Lite weight backpacks

imported
#1

I am planning on thruhiking th AT in 09 with my son and we are looing for lightweight backpacks. Any thoughts on the Gregory Z-pack? It was reccommended to me by REI. Or any other suggestions.

winloon

#2

Some good advice I’ve heard is to buy your pack last. You might like this pack if your base weight (without food and water) ends up in the 20 to 30 pound range. If it’s over 30, you may need a heavier pack. If you can ever get it down closer to 10, you can go with an ultralight pack like what Gossamer Gear sells. There are lots of options in between, too. ULA makes a popular through hiking pack, as does Six Moon Designs. But you can’t overload the lighter packs.

I’d suggest taking this season to experiment and find the lightest shelter, sleeping bag/pad, and cookware that will work for you, then buy the lightest pack that can handle your load at the end of the season.

I learned a lot watching Lynne Whelden’s video “Lightweight Backpacking Secrets Revealed”, available at lwgear.com, and from reading Ray Jardine’s book “Beyond Backpacking”. If you’re not familiar with these, take a look. You’ll think they’re nuts at first, I know I did, but they did slowly change the way I hike.

Good luck and have a fun year of dreaming and planning.:cheers

Garlic

#3

ULA (Ultralite Adventure Equipment) makes excellent packs for a thru-hike! They have a range of sizes to fit your specific equipment load. I’ve used a couple different models over the years with multiple hundreds of miles on each and have never been disappointed. You won’t be either. They are very well thought-out and manufactured.

Matt

#4

Try several - most outdoor outfitters have weight bags to load packs with to test in store. Several also rent bags - so you can try them out.

On my thru last year - I’d say that Osprey & Granite Gear were the most popular brands. Several GoLites, several Gregory Z’s, etc.

I used an Oprey Atmos 50 & loved it. I like a bit of structure in my pack, the waist pouches and hang space for a hydration bag. Those with Atmos 65s also seem very pleased.
GGs were loved by all I knew with them. Some issues with seams tearing but great customer service from GG.

Evil Eye

#5

Like Matt I have used a ULA pack for my AT & PCT hike and have had no problems. Currently planning on it for the CDT. It’s a great pack, well constructed and comfortable even when I had to carry extra water in the desert. The new packs even have some nice improvements over my current pack and should be even better.

Dad’s Grin

#6

Hello, I’m going with the Fanatic Fringe Thompson Peak pack which weighs 10.5 oz. fanaticfringe.com Of course it doesn’t have a frame and is rated at 20 lbs but then all my gear with food and water is just under 17 pounds. For something a little more durrable, you could go with the golite jam 2, golite.com (21oz). My brother is using it. I used to use the osprey atmos 35 ( found at EMS and probably REI) but it weighs 2 pounds 9 oz which is too much for me and the gear I will be using but is very comfortable. Hope that helps.

snail