Will definitely try it out at rei. Thanks for the good question. The pack you ultimately choose may depend partly on weight, but also on design and on your budget. Since REI no longer carries the Flash 65 backpack, you must have an older model. Which is why Ive long found a zipper accessing the bottom of a pack to be largely superfluous weight. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. The biggest difference between the two packs is that the Focal 58 is lighter weight, has larger hip belt pockets, and has an easier-to-use compression system. And the Blaze is just a few ounces heavier and more tricked out, super comfortable, and has the best weight-carrying capacity of every pack Ive mentioned. Its on sale in the outlet on the Gregory website. The main compartment has an internal hydration pocket and a hook for hanging a reservoir, with two hydration ports located between the shoulder straps. Ive been backpacking for a couple decades at this point and I used to appreciate the storage spot at the base of an external frame pack to strap on a heavy bear can where its comfortable for a lower center of mass. The pockets have large zipper pulls attached which are easy to use wearing gloves. Seems like an update to the Optic which you reviewed last year. Granite Gear Perimeter 50$230, 50L/3,050 c.i., 3 lbs. I think you should contemplate whether youre going to regularly push the weight capacity of these packs or remain within their range, and after that, choose the design you prefer. Its an internal frame backpack with a 360-degree wire perimeter frame, a floating top lid, load lifters, side water bottle pockets, an open front stretch pocket, with a pair of large hip belt pockets. Gregory told me they do NOT repair mesh, even for a fee. These packs feel very different, in a good way, the first time you put one on, and that positive first impression bore out as I carried the Atmos AG 65 on two treks in New Zealands Fiordland National Park and other backpacking trips. Hey Aaron, good question. If you love backpacking, youve probably heard of two of the best bags: Gregory Optic vs. Osprey Exos. Both shoulder straps have 2 elastic hose keepers for a hydration system, which can double as sunglass holders or act as anchors for accessory pockets. While this increases comfort, it limits the frames ability to transfer weight to the hip belt. It resembles the trampoline-style mesh and weaves itself throughout your back. And dont miss my picks for The Best Backpacking Gear of the year. If you are looking for a bag whose functionality matches its outlook, then the Osprey bag is for you.
Do you think that the frame not anchored to the hip belt is kind of a deal breaker? Your point about external-frame packs having the convenience of storing a large, heavy item like a full canister at the bottom is true, but was also more unique to the design and carry of external-frame packs. I cant believe that no one is jazzed by the fact that you can fit a BV500 into the Focal 58 horizontally! I have the flash 55 and love that pack but I also have had several Gregory packs and loved them all both fit and feel including the Optic. Those are the major differences. The Arcteryx Altra is no longer available, but the Osprey Atmos AG is very comfortable with 45+ pounds, and thats what its made for. 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.
Unfortunately no. Hi Joey, Ive used the REI Flash 45 as a carry-on. The ventilated suspended mesh back makes it cooler to wear in hot weather and the ability to store a bear canister horizontally is a huge win. This article and its photos may also give you some ideas. Cant say Im that impressed with their warranty, but on balance, a lot of other companies (like the cottages) are even worse. Good day! With the osprey bag, you get comfortable and a snug fit to it. If comfort was top priority ( i know thye are different packs ) what would you say feels better on a trip for sheer comfort. 15 oz.moosejaw.com. Interesting how comments are not on the tested pack (very thorough review), but on mfg warranties. The whole bag has a mesh that improves breathability. BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase any mens Osprey Exos backpack atosprey.com,backcountry.com, ormoosejaw.com, or any womens Osprey Eja backpack atosprey.com,backcountry.com, ormoosejaw.com. The shoulder straps and hip belt are not actually anchored to the frame but to the tightly stretched mesh so the pack moves with your shoulders and hips more dynamically, something that Gregory calls their FreeFloat suspension. Not awful but not something your body can not sustain for respective days. BUY IT NOWYou can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a mens Gregory Focal 58 or Focal 48 at moosejaw.comor backcountry.com, or a womens Gregory Facet 55 or Facet 45 at moosejaw.comor backcountry.com. Read my complete review of the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Windrider. Backpacks come in many sizes and designs for a reason: so do backpackers. To get a clear picture of how these bags compare to each other, you need to look at least 7 specific categories. The bottom compression straps can be routed over or through the side mesh pockets and are long enough that they can be used to lash a sleeping pad or a tent body horizontally across the back of the pack. Users have also admitted that it did not hold everything together without the user feeling the bags weight. Ive heard plenty of pos and neg on Osprey and Gregory as part of the industry. Makes me jealous a bit, have to say. The only annoying bit with the bag is. If you have a question for me or a comment on this review, please make it in the comments section at the bottom of this story. 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. In junior high, as we called it then, I got in the habit of taking off through the farm fields and brush behind our house, and have never fully given it up. So depending on the build of the girl, almost any of those could fit best; its difficult for me to make that judgment without knowing a persons torso length and other measurements. Theyre open at the top and have a second side opening in the front above your hips. The Gregory Focal 58 has two tiers of compression straps on the side, both configured in a Z-shaped pattern, that can be tensioned but dont have buckles. The Gregory Focal 58 is a great lightweight pack for multi-day backpacking and thru-hiking on maintained trails. The external nylon fabric is sufficiently durable for trail use, but you can expect to snag and wear holes through the side mesh pockets eventually. For what its worth the new Exos 58 hip belt coming out next month doesnt attach to the frame either. The focal? That lets me attach season and gear-specific pockets depending on my needs more of an open systems approach. From the specs, you get to see that the Gregory bag is made from 100-denier nylon. The Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest ($355,55L/3,400 c.i., 2 lbs., four sizes) is virtually identical to the 3400 Windrider except that it replaces the durable, tearproof mesh used in the external pockets with a more durable, Dyneema Hardline fabricsame as used in the zippered hipbelt pockets on both packs. See my review of the Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60. The material is strong, yet lightweight and the buckles look good as well. 8 oz.moosejaw.com. A lightweight replacement lid is included if you want to save a few ounces. Yup, theyre very good. The speed lid is necessary to cover the drawstring closure at the top of the main compartment so dust and rain dont get inside. Netted an almost 2lb savings. With internal-frame packs, the recommendation is to pack the weight more in the middle of the pack, and the middle of your spine, for better carrying comfort. I really prefer daisy chains on the shoulder straps. Youll know when the current model goes on sale! The Focal 58 is ventilated so that air can pass behind your back and help you stay drier in hot or humid weather. Need a pack for a kid or small adult? See my review of the Gregory mens Zulu 55 and womens Jade 53. The Gregory Focal 58 reviewed here is very similar to the Osprey Exos 58. There is nothing as annoying as getting a bag that you cannot use because it is either too big or too small for your back. Youre asking *me* if its ok to have multiple backpacks? How many pounds can a lightweight backpack carry comfortably? Americas Best Backpacking and Outdoor Adventures. Even though it is not the best in the osprey bag collection, it is still good enough for you, so you do not have to worry about sweating while carrying it. 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. Click here for my e-guides to classic backpacking trips. You will also find many stories at my blog with tips on backpacking, plus many gear reviews, as youve already discovered. I think Gregory has killed the Optic off. Whats more, you probably dont need us to tell you: take your time, do patient research, and then just take the plunge and make the decision. Weighing well under five pounds, theyre a great choice for backpackers who usually carry moderate to heavy loads.
The North Face Banchee 50$230, 3 lbs. Among these which one will be suitable for girls as I want some lightweight and withstand able backpacks? Whether youre a beginner or seasoned backpacker, youll learn new tricks for making all of your trips go better in my 12 Expert Tips for Planning a Backpacking Trip, A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking, and How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be. With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read all of those three stories for free; if you dont have a subscription, you can download the e-guide versions of 12 Expert Tips for Planning a Backpacking Trip, the lightweight backpacking guide, and How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.. See categorized menus of all of my gear reviews at The Big Outside. The hip belt has two large pockets that can be used to store a smartphone and other trail essentials. If your regularly carrying that much weight, I would try it and other big packs in this review on loaded with some weight and see which feels better on you, and also consider which feature set you prefer. My rating system admittedly tends to favor heavier, more-featured packs, which does not necessarily meet your needs; use the rating as a comparison with packs of similar weight. I am just starting to get into backpacking and am looking for a pack that can function in a variety of trips, from a weekend to 5 days. Thanks. One of the things you notice about the Gregory optics is that it is very comfortable even when carrying big loads. I would also take into consideration whether the girl is likely to grow more, and perhaps buy a pack that can accommodate her as she gets bigger. The only thing that holds it back are the buckles that break easily and the fact that you cannot carry any water bottles on it. A circular patch of Tenacious Tape on the inside and outside and problem solved, but I hear about people contacting Opsrey about a broken zipper and getting an entirely new pack mailed out to them for free. Hyperlight Mountain Gear, Gossamer Gear, Mountain Laurel Designs, ZPacks and ULA are making the best backpacks. Two tiers of side compression straps make it painless to strap gear to the outside of the pack and the main compartment is large enough to store a BV500 bear canister vertically or horizontally, making it a flexible gear hauler. For example, the HMG shoulder pocket doesnt work. Osprey Exos 58 and Eja 58$240, 58L/3,539 c.i., 2 lbs. The Air Current framesheet flexes slightly, allowing the pack to move with your torso, especially in steep or difficult terrain. With the Osprey Exos, you get a bag that hugs you when you carry it, giving the entire bag a snug feeling. Save big on Exos/Eja, Atmos/Aura, and Stratos/Sirrus Backpacks. GOSSAMER-GEAR: Take 15% Off all Gossamer Gear Backpacks, Tents, Tarps, Trekking Poles and Accessories with Coupon Code "SECTIONHIKER22".
Sitemap 28