Beuhler
04-22-2012, 16:10
I've been on the hunt for a new pack as I've outgrown my Gregory Palisade (6lbs 10 oz without rain cover), replacing heavy, bulky gear with lighter, smaller and more compressible alternatives. My big annual trip is typically in bear canister territory. So being able to fit a BearVault 500 is a definite requirement. The other is being able to carry a 35lb load comfortably. I'm trying to get my weight down even more but at 35lbs I'll be 7lbs less than last year. Not bad progress.
I scoured the Internet for viable candidates and narrowed my choices down to the Gregory Z65, Gregory Savant 58, Osprey Atmos 65, and the Osprey Kestrel 68. If I was getting a new pack I wanted to make it at least a few pounds lighter than the Palisade. That eliminated the likes of the Gregory Baltoro 65 and Osprey Aether 60 as they are both in the 5+ lb range. Not particularly interested in the ULA or GG packs, either.
Although I really liked the Atmos (and read many positive reviews) I was concerned the curved back would make fitting the bear can difficult. I tried the pack on at REI. Without any weight it fit well but my concern about the pack shape eliminated it from contention (maybe prematurely). The Z65 also fit well (without weight) but the same concern about fitting a bear can (and the fact that it was the heaviest pack in the group) eliminated it, as well.
That left the Savant and the Kestrel. I'm 5'7" but with short legs and a long torso I require a large size pack. First, I tried a large Kestrel 48 with 25 lbs. It felt pretty good in the store and it looked like a larger size would fit the bear can. I liked all of the features of the Kestrel (belt pockets, sleeping bag compartment, rain cover, external hydration pocket, etc.). On paper, this was the perfect pack for me.
Next, I tried the Savant. It felt a little more comfortable than the Kestrel (with 25 lbs) but lacked a sleeping bag compartment (not a big deal) and was so new I couldn't find any user reviews. It looked like it would fit the bear can (only vertically, posing a possible packing problem) and had an external hydration pocket (peace of mind and access without having to unpack to refill).
Ultimately the lack of reviews gave me pause and I ordered the Kestrel 68.
When I received the pack I loaded it up with most of the gear I'll be taking this trip (including the bear can which fit both horizontally and vertically) and tried it on, adjusting the various straps until it felt comfortable. After filling my CamelBak bladder with 2 liters of water and placing it in the external compartment I just could not adjust the pack to fit comfortably anymore. The shoulder straps wouldn't hug my shoulders properly, pulling on my collar bone and cutting off circulation to my arms. No amount of adjusting got it to fit as well as it did without the bladder. I loaded my Palisade and tried it on for comparison. Night and day. The harness on the Palisade fit so much better and, given the choice, the extra weight would be worth the added comfort.
I'm disappointed. I really wanted to love this pack. I just didn't fit my body well. Like I said, on paper it was perfect, but I'm returning it and going back to the drawing board.
The pack I'm now considering most is the Dueter ACT Lite 65 + 10 (has very positive reviews). I'll give the Atmos 65, Z65 and the Savant 58 another look but the external hydration sleeve on the Savant is giving me concerns, now.
Any one have experience with the Dueter? Or, use the Atmos 65/Z65 with a bear can?
I scoured the Internet for viable candidates and narrowed my choices down to the Gregory Z65, Gregory Savant 58, Osprey Atmos 65, and the Osprey Kestrel 68. If I was getting a new pack I wanted to make it at least a few pounds lighter than the Palisade. That eliminated the likes of the Gregory Baltoro 65 and Osprey Aether 60 as they are both in the 5+ lb range. Not particularly interested in the ULA or GG packs, either.
Although I really liked the Atmos (and read many positive reviews) I was concerned the curved back would make fitting the bear can difficult. I tried the pack on at REI. Without any weight it fit well but my concern about the pack shape eliminated it from contention (maybe prematurely). The Z65 also fit well (without weight) but the same concern about fitting a bear can (and the fact that it was the heaviest pack in the group) eliminated it, as well.
That left the Savant and the Kestrel. I'm 5'7" but with short legs and a long torso I require a large size pack. First, I tried a large Kestrel 48 with 25 lbs. It felt pretty good in the store and it looked like a larger size would fit the bear can. I liked all of the features of the Kestrel (belt pockets, sleeping bag compartment, rain cover, external hydration pocket, etc.). On paper, this was the perfect pack for me.
Next, I tried the Savant. It felt a little more comfortable than the Kestrel (with 25 lbs) but lacked a sleeping bag compartment (not a big deal) and was so new I couldn't find any user reviews. It looked like it would fit the bear can (only vertically, posing a possible packing problem) and had an external hydration pocket (peace of mind and access without having to unpack to refill).
Ultimately the lack of reviews gave me pause and I ordered the Kestrel 68.
When I received the pack I loaded it up with most of the gear I'll be taking this trip (including the bear can which fit both horizontally and vertically) and tried it on, adjusting the various straps until it felt comfortable. After filling my CamelBak bladder with 2 liters of water and placing it in the external compartment I just could not adjust the pack to fit comfortably anymore. The shoulder straps wouldn't hug my shoulders properly, pulling on my collar bone and cutting off circulation to my arms. No amount of adjusting got it to fit as well as it did without the bladder. I loaded my Palisade and tried it on for comparison. Night and day. The harness on the Palisade fit so much better and, given the choice, the extra weight would be worth the added comfort.
I'm disappointed. I really wanted to love this pack. I just didn't fit my body well. Like I said, on paper it was perfect, but I'm returning it and going back to the drawing board.
The pack I'm now considering most is the Dueter ACT Lite 65 + 10 (has very positive reviews). I'll give the Atmos 65, Z65 and the Savant 58 another look but the external hydration sleeve on the Savant is giving me concerns, now.
Any one have experience with the Dueter? Or, use the Atmos 65/Z65 with a bear can?