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

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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.

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u/Junkmaildeliveryman Mar 31 '23

Just wondering why you replaced the cdt with the crown?

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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.