What pack are you bringing?

[trippclark]

I use and love my Gossamer Gear Mariposa. For me, it is the perfect size for my gear and a week's worth of food and is comfortable to carry. This is my second Mariposa. I first bought one in 2010, which was still very serviceable, but I liked some of the new feature changes so I got a new model earlier this year. On a section hike last month in Massachusetts and Vermont, I met a northbounder who had been carrying the same new version of the Mariposa since Georgia and he was very complimentary of the pack.

I have no experience with the ULA to offer a direct comparison.

[None yet]

My ZPacks Arc Blast shows no sign of wear or stitch failure even after abuse of overloading (AT). I am taking it on the PCT NEXT YEAR

[Truelove]

Looks like I will be taking my ULA Circuit. I own an Osprey Aether 85 and while insanely comfortable the circuit is half the weight. I had bought the aether for carrying my weight and someone else's majority. I've used in on multi-day hikes but for a thru hike I believe in some give in take for comfort and weight.

[bigcranky]

My ZPacks Arc Blast shows no sign of wear or stitch failure even after abuse of overloading (AT). I am taking it on the PCT NEXT YEAR

That's good to hear. I have some concerns about cuben's ability to handle abrasion, as my Blast food bag has small holes around the top just from rolling it. The arc blast is a pack I've been considering.


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[Siarl]

I have been researching and researching equipment, mainly the big three, for since October 2013 and I have decided on the Granite Gear Crown VC 60. I like the roll top bag and I like it simple but with the option of having some sort of support or not. I can't really say why I definitely want this one but the cuben material in the other brands sound great but the abrasion factor was a convincing reason not to purchase a pack made from cuben fibers. It also has great reviews from those that have used it on trails and the AT.

[Pinhoti]

Just got my ULA Ohm 2.0. Seems well made but have yet to put it to the test.

[Gunner1776]

Not sure yet, but it looks like I may go with the ULA Circuit.

[Cassafras]

I'll be taking a Zpacks Arc Blast. Now if it would just hurry up and get here so I can take it for a test drive

[swjohnsey]

Used a ULA Ohm 2.0 great pack. Probably say more Circuits than any other single pack. Anything made from cuben probably won't last. I used some cuben stuff sacks, dry sacks from Z-Pack and they were in taters by the end of the trail.

[Cassafras]

The Arc Blast is made with a layer of 50 denier polyester on the outside to prevent fraying of the cuben. Hopefully this will help.

[magneto]

I just got an Arc Blast and tried it out this weekend. It seems to be a great product when used with a proper UL kit.

I was so thankful I had made the switch as I watched people at the trail-head toggling up their huge, 40 lb packs to climb. They needed two hands to left them and they staggered under the weight.

I cruised around the Tripyramids, the Sleepers, Whiteface and arrived at the base of Mt Passaconaway to camp. Going down the very steep and unstable "South Slide" of the last Trypyramid. I was very glad not to be balancing 40 lbs of gear on my back. Up and over Passaconoway and a three mike hike along Rt 112 back to my car the next day - glad to have gone light.

If the pack wears out, I'll buy another. As far as I am concerned, most gear are "consumable" items like tires and batteries.

This light-weight stuff is worth every penny, even if it doesn't last forever.

[swjohnsey]

Leaving town with a 20lb pack and coming into town with a 10lb pack is great! With some light gear you don't have to compromise durability. My ULA Ohm 2.0 is ready to go again.

[moondoggie]

As I'm Reading Through This Thread, I See No Mention Of Base Weight. This Should Be The #1 Consideration. Then You Can Better Determine How Large (Or Better Yet How Small) A pack You'll Need. On My 2011 Thru, I Carried A Go-lite And 24 Lb Base. Ugh! That Means 40+ Lbs After Resupply. Doable, As I Am Proof, But No Fun. As Soon As I Returned, I Went With ULA Air-x, Which Is Basically A Catalyst With An Inertia Air-X Pad For A Frame. Very Comfortable! Since Then, I've Reduced My Base To <11 Lbs. Now have a Z Packs Arc Blast. As For Durability, It's Not An Issue. Getting Back On Subject, If Your Base Is Over 16, Go With A ULA. Of Course, Your Pack Is Part I'd Your Base Weight. Your Pack Should Be The Last Thing You Buy, So You Know If It'll All Fit. I Don't Recommend Hanging stuff Off The Outside Of Your Pack.

[Grampsb]

If I can get my gear pared down it will be my MLD Prophet. Otherwise my ULA Circuit.

[Odd Man Out]

I like my Elemental Horizons Kalais. It seems quite comparable to a ULA Circuit. This is a newer company so you don't see their packs very much, but they have received some good reviews.

[saralynne1982]

Hi! I am bringing a Deuter women's 60 + 10-I would highly recommend going to an outfitter to get measured and try out a variety of options. I had my heart set on a Gregory, but after packing and walking around in three different options, the Gregory was not for me and the Deuter, not even in consideration, was my choice. Haven't looked back since.

[krawler]

I am using a Camp Trails Paragon 3, internal framed 65-70L pack.

[denefi]

I have an Osprey Kestrel 48, which is a bit more than I'd like to carry but super comfortable. I'm also new to backpacking, so I still like having all the little pockets and sections. I gather that's something I'll grow out of, but I haven't yet. If I drop down in weight it might be to a comparably sized Exos for about a pound of weight savings. The rest of my stuff (Enlightened Equipment quilt, foam pad, and Fly Creek UL2) is relatively lightweight. The iPad's gonna weight me down, though

[overthinker]

ULA Ohm 2.0. Love that thing. Was thinking of getting a Multi Pack 4-in-1 from ZPacks for a little extra storage, but that might not be necessary. Going to make that decision after some colder weather shakedowns this fall.

[KillerKarma]

Just tried a Deuter 45 + 10 this weekend and it's my favorite so far. I might try to make it work, but I'm worried about the capacity so I'm going to look into the 65 + 10 (maybe). Tried an REI Flash and an Osprey 65 (one of the 'A' names). Getting closer.