Backpacking

MStudt

MStudt

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I'm needing some help trying to figure out my next backpack. My wife and I are both pretty big into backpacking, and spend a lot of time doing it. I'm hoping to find someone on here that direct experience with at least one of the two packs I'm considering on getting in the near future.

After Christmas of 2014 we're walking away from our jobs and house for up to 7 months (or shorter) in hopes of thru-hiking the AT. The goal is to start at Springer Mountain around the new year and hike northbound. We already have all the gear we need except for 2 things. We're going to be downsizing from our UL3 tent to a UL2 tent.

My big question is in regards to a new backpack for myself. I've been trying to cut down the weight I'm carrying and want to upgrade to a bit smaller pack. I'm torn between the Granite Gear Blaze AC 60 or the Osprey Exos 58. I'm already a fan of Granite Gear as I have a few of their packs currently. There are great reviews for both packs, and are both within a few ounces in weight of each other.

If anyone has experience with either of these please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks,
Mike
 
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If you're going to use the full space of a pack that size, check out the REI Flash 45. The size L is 50 liters and a touch over 2 pounds, and way more budget friendly than the Osprey.

The only thing I don't like about mine is it sacrifices cargo management to get the light weight, so it's basically a tube with very minimal compression straps or interior/exterior pockets or reinforcement. It can get floppy and annoying if it's not fully loaded. But for long or coldweather trips, it's great.

I'm very jealous that you're going to hit the whole AT. A thru hike is on my bucket list for sure.
 
Wow, that is a pretty nice pack with a price tag of only $90 right now. This might be one to consider, but a lot of things are still up in the air. I'm currently working on trying to get us sponsored by a couple companies, a couple of them being Granite Gear and Golite.

My wife is a high school English teacher who also started an outdoor education club at her school about 6 years ago. Her plan is to thru-hike the AT and team up with another teacher at the school to have the students in the IT classes develop an interactive website for the trip.

I'm hoping that one of the companies I've sent sponsorship letters to will see the value in what she is trying to show her students.

We've been talking about this for about 5 years now, and seriously planning it for about the last 6 months. Our goal is to save enough money over the next year so we can cover our mortgage (or rent), cover the entire thru-hike, and the move the Portland when we get done. Lots of things are in the works, but we're both not getting any younger.
 
MStudt said:
I'm needing some help trying to figure out my next backpack. My wife and I are both pretty big into backpacking, and spend a lot of time doing it. I'm hoping to find someone on here that direct experience with at least one of the two packs I'm considering on getting in the near future.

After Christmas of 2014 we're walking away from our jobs and house for up to 7 months (or shorter) in hopes of thru-hiking the AT. The goal is to start at Springer Mountain around the new year and hike northbound. We already have all the gear we need except for 2 things. We're going to be downsizing from our UL3 tent to a UL2 tent.

My big question is in regards to a new backpack for myself. I've been trying to cut down the weight I'm carrying and want to upgrade to a bit smaller pack. I'm torn between the Granite Gear Blaze AC 60 or the Osprey Exos 58. I'm already a fan of Granite Gear as I have a few of their packs currently. There are great reviews for both packs, and are both within a few ounces in weight of each other.

If anyone has experience with either of these please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks,
Mike
Click to expand...
when i saw the thread title and started reading this, my initial thoughts were to tell you to go with either Granite Gear or Osprey... i have both,(not these specific models) and there are features of both that i like and dislike. i like the osprey for the air cool/air speed, how it keeps the pack off your back and allows the air to circulate between you back and the pack, and the fact that its a top loader as well as a panel loader, and the fact that it still has a lid -idk im old school. i love granite gear for their innovation and design leading. i think the GG is gonna be a more robust pack, but i think it may make your back a little hotter or sweatier, as the load will rid against it like a conventional pack. but not ever having this specific pack im not sure how it will do with that. my other GG packs though all have this issue, but dispite that, they are the ones i look to first when doing long pack trips an i know im gonna be carrying more gear than i should lol(but im also using some of their older packs that have the carbon fiber and fiberglass frame sheets. the osprey packs are nice for quick trips or trips when you know you are going to be really working hard like continuous climbs, fast pace ect -i use osprey for SAR stuff, as typically im more about speed and mobility/agility at that point.

KidVermicious said:
If you're going to use the full space of a pack that size, check out the REI Flash 45. The size L is 50 liters and a touch over 2 pounds, and way more budget friendly than the Osprey.

The only thing I don't like about mine is it sacrifices cargo management to get the light weight, so it's basically a tube with very minimal compression straps or interior/exterior pockets or reinforcement. It can get floppy and annoying if it's not fully loaded. But for long or coldweather trips, it's great.

I'm very jealous that you're going to hit the whole AT. A thru hike is on my bucket list for sure.
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judging by the two pack the OP mentioned he will not be happy with anything with the REI name... those two packs and their manufactures are like the cream of the crop as far as packs are concerned.... not saying REI is crap, some of their stuff is nice, but they are too big when it comes to refining something, a co like GG or osprey, all they do is packs, they are gonna be hands down better... even if REI has someone else make their pack for them and they just put their name on it, its not gonna be at the same level. nothing of REIs ever is, their clothing wears out too fast... the cut corners to try and stay in the game
 
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After some more reading I think the REI is out. I've read from a few people about issues with the fabric coming apart, and shoulder straps pulling out. I think I'll be sticking with Granite Gear or Osprey, just not sure which one. People seem to love both the packs that I'm considering. I do under the air suspension, and sweaty backs suck. I've already owned Granite Gear pack, so I know what I'd be getting from them. Maybe I'll see if I can pick up an Osprey pack on eBay so I won't need to spend $200 on the pack.
 
Osprey is definitely a "you get what you pay for" company. Premium cost, but solid, well thought out products that perform for years. And if your pack wears out or breaks, they will repair/replace indefinitely. Unlimited lifetime guarantees are pretty awesome
 
I have alot of good buddies who have loved and sworn by their Osprey packs on all trips. Personally I am an Arc'teryx person for pretty much anything. granted they are quite pricey but bombproof and very well thought out in their designs.
If I were to choose one of the two you posted I vote Osprey for sure.
 
MtnT4R said:
Osprey is definitely a "you get what you pay for" company. Premium cost, but solid, well thought out products that perform for years. And if your pack wears out or breaks, they will repair/replace indefinitely. Unlimited lifetime guarantees are pretty awesome
Click to expand...

I'm starting to lean more this way.
 
MStudt said:
I tried one of their's and wasn't impressed. Got it on clearance from a local REI and returned it after only one trip. After that is when I switched over to Granite Gear.
Click to expand...

I was looking at one of those a while ago but didn't pull the trigger. What didn't you like?
 
Gregory?

I know it is not in the list of packs you have but have you thought about them?

I have packed them for awhile and let me tell you I have beat the hell out of them and they never let me down once. The one I took to Afghanistan in 08 was made by them and it was great. Granted it was built to carry weight(100 lbs and up) unlike some normal off the shelf packs. Also, not sure if you are 100% on a tent, but take a look at the ENO hammocks and get a tarp with it. I got one on someone's recommendation here and holy hell I have been missing out for so long! Not sleeping on the ground is so nice and less stuff to carry also.

Just throwing ideas out there.


Blue
 
KidVermicious said:
I was looking at one of those a while ago but didn't pull the trigger. What didn't you like?
Click to expand...

I didn't find the one I had to comfortable at all. I took it on a 44 mile trip in Glacier around 6 years ago. I fought for comfort the entire trip, and could never get the pack to sit right. Granted, I know their packs have come along way over the past few years, and their getting tons of good reviews now. Another thing is the weight, I know it's not much weight, but everything counts when it's long distance.
 
Ol'Blue said:
I know it is not in the list of packs you have but have you thought about them?

I have packed them for awhile and let me tell you I have beat the hell out of them and they never let me down once. The one I took to Afghanistan in 08 was made by them and it was great. Granted it was built to carry weight(100 lbs and up) unlike some normal off the shelf packs. Also, not sure if you are 100% on a tent, but take a look at the ENO hammocks and get a tarp with it. I got one on someone's recommendation here and holy hell I have been missing out for so long! Not sleeping on the ground is so nice and less stuff to carry also.

Just throwing ideas out there.


Blue
Click to expand...

I don't always have a way to set it up where I go, but when I've got trees, I put my ass in a sling for sure. I love sleeping in my hammock, so much better than on the ground. And it's lighter too, no tent poles to schlep along.
 
Ol'Blue said:
I know it is not in the list of packs you have but have you thought about them?

I have packed them for awhile and let me tell you I have beat the hell out of them and they never let me down once. The one I took to Afghanistan in 08 was made by them and it was great. Granted it was built to carry weight(100 lbs and up) unlike some normal off the shelf packs. Also, not sure if you are 100% on a tent, but take a look at the ENO hammocks and get a tarp with it. I got one on someone's recommendation here and holy hell I have been missing out for so long! Not sleeping on the ground is so nice and less stuff to carry also.

Just throwing ideas out there.


Blue
Click to expand...

To be honest, I completely forgot about Gregory. What I've found with Gregory, although they do have a great product, the weight. I'd like to be as close to the 3lbs mark as possible, and Gregory is around 4-4-1/2lbs for a comparable pack.

KidVermicious said:
I don't always have a way to set it up where I go, but when I've got trees, I put my ass in a sling for sure. I love sleeping in my hammock, so much better than on the ground. And it's lighter too, no tent poles to schlep along.
Click to expand...

Hammocks are something that I would love to try someday, just not for hiking the AT with a partner. I'm doing this with my wife who was treated for scoliosis when she was 6. Now she has two metal rods fused to her spine and sleeping in a hammock might not be the best. Not to mention she not going to want to sleep in her own hammock, and we might start throwing punches in a double hammock.

The two tent we're looking at weigh between 1lb 9oz and 3lbs.
 
Ol'Blue said:
Eagles Nest Outfitters Inc. - Hammocks and Hammock Sleeping Systems - Rain, Cold and Insect Protection.

Kelty Noah's Tarp | Backcountry.com



Also,

If you go this route don't waste the money on the ENO Straps. Get some Military 550 cord at any Surplus store. Much stronger and has many more uses.
Click to expand...

The only thing about a hammock would be part of our hike is going to be in winter months. With a hammock, could we ditch our sleeping pads and save more weight? Not really up to date on the hammock thing, but this could be an option.
 
MStudt said:
Hammocks are something that I would love to try someday, just not for hiking the AT with a partner. I'm doing this with my wife who was treated for scoliosis when she was 6. Now she has two metal rods fused to her spine and sleeping in a hammock might not be the best. Not to mention she not going to want to sleep in her own hammock, and we might start throwing punches in a double hammock.
Click to expand...

It might be worth having her try it out in the back yard for a night or two and see what she thinks. I didn't think I was going to like sleeping in a hammock either, but I had one anyway and decided to try it out, and I sleep SO much better in it once I got past the learning curve. I have a Klymit air pad that I love when I have to sleep on the ground, but a properly set up hammock is 500% more comfortable - no pressure points, no sore back or hips in the morning, don't have to worry about sloped ground or big roots or runoff from the rainstorm making it under your groundcloth, they truly are great. In a high traffic area like the AT I imagine that flat ground suitable for tents can sometimes be a premium - you don't have to worry about that with a hammock. Trek off into the bush and find two trees the right distance apart and enjoy your privacy. :)

Check out the trip reports on hammockforums.net next time you're bored. There's several guys there that hamp on the AT, check out their setups and see what you think.

MStudt said:
The only thing about a hammock would be part of our hike is going to be in winter months. With a hammock, could we ditch our sleeping pads and save more weight? Not really up to date on the hammock thing, but this could be an option.
Click to expand...

In cold weather you're going to want what they call an underquilt. On the warm summer nights, I don't use anything but a lightweight fleece bag. When it gets cool, I use my air pad for insulation underneath, but once there's snow on the ground, a down underquilt is the way to go.

This dude's a dork, but if you can get past that these are really good videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7NZVqpBUV0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK9oGK2FJck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeBdD7MhAtU
 
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