ultralight packs

“Is it possible to use an ultralight pack and a real tent? Or does it require a bivy sack type shelter?
If I got an ultralight pack, does that mean all my gear needs to be ultralight?”

“I have the ULA P-2 pack that weighs about 2 1/2 pounds and it will haul the mail. It's 4,900 cubic inches and I took everything but the kitchen sink the first trip to see how it rode and it was great. I was carrying a tent, hammock, tarp, all the creature comforts like a book and a 12 pack of beer. It was about 40-45 pounds.”

“I have a 2 lb golite pack and it is listed as good up to 30 lbs. The pack doesn't seem to care how you use the 30lbs. I have taken either 5lb or 3lb tents and lightened up on other things. Also, I have loaded the pack with 35 lbs incl food and water for the beginning of the trip. It's a little awkward at times but as the weight is reduced by me eating, everything settles nicely. My evaluation is that an ultralight load is more comfortable in the ultralight pack due to the absence of or lightweight nature of suspension but if packed correctly it is manageable.

I've just received 2 lbs worth of tarp and bug net from golite. That should help.

Happy ultralight hiking!”

“shouldn't be a problem unless the tent is really heavy.”

“Each ultralight pack has a different volume and weight capacity. The ultralight, frameless packs generally shouldn't have more than 20 pounds. A lot of packs in the 2-3 pound range can hold around 30 lbs or even more.”

“if you go much over 30 lbs with an ultralight pack you might end up with back problems

I really like my ultralight pack, but I wouldn't like it for very long if I loaded it up with over 35 lbs of gear.”

“I only pack 24-26 pounds anyhow with my regular pack.
I am looking to get a lighter tent as well, which should cut me back to 22-24 pounds.
So I guess I don't have to worry about the ultralight pack.”

“Nigal and others:

Who makes the packs y'all are using? I am looking at getting a lightweight pack.

Thanks!”

“Rosey,

I've got the P-2 as well. Love it!!!

You can find it at Ula”

“"if you go much over 30 lbs with an ultralight pack you might end up with back problems...."


Not unless you have a Kelty Cloud. I could get that thing up to 60 lbs, and it would carry like a 30 lb pack, easy.

Damn shame it's white. Other than that, it's far superior than anything I've seen to this point.”

“I had to get the XL size because of my freekishly long torso so mine was made at the shop and not in Canada too.”

“I have a Golite Gust and it carries a 3.5 pound Northface Canyonlands tent with ease. I just took out the foam pad in the pack, and slid my 3/4 lenght inflatable matress (deflated and folded) and it worked even better, making the pack about one pound. The first year I used the Gust, I could handle up to 30 pounds easy. Several times I started out on 7 and 8 day trips with almost 40 pounds, and it worked okay so long as I kept the mileage under 10 to 12 miles per day until some of the 20 pounds of food was gone.”

“Being a small woman, I suffer when it comes to cubic inches. That seems to be more of an issue than weight capacity. I'm always looking not only for the lightest but most space efficient way to pack. I like golite and several women on this board have said the same thing about their Trek. Check out www.golite.com”

“I self-measured my torso (bad idea) and ordered the large. Should have got the medium. However, I have not had any back or shoulder soreness or discomfort even so.

Nigal, did you get the top cover? I didn't order it but am thinking about adding it now. BTW, you should think about joining the Isle Royale trip. It's a small one like you like.”

“Yes, the $22 bucks are well worth the top pocket! It's cool to have an extra pocket that becomes a true fanny pack plus the way the suspension system is set up it actually gives the pack even more support.

I'll check the trips page Ruby.”

“Is this the Pictured Rocks trip you're talking about Ruby?

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trips/trip.php?id=272

It's the only one I saw but you're not on the list. I've been thinking of doing a solo trip there sometime but I can't take HoenyDog with me. :(”

“Those ULA packs look really nice. Thanks!”

“Those ULA packs look really nice. Thanks!”

“Nigal, it's the Moose-a-palooza trip in September. But no dogs allowed on Isle Royale.

Careful with your typing. That almost looks like HornyDog. ;D

I've been wanting to get back up to MRT also. I think dogs are AOK there.”

“I have a Granite Gear Vapor Trail. It's "OK", that's about the highest I'd rate it as a backpack in general terms, although I'm sure it's much better than that strictly rated as an "ultralight" pack. I've decided I prefer to just haul wahtever I want in my goo ol' ArcTeryx with the awesome suspension system, if I'm not in good enough condition to haul my 30-35 lbs then I shouldn't be backpacking. This ultralight craze is just a fad, I fell for it, and while it has some merit, I think, as with most trends, we've gone too far in trying to minimize weight at the expense of comfort / convenience.

My $.02.”

“I find my Vapor trail v comfy, just pack it tight and it hauls pretty good loads.”

“Northern Mountain Supply is running some good deals on Golite Packs right now.”

“Whoops, that's all their brands. Just filter for the Golite ones. I might have to pick up a Breeze for myself.”

“I've heard the golites are good. They have some cool adventure racing gear that'd be cool for everyday packing too. they have a small pouch that attaches to the shoulder straps I might get.”

“You are my kind of man!!!! I have the same pack and I load the heck out of it. It has done just fine. I even carry my famous Dodder chair with it. Yes, Ruby get the lid...well worth the space and like Nigal said a nice little fanny pack. A great pack and you can call Brian on the phone and he we answer any questions you have. Just tell him Brian Z and Spencer from Nashville toold you to call. Nigal you may want to really load it up and send him a picture he was interested in how people load them up. I am, and remain, the Dodder.”

“Dodder, what about this famous chair? Do you strap it on the back? I'm curious because that will likely be one of my next gear purchases.”

“I have a Golite pack and didn't like how my shoulders felt after 6 or 8 miles with 20 pounds, much less 30 pounds. But its a great daypack!

I usually pack in the 30-pound range for a weekend and the 45-pound range for a week, and love the Osprey Aether packs. The Aether 60 for weekends, the Aether 75 or 90 for weeks. They are a bit heavier, in the 3-4 pound range, but are very comfortable.”

“Have you seen that aluminum framed sling chair in REI's catlogs? Looks pretty killer if'n ya ain't a big boy like me.”

“Ack! Shopping for bp-ing gear stresses me out. Stuff is so expensive and I don't want to buy the wrong thing for me.
I agree with Nigal though. Lids are nice. Good for organizing too.”

“Nigal, haven't seen the latest, but if its like the one I've had for years they are sweet for relaxing. I'm in the 200 pound range and didn't have any problems. As you are leaning back, its not the greatest to sit in and try to cook or something however. It is usually only family trip gear for me.”

“Another very satisfied P-2 owner here. I have had mine for about 18 months or so and love it. I have the top lid but rarely use it. I loaded up 41# in mine for a 9 day trip to Isle Royale and was never uncomfortable. I didnt even need the extra space of top lid (the bag packs way easy, a giant sack, no dividers,no sleepy bag compartment)so I removed it (saved about 2-3 ounces LOL. They are worth the wait. We spent about 7 or so anxious wks waiting. It was cool however to talk to Brian and to follow the progress of my pack as he made it.


I have heard great things about arc'teryx (SP?) , though I've never had one.

Golite makes some nice stuff (again never owned any, satisfied friends).”

“i like my Granite Gear Vapor trail so much better than the Golite Trek I had.”

“I was watching The Amazing Race last night and a few of them were carrying the Vapor. LOL!

I don't think there's as much of a wait any more for the P-2s. They are outsourced to another company now and they are able to get them out pretty fast. Even though mine had to be made on site it only took four weeks. I did tell them I needed it for a trip. When it came the reciet had a note from Brian wishing me well on my trip and said thanks for buying. A very good company!”

“When I ordered mine in March I had it in hand in a week and a half or so. They are getting much quicker. I am curious about the newest pack (Fusion?). I'd like to hear from anyone who might have tried that one out already.”

“This one is pretty hardcore.

GVP Gear G5

I love this: "If you are WONDERING if the G5 Gossamer is the pack for you, IT IS NOT."

3800 ci and under 8 oz. Whoa. I'd be afraid to breathe on that one the wrong way.”

“I've got the G4, and there's not a lot to it. You definitely have to go ultralight with that thing. It is 4400ci though, so you can fit a lot into it. I've only used it a few times because I need the back support a real hipbelt affords, and the G4 doesn't have one.”

“Even with the spectra cloth of the P-2 I’m very careful now. My Gregory? Hell, I’d throw that thing down wherever, hang it on trees, throw it down and sit on it at breaks, whatever. No more of that though.”

“I've used the Mountainsmith Ghost for trips up to 13 days. At 2lb. 7oz. its not ultralight - but its held 5 days of food, bad weather gear + hammock, bag, pad, etc. with no problems.

I loved it so much that I used for traveling around China (lunch, camera, extra sweater and rain jacket, etc.) in January.”

“"Even with the spectra cloth of the P-2 I’m very careful now....."


I thought spectra couldn't be dyed. That's why the Cloud is white. Is there two different types or something?”

“I know my GG Vapor Trail isn't going to last as long as the Arc Teryx Bora 62 I have, but it also cost a lot less.

Actually, the Bora 62 will last a really long time sitting on a shelf in my garage.”

“Q, I recall hearing what you mentioned about the spectra cloth. My P-2 has it too , but its blue and black. Maybe its not the same exact stuff???”

“Hey pedxing...how ya doing?

A while back I was thinking about using my Ghost on a 5 day trip and even had it packed. Trouble was that it was about 25lbs and I had stuff strapped on the outside of the pack. It just didn't "feel" right with all that stuff strapped on the outside.

How did you manage to carry/load all your gear in your Ghost? What packing configuration have you found to work the best? By the way, my gear list is similar to yours above.

Thanks!”

“"My P-2 has it too , but its blue and black. Maybe its not the same exact stuff???"

The spectra cloth in the p-2 is spectra reenforced. The odd colered thread count is the spectra. This way if it rips the rip should stop as soon as it hits one of the spectra threads. Or so goes the theory.”

“Anyone used GG's Nimbus Ozone? Seems pretty sweet...”

“Ultralite packs are for ultralite loads.
Ultralite packs are for ultralite loads.
Ultralite packs are for ultralite loads.
Ultralite packs are for ultralite loads.
Ultralite packs are for ultralite loads.
Ultralite packs are for ultralite loads.

Remember this and you will be fine.

Don't try an Ultralite pack with 35# and #&%!$ about it. ;-)”

“I ended up buying a Golite Race. (on sale, thanks for that link!) It would be cool if it came before this weekend, but if not it's ok. It's bright icky, touron yellow though . The blue ones were sold out.”

“I have the Golite Team. Almost identical pack. Hated the orange, too (no color choice for the Team), but at least I'll be good to go for hunting season!

When you get yours, check the shoulder strap buckles under load. I have wide shoulders and found the buckles dug in under my arms - painfully. Had to add padding under the buckles to prevent that.”

“That sounds awful. I have narrow shoulders. So hopefully I won't have the same problem. We'll see...”

“Hey MDS - things are doing pretty well. Everything is going in the right direction, although slower than I'd like - its moving faster than predicted. I'm going to try to hit some White Mountain peaks by September and have been doing some bicycling and brisk walking to prepare.”

“Did StoveStomper just say Ultralite packs are GOOD?”