WhiteBlaze Pages 2024
A Complete Appalachian Trail Guidebook.
AVAILABLE NOW. $4 for interactive PDF(smartphone version)
Read more here WhiteBlaze Pages Store

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 1 2
Results 21 to 34 of 34
  1. #21
    Registered User
    Join Date
    10-17-2007
    Location
    Michigan
    Age
    64
    Posts
    5,126

    Default

    I too have been looking at a lot of these packs. I have been drawn to the MLD Exodus FS. Specs are much like the ULA Circut, but quite a bit lighter. Anyone with experience with the Exodus FS?

  2. #22
    Registered User Theosus's Avatar
    Join Date
    09-22-2011
    Location
    Florence, South Carolina, United States
    Age
    51
    Posts
    711
    Images
    1

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Whack-a-mole View Post
    I had an Osprey Aether 70, and was unhappy with it. The suspension system was fantastic, but the lower pockets were almost useless. They were too tight to get water bottles into, but had vent holes in them so you couldn't put smaller items in them with out them falling out. Why even bother to put them on the pack. Took it back to REI and then ordered a Go lite quest 80L. Some will chime in and say that pack is too large, but I'm a big guy, and sometimes my wife goes, and I carry a lot of her stuff also. I would rather carry more and have her go. She loves to hike, but carrying weight hurts her back, so it's way worth it to me to carry her stuff so we can do some stuff together. I have only tried out the Go lite on local park trails as a "break in" type experience, so I can't give a long term report. Doing Newfound Gap to NOC the last week in Oct, so I plan on writing up a report on it then.
    I love my 75L pack... I got it big so I can carry my kid's stuff. Im usually the guy with the biggest pack on our weekend group hikes, but Im also the only one without stuff dangling all over the place. Its funny when people tell you "Your pack is too large! You should get a 40 or 50L pack", while theirs is bursting at the seams and has stuff strapped all over the outside.
    Mine is no way ultralight though... so your mileage may vary.
    Please don't read my blog at theosus1.Wordpress.com
    "I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. Thank God for Search and Rescue" - Robert Frost (first edit).

  3. #23
    PCT, Sheltowee, Pinhoti, LT , BMT, AT, SHT, CDT, TRT 10-K's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-30-2007
    Location
    Erwin, TN
    Age
    62
    Posts
    8,492

    Default

    I just hiked the Long Trail with a Gossamer Gear Gorilla pack and it has a very good carry. I maxed out around 18ish lbs fully loaded so I don't know how it would do with 20+ but I have no complaints at all with this pack.

  4. #24
    Springer to Elk Park, NC/Andover to Katahdin
    Join Date
    01-04-2006
    Location
    Northport, Alabama
    Age
    76
    Posts
    1,363
    Images
    14

    Default

    I have a ULA Circuit, an Osprey Exos 34, and a Gossamer Gear Gorilla. The Gorilla is by far my favorite pack. I also have a Gossamer Gear Murmur and use it for all of my summer, early fall, and late spring trips.
    I am not young enough to know everything.

  5. #25
    Registered User
    Join Date
    05-28-2007
    Location
    east
    Age
    77
    Posts
    696

    Default

    I like the zpack. I've had one of the original blast 3600 for a couple of years. It weighs 10 oz with all my bells and whistles. I can't believe it carries so well and is so comfortable. I just got my newest zpack - a blast 3600 custom sized to about 4600. Weighs 17 oz. and carries my winter gear set and bear can with room left over. it even more comfortable than my previous zpack, my starlite, my ula circuit, and my GG miniposa. Somehow, the blast just hits the sweetspot for packs fitting on me. Yep, it was about $370 with all my preferred options but its way worth it to me.

    One thing I look at very carefully is the main bag size. Too often, the pack sizes are somewhat overstated by adding in a bunch of other harder to use pockets.

    happy shopping!

  6. #26
    PCT, Sheltowee, Pinhoti, LT , BMT, AT, SHT, CDT, TRT 10-K's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-30-2007
    Location
    Erwin, TN
    Age
    62
    Posts
    8,492

    Default

    I have a blast 36 as well. Even though it's very light it doesn't carry well for me with less than 18 pounds because it's so big.

    Plus the bigger the pack the more stuff you think you need.

  7. #27
    Registered User
    Join Date
    05-28-2007
    Location
    east
    Age
    77
    Posts
    696

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 10-K View Post
    I have a blast 36 as well. Even though it's very light it doesn't carry well for me with less than 18 pounds because it's so big.

    Plus the bigger the pack the more stuff you think you need.

    wanna sell that old blast 36? just gonna hurt yourself if you try to use it

  8. #28
    PCT, Sheltowee, Pinhoti, LT , BMT, AT, SHT, CDT, TRT 10-K's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-30-2007
    Location
    Erwin, TN
    Age
    62
    Posts
    8,492

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by juma View Post
    wanna sell that old blast 36? just gonna hurt yourself if you try to use it
    Nah...

    It'll come in handy this winter probably when I need the volume it holds.

    I'll have to say this.. for a pack this size it holds an incredible amount. It has much more usable space (to me) than a typical backpack like a Catalyst that's rated a similar size.

  9. #29
    Registered User
    Join Date
    05-28-2007
    Location
    east
    Age
    77
    Posts
    696

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 10-K View Post
    Nah...

    It'll come in handy this winter probably when I need the volume it holds.

    I'll have to say this.. for a pack this size it holds an incredible amount. It has much more usable space (to me) than a typical backpack like a Catalyst that's rated a similar size.
    (sigh)...I really needed a new daypack.

    This just points up the fact that the pack ads are mysterious and a question. the catalyst is advertised as 4600ci, for crying out loud! the main bag is 2600ci and this probably does compare to the blast 3600. I bought my starlite because the main bag was 3000ci and bigger than most of the competition like catalyst and circuit but still around 2 pounds total in weight. you really have to get the dimensions of a pack main bag to make any kind of rationale comparison. My new zpack is a f'ing monster - 13 x 9 x 31 main bag. with the new compression straps, it tightens down nicely. plenty of room for my comfort gear. WM versa bag, custom stevenson down air mattress, MH mega UL2 tent, jetboil, and zero degree long johnsons.

    I was recently out on the PCT in northern cali. I did see several zpacks and they were crammed so full, they couldn't close them. I had to use my starlite to get the bearikade bear can in the pack

  10. #30
    PCT, Sheltowee, Pinhoti, LT , BMT, AT, SHT, CDT, TRT 10-K's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-30-2007
    Location
    Erwin, TN
    Age
    62
    Posts
    8,492

    Default

    I have three catalysts as well. The blast 36 will absolutely carry more as the main body is really where all the space is.

    I agree, pack sizes can be very deceptive.

  11. #31
    PCT, Sheltowee, Pinhoti, LT , BMT, AT, SHT, CDT, TRT 10-K's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-30-2007
    Location
    Erwin, TN
    Age
    62
    Posts
    8,492

    Default

    I guess that's because on the blast every other kind of pocket is an option.

  12. #32

    Default

    I have found this very confusing as well. I look at the pack sizes and some packs have the it broken down by main compartment, pockets etc... While others just list one number and I don't know if they mean for the main compartment or how it is broken down. That makes it tough to figure out which one would carry my gear the best.

  13. #33
    Registered User
    Join Date
    05-28-2007
    Location
    east
    Age
    77
    Posts
    696

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by 10-K View Post
    I guess that's because on the blast every other kind of pocket is an option.
    used to be, but not now. lower side pockets and the back net pocket is standard on a blast.

  14. #34
    Registered User
    Join Date
    05-28-2007
    Location
    east
    Age
    77
    Posts
    696

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by PhotobugFred View Post
    I have found this very confusing as well. I look at the pack sizes and some packs have the it broken down by main compartment, pockets etc... While others just list one number and I don't know if they mean for the main compartment or how it is broken down. That makes it tough to figure out which one would carry my gear the best.
    take your gear down to REI and try loading in the exos and see how it goes. That might give you an idea of how much room you need. No REI, maybe try a walmart pack of similar claimed dimensions.

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 1 2
++ New Posts ++

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •