That being said, is it redundant to use both the Focal and the Flash? The Blaze 60 pushes those boundaries.
Double checked my torso length measurements before buying and the medium was what was recommended. And the trampoline-style back panel permits cooling air circulation. Thanks! The Focal 58 is ventilated so that air can pass behind your back and help you stay drier in hot or humid weather. Its tough Dyneema Composite Fabrics is fully waterproof. One of the things you notice when it comes to this category is that Gregory is just like the other bags in the market when it comes to organization. All at no cost but one way shipping. 8 oz.moosejaw.com.
I would also take into consideration whether the girl is likely to grow more, and perhaps buy a pack that can accommodate her as she gets bigger. The back suspended mesh is seamlessly integrated with the hip belt providing excellent comfort. But no matter which type of backpacker you are, this review covers the best packs in each of those categories. The biggest difference between the two packs is that the Focal 58 is lighter weight, has larger hip belt pockets, and has an easier-to-use compression system. Save big on Exos/Eja, Atmos/Aura, and Stratos/Sirrus Backpacks. There is nothing as annoying as carrying a bag in sweltering temperatures and having sweat run down your bag the entire hike. I suspect it will be this spring though. It comes with the main pocket where you keep all your things, and that is it. Hey Aaron, good question. Readmy complete review of the Granite Gear Blaze 60. Adjustable for torso and hipbelt length in two sizes, both packs have breathable mesh and foam throughout the harness and a trampoline-style back panel that allows air flow over your back and hips. The packs setup is fairly conventional with large hip belt pockets, large side pockets, an expandable front pocket, and a floating lid with two large zippered pockets. From this I cant quite tell which you think is more comfortable. Gregory Baltoro 65 and Deva 60$320, 4 lbs. Both Gregory and Osprey sell other ventilated, suspended mesh backpacks, but with the exception of Zpacks ventilated backpacks, including the Arc Haul 62, your options for lightweight (sub-3lb) ventilated backpacks with suspended mesh frames in a 60L size are quite limited. You have to take it off just so you can access some of the things you have packed.
I eventually decided that I dont like having a fairly large pack on my chest, because its hot and obstructs my view of where Im walking. That said, the pack becomes noticeably top-heavy and harder to control if a bear canister is packed under the lid. The main compartment has an internal hydration pocket and a hook for hanging a reservoir, with two hydration ports located between the shoulder straps. Just like Gregory, the osprey also comes in three different sizes per category. As noted above, a BV500 bear canister fits vertically as well as horizontally in the packs main compartment, with room to spare. Let us guide you to the tips and deals you need for your next trip! The Anti-Gravity suspension feels more like putting on a jacket than a backpack. In the end, its important to choose the right one, since its something thatll be carrying most everything you care about. Seriously Gregory make VERY high quality packs with excellent designs.
Hi, Im Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside. The 58-liter size (30-35 lbs max recommended load) is perfect for people who are in the process of replacing their heavier gear with lighter weight alternatives and still prefer a pack with top lid pockets over a roll-top, or lightweight backpackers who need to up to a weeks worth of food in addition to their gear. Here are the ones Ive tested with the Focal that work: https://www.gossamergear.com/collections/accessories/products/shoulder-strap-pockets (both the large and small work) and https://www.gossamergear.com/collections/accessories/products/bottle-rocket. Would just like to hear you opinion on what would be the best investment.
Sometimes those sleeping bag bottom pockets worked well for this- but seems like those have been phased out. Hi Colin, thanks for that question. The ventilated back panel fits closely but has channels for air circulation and the Re-Fit hipbelt felt great even on long, arduous days. The pockets have large zipper pulls attached which are easy to use wearing gloves.
The only annoying bit with the bag is. 4 oz.moosejaw.com. Start with my 5 Expert Tips For Buying the Right Backpacking Pack. See also my picks for The Best Ultralight Backpacks.. Read my complete review of the Ospreymens Atmos AG 65 and womens Aura AG 65. 1 oz.moosejaw.com. It also has a metal frame going all around it, making it easier for you to carry up to 35lbs in the bag. How to Protect Your Luggage from Damage and Keep it Looking New!
If youre considering a new pack and liked the previous Flash, you may like the new one even more. Americas Best Backpacking and Outdoor Adventures. With this weight, you get a very practical backpack that will not weigh you down, and you get to work with something big enough yet lightweight enough for you to carry your other things in it. Or is it not that noticeable. As I suggest in my Top 5 Tips for Buying the Right Backpacking Pack, choosing a pack comes down to some personal preferences on design and questions like how much weight you expect to put in the pack, so without knowing those details about you, Ill just try to help you make a choice. Other than the fact that the Optic has been killed off by Gregory, which is why its less expensive, it doesnt have a seamless backpanel/hip belt and it comes with a rain cover. Disclosure: Gregory donated a backpack for this review. And yes, the Thunder Springs on the Grand Canyons Thunder River-Deer Creek loop is amazing, as are the waterfalls on Deer Creek. The latest Flash packs have some improvements, most notably REIs UpLift compression system, mentioned in my review above. Theres also the Baltoro 75 and Deva 70 (both $350). I have at least a dozen in the house right now! BUY IT NOWYou can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a mens Gregory Focal 58 or Focal 48 at moosejaw.comor backcountry.com, or a womens Gregory Facet 55 or Facet 45 at moosejaw.comor backcountry.com. The weight makes it perfect for a multiday trip since you can carry it around without feeling fatigued very fast. On a six-day, 94-mile, north-south traverse of Glacier National Park, I found the Exosa classic since its introduction in 2008 and redesigned for 2022still sets standards for ultralight backpacks. The ventilated suspended mesh back makes it cooler to wear in hot weather and the ability to store a bear canister horizontally is a huge win. The side compression straps can also be used to lash your trekking poles to the sides of the pack quite easily. Whats your take on large pockets at the bottom to store heavier items- like bear cans? I like Ospery Aether, Xenith packs they just Carrie much better than the packs you have on your list I have been to EMS stores and REI and many of the packs that you list have a lot of returns but Aether and Xenith packs are the ones they push and I must say I tried the packs you talked about but after days hiking with them I always go back to the Ospery Aether ,Xenith these packs just feel so much better on my back they make the weight disappear and after days of hiking that is the key to enjoying backpacking . BUY IT NOWYou can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a mens Paragon 68, 58, or 48, at moosejaw.com orbackcountry.com, or a womens Maven 65, 55, or 45 atbackcountry.comormoosejaw.com. If you have to pack a canister, Id recommend packing it horizontally in the main compartment and closer to your core muscles. Carrying I allow you a degree of comfort as well. With its modest weight, abundant features, and good compression, the Banchee 50 may be the only pack you need for outings ranging from weekends to wilderness treks up to about five days (with lightweight, compact gear), as long as you dont routinely load more than about 40 pounds inside. The large size checks in at 2pounds 8.3 ounces, making it one of the lighter sides of big bags. And the high-strength aluminum perimeter frame delivers serious support. The sales on the Optic, though they wont last long, make it almost a hundred dollars less than this pack right now. The Blaze 60 ranks among the top all-purpose backpacks. Read my complete review of The North Face Banchee 50. If you like mesh, buy some tenacious tape and shoegoo. The bag has a suspended mesh back panel that allows for airflow on your back as you carry it. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Gregory told me they do NOT repair mesh, even for a fee.
Read my complete review of the Gregory Paragon 58 and Maven 55. Those are the major differences. I have the Gregory Paragon and snagged the mesh on a bush, creating a slight rip. It has the capacity for going several days between resupplies. For bigger girls/teenagers who are approaching or at the size of an adult, nine of the pack models reviewed here come in womens sizes or womens-specific models. When comparing other packs to the Focal 58, you need to understand how Gregory computes their pack volumes. Inspected the pack and found the top corners of the frame are pronounced, a little rough and with only the outer pack material between you and the frame. The more you carry in it, the more uncomfortable you get. Not a fan of the one sided / single trekking pole attachment.
With the Osprey Exos, you get a bag that hugs you when you carry it, giving the entire bag a snug feeling. There are two side mesh pockets that can be used to hold water bottles. The focal? And theyre made with recycled fabrics. I also point out two excellent packs for kids. Yup, theyre very good. Which is, in the end, all that matters. If you need a bullet-proof pack, get a Baltoro.
And if its regularly under 40 pounds and a reasonable volume, The North Face Banchee 50 is a great pack, and $40 cheaper than the othersbut dont overlook the fact that it has less volume. Its also not ventilated with a suspended mesh frame like the Focal/Facet. Free Shipping and Returns. Hi Michael- really great article and I especially appreciate the decision matrix and testing trip reports! Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. You still want to put your densest items right behind your mid-back but the pack carries very nicely. How many pounds can a lightweight backpack carry comfortably? I was particularly impressed by the hip belt sizing, despite the fact that the hip belt isnt adjustable in length but pegged to the torso length. Free Shipping and Returns. The shoulder straps and hip belt are covered in mesh with pre-curved padding weather. While the material makes the entire bag lightweight, it also makes it really fragile. I thought the same thing! That works, but its not an easy fit. Purchasing gear through my affiliate links supports my work on this blog. Youre asking *me* if its ok to have multiple backpacks? By the way, the Banchee probably beats them all for weight-carrying capacity, and its just 3 lbs. Need a pack for a kid or small adult? The North Face Banchee 50$230, 3 lbs. There is no bottom compartment, neither is there a pocket at the top. Its barely noticeable under 30-35 lbs, but the pack gets increasingly ungainly if you try to load it up much heavier. Ive never particularly liked side pockets that have a side opening like this, but they work well, you adapt to them quickly, and bottles dont fall out of them when the pack tips over.
Cant say Im that impressed with their warranty, but on balance, a lot of other companies (like the cottages) are even worse. The Gregory Focal 58 reviewed here is very similar to the Osprey Exos 58. Copyright 2007-2022, SectionHiker.com and Fells Press LLC. If you are looking for a bag whose functionality matches its outlook, then the Osprey bag is for you.
Features include a U-shaped zipper that opens up the entire main compartment; multiple pockets; widely adjustable compression straps that cross over the pack bag; and a rain cover included. See my 5 Tips For Buying the Right Backpack.. From the specs, you get to see that the Gregory bag is made from 100-denier nylon.
A top-loader with a roll-top closure, the 3400 Windrider is noticeably bereft of features found on many other packs.
Its hard to stay in business if you give things away on request. We also think the ability to carry a large canister horizontally inside is a huge win. Gregorys attention to comfort in its ultralight backpack is evident in the aluminum perimeter wire frame with a fiberglass cross-stay and an HDPE framesheet that lend the pack substantial rigidity, distributing most of the load across the hips. Having to put the bottles in the main compartment is annoying. The whole bag has a mesh that improves breathability. Thanks for the good question. 5 Expert Tips For Buying the Right Backpacking Pack, a quarter-century of testing and reviewing gear, backpacking for six days in the Grand Canyon, Gregory mens Zulu 55 and womens Jade 53, Tent Flap With a View: 25 Favorite Backcountry Campsites, 94-mile, north-south traverse of Glacier National Park, The 5 Best Rain Jackets For Hiking and Backpacking, backpacking trip in Yellowstones Bechler Canyon area, 74-mile backpacking trip through the Grand Canyon, The 10 Best Backpacking Trips in the Southwest, 10 Tips For Getting a Hard-to-Get National Park Backcountry Permit, 12 Expert Tips for Planning a Backpacking Trip, A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking, Grand Canyons Thunder River-Deer Creek loop, Top 5 Tips for Buying the Right Backpacking Pack, https://thebigoutside.com/gear-review-update-ribz-front-pack/, https://thebigoutside.com/gear-review-osprey-xenith-88xena-85-backpacks/, How to Backpack the Teton Crest Trail Without a Permit, The First 5 Things I Do in Camp When Backpacking, 6 pockets, poles attachment, ventilated suspension, removable lid, recycled materials, 6 pockets, poles attachment, ventilated suspension, removable lid, On-the-fly torso adjustment, self-equalizing load lifters, 9 pockets, Unique adjustable harness, removable lid, 8 pockets, Versatile load capacity, 6 pockets, adjustable torso length and hipbelt, zipper accessing main compartment, 6 pockets, poles attachment, ventilated suspension, removable lid, rain cover included, Unique harness, 9 pockets, poles attachment, Unique front zipper access and compression, 7 pockets, highly durable, Zipper accessing main compartment, 9 pockets, pivoting hipbelt, hydration bladder/daypack.