHt4MKHfWXB90Q_SoIPTAA)





Wayne

[aka.cyberman]

I'll just jump right to it............Gossamer Gear Mariposa.......... IMHO

[egilbe]

Small. Flimsy. Anemic.
Depends on your point of view.

Wayne


Sent from somewhere around here.

its a good pack. Tried one out at the factory a few months ago. It feels different from a frameless pack, but its still comfortable and can hold 30 pounds or so easy enough.

[Venchka]

its a good pack. Tried one out at the factory a few months ago. It feels different from a frameless pack, but its still comfortable and can hold 30 pounds or so easy enough.

Perhaps I will add the HMG Southwest 3400 to my short list. If I can find one at a dealer to test drive with weight in it.
I was very lucky with my first two mail order (pre-internet) backpack purchases. I'm not sure that I trust buying a pack now without a real world test first.
To date I have tried 2 different Osprey packs in person. Hoping to find a ULA Catalyst or Circuit to test drive in Maryville, TN later this year.
Still pondering pack & tent purchases.

Wayne

[Cheyou]

Perhaps I will add the HMG Southwest 3400 to my short list. If I can find one at a dealer to test drive with weight in it.
I was very lucky with my first two mail order (pre-internet) backpack purchases. I'm not sure that I trust buying a pack now without a real world test first.
To date I have tried 2 different Osprey packs in person. Hoping to find a ULA Catalyst or Circuit to test drive in Maryville, TN later this year.
Still pondering pack & tent purchases.

Wayne

for how long were your test of the osprey packs ? How much is your base weight ?

Thom

[Venchka]

First test was at REI for about an hour with an Aether 60 and about 20 pounds of store weights.
Second test was at Whole Earth Provision Co. for over an hour with an Atmos 65 AG and approximately 47 pounds. I didn't know how much weight was in the pack until after I took it off. I must say that I was very surprised to find out how heavy the pack was. I told the young lady helping me to "load it up" and she did more than I expected. I was amazed to find out how heavy the load was. It didn't feel like 47 pounds on my back. Maybe there is something to the AG label. However, I felt like the Aether 60 was laid out better and more functional than the Atmos 65. I had read online that the hip belt pockets on the Atmos were skimpy. I would go so far to say that they are unusable. I can't believe that Osprey would add complexity, cost & weight for pockets that poorly implemented.
Still shopping.

Wayne


Wayne

[High Mileage]

I'm going with a Zpacks for the PCT this year but I used a Exos 38 and 48, the 48 without the brain was perfect for most of the A.T. I found it was more comfortable than the 38 which has a recommend 20lb base weight.
You want some air on the back unless you like a hot sweaty pack mashed on it, but that's just my opinion.

[Nooga]

I did a backpack trade with someone recently and got my hands on an Exos 58. I actually really liked it. The suspension system felt really nice. The only problem was the 58L was too large for my gear amount. If I had a 48L, I would keep it and put it in rotation.

If the Exos 58 is too large, leave the lid at home and save a bit of weight.

[RockDoc]

The most popular packs are really heavy. Sort of like the average American (now over 30% are obese).

[brendathompson71]

so many out there... id say stick to a pack 2 lbs and under. personally I like zpacks or other cuben fiber One of the things i like about them is they are water proof (the trail gets A LOT of rain)

[Platypus2016]

I'm by no means a professional pack seller, but it seems pretty obvious that if one of two packs were far and away the best...then there wouldn't be hundreds of different ones to choose from. Some people would rather have a pack that weighs less than two pounds, and some people prefer a pack that is made heavier and out of thicker material. Last year I hiked in an ULA pack that was extremely light, and this year I am using the hill people gear Ute pack (www.hillpeoplegear.com) that weighs right at 5lbs! But after using both I decided that the heavier pack was more comfortable for me, and it has the same lightweight gear in it. For me the difference in a 24lb pack and a 27lb pack that fits my body better is unnoticeable.....

But what do I inks.. Lol just make sure you pick the Right pack, not the most popular!!!

[kenl]

I'm not sure I'd trust that sort of survey to provide any sory of guidance. Most hikers buy their gear at home before hitting the trail and without any real knowledge of what is the "best" pack for their needs while long distance hiking. The relative popularity of Osprey or Gregory (or big agnes tents for that matter) Is primarily because they are sold at nearly every major outfitter in the country, advertise nationally and will be the first names mentioned by the average store clerk at REI. ULA and Zpacks are niche operations that are primarily sold factory direct with a tiny retail presence, yet despite their tiny footprint in the market are extremely popular among long distance hikers.

A more fair survey question would be to find people who have hiked extensively with packs from multiple manufacturers and ask them which ones they prefer.

I don't disagree, but the advantage of a major retailer is being able to demo different packs with different weights and get a first hand feel for how they fit you. This becomes slightly more difficult if you wanted to compare a ULA pack to a Zpacks pack. Actually what I would suggest as good middle ground is finding a smaller local retailer (in my area, Ramsey Outdoor for example) who have salespeople that have thru hiked. They have a broad selection of manufacturers and are willing to take the time to work with you and convey their learning and experience.

Best of luck and safe hiking.

[Wise Old Owl]

so many out there... id say stick to a pack 2 lbs and under. personally I like zpacks or other cuben fiber One of the things i like about them is they are water proof (the trail gets A LOT of rain)


Good Post- I agree...

[Flash52]

My ULA circuit is awesome! The only challenge is that you may have to lean out your gear a bit to get everything to fit. It's a pretty small pack.

Hope this helps!

[mortonjl]

Frameless are great if you're experienced at packing them, try something like a Granite Gear AC/VC 60.