Granite Gear Blaze 60

[MeanderingFlyFisher]

Has anybody used a Granite Gear Blaze 60 as they are on Massdrop at the moment and I am looking to lighten my pack a Kilo or so.
I am also looking at Gossamer Gear Mariposa,ULA Catalyst,and Osprey Exos 58.
Any suggests and advice appreciated or if anybody has one of the above for sale I would be willing to cosider it.
Thanks David

[whitefang]

In terms of specs those packs are all very similar. My choice would either be the Mariposa or the Exos.

The Mariposa is the lightest pack and from everything I have heard they are well reviewed. However, it is also probably the most expensive and can't be tested in store here. I have owned both the Exos 58 and 48 and love them both and would definitely recommend them. They are also about the same price to buy at full price in Aus as the Granite Gear Blaze 60 is on Massdrop. The Blaze 60 is supposed to be a decent pack, but it is heavier than the Exos and almost the same price but can't be tried on in store in Aus. Lastly, I have only heard good things about ULA, but the Catalyst seems like overkill. It is a 75L pack, but can only hold about as much weight as any of the others before it gets uncomfortable. Assuming your gear is quite light and not too bulky already (which it should be if you are moving to a pack like this) then you could probably go for a different pack in the ULA range like the OHM 2.0 or the Circuit (which is still probably overkill on size being 68L).

The one disadvantage to all of these packs is the mesh pockets. I find they easily tear on vegetation, but can be fixed quite easily with a bit of tenacious tape.

[norts]

Just remember that the ULA specs allow for all the pockets, including the large mesh on the back. So the main sack on the Catalyst is only 42 litre.
I use the Catalyst and am very happy with it.
Taz

[rucksack]

Ditto for the ULA Circuit. I have had mine for two and half years and my mesh is still intact, notwithstanding some fairly rough treatment and thick scrub. I am sure it can be torn, but mine hasn't been (fingers crossed, of course). The main compartment of the Circuit is also around the 40 litres mark and with all pockets pressed into action it can handle 60 plus litres, easily enough for 8-10 days in winter and longer trips in summer, all the while keeping the all up weight below its recommended maximum carrying weight of 16kg. I have a lot of packs and my ULA Circuit has become a bit of a favourite as it's very comfortable, quite light and surprisingly robust.

rucksack

[Walk_fat boy_walk]

I saw those Granite Gear packs and they look quite good. But yeh, hard to know how a pack "carries" without testing... the specs only tell half the story.

Another vote for how well the ULA stuff carries but I reckon you're right about the Catalyst being overkill - if going down the ULA path I'd go for the Circuit for a comparable pack size (although as mentioned above they do specify a combination of internal and external volume). I wouldn't be too worried about the mesh on the ULA either, it's pretty tough stuff (I've never holed it on my Ohm) and worst case if you put a hole in it it would still function as it's meant to.

EDIT: just saw the most recent post about the mesh which is pretty much in line with my own observations

[MeanderingFlyFisher]

Thanks for the replies and they are pretty much what I was thinkng and had read about.
The ULA Circuit was also on my list but forgot to mention it in original post.
My mate has a Mariposa and he is extremely happy with it and I should have tried it on last time we hiked.
As stated it is tough when most of these packs aren't available in OZ.

[playnew50days]

Has anybody used a Granite Gear Blaze 60 as they are on Massdrop at the moment and I am looking to lighten my pack a Kilo or so.
I am also looking at Gossamer Gear Mariposa,ULA Catalyst,and Osprey Exos 58.
Any suggests and advice appreciated or if anybody has one of the above for sale I would be willing to cosider it.
Thanks David

Hi David,

My wife and I run 50days.com.au We are a specialist Lightweight Outdoor Gear Online Retailer based in Victoria. We have Granite Gear (Crown & Blaze) and Osprey Exos backpacks in stock. In July/August we plan to have a selection of Gossamer Gear backpacks available. I suggest you contact us [email protected]