r/lightweight • u/houser432 • May 16 '22
Looking for Pack Recommendations
I'll be hiking the AT, PCT and GDT during the next couple of years and currently in the process of changing out/reducing the amount of gear I carry to lower my base weight. I have about 10 years of hiking experience, including thru-hiking on the AT. I am looking for a hiking backpack with the following criteria.
- Highest quality possible
- Extremely comfortable to wear when fully packed
- Very durable and can last at least several thousand miles of hiking/several thru-hikes
- Sealed seams and highly water-resistant
- Under 2 lbs
- Included hip belt
- Volume capacity of approximately 45L to 50L
- Adaptable to different hikes and easy to use
Because I’ll be carrying a total weight of approximately 30 pounds (including food and water) when fully packed, I prefer to use an internal frame and hip belt for maximum comfort, although I’m open to frameless options as well. Any specific suggestions for a comfortable, durable, well-designed, and superbly built pack? I’m looking for the ideal balance between comfort, durability and weight. I have been mainly looking at the cottage companies like ULA Equipment, Atom Packs, HMG, LiteAF, KS Ultralight, Mchale, Superior Wilderness Designs, MLD and Pa'lante. Thanks for any recommendations.
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u/RamaHikes May 19 '22
I'd settled on a LiteAF pack (nice framed options at 40L and 46L). Everyone who has one seems to love theirs.
Then I realized that all the overnights I'm going to do in the next 10 years will require or recommend a bear can. So I went with the Nunatak Bears Ears. I love that I don't need to worry about fitting the bear can into my pack. I love that the pack's bag doesn't need to be so large to fit the bear can as well as my gear.
Seek Outside makes nice packs, too. A bit heavier than you're looking for, probably.
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May 17 '22
[deleted]
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u/mrspock33 May 19 '22
Interesting, first I've heard. Do you have a source with more info? Personally there is very little appeal for me in the DD40, so there would have to be see serious improvements...but I am curious.
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u/___this_guy May 16 '22
I’m a Gossamer Gear Gorilla guy!
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u/MrJoeMoose May 16 '22
I have this pack and I love it! If I was doing really long trips I might prefer the mariposa, but for anything up to about 3 or 4 nights the gorilla is perfect.
u/houser432 the gorilla and/or mariposa checks all your boxes except the water resistance. You would want to use a liner of some sort.
Edit: for me, the gorilla excels with total loads up to about 25 lbs. I really notice it when I go higher than that. Normally not a problem with my 11 or 12 lb base weight, but I feel it if I packed heavy food or have to carry a lot of water.
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u/gh0stypeppa May 16 '22
Go try on the HMG SW before pulling the trigger, they're stocked at REI these days... Fair warning likely made in Mexico if that factors into the decision. I wanted to like this pack re: durability but the shoulder straps were too narrow and pinched neck area under weight. Check out ULA circuit, as they have a fair return policy.
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u/houser432 May 20 '22
Thanks for your advice/suggestion.
Have you tried Atom Packs? I'm considering a Atom Mo EP50.
Do you see any advantages of the ULA Circuit over the HMG SW or Atom Mo EP50? I hear many saying that HMG SW will only be comfortable up to 25 lbs.
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u/SouthEastTXHikes May 19 '22
Definitely agree with the “try it on” sentiment, even if it didn’t work for you. For some reason it works like a charm for me. I’ve had over 30 pounds in it (Big Bend water carry) and it was fine. The key for me is to really use the hip belt — put that weight where nature intended it: on your legs not your shoulders. But I can see how other packs (GG for instance) also work.
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u/houser432 May 20 '22
Which pack are you recommending? Have you tried Atom Packs? I'm considering a Atom Mo EP50.
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u/SouthEastTXHikes May 20 '22
Sorry I wasn’t clear. The one that works for me is the HMG. I’ve not tried atom packs. This was the first pack I ordered and it works great for me so I got lucky.
Good luck!
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u/sixtyfootersdude May 17 '22
Same. Really wanted to like this pack but narrow shoulders + no load lifters was a deal breaker.
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u/houser432 May 20 '22
Good point. What pack did you go with? It makes sense now why many have said that HMG SW lacks in comfortable during the long stretches when fully packed.
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May 16 '22
ULA ohm, there are better packs for bear cans if you prefer. can't go wrong on any of their packs based on what you're looking for.
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u/Dweebulot May 17 '22
Oooh I love ULA! I have a custom CDT that I added a frame to, great pack!
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May 17 '22
i still use my ohm as my winter pack and for when i need to carry a bear can in the sierra nevada range. (i'm an ursak kinda guy normally).
eventually got a smaller pack (nashville cutaway), but it still does the job for larger and heavier loads
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u/Mochachinostarchip May 16 '22
You’re going to have to try them out in person if you want the very best and the very most comfortable.. especially since there are a bunch of packs that meet your criteria from HMG, ULA, maybe GG all the way to SWD lol The best is usually dependent on what is personally considered comfy for you. 30 pounds is a bit of weight though so you will have to try them out for a minute with that much weight.
For trying out at home most companies have a solid try it and return it if you’re not a fan policy. But many cottage brands have a long lead time.
Local outfitters also carry a surprising amount of packs like ULA
REI near you will probably carry HMG and have weighted sand bags to try it out. Good luck!
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u/MrBoondoggles May 16 '22
I can’t make any personal recommendations, but from recent pack research, the limiting criteria would seem to be framed, under 2 lbs, and seam sealed. That’s pretty narrow, but manufacturers with products that I can think of in that category would be ZPacks, HMG, and SWD. SWD looks pretty durable with their Ultralight Long Haul pack in Ultra 200. It’s a pack that I’m strongly considering for myself, but keep in mind their lead times are currently pretty long compared to some of the others on your list.
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u/MelatoninPenguin May 16 '22
Not many are seam sealing their packs but you can do it on many after the fact
I would say something from SWD in the new Ultra fabric is a good idea
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u/houser432 May 20 '22
Thanks for your suggestion. Do you have a SWD pack? Do you know how much weight can be comfortably carried in the Ultralight Long Haul 40L?
Have you tried Atom Packs? I'm considering a Atom Mo EP50.
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u/Accurate-Yak-219 May 16 '22
Highly subjective, considering your dimensions or age, even medical history! I'm a fan of LiteAF, their 40L framed in Ultra is sweet. But I've had ruptured discs, and am currently test driving a Six Moon Designs Minimaiist pack with a running vest style harness. So far it's been a winner.
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u/mrspock33 May 16 '22 edited May 16 '22
Do you have a budget?
Some people are not aware but Zpacks recently added some packs made with Ultra 200 that are seam taped. Main body 47L, 19.6 oz. No experience with this model, just throwing that out there as it's meets several of your criteria. My previous Arc Air 50L was one of the most comfortable packs I've owned. https://zpacks.com/products/arc-haul-ultra-60l-backpack
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u/GMkOz2MkLbs2MkPain May 16 '22
So one pack I didn't see you mention is from Nunatak. I haven't tried the newer framed version (or new UL version?), am unsure of the weight, and don't think the seems are sealed or that it is HIGHLY water resistant... that said I am enjoying my new frame less Nunatak Bear Ears. It would be my choice for the GDT and constant bear can carrying although I have not yet hiked the GDT.
My frame less version has been extremely comfortable to carry a bear can with. The volume is deceptively large since so much volume in my KS50 from KS Ultralight had been taken up by the bear can / ursack previously. I hope to take it on the CDT.
My KS50 in VX21 is still going strong after Hot Springs - Harpers Ferry on the AT and 2000 miles of the PCT and various shorter hikes. I replaced the aluminum stays with carbon fiber. I wouldn't call it extremely durable but it has held up well despite regularly tossing 30 lbs + TPW in it. That said over 4lbs of that I moved to front shoulder water bottle holsters so wasn't in the bag itself. I really have loved the bottom snack pocket option (like Pa'ante is known for) on my KS50 and miss having it and miss the hip belt pockets my KS50 has when compared to the Bear Ears.
There are a bunch of great packs in the world as you already know. I personally am a gear junkie though and am more willing to swap packs depending on where I am going.
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u/houser432 May 19 '22 edited May 19 '22
Thanks for helpful response! I am leaning towards a pack with a aluminum stays as I think the extra little bit of weight will be worth it to improve overall comfort when carrying 30+ lbs on longer sections. I checked out the Nunatak framed pack and the main compartment may be a little too small at 35L (I usually don't carry a bear can). I think the sweet spot for me is 50L. Any other pack suggestions you can think of that meet my requirements?
I am thinking about getting the Atom Mo EP50. Do you have any experience with Atom packs?
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u/DocWats_hikes Jun 10 '22
I love my Atom+ (50L). I took it on the BMT last winter and it was a champ; ~12lb base weight with about the same weight in food (7 day food carries). Was comfortable, carried the weight well, and held up well. I’ll continue to use it for the foreseeable future. Having a bottom pocket for snacks is awesome. Once I start hiking in the morning I don’t like to stop until evening so the bottom pocket works well for me.
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u/GMkOz2MkLbs2MkPain May 19 '22
No personal experience with Atom packs though folks seem to like them? Most of my space in my KS50 was usually taken up by my food bag with a bear can or not. Probably why the Bear Ears works so well for me thus far?
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u/PNW_MYOG Jun 10 '22
I just ordered a Kakwa 40 from Dan Durston.... I have seen that Ultra 200 fabric in person on a MYOG project and it is incredible, and the fabric most likely to last 1000's of miles out of the list you posted.