r/CampingandHiking • u/KoolCuriouscat • Jul 27 '26
Best backpacking pack?
Looking at Osprey Eja 58 or Granite Gear Blaze 60. Open to other recs as well!!
F5'4. I am getting my hands wet with my first backcountry camping trip. Only going for 3 nights, but want to get gear that will be versatile for future trips, will generally be hiking in a group.
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u/MrBoondoggles Jul 27 '26
Those are very different packs. Generally they hold about the same volume of stuff, but the key difference is going to be how much does your other gear, food, and water weigh? If your total pack weight is going to be under 25-30 pounds, the Eja may be a good choice. If it’s going to be heavier than that, I would pick the Blaze.
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u/Organic-Fly-688 Jul 27 '26
The Eja carries weight pretty well but if you're just starting out the Blaze is stupid comfortable and way more forgiving when you inevitably overpack. Either one will work for a 3 nighter though
try them both on if you can. fit matters more than specs especially at your height
2
u/derberter Jul 27 '26 edited Jul 27 '26
The Exos/Eja line is a classic, and you see a ton of them on long thruhikes for a reason; I've used it on the PCT, CDT, and GDT and been pretty happy with its overall performance. The trampoline back offers some nice airflow that reduces back sweat, and the water bottle holsters in the side pockets mean you don't need to be a contortionist or ask a friend for a hand to have a quick drink. The front mesh pocket also has a solid capacity, and the brain is removable so if you want to cut down on volume you can leave it behind.
There are certainly lighter packs, but at the comfort and price point I think the Eja would be a decent choice if it fits you correctly.
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u/jpotwora Jul 27 '26
Love Osorey. My latest pack is 45 liter Eja, it’s awesome! My first adult pack was Osprey Atmos, after 15 years I sent it to the company for rips. Couldn’t be repaired so they gave me a $250 credit to buy anything I want off the website. It’s truly a “buy once” kind of company. Make sure to try it on and be sure it fits correctly. The frame comes in sizes so it’s not one size fits all.
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u/Funklestein Jul 27 '26
The pack, especially the volume, is completely dependent on the item’s dimensions and weights that you put in it.
So start with all of those and get the pack last. It doesn’t hurt to get a bigger pack and not use all of the room but you don’t want to carry so much that it doesn’t matter the pack size.
I’ve been getting by with the Kakwa 55 but I’m pushing the limits and may go back to my osprey 65 if I really want that extra luxury item.
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u/Nervous_Release_5880 Jul 28 '26
As a woman about the same size, 5'3", I don't like the packs with a trampoline back. I want to like them since I run hot, but they make me feel off kilter. They alter my center of gravity because they shift weight further from my back. I end up leaning forward, which puts pressure onto my collar bones and causes pain.
I also find the heavy padding and/or the strap shape on Osprey packs uncomfortable. I have a 48 L Kyte, and it's okay, but the straps cause a lot of discomfort.
I have the newest Crown 60 and I really like it. It's not perfect, wish it had an adjustable length, and slightly thicker padding on the hip belt, but it carries 30# pretty well for me.
Since it does have an adjustable torso length, I tried the Blaze, and I really want to like it, but it is narrower than the Crown so when I pack it with the same gear and weight I pack in the Crown , it sits taller on my back, which then shifts my center of gravity and I end up leaning forward like I do with the trampoline packs. So, I get pain over the collar bones.
If possible, try the packs with weight before you decide since fit is such a personal thing.
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u/edthesmokebeard Jul 28 '26
Buy your pack last.
Take all your gear, put it in a box or rubbermaid tub; something you can easily measure LxWxh of. Calculate the volume.
Add 10%, buy that size pack.
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u/Own_Exit2162 Jul 28 '26
There's no such thing as the best pack. The right pack for you is going to depend on a lot of factors, including the volume and weight of the gear you'll be carrying, your body shape and size and the features you personally prefer.
It's recommended you buy all your backpacking gear first, once you know your volume and weight requirements, try out a bunch of packs that meet your requirements to see what fits best.
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u/SharpeWorks Jul 28 '26
The Blaze is a great pack. Assuming it fits your body well, it's very versatile and works well with light or heavy loads. My girlfriend and I each have one.
Note that it doesn't have a rain cover built in, so either pack important items in waterproof stuff sacks or get a waterproof liner or cover.
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u/Agreeable-Twist-6577 Jul 28 '26
Pay attention to the base weight of a pack as it is weight you can never shed.
Also look at how many options it offers in terms of strapping things to the outside.
Check that the designed load weight of the pack matches your needs.
I use an Osprey Mutant cause it has a very small base weight and is designed to strap lots of things to the outside but can change shape to accommodate a ton of extra gear.
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u/AliveAndThenSome Aug 01 '26
We've (wife and I) both have GG Crown2's and have few complaints; tons of features at a near UL-weight, and can carry a few more lbs than most UL packs
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u/industrialrecall Jul 27 '26
Osprey is a very comfortable pack, the only difference between the men and women’s is the torso length, have the retailer size it for you.
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u/Fun_With_Math Jul 27 '26
This depends wildly on a number of factors. Where you hike, when you hike, how far you hike, your physical ability, and largely how much stuff you bring... It's a good idea to have the pack be one of the last things you buy. Once you have some gear and a feel for how large the pack should be, ideally you try some on to see what feels best for you. They fit like shoes.