Your email address will not be published. The tensioned, ventilated back panel allows air movement across your sweaty back. The medium fits 17 to 20-inch torsos and 28 to 50-inch waists. That works, but its not an easy fit. If you have to carry bulky or awkwardly shaped gear like a foam pad, a large tent, a packraft, paddle, snowshoes, trekking poles, and ice ax, or bear canister, it pays to get a backpack that has special straps or places that you can attach gear to. Few reviewers have lugged as many packs around the backcountry as me. This pack weighs around 5 pounds. Don't select a pack solely for an elongated zippered access panel, especially if you will rarely use it. If you plan to hike in tough desert or mountainous terrain or off-trail, its best to get a backpack that has as little external mesh (pockets) as possible, because these are usually the first things to get ripped up on a backpack. We tested how each pack handled small and large loads alike and figured out the maximum comfortable carrying capacity for each. I also point out two excellent packs for kids and small adults (at the bottom of the Gregory Paragon/Maven review). Thanks for the article. Read more: Ultralight Adventure Equipment Catalyst review. If you are just starting out as a backpacker, youll find this to be a great option for multiday trips and extended trails with re-supply stops. The Xenith is obviously built for heavy loads, and theres no reason to carry a pack that heavy for lighter loads. Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Windrider$379, 55L/3,400 c.i., 1 lb. We considered any other additional features' usefulness and evaluated them in the field during real-world testing. Required fields are marked *. My big HMG pack can handle the weight that these packs do, and weighs less and feels better. outlet. We tested our lineup of top backpacking packs in a variety of beautiful and remote places around the world. Long hikes, when youre trying to go light and fast. BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking either of these affiliate links to purchase a Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Windrider backpack at backcountry.com or hyperlitemountaingear.com or a Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest backpack at backcountry.com or hyperlitemountaingear.com. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. It's loaded with features and provides incredible back ventilation while weighing in at 4.5 pounds. A few of the packs that I was looking at were the North Face Banshee 50, the Granite Gear Blaze 60, or the Osprey Atmos AG 65. I hauled 50 pounds on treks in NZ the GC and Trinity Alps and never got sore hips! Backpacker Magazine Editor. The Atmos has two exterior pockets on the brain, which helps keep you organized on the trail. As a result, we were able to find items more quickly than we could with a more traditional full-length pocket. The main reasons it isn't lighter are that its suspension is one of the most robust in our review. Or is it just adding weight to the pack? Next page. Theres no such thing as a best backpack, but these are the best-of-the-best that weve reviewed and recommend. We took 16 different models Ready to go backpacking? A well-balanced design and rich feature set make this collection a perfect companion for both quick overnighters and extended trips. Our reviews can help you select the best backpack, and we'll also help you complete your "Big 3" pieces of backpacking gear: pack, shelter, and sleep system. Got feedback? The two most important backpack sizing variables are your torso length and the circumference of your hips. Get in touch anytime and thanks for reading. Our lead tester going fast and light in Vermont. Hi Jeff, thanks for that question. * weights listed are for packs ranging between 60-65L for comparison. These advantages include a supportive suspension, foam stiffness, and well-designed shoulder straps and waist belts. The frame is what ensures the load from the pack body is supported by the waist belt and your hips. That support and comfort kept me smiling on strenuous days of hiking up to 12 miles with over 7,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain and lossincluding seven very steep off-trail milesbackpacking for six days in the Grand Canyon. When I loaded the Perimeter 50 with about 12 pounds of water on the first day of a 45-mile backpacking trip in Yosemitebumping the packs weight over the 40 pounds that Granite Gear rates it to handleI was pleasantly surprised at its comfort. These days Ill just pack the can first to the bottom of my top-loader and hope I grabbed everything for the day. Your pack swaying a little isn't the biggest problem, but it does feel unnatural, and other packs have features that prevent this. At loads above 45 pounds, however, the Osprey Atmos 65 AG becomes less comfortable. Backpacks (and outdoor gear in general) can be quite expensive, but the right gear is often well worth the investment. The majority of backpacks have fixed torso lengths and hip belt sizes, which can make getting a good fit difficult because peoples body shapes and proportions vary so much. By the way, for a day on the trail, I do carry food I intend to eat during the day elsewhere in my pack and stuff my canister only with food I dont need until dinnertime or later, and fill in any unfilled space in the canister with cooking gear or clothing I wont need during the day. However, when it comes to massive loads, not many trampoline-style harnesses can handle 45+ pounds. Hi Carlo, I know youd probably prefer a simple answer, but I think the truth is that, with these models, weight-carrying capacity and comfort are a little different, and comfort will likely be dictated by the one that fits you best. HAMMOCKGEAR.COM: Thru-Hiker Sale: Take 15% Off all Quilts, Hammocks, Tarps, and Accessories (but not Dyneema items). 17500 ,Gregory 65 M, ,Gregory M 65 - clearcreekdental.com . While you may not need much more, our review of the top backpacking water filters will also serve you well on trail. It added to the pack's overall comfort, particularly with heavy loads and long days. Rating: (4.7/5) See the Men's Gregory Baltoro 75 See the Women's Gregory Deva 70 These openings enable access to a part of the pack that is hard to get at from the top without unloading it all on the ground first. Front U-Zip opening Zippered bottom sleeping bag compartment 3 entry points: top, u-zip and bottom 9 exterior pockets Dynamic suspension, rotating hipbelt and harness Bear canister friendly wide shape Men's Paragon & Women's Maven BEST FOR Long hikes, when you're trying to go light and fast. I have been looking at your blog and reading your pack reviews but am not sure 100% the things I should be looking for in a pack. The Granite Gear Blaze 60 is a pinnacle point of comparison when it comes to performance. 1 oz.moosejaw.com. We also looked at access points and evaluated whether they seem useful for retrieving items or if they're impractical to zip shut when the pack is full and are thus just for show. The Zulu will efficiently handle most things that you ask of it and is a well balanced all-mountain bag. This competitor stands out for its excellent pockets and features. $329.95. See my reviews of the Gregory Wander 70 and the Osprey Ace 38, 50, and 75. GearLab is reader-supported. All of our testers agreed that the Granite Gear Blaze 60 has a robust suspension, while the pack is super light (3.0 pounds), considering the amount of weight it can carry. A top-loader, it has eight external pockets, including a removable, floating lid pocket and a bottom zippered flap that can also carry a sleeping pad, and tough, Robic high-tenacity nylon fabric. Moreover, the Atmos offers an excellent fit with efficient adjustability focused on ergonomics. To test the selected models, we took them on multiple extended trips loaded with weights from 25 to 55 pounds. If its going to be more like around 35-40 pounds, but occasionally a bit more, Id choose the Granite Gear Blaze 60. The combination lands all of them in the load-hauler category. You help support OutdoorGearLab's product testing and reviews by purchasing from our retail partners. These extra pockets are super handy and unique use of space, essentially doubling the external storage capacity. This backpacking pack aided our explorations high above the trees of Vermont, making our travels light and comfortable. For an extended wilderness hike requiring a week or more of food, parents carrying food and gear for young kids, trip leaders and others, the Mystery Ranch Sphinx 60 ranks among the very best big packs for comfort, access, and features. Updated in 2020, they have support for carrying around 35 pounds comfortably, thanks to an alloy perimeter frame with a fiberglass cross-stay and Gregorys FreeFloat Suspension System. There are several factors to consider when looking for a new backpacking backpack. We didn't just focus on the high-end expedition models, either. Gregory's attention to comfort in its ultralight backpack is evident in the aluminum perimeter wire frame with a fiberglass cross-stay and an HDPE framesheet that lend the pack substantial rigidity, distributing most of the load across the hips. Bennett joins the ranks as a former gear shop employee, graduate in outdoor product development, and a current thru-hiker. That seems like a bonus for a backpack with a customizable fit and high functionality that carries a modest weight and price. Hi Brad, those are good brands, Ive used packs made by some of them and may test and review a pack from at least one of these companies in the future. $320; 4 lbs. Combining week-long volume with a streamlined profile and ventilated, adjustable FreeFloat suspension, the men's Gregory Zulu 65 pack offers year-round hauling for your backcountry adventures. What sets the Atmos 65 AG apart the most, though, is Osprey's innovative anti-gravity (AG) suspension, which helps spread the load more evenly across the hips and shoulders while also venting excess heat that tends to build behind your back and under the hip belt. Our team researched over 60 of the top backpacking backpacks on the market and selected 15 of the best contenders for hands-on testing. This has just about every feature you could ask for and nothing you don't need. Readmy complete review of the Granite Gear Blaze 60. 14 oz. The hip belt tends to be one of the main contributors to a comfortable pack, especially a well-loaded one. However, we found it was also pretty easy for a water bottle to fall out of this pocket if you lean over too far. I recently purchased an AARN pack and found it excellent, was wondering where your thoughts lay with this brand of backpack, Hi Joe, Ive seen AARN packs but havent had the opportunity to try one out yet. I felt that the Stout fit me better. Every pocket is a good size and thoughtfully placed. There are multiple compression straps to keep the weight close to your body. 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