Granite Gear Vapor Trail pack

“I was looking at one at Bink's Outfitters today and was wondering if anybody had any comments, Good or Bad about it. I need a bigger pack and it's very light but what about being durable and comfortable.

And no, there isn't a review on the Gear Page about it. Already checked.

I bought a Jet Boil stove from him before the Black Mountain trip and it truly does heat the water VERY fast. I had trouble with the igniter but come to realize it was my fault. I acidentally bent the igniter head over. Binkley fixed it and life is good again!”

“wd, stovestomper mentions he has one of these packs. Hopefully he will see the thread.

Check out the Go lite Trek pack on the Go lite pack questions thread, 2 lbs and holds 30 lbs which is way over your limit. It has a good cu in capacity. More than the pack you had this past weekend
last edited: 10/20/04 9:41:19 PM”

“I've looked at that pack as well. I think Yammie has something along those lines. I know she has a Granite Gear - something- and it was cool.”

“I bought one.

I sent it back.

It's just a glorified rucksack, imo.”

“I like mine, it really got my weight down and now I can hike farther and faster. My only problem with it is everything got soaked at Roan Mtn. in June. You still need a pack cover. I think I'll pick one up at Bink's when I get over there again. I'm thinking a sil-nylon cover. Just have to get over a pinched nerve in my neck so I can get back on the trail.”

“I have the Vapor Trail size long and now I don't "fidget" with the straps like I did with my old pack. It is the most comfortable pack I have found. Dude you are more than welcome to try mine out on a hike if ya want to. Drop me a line. I wanted to go this weekend, but now it doesn't look like I'll be bp-ing for a couple of weeks at least.”

“i like my vapor trail - it's the best pack I've had - my backpack weight stays under 30 lbs, so it works for me. I've used for two seasons now and it's still in one piece eventhough I've dragged through some rough xcountry travel.”

“I"M SORRY...but my last post referred to the GG Virga, as it has NO suspension system whatsoever nowhere nohow on any part of the pack.

Did I mention that I TOO want a Vapor Trail...someday.”

“Thanks Karo. I was wondering if they were waterproof. I got a sil cover so sounds like I'm good then.

Frank, The straps and belt felt pretty good in the store but wasn't sure about the back pad. I plan to put my Z rest in there against my back to take care of that.

Ewker, That's pretty much the stats on this pack. I don't plan on needing to haul over 30 pounds. Even for a week, a 30 pound load is nuts.

Wingding, I know yall do some rough terrain out there. That says alot!

Thanks Q. I recon I'll call her later unless she sees this thread.



One of the only things I don't like about it is that it's got no hood. I'm Old School so that would take getting used to.”

“I saw alot of these on the AT this year. Folks tote'n them seemed to like them. It should work pretty well for your style of packing, dude. BP mag liked it (for what that's worth). Not much for exterior pockets, though, is it?


Now I hate it when someone asks about a product and every post is about some other product people have, but:

Of course I have to rave aout the ULA P2, again. Mountain Crossings at Neels Gap and Mt Rogers Outfitters in Damascus has them in stock if you want to try one on instead of buying one online.”

“i like my GG virga. lots.”

“I hate gobs of pockets but I like a pocket or at least something on the outside.”

“GG VT is a great pack. Light, v comfy, get one!”

“My Osprey Aether 45 doesn't have a hood and uses a roll top closure. The roll top on my Aether45 has turned into by far my favorite pack closure system I've used, and I've used them all. Not sure what this has to do withe the vapor trail... of yeah. I wouldn't worry about not having a hood, because you're going to need a pack cover on this pack anyways if the rain starts comming down.”

“I like mine a lot.
Very comfy and will hold a Bear Can.
I got all my stuff in it for the 6 day Winds trip this past summer with a giant Bear Can also. Only thing I needed to strap ouside was my TarpTent.
GG will release a Lid for this pack soon that can be put on the current models without one now.
It's not super rugged and I'm not sure I would do a lot of off trail Smokies trips with it, but for the usual trails, it's rugged enough.

And I don't use a pack cover. I line the inside with a trash compactor bag.
last edited: 10/21/04 10:08:32 AM”

“I have the Vapor Trail. It has two outside pockets, one on each side. I put my hydration system on one side and my little silnylon bags of things I want close at hand --mosquito repellent, chap stick and sun screen, tp, map, compass, gps--in the other. As you can see, the side pockets are spacious, and they're elasticized so stuff feels relatively secure, although I have taken to running the baggy drawstrings through the compression strap so nothing gets lost when I've unloaded the pack and the elastic has nothing to compress against. A hydration system could probably be rigged up to the compression straps on the back, giving you another free pocket. The pack will hold a bear cannister, but that fills its circumference.
I got mine last year. I scraped it against rocks and made a small tear in the fabric. It happened soon after I got it, but it hasn't grown with me stuffing it full every trip. It's my favorite pack, totally comfortable, and I routinely carry 30 pounds with food and water.”

“My 2L platy water bag does slip down between the back panel and the pack body nicely with the drinking tube coming up and over the straps. I haven't tried carrying it any other way.

There are a LOT of these packs on the trails.
Binks sells the crap out of them.

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Packs/Internal%20and%20External%20Framed%20Backpacks/Granite%20Gear%20Vapor%20Trail/
BackPack Gear Test Reviews
last edited: 10/21/04 10:20:03 AM”

“SS, do you like the Granite Gear Vapor Trail over the Go Lite Trek. If so why?

Seems the Go lite has more features, is larger in cubic ", weighs the same, has more pockets, has a lid and cost less.

I figure you would know since you have both brands.”

“I clip my hydration bladder to the side too. I like to pack the bag tightly to aid the support, and I was concerned about putting too much pressure on the bladder and cause a leak. It doesn't have many pockets, but you soon get used to that, and the easy access stuff will fit in the side pockets.
last edited: 10/21/04 10:18:26 AM”

“I don't have the GoLite Trek. I have the Breeze and Day packs without hipbelts.”

“The Vapor Trail has a suspension system and padding on the hip belt. I had a Golite Trek - my back would kill me for days after each backpacking trip I used it on. The Vapor Trail is comfortable and I'm not having any back problems after trips with it.

I put my hydration pouch on the side too.”

“http://search.ebay.com/granite-gear-vapor-trail_Internal-Frame_W0QQbsZSearchQQcatrefZC6QQcoactionZcompareQQcoentrypageZsearchQQcopagenumZ1QQfromZR2QQsacategoryZ36111QQsbrftogZ1QQsofocusZbsQQsosortorderZ2QQsosortpropertyZ2QQsotrZ2

check out ebay, this is 53.00 right now with one more day left to bid.
last edited: 10/21/04 6:25:51 PM”

“walkindude..you ever write a detailed gear list??...i like to see how YOU get your weight down..you've always sounded like the most efficient hiker. see ya on the trail budro MDK!!!”

“http://www.ems.com/products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442581767&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302855627&fromTemplate=navigation%2Fsubcategory.jsp&bmUID=1098404344463

GGVT on sale at EMS

Opie, I saw his gear from last weekends hike. We compared packs, I didn't have that much more but it was all heavier :(”

“Thanks for the input yall. I like that a bear can will fit in it. Thats handy to know if I need to load it. I do like external pockets. I didn't even notice the elastic pockets. I'll check it out next time. Bink's has it for $129. I don't know if that's the TT price or the store price. (people were standing around when I ask him.)

Opie, I've never done a gear list of my loaded pack. I guess I could sometime. Most trips (3 days) it starts out just barely over 20 pounds. At the end of the trip it's probably about 15 pounds. I can tote a heavy pack but I see no reason to. With a smaller pack and less "junk" I can pack up pretty quick in the morning. I've always got everything I need. I just don't carry "luxary" items like a camp chair, Thermorest, Spacious tent, TONS of food, ect.
I plan more for the hike and not the camp.”

“OK, I checked out the like Ewker posted. I see the side pockets now. I see the price was $116. Just gotta get Bink's to beat that and I think I'll get it.

Thanks Again everyone!
last edited: 10/21/04 9:27:51 PM”

“wd, did you get yourself a new pack?”

“not yet. I'll get it closer to a time when I'll need it.”

“on sale if anyone is interested
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=226&memberId=12500226&productId=39162592”

“this is one of my favorite backpacks. it is very comfortable in part because it has a full padded belt. it takes practice to top-load it properly but after a few trials it works well. you just have to be organized.”

“Jimmy, I am still getting the hang of stuffing a single top load lightweight pack...I find that the stuff I need is NEVER on top.”

“hehe

i just wad everything in there. i get a lot more in the pack with better distribution without all those stuff sacks.”

“just keep your tent on the top or lashed to the outside. Nothing like having to dig thru your pack and pull it out when it is pouring down rain.”

“Okay, thanks...my tarp is on the outside, the bag and bivy are on the top (most weight) usually on the bottom are any stuff I don't use frequently on the trail.

I will get it worked out, granted it is pretty cool to be able to pick the pack up with one hand and swing it on.”

“The great thing about the G4 is you have room and pockets to be unorganized. Sloppy fit, sloppy loads ,just sloppy suits me.”

“I waited to long!!They sold out quick!! I hope they get more at that price.”

“I pack alphabetically so Whiskey and Zig-Zag is on top.”

“campmor had them at this price too but they are gone now as well.”

“My torso is 21". The Vapor Trail is listed as a medium for 18-21" and a large for 21-25". I found a Vapor Trail Medium on clearance for $90, but it's a medium only. Am I asking for trouble with a medium? It sounds like I'm probably ok, but thought I'd seek advice first.

Thanks.”

“No learned advice here but it seems that it would be ok. Really I just wanted to say HI!”

“how tall are you? i am 6'0" and i need the large. just make sure you can return it if it's not a good fit. the most you will be out is shipping...”

“I'm between 5'-9" and 5'-10". I weigh about 170# now and headed to 160#...I hope.”

“I was measured and can wear either the med or large. I was told to go for the large. Overall height doesn't play into it. The torso length is what matters”

“Dayhiker, I also have a 21" torso. I found the medium to feel better on my back than the large with the Vapor Trail. I found the opposite to be true with the Gregory Z.”

“I think I'll go for it. I did add it to my basket and got an out of stock message. It said I could backorder. I doubt when it comes down to it that I can backorder a discounted item, but am going to give it a try. It seems like everytime I get an order up that I think of all of these other items that I "need."”

“I wear my GGVP pack lower than most people, I wish I had a Large. I have a Med.

If you wear your hipbelt above the hips like you are supposed to, a Med. should work.”

“I made the order. We'll see how it goes. $90 is a dang good price for this pack. I got it from campmor.com”

“PS, thanks for the advice guys.

And hello to dhutch as well.”

“You will love this pack John. I would say we are about the same size (torso that is) and mine fits like a glove.”