REI UL 60 Backpack

“Anyone own this pack?

I am looking to get another backpack. I have a heavy Gregory Forrestor (6 lbs) and a GoLite Trek (2 lbs). The UL 60 is around 3.5 lbs. I feel I need an in between pack for some trips.

I have used the Golite on 8 day trips but I had to watch what I took to get it all in the pack esp if I had a bear cannister. With the Gregory I tend to over pack, plus the extra 4 lbs in pack weight can make a difference.

Comments pros and cons on the UL 60”

“I think it looks like a good buy for $80. I almost always carry a pack this size/weight. You get to pack more than ultralight, have a good comfy suspension system, and still not have to carry 8 pounds of backpack. I also have a bigger pack, but I only carry it if there's a 12 pack involved.

So you know where I'm coming from, I've never been big on "the sleeping pad is the frame" backpacks. I'd rather carry the extra 1-1.5 pounds and have a comfortable ride.”

“I have the 2005 versions of the UL 30 & 45, picked them up last year for about $50 combined at the 83-cent sale. I love them - very comfortable & fairly light considering the suspension system. I've had only two problems - the velcro for the torso adjustment can give if you try to carry too much weight, and the sil-nylon doesn't win a fight with rocky ground (user error, of course). I've started carrying a trash-bag liner to take some of the inner stress off the material, and now watch where I set it down.


Oh, yea, use coupon code Outlet27 for 20% off from the outlet.
last edited: 2/07/07 9:09:11 PM”

“A hike buddy owns one. He purchased it for our Isle Royale trip last year August.

His gear is a combination of light and heavy weight, which took a little coaxing in order to get it all into the pack. Once on the island, the zipper on the top loader ripped, which we repaired with a sticky patch from the island store.

He had it packed to the rafters and it chaffed him on the hips for the whole trip.”

“T-mac another good way to get a quick discount from REI is to sign up a new email address to get 15% off anything with in 30 days of signing up”

“Hi Ewker!”

“I know you are asking about a specific bag, so am I ignoring you if I mention a different one?

So, sorry already.

I really like my Granite Gear Vapor Trail - 2 lbs, comfortably carries 30-35 lbs even though it's supposed to be < or = to 30 lbs, and the user-error 'rock vs. bag' inch-long tear I caused the first time I used it years ago has never extended.

Hi, Ewker!”

“Second what wb said on the GG Vapor Trail. I don't think I will buy another pack anytime soon because of this pack. JimmySan let me borrow his GG Virga pack to see if I liked it. No go! I like the padded hipbelt the Vapor Trail has.”

“If I didn't have my present rig, I'd buy a Granite Gear Vapor.”

“GG Vapor Trail is my 20-30 pound load pack.

I don't know if I would go over 35 on it.

What load range and volume you looking for, Ewker?”

“http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8001&catalogId=40000008001&productId=48104223&parent_category_rn=22000119&vcat=OUTLET_SSHP_CAMPING_HIKING_LD

Looks like it's about the same volume as a Vapor Trail but a full pound plus heavyer.
Good closeout price.
The four pockets may be more usefull than the two Vapor Trail's.”

“I'll prob pick up a GG Virga if I can get a good price on it, just for summer trips.”

“Hi Sass and Wannabp!!!

The GG Vapor pack isn't that much different than my GoLite Trek so why buy another one like it.

The UL 60 looks like a nice in between pack. I can carry extra gear without putting a lot of stress on it but not over fill like I can do with my Gregory

Also the GG vapor is to small (waist size) for me nevermind I looked at the wrong dim
last edited: 2/08/07 10:22:06 AM”

“The GG Vapor pack suspension is not something to dismiss out of hand.”

““I'll prob pick up a GG Virga if I can get a good price on it, just for summer trips.”
StoveStomper
10:16:28 AM
2/08/07

Ask Jimmy about his. Don't think he wants it. I currently have it so watch out for the turd I left in it.”

“It would have to be at a give away price. ;-)

Most used packs have too much hiker funk embedded in them.”

“I'll prob pick up a GG Virga if I can get a good price on it, just for summer trips.”
StoveStomper
10:16:28 AM
2/08/07

I just got an email about a sale at EMS..That one is on sale. Your in luck if they have your size.

http://www.ems.com/catalog/product_detail_vertical.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442581768&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302880179&bmUID=1170953789462
last edited: 2/08/07 10:59:54 AM”

“Size, short.
I need longer.”

“Overpack the UL60 and use it for a 3 day trip it will perform well. Go much over the 30 pound limit and it will give you issues. I used it on 2 trips in Oct/Nov last year and was pleased with it. I fell that no ultralight pack is designed to 1) carry heavy loads or 2) take a beating. You have to treat all of them a little more gently than the big guys.”

“According to REI's website the UL 60 pack has a weight capacity up to 40 lbs”

“REI also makes wild claims about their sleeping bag ratings, LOL.
That's a 20 degree bag, yeah, you will be alive the next morning at 20 degrees in it.”

“I have the REI bag. Yeah, it's over rated but then who's isn't, unless you pay over $350 for one. My Sub-Kilo 20 is pretty comforatable to about 30. I don't go backpacking below that anyway. For a 3 day trip a person shouldn't need much more that 30 pounds of stuff.”

“I am looking at a 7 day trip in April and then a 8 day trip in Aug. I don't want to carry the Forrester unless I have to (surprising how heavy that 4 extra lbs feels over a week). Hence the need for a new pack.”

“It all depends on how you sleep as well. I also have the sub-kilo and have used it down to 9 degrees and I was fine. I had other clothing on inside the bag as well.”

“If you're doing 7-8 day trips I don't know that any of the ultralight packs would do unless you're resupplying along the way. If you have to carry all of your food and extra clothes you'll need something more ssubstantial.

Wounded ... my bag is over 4 years old and has lost some of its loft as well as its rating. Still a good bag considering the weight and price. THe cadillac is probably something like the Western Mountain Engineering UL bag for about $400.00 but I can buy a lot of gear for that.”

“Mine is only 1 year old and I take good care of it. If I ever look at a week long trip I may invest in a WM or Feathered Friends bag.”

“Ewk, where you going?”

“wannabp, I am doing all of the AT in Ga in April. In Aug I am going to the Canadian Rockies”

“Ah, life is good.”

“To me those are long enough trips that I would want a good pack that fit the needs of the trip. I have been considering picking up a Six Moon Designs pack for a while to get something with a little more volume than my ghost.

I like the looks of both the Starlite and the Comet. Both have been given very good reviews by testers. Both have the feature of optional stays and both packs seem to carry their recommended weights with ease (including both stay-weight and non-stay-weight).


oops, forgot the link to the packs
http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=10&cat=Packs
last edited: 2/08/07 10:33:59 PM”

“Ewker -- I just got an email from the person that owns that REI UL pack I mentioned above. He found out yesterday that he has 2 blown disks in his back and is out of hiking for some time. He wasn't really sold on the pack in the first place; would you like for me to find out if he'd be willing to sell it? I'm sure he'd let it go pretty cheap.”

“laqtis, yeah check and see. Just make sure it is the UL 60 not the UL 45.

you can email on what his asking price is”

“Cool. I'll get into contact with him today.”

“Ewker --

Just got off the phone with him and his is a 45, so I don't think that's gonna help ya.

I'll keep my eye out for one. There might be a killer sale coming up at the local REI's.”

“Q, thanks for checking. I guess I will order it. If it don't workout I can always take it back.”

“I have the REI UL60 and the GG Vapor Trail. The Vapor Trail is definatley more comfortable at the same load capicty, better suspension and more padding. I also own a GG Ozone, it has more room and more adjustability. Seems to me that it should be on your list of considerations, I highly recommend it, very padded and great suspension.
Of course getting the right fit is of upmost importance.”