Pack to replace Golite 70l Pinnacle

[melinda]

Hi all,
Time to retire my 5 year old Golite 70l Pinnacle pack.
Pinnacle is the pack I have used for 10-14 day trips.
It has been well and truly trashed!
Looking for something to replace it with.
Has to be LIGHT, has to be TOUGH. (Tassie tough! )
(Could just get the 70l Jam but want to have a good look at options before I commit to anything.)
Has any one used MLD's 4400ci ARK
Wondering how those mesh pockets would stand up to bush bashing and rock.
http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/sh ... ucts_id=97

MLD's Ark

4400ci ARK.jpg (24.88 KiB) Viewed 42208 times

Have also thought about HMG's 4400 Southwest Pack. Not too sure how cuben would stand up to getting throw around places like the Eastern Arthurs.
http://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/pa ... -pack.html
Has any one used cuben packs in this sort of environment???

HMG's Southwest

HMG 4400_sw_three_quarter.jpg (10.54 KiB) Viewed 42199 times

Thoughts, suggestions???

[Bluegum Mic]

Ive recently purchased a ula circuit which im really happy with. The build quality is superb. I havent used it a lot yet (as Ive a 4 month old bub) but so far its great. I have a lightly used 2011 grey pinnacle though if you decide you want another. I was thinking of popping it on the market square.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

[icefest]

I'd be hesitant using straight cuben in the arthurs and off track, I think the hybrid would be fine though.

Prophet = 210D UHMWPE
HMG = 150D Polyester on a cuben base.

I'd say they'd approach each other in toughness, but the MLD pack can only handle 15kg but the HMG can take 25kg (but it is heavier).
I think Forest has had his Arc blast for a while and might be able to give more abrasion resistance details.

[roysta]

IMO the Arc Blast would not stand up to the Arthurs or any off track stuff.
Something more robust is needed and therefore heavier.

[melinda]

Bluegum Mic, I have a ULA CDT. (And an old ULA Relay made when Brian Frankel was still the owner. It was the best pack I've ever owned! Shame it got trashed ) ULA make great packs!
Interested in your 2011 Pinnacle. Will send you a private message.
Thing that worries me about all the ultra light packs for SW Tas is they have too much mesh on them. The mesh gets trashed on the "quartzite"! ( Dan!)
Icefest, that MLD Prophet is nice, but again too much mesh!
Wish they would make these pockets in dyneema?
Think something like a Golite Jam front pocket without the zip and top section of pocket, just elastic to keep it closed.
Roysta, Arc Blast is a sweet pack, but agree, not right for SW Tas.
May be the answer is to buy the pack I like the best ..... and then starting sewing! (Have a few metres of dyneema lying around.)

[Mark F]

Brian Frankel is now working with Six Moons Designs - they will have a new range of packs out in January - it may be worth the wait.
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=84411&skip_to_post=720145

[melinda]

Mark F, need it for early Feb, we'll see! But great to hear that Brian is back in the game!

[Onestepmore]

I would be a bit worried about any pack with external mesh pockets for scrubby areas. I've only done a few days walking in Tassie but the scrub was pretty robust! My GG Mariposa has mesh, I won't taking it to Tassie next year. Taking a clean lined pack.

[melinda]

Heh Onestepmore,

the scrub was pretty robust!

It puts our Budawangs hakea and banksia to shame!
So looking forward to getting into some of the horizontal scrub coming off Moss Ridge!
I think any thing with dyneema x gridstop will be ok.
As long as I don't spend too much time sliding about on my butt!

[melinda]

This is another really interesting looking pack.
Elemental Horizons "Kalais"
Hadn't heard of the brand before.
You can upgrade body and pockets to dyneema x grid.
http://www.elementalhorizons.com/kalaispack.aspx
Anybody tried one?????

[mattburga]

I'm also after a replacement pack. My current being a 3.25kg karrimor travel pack. The golite jam 70 being my preferred option but I can't seem to find it for sale.

[Strider]

I'm also after a replacement pack. My current being a 3.25kg karrimor travel pack. The golite jam 70 being my preferred option but I can't seem to find it for sale.

Golite switched to a direct sales model via their website early last year.

[iluvhiking]

I have a 4400 Porter pack.
Awesome construction, and the harness is actually quite comfortable.
Only other pack I can vouch for would be a Osprey Exos 58.

[melinda]

mattburga,
I buy directly from golite website
70l Jams are out of stock at the moment, but expected back early Dec.
iluvhiking,
Had a look at Porter Pack, nice! How does the cuben stand up to scrub and getting knocked around on rock???

[norts]

What about the Exped Lightning 45 or 60, they have a womans version. Light pack but able to carry a fairly heavy load. Made with a dyneema grid stop material.
http://www.exped.com/australia/en/produ ... 0-womens-0

Disclaimer - I have the Lightning 60, only used it once, so far but it was very comfortable. It was bought for a specific purpose so I havent used it on most of my walks, saving it for the big walk.

Roger

[frenchy_84]

Had a look at Porter Pack, nice! How does the cuben stand up to scrub and getting knocked around on rock???

Jmac does some very hard offtrack SW packrafting trips and recently bought a porter, he has a review on the HMG website and can also be found on here somewhere (or below:)

The HMG Porter is the best pack I have ever seen, touched, held, used or owned. I rarely review anything on the web, but I was so impressed by the Porter that I contributed a review to the HMG site. Mine's the one by JMac:

http://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/re ... eview-form

If you've got 18 minutes to spare, see the Porter in action in genuine packrafting service here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEA3Yk2ycDU

Conclusion? I've been packrafting since 1981, and this is the best pack I've ever used. My partner used his much loved WE Expedition pack on that trip and he has since upgraded to the Porter. I will also be buying heaps more from HMG.

Cheers,

John

[madmacca]

Brian Frankel is now working with Six Moons Designs - they will have a new range of packs out in January - it may be worth the wait.
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=84411&skip_to_post=720145

Damn, had my eye on a SMD Starlight, but they have been withdrawn pending the new models. I hope they have an equivalent in the new range.

[melinda]

Hi Norts,
Had a look at the Exped, weighs 1100g!
Had a few issues with Exped ..... think the old down mats where the valve always failed on the coldest, dampest night. Think their light weight dry bags where the different layers separated. I know a lot of their gear is fine but, ..... a slightly bad taste remains! (Just being honest!)
Hi frenchy,
Will have a good look at Jmac's review.
I do like cuben fibre. Have a MLD Grace tarp and it truly is an awesome fly. You can see the stars thru it in the night! It's just so !
Thanks guys!
Will make a decision soon!

[iluvhiking]

Actually just remember now - ULA Equipment have an option now to make their packs in Cuben Hybrid.
Check out BPL's "Dandy Dan" - he has some nice pics and reports.
Their packs have a cult following with many Thru-Hiker's in the US and abroad.

[RobS]

Hi melinda,
check out the "new" GG Mariposa. I have the old silnylon one and have done a fair bit of bush bashing with it, including in the Nattai But haven't done anything in Tassie yet.
The old mesh pockets weren't meant for it and ripped easy but I have sewn some 1.5oz cf on the pockets which has worked great.
Haven't had one rip in silnylon to my surprise. But my mates have new GG Mariposa which has dyneema 140d including side pockets and it's been great. The main thing with these is they are very slim so hardly hit anything, as long as you don't overstuff the big side pocket. These packs are very comfy with weight and have a great solid frame and hip belt which can both be removed for lighter weights. Can always reinforce bottle pocket as well.
Also the Zpack looks interesting. The 1.5oz cf is very tough and good at deflecting sharp branches etc, not sure about abrashion of dragging on rocks that might be weak point, but the hydrid cf looks to have solved that and still half the weight of others.

[Tortoise]

Edit - separate post

[melinda]

Hi Rob S,
Real shame I had to cancel that Hollander River trip!
Mariposa, is nice, bit small for a 2 week trip!
I can do light weight but not that light!

[melinda]

Golite Jam should be in stock on Monday or Tuesday

[RobS]

no worries Melinda, next time, ironic as weather has been much better as we get closer to mid summer.

Check the site again, the GG mariposa is a 70L pack (that's why I got one) so looks to me same size as Jam70 if they both include outside pockets in the 70L (GG does) but with a great solid al frame, with 5lb higher max load (I reckon a lot more) and still more than 100g lighter. But GG is 140d where Golite is 210d if that makes a lot of difference with wear I don't now, I guess theoretically yes but it the high wear areas GG has same material as heavier packs. And for a weekend take the frame and hip belt out and you got 520g all from one pack!!
What I really like with them and other cottage industry brands not just GG you can get them in 4 back lengths and hip belts are separate so you could get a long back but small hip or visaversa.
But anyway with any brand UL pack what I'm doing is making a pack cover out of heavy cuben, you could use the hydrid one for bomber, 1.5oz will do me. In really bad shrub you could put this on to protect pack, very little extra weight as most carry a rain pack cover anyway. Even if you get any holes can be fixed and watersealed just with duct tape or Mcnett tenuious tape.
That way I'm hoping to use one pack for everything, big heavy well heavy for UL, 520g UL weekender, and one that survives bush or should I say human bashing.

[iluvhiking]

Melinda is your avatar an Edelweiss?
Gebirgsjäger!?

[melinda]

Hi iluvhiking,
Really!
Just a simple flannel flower!
Symbol of one of the Sydney clubs! Think tiger walkers!
Hi Rob,
Need this pack for Tas, and that big mesh pocket at the front???
Melinda

[RobS]

Yeah if your worried about mesh on the back get the Jam, I haven't been to Tassie yet so guess I'll find out for myself soon.
cheers,
Rob

[melinda]

MLD have just introduced a 'Super Pack' option. Outside pockets made with Dyneema X.
Maybe Ron reads our posts!
http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/sh ... cts_id=212

[Mountain Rocket]

^ Re-introduced

[Penguin]

Yeah if your worried about mesh on the back get the Jam, I haven't been to Tassie yet so guess I'll find out for myself soon.
cheers,
Rob

My Jam did the Western Arthurs okay. Done a few off track walks with it okay as well.