Lightest pack that carries up to 40 pounds

[FamilyGuy]

I have carried around 40 lbs in the Osprey Aether 60 (the original version) the ULA Circuit and the Aarn Featherlite Freedom.
The Aarn, at 3 lbs, is about 1 lb heavier than the Circuit and a bit heavier than the Osprey but MUCH more comfortable at that weight.
(not that I like carrying 40 lbs...)

Franco, do you use the front pockets with the Aarn?

[Franco]

Yes, both packs.
I have the Expedition type (the largest size...) on the smaller one (Featherlite Freedom) so that it is easier to balance the weight that way.

[Wanderingventurer]

Ditto on SeekOutside’s new Unaweep pack with the 4600 cu. In. and X-Pack fabric at sub 3 lbs. Mine is slightly older and in the VX fabric, so it is a couple of ounces over 3 lbs. This is a great pack and the most comfortable one that I have ever carried!

[JumpMaster Blaster]

I think the ULA Catalyst will be the closest thing to (ultra)light that will be able to handle 40 pounds. Carrying 40# of gear in and of itself is NOT UL by ANY stretch of the imagination, period.

During my training hikes I carried 36-39 pounds of weight in my Catalyst (size small) and didn't have any problems. Maybe don't pigeonhole yourself into a certain crazy pack weight of you're going to be carrying that much gear. It's like asking for a UL 3-man tent that weighs less than 3 pounds and costs less than $400. Too narrow a scope.

[Just Bill]

I don't own it, so take out your salt shaker...

I put 60lbs in this pack and wore it for 1.5 hours at the store while I farted around. 2.5lbs.
http://www.rei.com/product/864669/os...055|#tab-specs

It fit my hips a bit funky, the butterfly style internal frame transfers weight very well, but to do it the frame grabs your hips pretty decent. It's a very nice pack for the right person. I think you could easily chop, cut, and take off the brain to get it under 2lbs without much trouble.

[Wyoming]

I have an old Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone, which weighed 3 pounds and was rated to 40 pound loads. It carried 30-35 pound loads effortlessly. The current model closest to it is the Leopard AC 58. It is 3 pounds 1 ounce, but 2 pounds 12 ounces without its floating lid and is also rated to 40 pounds.

I used one of the Nimbus Ozones on my thru of the AT as well as many other hikes. It is not good for 40lbs. I have never had more than 35 lbs in it and the straps eventually started to tear away from the bag. Plus I found it uncomfortable at 35 lbs. It to me it is really a 30lb and under bag except when you have no other choice.

[bigcranky]

I'm looking at the new Zpacks Arc Haul pack. I've been using a ULA Circuit for many years, and was thinking about an Ohm 2.0 to save half a pound in the summer, but the Arc Haul looks like it could replace both packs, have more carrying capacity, and it weighs ~24 oz total. Not inexpensive, but within reason for what it is -- a 100% Dyneema pack with a well-thought-out frame, potentially cooler in warm weather, and completely customizable.

[Franco]

"Carrying 40# of gear in and of itself is NOT UL by ANY stretch of the imagination, period."
It can be , ask me how ...
OK, I don't sell Herbalife so I'll tell you
22 lbs of food, 8 lbs of water , the rest is your 10 lbs UL pack.

[Jake2c]

I don't have a lot of experience but I have noted a difference between being light and feeling light. I have a 3lb black diamond that I only use when I am sub 30lbs. It is a nice pack that I like but over 30lbs and it feels heavier than my Kelty external frame 65. The Kelty weighs about 4.5lbs. So I give up about 1-2 pounds but no matter what I load into it, it feel light and air flow is good around the pack. It is comfortable enough for me that even though I will be going on a short hike in a week or two and could use the lighter pack, I have opted for the external frame as it is just really comfortable. One exception though, if I was scrambling around rocks I would probably use the black diamond.

[Franco]

I remember a particular 6 day walk when a mate and myself had about 35 lbs each at the start.
I had my Aarn (about 1.8kg) he had a 700g or so frameless pack.
I called his pack a sack of potatoes because it looked like one and was pretty much as comfortable to carry as a sack of potatoes with straps.
He bought another pack later on...

[blgoode]

You need to talk to Kevin at Seekoutside. The Unaweep has really impressed me with what it has to offer. It has too many pluses not to take s serious look at. No rain cover, light, can carry well over 40lbs.

[Vthiker77]

^^^^^ what blgoode said! Unaweep is the pack for you. AWESOME pack and ridiculously comfortable at those weights. Under 30lbs and you forget you're even wearing it. 30-40lbs is no problem.

[billnchristy]

The crown plus air frame sheet is supposed to be able to hold 40. With the plastic sheet they just say 35.

[blgoode]

I have the Divide 4200 on order. At 2lb 10oz I had to try it out!!

[Violent Green]

Exped Lightning 60 will carry 40lbs all day and not bat an eye. 2.5 lbs and often less than $200. Great pack.

Ryan

[mtntopper]

Contact TIPIWALKER on this site. He is always carrying a heavy loaded pack. I am sure he can help you.