Packs with back breathability?

[Engine]

But, it requires 1.21 Gigawatts...just sayin...

Can't you just go dumpster diving while in town and put some old vegetables in there?

[DuneElliot]

The flex capacitor looks like it does have an arc but would still possibly create hot spots. It also weighs more than my current pack. Waiting to see if a guy I know wants to purchase my current pack and then I will be definitely full bore into finding a replacement. Another perk to the Osprey is the ability to try it on and load my gear in it and see how it handles. Thanks everyone for the ideas and things to look for!

It's only an oz or two difference in weight. The arc looks pretty substantial to me:
flex-air-flow-back-panel.jpg

[JC13]

It's only an oz or two difference in weight. The arc looks pretty substantial to me:
flex-air-flow-back-panel.jpg

True, it has large lumbar and scapula pads that concern me for hot spots. $100 more then the SMD I have and 2-3oz heavier. The Osprey is ~10oz lighter and $30-60 more than the SMD with a full mesh back contact.

[DuneElliot]

I came across the Marmot Graviton 38 and 58L on sale for $119 on Massdrop that might be worth taking a look at, and it looks like it also has a lot of back breathability with the mesh and arc. It's slightly heavier than the SMD Fusion 50L though, but only $20 more expensive.

[DuneElliot]

Actually since you're interested in the 38L Exos the 38L Graviton comes in at 38oz. And it's $129 until the lowest price is unlocked:

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/marmot-graviton

[JC13]

Actually since you're interested in the 38L Exos the 38L Graviton comes in at 38oz. And it's $129 until the lowest price is unlocked:

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/marmot-graviton

Funny you mention it! I just saw the email from Massdrop about it. Trying to see if anyone mentions the weight sans brain. The price is definitely a good one!

[DownEaster]

The Granite Gear Crown V.C. 60 has ventilation channels molded into the back. I think the "V.C." stands for "vapor current". 34 ounces.

[JC13]

The Granite Gear Crown V.C. 60 has ventilation channels molded into the back. I think the "V.C." stands for "vapor current". 34 ounces.

I ended up forgoing the back ventilation for lighter weight, got a Granite Gear Virga II for $118, 19oz. Total packweight once I order our EE Accomplice will be 19.5 lbs with 3 days of food and 2 litres of water.

[Elaikases]

FWIW, as of end-of-season surveys:
1) The Osprey Exos was the most popular backpack on the AT in 2016.
2) The Exos is also the most loved backpack, and overall most loved piece of gear on the PCT even though more people used a ULA Circuit in 2016.

That is interesting.

[Time Zone]

FWIW, as of end-of-season surveys:
1) The Osprey Exos was the most popular backpack on the AT in 2016.
2) The Exos is also the most loved backpack, and overall most loved piece of gear on the PCT even though more people used a ULA Circuit in 2016.

It's also worth noting what the least-liked items were in the PCT survey. Sometimes the same item (e.g., ULA Circuit) shows up on both "most liked" and "least liked" lists, presumably because it is used by so many people. So, in some cases, you don't get a sense of the rate of like/dislike, just a count. (true with real life anecdotes, too)

http://www.halfwayanywhere.com/trail...ey-gear-guide/

FWIW an Osprey pack (but not the Exos) was on the least-liked list.

[Dogwood]

This was what I was coming to suggest. Looking at the pictures, and reading Andrew Skurka's design mentality it has enough curve to allow some air between you and the pack. It's a very interesting pack.

The flex capacitor looks like it does have an arc but would still possibly create hot spots. It also weighs more than my current pack. Waiting to see if a guy I know wants to purchase my current pack and then I will be definitely full bore into finding a replacement. Another perk to the Osprey is the ability to try it on and load my gear in it and see how it handles. Thanks everyone for the ideas and things to look for!

It's only an oz or two difference in weight. The arc looks pretty substantial to me:
flex-air-flow-back-panel.jpg

Indeed Dune Eliot. Good pic.

My only question if pack wt is being heavily considered and the OP is good to go with 40L the Flex Capacitor might be more volume, hence pack wt, than needed.

[Dogwood]

JC, if you're go to pack volume is 40L or slightly less have you explored frameless packs? It would be up to user ability but some frameless pack users have been able to bend the pack horizontally and/or vertically via packing or virtual frame sheet configurations to have much less material in contact with your back.

[Dogwood]

It's also worth noting what the least-liked items were in the PCT survey. Sometimes the same item (e.g., ULA Circuit) shows up on both "most liked" and "least liked" lists, presumably because it is used by so many people. So, in some cases, you don't get a sense of the rate of like/dislike, just a count. (true with real life anecdotes, too)

http://www.halfwayanywhere.com/trail...ey-gear-guide/

FWIW an Osprey pack (but not the Exos) was on the least-liked list.

What we're observing in Mac's survey is an increase in less advanced or less experienced, hence lesser evolved kits/heavier kits, than yrs previous to the exponential increase in PCT usage... DESPITE UL gear advancement NOTING SHARPLY THAT UL PHILOSOPHY IS NOT JUST ABOUT BUYING UL GEAR! It used to be - pre 2012 - the packs listed in Mac's survey would be excessively voluminous for PCT thrus or less commonly used. The face of PCT thrus is/has changing/changed with the increased popularity of first time or less experienced hikers attempting teh PCT as their first really long distance hike or doing long section hikes.

IMHO, the ULA Circuit and ULA catalyst(a large volume pack not typical for PCT thrus pre 2012) was liked/disliked not because of their popularity but because both are hotter more cumbersome larger backpacks to use with no space between the pack and a user's back. Lugging a large volume 70 L + pack through a HOT Mojave Desert has often been vastly unnecessarily for PCT thrus pre 2012 who tended to be more trail savvy experienced. It's why packs with a spacer mesh backs like ZPacks Arc Blast and Osprey's Exos 48 L and Atmos 48 L have been PCT favorites for quite a while.

[Blindwolfoncasters]

I have the Exos 58 and love it. Not only is the back as cool as it can be, the trampoline also gives great support over your whole back. The belt and straps are pretty weak, so I added some 1/4" closed cell foam to beef them up a bit. It seems like the belt is built with that in mind. I've never seen another one designed like that. I normally carry about 26 ilbs and love it when it gets to 20 ish! After a few days of food are gone. So, I can't recommend the Exos series highly enough.