 anyone know how the vapour trail got on in the latest tgo(cant wait for my copy to arrive)
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 It got a good review!
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thanks chris,money well spent then? it was a close call between it and the osprey atmos 50,decided on the vapour trail due to me being able to use it as an extension to the torsolite pad,and i find it carries superbly,i think the yanks have got this lightweight stuff down to a fine art.
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I think money well spent. It does indeed carry well and will hold more than the Atmos 50. The Americans are certainly ahead on packs - and have been from long before ultralight gear began to appear. I bought a Gregory pack back in 1985 and it was better than anything you could get here then. However in terms of sleeping bags I think British stuff is as good (Rab, ME, PHD) while I think we are ahead in clothing (Montane is growing in popularity in the US), probably because of our climate.
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How do you reckon it compares with the Lightwave S54?
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I find the Vapor Trail more comfortable due to the thicker hipbelt. It's bigger too due to the big top sleeve. I can get much more in. The S54 has a lid, which is nice, but I'd rather have the extra capacity. Both are excellent packs of course so deciding between them is looking at how comfortable each feels on you.
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Chris,
with some delay I finally read your review from te Vapor Trail, I noticed that you estimate that the volume of 55 L doesn't include the extension collar. Is there any objective method you could use to verify this volume? Because I've heard lots of comments of users who state that the volume of the Vapor Trail, excluding the extension collar, is only 45 L.
I'm looking for a new pack being able to carry fairly light to light gear and food, water and gas for up to two weeks. I think a 60 L pack should be enough but I don't like to use extension collars (unless for a short period) because for their tendency to make the pack unstable. 55 L looks ok for me, 45 L is a different thing. So again, is there any way to measure the volume of the pack ?
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Tom, it's very difficult, as different pack makers use different methods to measure pack volume. Litres are not a fixed measure with packs! Comparing the Vapor Trail to other packs I'd say it was 55 rather than 45 litres. I can get as much in as in the 55 litre Gregory Z Pack. However I couldn't fit two weeks food and fuel plus gear in either pack. I'd need 70 litres plus for that because of the food bulk. I also wouldn't find either pack comfortable with that much weight, given that for me two weeks food would weigh 12-14kg on its own and probably take up 30 litres. In total I would be carrying at least 25kg for a two week self-sufficient trip.
I generally don't like extension collars however on the Vapor Trail the crossover straps make it stable.
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Thanks Chris.
Two weeks will probably be more an exception than the rule and foot will normally be split over two packs. A couple weeks ago, we did a trip in the Pyrenees carrying food for 8-9 days and my estimate is that my pack (heavy Deuter 75 L) weighted no more than 17-18 kg. even with that amount of food, I didn't need the sidepockets and part of the main pack, so I guess a 60 L pack should work.
I guess I'll keep the Vapor Trail on the list of possible packs. Other packs I'm looking for are the Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone, Nimbus Meridian and Meridian Vapor (these last two aren't even released yet) and the ULA Catalyst .
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I don't know the other Granite Gear packs but I've just received a Catalyst to test. The old ULA P-2 has been my favourite packs for loads in the 15-20kg range and the Catalyst is the replacement for this. It looks very similar but isn't quite as big. The main pack is around 45 litres in size, the rest of the capacity being the mesh pockets and the extension. I wouldn't say it was any roomier than the Vapor Trail though I haven't tried packing it yet.
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Catalyst on test ? I can't hardly wait to read that review.
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I'm afraid you'll have to wait a few months yet! It only arrived today.
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No problem. Some things are worth to wait for. And Bryan will not be back before November.
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