I’m fond of my Gregory G Pack — for the fit more than anything else. It’s reasonably light at just under 3 pounds, reasonably affordable, reasonably well built, and reasonably spacious. It has mesh around the exterior that holds oddly-shaped stuff — which makes sense in California’s climate after the rainy season’s over. Still needs a pack cover if you get caught in the rain, though.
I came across an interesting comparison the other day at thru-hiker.com between Gregory’s G and the Granite Gear Vapor Trail — which is slightly bigger. The conclusion:
Which pack is better? My own experience with both packs clearly shows the Vapor Trail’s superiority. It is an elegantly simple, highly functional design that adapts easily to any size load. I also suspect that the Vapor Trail is more durable; I’m just not convinced that silnylon is a suitable for packs. The fabric works well in ponchos, tarps, and stuff sacks, but can silnylon seams hold up to the stresses a loaded pack place on them over the long run? The Vapor Trail’s suspension is noticeably more comfortable and well-padded than the G-Pack’s. Finally, it holds more (volume and weight) than the G-Pack, but is still half a pound lighter. The Vapor Trail has earned both its Editor’s Choice award and its place on my back. The G-Pack looks good in the store, but doesn’t measure up in the field.
Admittedly, my G Pack has seen mostly light duty, but if you’re in the market for a pack for your next overnighter, either of these would be a good place to start shopping.
I’ve used the Osprey Aether 60 for several trips. It’s a lightweight pack (3700 cu. in., just under 4 pounds) and I don’t think you’d want to carry 45 pounds in the thing (does anybody still do that?), but for 30, it’s a sweetheart.
It carried enough for a soaking wet, four-day fishing backpack trip in the Smokies, and I’ve used it locally to pack a float tube back into the alpine lakes (about 30 pounds of gear).
One real benefit over my old pack (besides the loss of 2.5 pounds); when I arrive at my destination, my backside isn’t soaked from my own sweat (unless my frontside is too). The vented padding really does work.
Plus — and this is important — chicks dig Osprey packs. That’s all I’m saying.
Tom: I tried on an osprey pack when I bought my G… just wasn’t a good fit for me. I’m sure my wife is thankful for that.
I looked at a lot of packs recently and just chose a Six Moon Designs Starlite. It is bigger than the G-Pack and a pound less (1 pound, 14 oz). The design is remarkably like my 25 year old, 6 pound Lowe Expedition — webbing ladder for adjusting the suspension, removable stays for a frame. Like the Vapor Trail, it has a dry bag closure, but the Starlite has a lot more outside pocket space (all mesh).
You can use a pad as the frame instead of stays or with them, but I like it better with the stays and no pad.
You can bend the stays to fit your back. You can also remove them and use them for splints in an emergency.
The main bag is 3700 ci and goes up to 4200 if you count the mesh pockets.
$190 with stays and the (rather small) hipbelt pockets.
http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=34
I carried a frameless GoLite on Skyline-to-the-Sea, and decided that a frame was worth a pound or two. The big GoLite lost its shape when it was half-full and put all the weight on my shoulders. With the Starlite, I get a frame for the same weight as some frameless packs.
For most lower-elevation or fair-weather in high elevation overnights I use the Gossamer Gear Whisper. The one I have is a pre-production prototype which, after about 4 years and 80-100 days of use, is near the end of its useful life.
I’ll probably replace it with an identical pack, though I’d really like to try the MLD Revelation.
Tom,
I am a Gregory fan without apology lo these many years now and have been using a Z-55 for most overnighters up to a week. great pack though comparatively overpriced. regardless, the Z-55 has been as perfect a lightweight pack as I have ever used.
I did almost buy a G a few months ago (several times, actually, because I wanted it, not because I needed it) but decided, during intermittent periods of sanity, that I had enough packs already. I suspect that the G would not likely survive my treatment of it though as I tend to follow game trails with way too much enthusiasm.
pretty pack, though. don’t tempt me to buy it, man. I am weak.
john
I’ve had a whole fleet of backpacks over the years – starting with a bright orange Camp Trails magnesium frame external pack a L O N G time ago. I now go back and forth between two packs and I really like both of them a lot.
I also have a Gregory G Pack, though it may be an earlier model than yours. (They added some straps to hold the load a bit better after I got mine.) What I like about the pack is that it combines quite light weight (even if it comes up short by hard core ultrallight standards) with a real, functional suspension system. I use it for weekend trips, though I’ve also loaded up up beyond all reason with 3-4 days of stuff and my (rather extensive) camera equipment. The material has held up quite well – much better than I would have expected. There are a few small scratches but nothing major. I will admit to being a bit more gentle with it than I might be with a more durable pack.
My other favorite pack is the one I take on longer trips – the Mountainsmith Auspex. This is only a bit heavier than the G Pack, but is much taller and holds more gear (the capacity is 3000 cubic inches) and it is constructed of slightly more sturdy material. I can use this pack for week-long trips without much trouble, and I’ve gone out longer by adding the Mountainsmith Boogey Man day pack – a simple 1 pound no-frills day pack that attaches to the back of the Auspex. (They were designed to work as a system.) This is really a comfortable pack, and its narrow profile makes in almost disappear (I said almost…) behind you.
Dan
Walter, the Six Moon Designs Starlite is a nice pack — I have one and use it when I have to carry the heaviest of loads. But for a mild-weather overnight I find it way overkill.
Oh, and here’s a working link for the Mountain Laurel Designs Revelation.
Tom: The Gregory Z was my second choice, but the Osprey fit me better. Plus the color really brought out the blue in my eyes.
Now I’m on a search for the perfect day pack for hike-in fly fishing trips (my winter day pack is too big, too hot, and loses its shape when you arrive and all the gear comes out).
As near as I can tell, it never ends.