June 15, 2019
Packs
Alex carrying the Exos 58 on Sawmill Pass
When people think about backpacking, and especially about going lighter, this is often
the first thing they think about. It probably shouldn't be.
You have to get a pack that will carry the gear you have, and if you start out
getting an ultralight pack and then overload it with gear, it will be bad both
for you and the pack in most cases.
People talk about the "big 3" that determine your overall pack weight.
The pack itself, your shelter, and your sleep system.
Work on all three and get a pack that suits your overall plan.
Hyperlight Mountain Gear Southwest 4400
This is the pack I now use and it is far and away the best pack I have ever carried.
And I have used a lot of different packs over the years.
It is pricey ($370 list) and some people will tell you to go smaller.
This is a 70 liter pack that weighs 2.45 pounds (39 ounces).
The smaller "3400" is a 55 liter pack weighing 2.0 pounds (33 ounces).
I often carry bulky gear and have a hard time with a 55 to 58 liter pack.
I would rather have the capacity and not need it than to need it and not have it,
even at a 6 ounce penalty.
The fabric is Dyneema Composite Hybrid (formerly known as cuben fiber hybrid).
It is virtually bulletproof (and waterproof).
With down gear in dry bags and this waterproof pack with a roll top,
you have no worries about storms or stream crossings.
The waist belt is sewn on, which some people complain about, but I like.
Sewing it on keeps things simple and makes the waist belt do its job.
This is the pack that taught me that a pack with some structure and extra weight
is worth it.
Carrying 25-30 pound loads day after day with this pack is comfortable.
The same load in another pack without structure, becomes uncomfortable.
MLD (Mountain Laurel Designs) Exodus
The Exodus is a 52 liter, 14 ounce pack (3200 cubic inches $235) that is a style I call a
"pillowcase with straps". I used this and its big brother (the Ark, no longer made, 70 liters)
for many years with satisfaction before upgrading to the HMG discussed above.
My Ark has a reduced waist strap and weighs 15 ounces.
It works if you stay within its limits and pack it with intelligence.
Keep the load under 25 pounds. I routinely carried 30+ pounds with it at the start
of week long trips and it was fine when packed properly and handled with care.
As I become fatigued with heavier (30 pound) loads, it becomes unpleasant.
There are a host of other makers with packs of this style, such as ULA, the old GoLite packs, Granite Gear, etc.
Osprey Levity 60
It was a big deal in 2019 when Osprey came out with this pack. An amazing true ultralight pack from a mainstream company.
Just under 2 pounds (11 ounces lighter than the Exos 58) for $270 full retail.
It is delicate and limited to 30 pounds.
This should not be a real problem if you are doing your ultralight thing properly.
If you are doing desert adventures where you need to carry significant water, this will not work.
I often start week long hikes with 34 pounds (including a bear can), so I would have to make changes to
use this pack. Also you can get the HMG 4400 with a 70 liter capacity and no particular weight limit
that only weights 8 ounces more.
Highly recommended for those that understand its limitations.
Osprey Exos 58
A vernerable classic for people going light who want a pack with some structure and able to carry some weight when needed.
I often have bulky sleep gear (as a hammock camper) and find it difficult to make do with a 58 liter pack.
Most people will not have this problem and this pack will serve them well. $220 2 pounds 11 ounces (43 ounces)
Note that the HMG 4400 is 70 liters and 39 ounces.
Gossamer Gear Miniposa
I bought one of these back around 2007 or so.
It was my first ultralight pack.
It is no longer made.
I record its weight as 10 ounces (without the hip belt), but reviews indicate it became
a 19 ounce 54 liter pack, so it was apparently revised after I bought mine.
It was made with plain nylon ripstop (silnylon), so was fairly delicate.
The Exodus replaced it in my line-up and provided significantly tougher fabric.
My Miniposa is now misplaced somewhere.
Recommended for 25 pounds or less (if you have the version with stays).
If I was buying a Gossamer Gear pack today, it would either be the Mariposa (for some extra volume),
or the Murmur (for short crazy light trips).
Gossamer Gear Murmur
This is a 8 ounce pack with a 36 liter capacity that is recommended for loads of
15 pounds or less. It would be an interesting experiment for $160, but one I would
only make if I consistently get my pack weight into range. I can do a lot with my
MLD Ark meanwhile, which is only 6 ounces more.
Dana Designs Astralplane
This was my beloved pack for years.
Then one day I realized that it weighed 7 pounds empty!!
After transitioning to ultralight, I gave it away.
Dana is now Mystery Ranch and thumbs his nose at the whole ultralight business.
Other packs are made this way (such as Gregory).
Some of these packs may have their place in mountaineering
(or military use), but not for backpacking in this day and age.
Have any comments? Questions?
Drop me a line!
Tom's backpacking pages / tom@mmto.org