[pct-l] backpacks

Sun Jan 6 20:07:20 CST 2013

Lindsey,

Thanks for the review. I wanted to add that I too love the other Osprey packs I own, the Stratus 24 and the Talon 11. They are my go-to day packs. The Stratos 24 does have the trampoline type suspension, but it doesn't bother me at all with that pack, even when I've loaded it up. 

Has anyone tried out the Osprey Kestrel 48. I guess that would be really getting down to a minimum volume pack. I checked it out at REI the other day and it seems like a great little pack. Full featured at 3 lbs 8 oz. That weight is beginning to leave the ultralight category. I noticed that the Kestrel doesn't have the trampoline type suspension but has the same more trimmed down "Airscape" suspension like my Talon 11. Is that pack just way too small for a thru hike pack?

Randy

________________________________
 From: Lindsey Sommer <lgsommer at gmail.com>
To: "pct-l at backcountry.net" <pct-l at backcountry.net> 
Sent: Sunday, January 6, 2013 4:05 PM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] backpacks

I've used an Osprey forever (and by that I mean since about 2006), and
while I liked certain features on it (all the pockets etc), I found that I
started to dislike the back trampoline thing, since I felt that it reduced
and displaced the interior of the pack a little bit. Also, I don't sweat
really (it's freakish), and found it was kind of a waste anyways.

I've since switched to the Gossamer Gear Mariposa and am loving it so far!

Though, as we were talking about in a thread a few weeks ago, I'm unsure
about how the Mariposa will handle extra water + bear canister where those
are required. However, I will say, that a friend of mine just completed
hiking the length of South America (yes, from the south tip of Patagonia
all the way north) and she used the Mariposa the whole time and had no
issues. As someone pointed out (maybe Chuck?) the 35lb max limit might be
more of a suggestion. I found that while I was welllllll under that mark,
after carrying 2 gallons of water I probably easily reached that mark or
more....

Good luck with your search! Finding a backpack is a really fun experience,
I wish I could try them all (but that would be expensive).

Cheers,
Lindsey

On Tue, Jan 1, 2013 at 12:36 PM, Randy Godfrey <randy3833 at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Thanks Walljito,
>
> I hadn't considered the Bear Vault with the 50 liter volume size packs.
> That's a good point. I've been going to lighter packs, with less volume
> over the years and can fit all I need for 9 day trips in the North Cascades
> in a 50 liter pack now, but the Bear Vault would be another matter.
>
> When testing out the Atmos 50, I did my best in the store to keep those
> sandbag weights close to my back with the compression straps but I'll
> admit, it's not the kind of weight you carry on the trail. With the same
> weight, the GG Blaze AC 60 felt very stable to me, like it was a part of my
> body.
>
> When I tested the Exos 58, I thought that it felt much more stable and
> comfortable than the Atmos 50, but the suspension felt a bit overloaded
> with the 30# I put in it. something about the Atmos 50 just felt unwieldy,
> but maybe I should give it a second chance.
>
> Randy
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
>  From: Wally Neal <wallyneal at gmail.com>
> To: 'Randy Godfrey' <randy3833 at yahoo.com>; dm at quixnet.net;
> pct-l at backcountry.net
> Sent: Tuesday, January 1, 2013 5:46 AM
> Subject: RE: [pct-l] backpacks
>
> I have an Osprey Atmos 65 that feels like I'm wearing it like clothing,
> rather than carrying a backpack. The mesh  panel provides a VERY small
> space, seems like none when wearing it, for ventilation. The displacement
> of
> the load CG due to this is quite insignificant. With any of the popular
> internal frame packs, Randy, if the load is pulling you backwards, it's
> because of where you have the CG of the load, not the design of the pack.
>
> The Atmos packs are the lightest rated by the manufacturers to carry the
> loads needed for some Sierra sections of the PCT. I, too, looked at an
> Atmos
> 50, but there is just no way to get a Bear Vault plus the other stuff
> that's
> needed for the Sierra sections in a pack that size.
>
> Walljito
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
> On Behalf Of Randy Godfrey
> Sent: Tuesday, January 01, 2013 12:00 AM
> To: dm at quixnet.net; pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] backpacks
>
> You know, I was sure that the Osprey Atmos 50 was going to be my upgrade
> pack until I tested it at REI with 30# in it. The trampoline suspension on
> the pack shifted the center of gravity out far enough to make me feel like
> I
> was being pulled over backwards. It just didn't work for me, but it may for
> you.
>
> On the other hand, I was very impressed with the Granite Gear Blaze 60.
> It's
> a very light pack and the suspension feels great with 30#. There are some
> other Granite Gear packs that I'm interested in as well. I'm waiting to see
> what comes out in 2013 to make my final choice.
>
> Randy
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: "dm at quixnet.net" <dm at quixnet.net>
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2012 6:44 AM
> Subject: [pct-l] backpacks
>
> I am new to backpacking, altho I have day-hiked for years.  Looking for a
> backpack for the PCT next year, I think either an Osprey Aether 60 or Atmos
> 65 will meet my needs (solo hiking, so I carry everything).  Any comments
> on
> these packs from you experienced backpackers would be appreciated.
>
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