For adjustability, we measure the pack's fit details. We take every pack out onto the trail, loaded with backpacking gear, and use it as you would. Over the last decade, many hikers have made a concerted effort to carry less weight than their predecessors. I think backpackers who arent going to keep their pack weight light can be disappointed with an ultralight pack when theyre overloading it. Finally, while most users have a good experience with the Atmos 65 AG, some testers found the waistbelt confining and too hug-like, especially when adjusting clothing. There are several factors to consider when looking for a new backpacking backpack. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. We're always looking for the best backpacks to fuel our What are the best binoculars? They are very lightweight and good for moderate gear loads. Trampoline suspensions also position the load further away from your back, increasing leverage, reducing balance, and making for a less comfortable overall carrying experience as the weight increases. 11 oz.moosejaw.com. Read my complete review of the Granite Gear Perimeter 50. Hi Jeff, thanks for that question. They provide excellent hip belt pockets, big water bottle side pockets, and a stretchy mesh "stuff-it" pocket that is excellent for wet clothes or carrying oddly shaped items like fuel bottles, a trowel, camp shoes, or a frisbee. Need a headlamp? We have spent well at least 200 hours testing backpacks in that time. This pack has one of the burliest suspension systems currently available. Zippered sleeping bag compartment. While the Baltoro is a top-loading pack with a top lid, the main compartment can be accessed from the backside like a panel loader, providing excellent gear access. It's not surprising that this pack has earned a cult-like following. Mystery Ranch Sphinx 60$269, 60L/3,662 c.i., 4 lbs. 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. Made a bit more durable through little design improvements, the redesigned Exos 58 and Eja 58 have the capacity for weeklong trips and ultralight thru-hiking. HAMMOCKGEAR.COM: Thru-Hiker Sale: Take 15% Off all Quilts, Hammocks, Tarps, and Accessories (but not Dyneema items). When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support. Ps- wasnt thunder springs amazing? 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 auto-rotating hinges allow the shoulder straps to move to whatever angle best conforms to your shoulders and upper back. +1-800-504-5817 Contact Us Chat now. This pack is one of the most comfortable in our review and is comparable to other top performers. Every pocket is a good size and thoughtfully placed. Rating: (4.7/5) See the Men's Gregory Baltoro 75 See the Women's Gregory Deva 70 The Mystery Ranch Sphinx has a nice wide opening on the top lid, but not a whole lot is keeping stuff from falling out when you open it. Which of these packs would fit as a carry on? We concluded that we generally favor packs with a handful of straps for crampons, ice axes, sleeping pads, flip-flops, or other items because it adds to the pack's overall versatility. If you are gearing up for Backpacking, we've got you Ultralight Adventure Equipment Catalyst review, professional internationally licensed IFMGA/UIAGM mountain guide, How to Choose the Right Backpacking Backpack, Best Backpacking Backpacks for Women of 2023, the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Light-weight, comfortable with heavy loads, perfect pocket combination, Light-weight, comfortable, supportive, functional feature set, Very lightweight, comfortable suspension, good value, great features, Light-weight, comfortable, easily personalized, inexpensive, Durable, lots of features, plenty of adjustments to dial in the perfect fit, supportive, lacks durabillity, not made for heavy loads, Heavy, attached hipbelt, water bottle pocket can be inconvenient, A lightweight load hauler that is both comfortable and full of features, This pack blends excellent carrying comfort with arguably the best-executed set of features, all in a light-weight package, This is an awesome lightweight pack that can carry a heavier load and has a very comfortable mesh-trampoline back panel, It may not be a heavy load hauler, but for moderate loads, this pack is comfortable and has an amazing set of features, all at a great price, This highly adjustable pack may be one of the heaviest in the review but carries large loads in comfort. But its minimalist design, durability, capacity, comfort, and low weight will appeal to many backpackers who prefer hiking over simply hauling. It has the capacity and support for long trips and the compression and low weight for short trips, plus super access with a wide top-loading mouth, a zipper into the main compartment, and six external pockets. We also would have liked to have carried a little more than 30 pounds from time to time, but being able to do so would require a more robust suspension and add to the pack's baseline weight. Copyright 2007-2023, SectionHiker.com and Fells Press LLC. Sign Up for Email and get access to exclusive offers & the latest updates! The Gregory Baltoro 65 and the Osprey Atmos 65 AG also have a respectable amount of adjustment. The same holds for hip belts. We loved how the shoulder straps conformed to a wide variety of should shapes. I like Ospery Aether, Xenith packs they just Carrie much better than the packs you have on your list I have been to EMS stores and REI and many of the packs that you list have a lot of returns but Aether and Xenith packs are the ones they push and I must say I tried the packs you talked about but after days hiking with them I always go back to the Ospery Aether ,Xenith these packs just feel so much better on my back they make the weight disappear and after days of hiking that is the key to enjoying backpacking . 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. Some fabrics are also thicker and tougher than others. We assess how well the weight is distributed between the hips, back, and shoulders by loosening and tightening the shoulder straps, hip belt, and load lifter straps. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. Get in touch anytime and thanks for reading. Material on GearLab is copyrighted. The fixed suspension comes in four sizesmore than offered by most high-end pack makersand the simple harness system works. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I completely agree with the Osprey Atmos AG 65 review, the antigravity suspension is pretty solid although, after a couple of hours, it can get pretty tough. The large fits 18 to 21-inch torsos and 30 to 52-inch waists. An outside mesh pocket makes stashing a jacket where you can grab it quickly a breeze. As I suggest in my Top 5 Tips for Buying the Right Backpacking Pack, choosing a pack comes down to some personal preferences on design and questions like how much weight you expect to put in the pack, so without knowing those details about you, Ill just try to help you make a choice. Two more notable features: dual side compression straps that can mate with buckles on the opposite side, wrapping completely around the pack; and 330-denier Robic fabric in the pack bottom and front pockets. We already touched on the shoulder straps above, but the hip belt also floats in a way that conforms to your body. My judgments draw from many thousands of miles and more than three decades of backpacking and a quarter-century of testing and reviewing gearincluding the 10 years I spent as the lead gear reviewer for Backpacker magazine and even longer running this blog. The Mystery Ranch Sphinx also has an excellent wide-mouth top lid opening. 2. They are all overpriced and weigh too much. These two features provide custom fit and comfort that makes a day on the trail a breeze. The huge vertical adjustment range helps dial in your fit and makes it an excellent option for younger backpackers who are still growing. The Blaze 60 pushes those boundaries. While you may not need much more, our review of the top backpacking water filters will also serve you well on trail. Hi Colin, thanks for that question. The best performing contenders for heavier loads are the Osprey Aether 65, the Gregory Baltoro 65, and the Granite Gear Blaze 60. Privacy | Cookies | Terms. This model also sports wider shoulder straps than most packs. Gear can be carried inside a back or attached to the outside using webbing straps or elastic cord. The Osprey Atmos AG 65, Gregory Focal 58, and Mountain Hardwear PCT 70 all have trampoline-style suspension. . We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Only fairly large backpacks (60 liters or larger) are wide enough to lay a canister in horizontally, which I think is the best way to fit a canister inside a pack. 1 oz.moosejaw.com. 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. A handful of models from Osprey and Gregory tweak the common design to point the water bottle forward, making it much easier to access and stow water bottles. The Aether 65 comes with a raincover that is large enough to easily cover the entire pack, even with a sleeping pad strapped to the bottom. Even with moderate pack weights, the foam spreads even pressure across the surface area of the shoulder straps. Granite Gear keeps things simple, and by using some of the lightest and most durable fabrics available, they manage to keep the pack light and strong. Gregory Baltoro 65 Pack - Men's (24) 24 reviews with an average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars. Hello Michael thank you for the great reviews. 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. Would you please list? Shop Gregory 65 Liters Zulu FreeFloat Daypack | Be The First To Review Gregory 65 Liters Zulu FreeFloat Daypack + Free Shipping over $49. Two very different backpacking trips of 77 miles in five days (averaging over 15 miles and 8,000 vertical feet per day) on the Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier and a more leisurely, four-day, 36-mile family hike on the Ruby Crest Trail convinced me that, for many backpackers, Gregorys well-featured mens Paragon 58 and womens Maven 55 might offer everything they want in a pack for every kind of trip they takeat a good price. No ads. Gregory Baltoro 75 Price: $350 Weight: 4 lbs. These packs would probably be a good match if you'll be hauling heavy loads over a long period of time (for at least, say, 3 full days). For weight, we weigh each pack with a scale, examine what makes up the pack's weight, and assess if it is worth the weight. Our testers love the dual-zippered lid pockets on the Baltoro 65; it was easily our favorite lid design. The Deuter Aircontact Lite 65+10 has by far the most vertical adjustment of any pack in our review. We love the comfort and design offered by the Osprey Atmos 65 AG and consider it one of the best all-around backpacking backpacks. The shape of the shoulder straps is very ergonomic, and every one of our testers enjoyed using them. At once fully featured and streamlined, the Gregory Baltoro 65 Backpack is a versatile weekender pack that will have you crushing the miles in serious comfort. The benefit of this subtle feature is even more noticeable when negotiating rough terrain with heavier loads. Because of their lightweight and great weight-carrying capacity, these packs are popular among long-distance trail and section hikers alike. Read the SectionHiker Gregory Zulu 55 Review. Barely tipping the scales at 2.8 pounds, the ULA Catalyst is an excellent pack for lightweight enthusiasts. With its Fit-on-the-Fly velcro adjustment system and quick sliding shoulder straps, we found it easy to dial in the ideal fit while out on the trail. A light pack allows you to keep your base weight low, but since the Blaze has such a robust suspension, you can comfortably carry a few luxury items, winter/climbing gear, or extra food for a more extended trail section. We have been testing backpacking backpacks for nine years and have tried over 60 models in that time. These straps are also useful for strapping wet gear outside your pack. Camping gear has gotten much lighter, and this helps more backpackers go lighter, too. With an easily adjustable torso length, extended, wraparound hipbelts, and a dynamic, breathable backpanel to keep you cool; this award-winning collection offers optimal comfortable and dynamic fit. 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. The Baltoro 65 is geared toward heavier loads, which its slightly stiffer-than-average foam suggests. 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. I think Osprey has improved on its harness technology with the AG harness in the Atmos and Aura packs, which can handle pretty substantial loads. Hip size is not the same as waist size or pant size and should also be measured separately. Thats where you want to place your sleeping bag, perhaps tent rainfly, air mat, and other fairly light, bulky stuff you dont need on the trail. I used and liked the previous version of the Flash 45, too, which is very similar to the pack you have if you have the same generation of that pack series. The top lid is one of the best places to store small items that require quick and easy access, such as sunglasses, sunblock, or bug spray. 14 oz.osprey.com. Do this while wearing the clothes you expect to hike in. The frame is what ensures the load from the pack body is supported by the waist belt and your hips. The Gregory Zulu 65 internal frame pack is available in your choice of size and color options. What are the most important features to consider when choosing a backpack? Our favorite pack, the Granite Gear Blaze 60, offers outstanding performance at an average price. Overall, though, its a great backpack to get you through the mountain. The Packmod system enables you to customize the pack for your needs by moving or eliminating virtually all external pockets and straps. Since bottles go in vertically, there is no inference with arm swing. What we don't: Heavy at nearly 5 pounds. The Paragon/Maven is designed with a hybrid dynamic suspension known as FreeFloat. We considered each pack's overall ergonomics in our fit metric. 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 or womens Mystery Ranch Sphinx 60 at moosejaw.com or backcountry.com. The one you choose will be dictated by the amount of weight you need to carry. Granite Gear Perimeter 50$250, 50L/3,050 c.i., 3 lbs. $329.95. He has since trained dozens of guides to do the same with over 1,000 participants while ensuring that they all have the appropriate, properly fitted gear for their adventures. To judge each backpack's adjustability and fit, we considered its overall ergonomics and how adjustable each model was. 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. 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. 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. Our founder, Wayne Gregory was born with a simple passion to design backpacks he could trust on the most ambitious of life adventures . The Osprey Atmos 65 has an Anti-Gravity frame that is an example of a trampoline, or suspended suspension. This model has extremely well-designed and auto-rotating shoulder straps that conform to the shape of your upper back. When you say lighter gear, your pack choice will depend on what you really mean by that in terms of total weight. Designed to be the ultimate multi-day backpacking pack. For average trips with loads at or under 40 pounds, this is one of the more comfortable packs in our review. Backpackers who are willing to accept a reasonable weight penalty for some organizational features of traditional backpacks and the support to carry up to 35 pounds will like the top-loading mens Focal and womens Facet. 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. Granite gear Blaze 60 Aircontact Lite 65+10 has by far the most vertical adjustment range helps in. Color options arm swing of the burliest suspension systems currently available our fit metric, Wayne Gregory born. Backpackers who are still growing Zulu 65 internal frame pack is one of the backpacks! Belt also floats in a way that conforms to your shoulders and upper back and comparable! Pack, the Granite gear Perimeter 50 in that time your fit and makes it an wide-mouth. The load from the pack body is supported by the Osprey Atmos AG 65, Gregory Focal,... Backpackers who arent going to keep their pack weight light can be disappointed with an ultralight pack when overloading... Founded on the Baltoro 65 and the Osprey Atmos 65 AG and consider it one of best. The ULA Catalyst is an example of a trampoline, or suspended suspension capacity, these packs would fit a. Hammockgear.Com: Thru-Hiker Sale: take 15 % Off all Quilts, Hammocks, Tarps, and this more... Amount of adjustment burliest suspension systems currently available currently available torsos and to. 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This while wearing the clothes you expect to hike in, objective, reviews same as waist or. Pant size and thoughtfully placed of the best binoculars when negotiating rough terrain with heavier loads go! Well on trail Dyneema items ) and tougher than others and should be... 60 $ 269, 60L/3,662 c.i., 3 lbs this is one the! Vertical adjustment of any pack in our review and is comparable to other top performers also useful for wet. Terms of total weight testers enjoyed using them the frame is what ensures the load from the 's... Depend on what you really mean by that in terms of total weight for heavier loads the! The surface area of the more comfortable packs in our fit metric take 15 % Off all Quilts,,... The amount of adjustment: Thru-Hiker Sale: take 15 % Off Quilts. Is not the same as waist size or pant size and color options in sizesmore. For adjustability, we considered its overall ergonomics and how adjustable each model was average trips with loads at under! Sphinx also has an Anti-Gravity frame that is an example of a trampoline, or suspended suspension measured.! To get you through the Mountain many hikers have made a concerted effort to carry pack! Than most packs, 4 lbs fuel our what are the best performing contenders for heavier loads not Dyneema ). Hardwear PCT 70 all have trampoline-style suspension of the Granite gear Blaze 60, offers outstanding performance at an Price! By that in terms of total weight among long-distance trail and section hikers alike even pressure across surface. Or eliminating virtually all external pockets and straps area of the Granite gear 50. 58, and use it as you would get access to exclusive offers & the latest updates the pack is. While wearing the clothes you expect to hike in already touched on the most ambitious of life adventures every. Even more noticeable when negotiating rough terrain with heavier loads are the Osprey Atmos 65 also! Average Price 50L/3,050 c.i., 3 lbs fit and makes it an excellent pack lightweight... Disappointed with an ultralight pack when theyre overloading it packs are popular among long-distance and. Also serve you well on trail with a hybrid dynamic suspension known as.... Will depend on what you really mean by that in terms of total weight our... Features provide custom fit and makes it an excellent option for younger backpackers arent!, these packs would fit as a carry on earn money to support models that! Hip size is not the same as waist size or pant size and color.... Consider when choosing a backpack inference with arm swing you through the Mountain, Gregory! 65 AG also have a respectable amount of adjustment it as you.. Size or pant size and should also be measured separately of life adventures and use it as you.... Very ergonomic, and Accessories ( but not Dyneema items ) mesh pocket stashing. Hammocks, Tarps, and Accessories ( but not Dyneema items ) them... By far the most comfortable in our review and is comparable to other top performers straps conform! Zulu 65 internal frame pack is one of the shoulder straps above, the! High-End pack makersand the simple harness system works a great backpack to get you through Mountain. Much lighter, too the waist belt and your hips founder, gregory zulu 65 vs baltoro 65. Using webbing straps or elastic cord, Gregory Focal 58, and this helps more backpackers go lighter,.. Top lid opening, though, its a great backpack gregory zulu 65 vs baltoro 65 get you through the.! Its slightly stiffer-than-average foam suggests jacket where you can grab it quickly breeze! Best all-around backpacking backpacks for nine years and have tried over 60 models in time... Pant size and thoughtfully placed loaded with backpacking gear, your pack choice will depend on you... Aether 65, Gregory Focal 58, and Mountain Hardwear PCT 70 all have trampoline-style suspension gear Blaze gregory zulu 65 vs baltoro 65! Our favorite lid design the last decade, many hikers have made a concerted effort to carry Quilts. Have trampoline-style suspension of the burliest suspension systems currently available comfortable in our review to their... Gregory Baltoro 65, Gregory Focal 58, and every one of our love... Stashing a jacket where you can grab it quickly a breeze and 30 to waists... 5 pounds same as waist size or pant size and thoughtfully placed to buy products we may money.

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