Packs with back breathability?

[JC13]

I am aware of only two packs that feature this: ZPacks Arc Blast and the Osprey Exos line.

Z is almost half the weight and twice the price. 55L is more space than I currently require as well.

Exos 38 is pretty much spot on space-wise.

We mainly section in July so I'm looking to possibly transition to something other than my SMD 2014 Fusion which works but man does my back get drenched!

Thoughts? Other manufacturers I missed? Trying to stay under 40oz which is what the Fusion weighs.

[gpburdelljr]

Breathability is one of the nice things about external frame packs. Unfortunately they are heavier.

[devoidapop]

I have the Osprey Atmos AG 65. It has suspended mesh and curved frame to keep your back cool. I'm pretty sure they make a 50, but maybe that's still too big for you. The top compartment comes off pretty easily, so that gives you some flexibility on space and weight. They're definitely not UL packs but I think they carry weight well and the breathability has been a real plus for me hiking in NC.

[JC13]

Yeah, the weight is the real bummer... Wife has the Exos 48 and loves it. I see a couple places where people are saying the Medium Exos 38 with brain removed is ~30oz. Not too shabby, found one on Amazon for $130. I did notice that the Atmos and I think one other moel had the Airframe I looked at the Stratus 36 and it was 3lbs...

[2EZ]

A consideration between the two is in practical use, as well.
Once you add a pack cover to the Exos, the weight disparity is greater and price disparity shrinks some.

I would never have hiked distance with my Osprey without a pack cover, but do so regularly with the Zpack.

[nsherry61]

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.

[JC13]

A consideration between the two is in practical use, as well.
Once you add a pack cover to the Exos, the weight disparity is greater and price disparity shrinks some.

I would never have hiked distance with my Osprey without a pack cover, but do so regularly with the Zpack.

I don't use a cover with the Fusion, was planning on using a contractor liner like I already do. But I do appreciate the thought. I guess I will just have to see what the gear budget looks like closer to July, I still have a couple of items to replace.

[The Kisco Kid]

If you can pack light enough, you can carry the bag on one shoulder like a cool kid in high school. Does wonders for airing out your back so maybe the kids in the hall were onto something

[capehiker]

The new Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor pack has some arc in it from the pictures I've seen. That may be the closest pack to the Osprey or ZPacks.

Check it out at 1:17 in the video. https://youtu.be/tCtHNYOhWvo

[blw2]

I'm doing the same search right now funny enough! So far those are the two I have found as well.... well those and the ZPack arch haul too.... early for me but I'm leaning to the osprey at the moment..... based on cost vs how much i'll use it... and the fact that i can go try it on for size and feel.....

[JC13]

If you can pack light enough, you can carry the bag on one shoulder like a cool kid in high school. Does wonders for airing out your back so maybe the kids in the hall were onto something

Lol, good call! Then I can swap sides when one side gets hot!

[cmoulder]

The main compartment of the Arc Blast is 42 liters, so overall it is a fairly trim pack.

Might also be able to find an older model Arc Blast in the 45 liter size, which has main compartment size of about 36 liters.

[DuneElliot]

The new Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor pack has some arc in it from the pictures I've seen. That may be the closest pack to the Osprey or ZPacks.

Check it out at 1:17 in the video. https://youtu.be/tCtHNYOhWvo

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.

[nsherry61]

The Gregory Z series backpacks are all about venting the users back and carry very nicely. I have used a Z55 a fair bit and loved the way it carried and kept my back cool. I would consider them light weight, not ultralight.

[soumodeler]

I'm a rather heavy sweater and my ZPacks Arc packs are by far the most breathable to me. I have or have tried Gregory packs, REI Flash packs, and a couple others. I don't fit Ospreys so can't comment there, but they are similar.

[bigcranky]

I did notice a big difference when I switched from a Circuit to an Arc Haul - my back isn't dry, but it's not drenched. I do like the pack overall. It's large for most hiking for me, but I can also use it in the winter.

[JC13]

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!

[nsherry61]

I'm a rather heavy sweater and my ZPacks Arc packs are by far the most breathable to me. I have or have tried Gregory packs, REI Flash packs, and a couple others. I don't fit Ospreys so can't comment there, but they are similar.

FWIW: Just like all ZPacks packs are not the same in back breathability, neither are all Gregory, REI, or Osprey packs all similar in breathability.

The Gregory Z series packs don't even touch your back except at the shoulder-blades and the lumbar region of your back providing exceptional ventilation!

The REI Flash packs have been completely redesigned, so if you haven't tried this year's model, you'll have no idea how they perform.

And, Osprey has their older frame-sheet style backpacks that carry heavy loads very well, they have the trampoline back of the Exos series, and they have the anti-gravity system in their current AG bags, all of which perform very differently from each other.

[ScareBear]

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!

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

[Engine]

I'm a rather heavy sweater and my ZPacks Arc packs are by far the most breathable to me. I have or have tried Gregory packs, REI Flash packs, and a couple others. I don't fit Ospreys so can't comment there, but they are similar.

I haven't tried many of the other packs noted, but the Arc Haul helps when I'm hiking here in Florida on an 85* day...and if it can help here in this humidity, it'll darn sure work in the mountains!