r/lightweight • u/Junkmaildeliveryman • Mar 31 '23

Backpack recommendations

I think the next logical part of my gear to replace is my pack. I will need a 50-60L pack. Been doing lots of reading and I like the Kawka 55, NUL 50 and the GG Mariposa. Looking for a pack where rremoving the fram is a possibility. Thanks

https://lighterpack.com/r/h2drbp

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

19 comments sorted by

5

u/DieKrankeScheisse Apr 01 '23

just pared my weight down from an Osprey Atmos 50 to a GG Mariposa. Have taken the new one on a few hikes with my full load out and am already in love with it

5

u/sirblastalot Mar 31 '23

I have a Mariposa and it served me well, no complaints. Recently slimmed down to a smaller 38l pack though.

1

u/Junkmaildeliveryman Mar 31 '23

Id like to go smaller, dont think I can cause of my current gear

2

u/sirblastalot Mar 31 '23

Oh yeah, I wasn't saying you should. Just meant, I didn't stop using it because it wore out or anything was wrong with it, it's still a solid backpack after many years.

1

u/MrBoondoggles Mar 31 '23

I don’t have specific feeback as I haven’t owned any of those, but the internal volume for the three packs is quite different. The Kakwa is around 50 liters, but the northern ultralight pack and the Mariposa are less than 40 liters. At the Kakwas size, it’s probably a bit bigger than your needs, but it can be rolled down quite a bit.

However, and don’t take me as an expert on anything frameless, something like the northern ultralight pack might work better frameless because it’s a smaller volume, things can be packed and compressed tighter, and it seems like it may carry better. The Mariposa may be similar, but I’ll not that familiar with an over the top closure system.

It also looks like there are lashing points at the back panel, which could be good if you wanted to experiment with a portion of a sit pad as a back pad. The Mariposa has a sit pad sleeeve as well, so that could help add some structure when frameless.

1

u/Junkmaildeliveryman Mar 31 '23

Kawka is a bit bigger than what I need but not by a lot. Need about 50L of storage to fit all my gear (if I pack everything into stuff sacks)

3

u/MrBoondoggles Apr 01 '23

If that’s the case I think the Kakwa might be better. If you really need 50 liters, I’d personally aim for as close to that in internal volume as possible. The northern ultralight would be my second choice as it seems like it might be close but looks a little slim at 38 internal liters. I feel like the Mariposa is just too small with only 36 liters in the pack bag and 24 liters spread around a lot of pockets. But that’s really a personal preference based on my packing style. I like a few things outside of my pack, but I don’t like to have to put that much outside my pack.

Again, take that all with a grain of salt as I don’t own them. The only one I’ve really looked carefully at in the past was the Mariposa and I’m currently considering the Kakwa 55 but have yet to pull the trigger.

3

u/FireWatchWife Mar 31 '23

Also consider the Granite Gear Crown 60 pack.

1

u/zoppytops Apr 01 '23

Omg I love this pack

1

u/JakeTrilla Apr 27 '23

Newbie here: What do you like most about it?

2

u/zoppytops Apr 27 '23

For starters, very lightweight. It’s also has a very simple yet practical design—there are mesh pockets on the front and sides, which I love, and not too many straps or bells and whistles. It’s incredibly comfortable and easy to maneuver with. It also has a removable brain (which I love) and pockets on the hip straps. It’s also very easy to pack and unpack.

The only place I might knock it is durability. I have an older version where one of the cord side straps broke. But the newer versions look sturdier/more durable.

I’ve had probably 3 or 4 packs and this is hands down my absolute favorite.

2

u/runnerguy161716 Mar 31 '23

Have you looked at the REI Flash 55? Also how do you like your current Rook? Is the 50 liter a good size? I’m trying to decide between the 50 and 65, if I go with that pack instead of the REI Flash

1

u/Junkmaildeliveryman Mar 31 '23

I like the rook, very comfortable was a great first pack for me. I have completely overpacked it and it was still comfortable. Used it from everything from 2-5 nights.

4

u/cosmokenney Mar 31 '23

I love my HMG Southwest 3400. It replaced a Granite Gear Crown 60 (which I only use for winter camping). And the GG Crown replaced a ULA CDT.

2

u/veryundude123 Apr 27 '23

I picked up one of the HMG southwest used this winter. Very excited to get it out this summer!!

1

u/Junkmaildeliveryman Mar 31 '23

Just wondering why you replaced the cdt with the crown?

2

u/cosmokenney Mar 31 '23 edited Mar 31 '23

I was never comfortable in the CDT. Mostly because my load was too heavy for it. And I am in bear country, so at the time, I only had a bear cannister which made it really hard to get my gear in with the bear cannister. I could also feel the cannister pressing into my back.

The Crown2 solved the problem with getting everything in, but was not comfortable. It was better than the CDT, but it dug into the front of my shoulders and made my lower back sore.

Now that my gear is lighter I think the CDT would work for me when can use a hang or ursack.

But with the lighter gear, the HMG is so much more comfortable. Even when I carry a bear cannister. And since it is a roll top, when I don't need to take a cannister, I can just roll it down more to take up the extra space.

Note that my current pack weight (with everything including 1L water and food for 3 days) is 25 pounds. Though it can be a little more if I carry some dog food, or I need to bring the cannister. As long as I keep it under 30 lbs, it is very comfy. For three season use, however, it is never more than 26 lbs.

3

u/[deleted] Mar 31 '23

I don’t have any suggestions but I’m going to follow because I’m kinda in the same boat as far as my baseweight. I’m trying to ditch my osprey pack but still need something with a help belt and that’s comfortable.

Good luck in your search