Hi All,

Need your help again in choosing a lightweight but durable pack. I’m Looking in the region of 50/60ltr but must be under 1.5kg.
I have provided a basic list of kit I use regualy although the tents I have listed all 3 cos I will change for different ground/season.

Sleeping Bag: ME Helium 400 + Silk liner
Mat: Wee Airic
Tent: ME AR Ultralite 1 / Laser Completion / Hex3 (with pole+ ½ Ground sheet)
Rab S/Zone
1xTrek Pole
Micro Fleece
Pertex Smock+Pertex Trousers
1xSocks
MSR Titanium Kettle
MSR Pocket Rocket + 100ml Gas Canister
Sigg 1.5ltr Bottle
Platypus 1litre or Source 3litre Bladder
Digital SLR camera (Rebel) with belt looped case
BiPod (Tele type)
Camp Shoes/Sandals
MP3 Player, Book, Teddy, GPS etc...

Above I should have mentioned that I would use it over 2/3days before food replenishment.

Some packs that I’m looking at: GoLite Trek, Macpac pursuit, Osprey (if bank manager is having a good day!) and Mountain Movers.

Thanks ? Simon

You've already got two of the suggestions I was going to make on your list.

Macpac - well worth checking out. I have the Ascent Classic which I think may be 2kg so admittedly over your weight limit, but I've found it to be a very comfortable pack, especially the hipbelt/back system. A simple, robust, well made pack, with just the right level of features for me in terms of compression straps, wand pockets etc, floating lid etc which means it's something like 55-65+ litres so flexible also. I think the newer Pursuit 50 sack is lighter at 1.5kg, and has similar features, but can't comment so specifically on its merits.

Osprey - I have the Atmos 35, which is the most comfortable sack I've used and many useful features: I'd certainly recommend checking out the 50, although I've not used that specific sack.

What I would say is that I find rucksacks to be a bit like footwear in terms of the importance of finding one that fits and is comfortable. Do make sure you try them out, weighted, to see whether a particular sack suits you. Apologies if I'm teaching you to suck eggs. :)


Ken

For decent lightweight backpacking packs you really need to look at the US market and notably Gregory (Z pack is very good), Osprey and ULA. They are not easy to find but worth the effort.

I have the Atmos 50. it certainly takes all my kit for summer usage. It packs slightly different than most sacks, it is a backpacking sack though. Two very room front pockets, takes waterproofs, tent pegs etc and loads of those little items you want to hand. There is also a mesh pouch pocket on the front, handy for wet gear, or a map. It is capable of load carrying and it is comfortable. Speaking as someone who is not the most gentle with rucksacks and travels on public transport, which can mean a sack being roughly treated, it is quite sturdy. There are also two small hip belt pockets.. It is not the lightest sack but for carrying the type of gear you want to carry it will manage fine. Too light a sack can be a mistake, and I speak from experience.

Another vote for the Atmos 50, which is about 1.3kg.

You'd have no problem getting that stuff into it. I backpack with mine and my kit list is similar to yours(though mine is longer...), since I now use a Competition. I've recently had it out for a fortnight crossing Scotland, and it was tremendous: it's the comfiest sack I've ever used.

They have an airflow back, which I really like but which doesn't suit everyone. Don't buy without trying one on :)

You can find the atmos range at snow and rock. Gregory and particularly ULA are really restricted to web mail order but this is good in that you can usually buy on a sale or return basis and spend a day or so packing it with your own kit.

I recently switched to an Osprey Aether 70 which is supremely comfortable and highly recommended. I believe it will be in your weight range.

Hi All,

Thanks for the help it seems im going to have to try before I buy :-)

I have both an Aether 70 and an Atmos 35. Both are excellent and if I was splitting a load evenly with my OH or if I was going solo I would go for the Atmos 50.

I have the Gregory Z Pack, which I bought from Itch Feet. I asked and they held on to it in the shop for me to try on.

I'm very pleased with it. Its quite comfortable upto the stated 35lbs max, though I'm usually a bit under that. I fit a similarish list of clobber to yours into it OK.
Its nice for hiking, as there is this big bucket pocket at the back, which looks a bit odd at first, but basically means all the stuff you want during the day can go in there and be easy to get at. Cavernous lid pocket as well.
The fabric seems pretty robust, and I've noticed no signs of wear.

Reviews of it at BackpackGearTest.

The Aether looks very good to me and I would chose itover the Atmos especialy if you are going to be doing a long trek.

The Z Pack is a good pack and more robust than the G pack.

I reckon the Golite Trek is an absolute steal - not always easy to find, you would probably have to go online.

btw since my purchase of Gregory Z pack 18 months ago I notice its now available in Cotswolds. The Gregory packs generally are certainly light enough, provide enough extra features without overdoing it and supremely comfortable. Each pack comes with a load range so its easy to see where your base weight will fit.

Hi all,

Loads of tips "Thanks" Im stuck out in Sheffield and all the pack I want to try are in china ;-) so cant try them on.

Andy, think I have decided to go with the GL Trek, its in my price range and just bought a new bike so have to keep the bank manager from the door.

Thanks again folks.

On Thursday I will be planning to use my Gregory Z pack for the very first time.I will be walking part of Offas Dyke from Llangollen to Prestatyn which is approx 30 odd miles.Plan to have 2 nights camping & return home from Prestatyn on Saturday.First impressions of the pack are very good.It oozes quality and the material seems very light & strong.Possibly too many straps for everybody's liking.Anyway,I will let you know how I got on after walk has been completed.

Have a great time, Jeff: I'm looking forward to hearing how you get on :)

Hi Shirl,I have to say that I'm really looking forward to the trip.This will be my first real bit of backpacking for nearly 30 years.As you know,I did make it up to Angle Tarn in the Lakes last year but that was only a very short outing.I am really looking forward to getting from A to B under my own steam.Only thing I didn't bargain for is that England play T & T at 5pm on Thursday.Will take my pocket radio but hope to camp near good pub with a tele.My outing seems a little tame in comparison with you TGO Challengers but I have to start somewhere.The gear has been severely overhauled & I will hopefully be travelling much lighter & faster than up in the Lakes!

Hey JP, I did the top half of Offa's about a month ago, and really enjoyed it --- and with a Z pack too.If you get some half decent weather you are in for a treat, particularly the stunning views from the Clywd range.

It won't do you any good for Thursday, but when you get to Bodfari there is a good pub called I Forget about 200yds to your right when the path comes out onto the main road thru the village. Should meet your requirements and the food was excellent.

BTW, the Clywd range is quite knackering due to numerous steep ascents. Wildcamping is a bit of a pain as there are no streams up there. Tho I met one couple coming south who had done just that as they had got 3/4 of the way thru and could not walk another step. I directed them to the nearest Post Office, as they planned to send home all the useless crap they now realised they didn't need....

Hi,DMM Thanks for the info.Did you camp anywhere on the section between Llangollen & Prestatyn & if so where & what was it like?

have you tried squeezing that gear in too a smaller bag. i reckon you could get away with 30-40 litres easy. remember a 30 litre bag weighs about 600g.

Soul express,

Hope it works for you. Hope you've bought from one of our online heroes :-)