New Pack at Golite

“How exciting. I was finally ordering a new ultra-lite pack with only a few reservations when lo and behold they have a new pack. The Gust has no place for my "outside of the pack" stuff and the adventure racing packs don't really carry the load I need for my almost lightened load in MI. The solution a "Trekker" pack in the 2 pound range with hydration pouch, top pocked, mesh external pockets and equipment loops. I ordered for overnight delivery so that I can use on a week long foray to Isle Royale. Can't wait. I will let you know how it works. CHECK IT OUT!!!”

“It doesn't say how many cubic inches or what torso lengths it fits.”

“Winddingo, it fits all torso lengths and comes in three colors. Like you, I can't find the cubic inches. There is a toll free # on their web page so might give them a call later.”

“The cubic inches?

If you have to ask...it isn't big enough for you. ;)”

“The small is 2.6 lbs, 16-18 inch torso, 3,700 main, 950 pocket and 600 ext collar for a total of 5,250 cu inches.

The medium is 18-20 inch torso, 2.8 lbs, 4050 main, 950 pocket, 600 ext collar for a total of 5,600 cu inches.

The large is 20-22 inch torso, 2.10 lbs, 4400 main, 950 pocket, 600 ext collar for a total of 5,950 cu inches.

I'm thinking about ordering a small.

Does anyone have a golite pack? I'm wondering if they fit a bear canister okay.”

“Talk to Racist Steve.”

“Who's Racist Steve?”

“Sorry. Hiker Steve.”

“Does he have a golite pack? Does he race or hate?”

“I'll let him answer that for ya but I think he's used a Gust with a bear cannister before.”

“LeSubtil has a golite, very nice for sure.”

“How much do they cost?”

“The "Trek Pack" is $139 on the Golite Website. I assume that's it.

Looks interesting.”

“okay, Golite said that the bear canister will fit, so i ordered a trek in small. Hopefully it will work for me and I'll be able to cut 3 lbs off my load.

Phil, it's $139

Here's the link:
http://www.golitestore.com/store/prodinfo.asp?number=PA5104&variation=&aitem=2&mitem=9”

“That looks to me like a nice pack, I'm anxious to know how you like it.”

“I think Jerber has one too..either the medium or the large..he and steve hiker aka 'the racist' had them on the BRT hike last fall.

They hold alot of STUFF!

Tex”

“Wingding - I am definitely interested in the Trek Pack also. Maybe I can see yours in enough time to order one for the Sierra Trip. My question is the proper size. According to the fitter at Sport Chalet, my torso is 17.5...borderline between small and medium.

Anxious to see how you like it.”

“It does look nice. I always thought the Gust would be a better pack (for me) if it had more outside pockets. If I hadn't picked up a G4 already this might have been my choice.”

“Phil: I'll report back as soon as the pack comes in case you want to see it. It's coming directly from Golite, so I don't know how long it will take to get to me.

I can take a few more pictures and let everyone else know what I think about it when it comes, and when I use it. I'm hoping it'll come this week, so I can use it next weekend for a Sierra bpack I have planned.”

“The bear can didn't exactly "fit" inside my Gust, but it was in there. Just barely. On the other hand I doubt whether any pack could swallow a Garcia cannister without looking like a snake had just swallowed that jungle bunny in the REI ad.

The Trek Pack looks good for those who want a more traditional pack (lots of belts and straps), but the 2 lb. 8 oz. weight for a large would be a little too much for me. Looked at the specs page and didn't see the weight for the medium or small, but they're probably around 2 lbs. or under.

You gotta love GoLite for their pioneering efforts to get away from stone age, heavy-as-stones packs.



”

“did you just say "jungle bunny"? am i missing something here? is there another thread i don't know about?”

“One Trek Large/Sea
Weight=2lbs 8oz. I just cut my load by nearly 4 lbs!!!!!!!!!!!”

“2.6 lbs for my Small/Night. That's over 3 lbs lighter than my Arc'Teryx Bora 62. Let's see if it fits as nice as the Bora.”

“WingdingO, I've heard nothing but rave reviews over their past products, so I expect nothing different from the Trek pack. With a lighter pack, lighter thern-a-rest and a few other modifications, I'm shaving 7 lbs from my base weight.”

“I'm very interested in how the Trek works out for you all. I'm just getting back into backpacking and haven't purchased a pack yet. This one sounds like something I might be interested in. In my travels I'll try to keep a tab on this thread.”

“The golite packs seems great (from looking at LeSubtils, and others reviews) my only hesitation would be the weight limitations. This could/would require me to purchase new superlight gear (not all but some).”

“My "going light" consists of using what I already own, just not taking all the extra crap I use to take. Of course, it's getting colder out now so my sommer base packweight of just under 20lbs will be increasing in weight. Are those ultralight packs good for winterweight backpacking?”

“Buddur, from what I've read and heard about 30 lbs is max. The extra weight required for winter camping would probably rule their use out. Should be a great way to cut summer weight though. The three easiest places to shave pounds is your tent, pack and sleeping bag. Hard to beat a bag that only weighs a little over two pounds.”

“If you minimize weight across the board even a winter pack should be under 30 lbs. Especially with a lightweight backpack.

Professor says there is just NO REASON to ever carry a heavy pack again. Got that? Not in sprang, summer, fall or vinter.”

“I still have my doubts. There's also volume attributed to winter gear, especially the bulk to keep a smaller person warm or should I say "to keep a smaller person from freezing" (ie extra ground pad, sleeping bag, winter clothing, more food, more prudent shelter).”

“If this pack can only carry a nice weather load, then I can always revert back to the 6 lb Arc'Teryx to carry snowshoes and other extra winter items.”

“Winter is relative depending on where you live. You might be able to get away with a lighter and less bulky load in the winter in Georgia than say North Dakota.”

“Buddur's right, the bulk of winter gear can fill up a pack fast especially if it's synthetic insulation. There's a lot of variables here that come into play here, region your hiking in, your tolerance to cold, if you'll be standing around a camp, length of trip, etc. I guess some people can get away with an ultralight pack, but I know I couldn't.”

“Ultralight does not necessarily mean low volume. The Gust (for example) has 5000 c.i. but weights only 19 oz.

On the other hand I wouldn't want to try packing for a winter trip with a 2500 c.i. pack. No way.”

“My Golite Trek shipped this afternoon.

I also purchased Merrell Reflex boots to replace heavier Salomoms and will be selling my full length Therm-a-rest at our garage sale to fund a new light weight 3/4 length Therm-a-rest. Those changes, plus a few others, will drop my average pack weight from 33 lbs to 23 lbs. With luck I'll have it down to 20 lbs once Santa arrives. My knees feel better just thinking about it.”

“The problem is that with 5000 ci of volume that it can also turn into more weight than the pack can comfortably support and is designed for. I have a modified day pack with a web belt like the Gust and no frame and beyond 25 lbs it starts to feel like it's at its limit. The belt hangs off the hips like a tumpline and puts too much weight on my shoulders and the lack of a frame doesn't allow for the weight to be spread out evenly to be comfortable at least to me. Once I pulled the frame out of my Mountainsmith pack that I modified myself for perfect fit and it's ability to support and spread out a load was effected to point that I concluded it wasn't worth it. I guess that's why they advertise the ultralight packs for under 30 lbs.”

“If your Merrell Reflex boots are as comfortable as my Reflex shoes, your feet will be two happy hoofs.”

“Buddur, we're probably talking about the same shoe (boot). Merrell lists them in their multi-sport line. I looked at them as a low cut hiking boot, or shoe. Heavier than a cross-trainer but lighter than a high-top hiking boot. I've had them out on a 10 mile hike last Thursday and I came home feeling better than I can remember feeling in a long time.”

“With any luck at all, my new Trek will arrive this afternoon, just in time to give it a field test in the Beartooth Mountains tomorrow.”

“The GVP G4 is plenty large enough for winter tripping, but there again you do have the weight issue with it, I would think you would need to keep your load down below 30 lbs.”

“Geezr: How did you find out what day your pack shipped out? This is my second order from the Golite site and they don't send a confirmation and shipping information via email.”

“wingding0, like you I ordered over the internet and when I didn't receive e-mail confirmation, I called the toll free # at the bottom of their website. They relayed the info then.

Anxious to give it a try.”

“Well I guess I'll be hiking in my CamelBak tomorrow. The USPS didn't deliver my Trek today.”

“Man, I hate that Geezr....”

“If it doesn't arrive tomorrow I just might not cheer for Lance in next year's Tour.”

“Geezr, too bad your pack didn't come. Mine didn't arrive either. Maybe tomorrow.”

“It's still hasn't arrived.”

“What type of shipping did you request? Call customer service and find out. When it arrives you won't be sorry.

DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own stock in GoLite.”

“wingdingo, mine arrived yesterday. You are going to love it!!!!!! I work the next three days, but will probably load it up in the next day or two and take it for a test drive.
An added bonus, they list it at 2lbs 8oz but it's 2lbs 3oz. Mine is Sea (color) but is actually black highlighted wit blue. Great scheme. The seamstress that is doing my G4 says the sewing is top notch.”

“Hopefully, my pack will be there when I get home. I have all my stuff piled up and sitting by the door at home, so if the Trek is there I'll be able to load it up and head out for the Sierras. If it's not, then I'll just have to use my good old heavier pack.

On the website they didn't give different methods of shipping. They charged $15 for shipping, so it shouldn't take too much longer to get to me.”