Hi all So i a looking at getting a 65L rucksack for when I do 3 day plus hikes. I have a Talon 44 for winter but want something a little bigger for that longer trip. Like the look of the Golite Pinnacle and Quest - any opinions on either of these? Becky
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Hi Thanks Jon - I saw the offer at outdoor warehouse and thats what drew my attention to them actually. My kit is a mixture at the moment, would love to eventually be lightweight but not at the moment. The most important thing for me is the hipbelt padding, far too many sacks did into my bony hips!
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 The quest works for me, here is a youtube vid of the 2007 womens version
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ltXznxj8Go
The straps are quiet thin on the hip belt and shoulder straps, but the padding is well designed and comfy (for me anyway). I had briefly tried one before buying, but ordered online and kept the packaging and tags together until I was sure of the fit.
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 Rebecca, I've got a Pinnacle and think it's wonderful. Incredibly light and the 72 litres just swallows backpacking kit. The side mesh pockets are surprisingly large, as are the zipped belt pockets. I got it primarily for winter outings, when kit tends to be bulky but pretty light (down jackets / big sleeping bags). I'd have no hesitation in recommending it.
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.JPG) I've got a Pinnacle and it's a fine pack. I use a full size karrimat inside as a 'tube frame' - like Eric says - swallows gear The quest has a frame, so probably better for heavier loads. I carried 15kg for almost 2 weeks with the Pinnacle, but would been happier with less weight!
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 Rebecca, The Golite bags are good I have the Breeze which is now replaced by the Jam . You say that you would like to go light weight, I know that is expensive to change all at once, after 6 years going light weight I am still honing the grammes. But you could be missing an opportunity to start lessening your weight .To spread the costs with a light weight aim every new purchase should be done with weight in mind. Its cheaper to buy right first time as you will have sell this bag to buy another lighter, smaller one further down the line.
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Hi Eric and mole, how do you find the hip padding on the pinnacle? I do like the look of it, just wasn't sure about it having no frame. I don't carry alot of gear but due to my fella having previously suffered a broken back, he has to careful what he carries so i tend to be donkey! Its a good point SD, i think i may order both and check the fit before returning one of them
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.jpg) i have the Golite gust a previous model to the Pinnacle and I replaced the foam in the back sleeve with some one inch thick stiffens it up and stops any items pushing into your back
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I do some long treks and now have a ULA Circuit(2008 model) the Catalyst is the larger bag. Mine is great and my take on it is that they have improved on the similar Golite range. The best thing are the several cinching straps which give a perfect individual carry. On one trek with no resupply options I needed to carry 7 days food and a bear barrel ,way over my usual carry and my extensive searching and advice came up with ULA before I went. There is the US cost. Brian ( who I don't know)and his staff can customise your pack. Their site is worth a look alone for sizing tips and other stuff.
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I have 3 Golite sacs, Gust, Peak and Ion - all great. My mate bought a Pinnacle for our 3 1/2 weeks across N Norway late 2008 - loved it. Stuffed two 4L pockets onto the side, partly sitting in the stretch pockets. Did him really well. Amazingly bombproof sacs, beautifully made.
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Rebecca, the hip padding is fine for me. It pays to pack carefully, but having used packs with lots of 'cushioning', but weighing 3kg, this is far, far more comfortable. I use my deflated sleeping mat to give the sack more shape and to pad the back.
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 I have a Pinnacle and I do like it very much, however you need to pack carefully because of the thin back padding (as Eric says use your sleeping pad as extra padding). I have carried 15 kg in it and I probably would try to keep the load weight under 14kg in future as I think thats the limit of the sack for me. Apart from these points the design is superb, extremely user friendly and very light.
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 I can vouch for the golite and have in the reviews section. My gear normaly comes to around 12- 13kg, which I consider light for normal back packing. Its fantastic for weekends trips, you can get all your stuff inside with all the extra's fishing gear, books, etc etc etc. It does depend on your needs though, the weight lose is mainly down to lack of a decent back system. Its a pay of.
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Hi Thanks to eveyone for their advice. I have ended up with the quest finally, and first impressions are good. The bag is well made, simplistic large front pocket to stash loads of gear and the fit is great. Hope to get it tested out in a couple weeks time. Becky
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 I agree with Richard - 15Kg is the limit for me (9 days food) and about 13Kg for my wife (both Pinnacles). We now only use Pinnacles - day walks, overnights and multi week trips over the last 3 years, so I say fairly virsatile!
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