Lightweight pack

[sweetade]

I am considering buying a lighter pack than old but still very serviceable Lowe Alpine which weights 1.6 kg. Have been browsing various websites and the Go-lite range looks attractive, but is there anywhere I can actually look at them (preferably in Melbourne) or is there anything similar available in Australia?
If the answer is "no", could someone please explain the difference between the various Go-lite packs or point me to somewhere that does? I do not find their website very informative. BTW I am female, around 161 cms.

[Dale]

From what I've read on US forums Golite are moving to a direct sales model, only selling from their website and some select outlets. I also read they aren't shipping internationally. So if you can still find stock locally then perhaps snap it up

[sweetade]

OK Dale, so do you have any suggestions about where to look?

[Dale]

To purchase in Australia ? Sorry no idea. A bushwalk.com member who uses Golite might know a local source. I don't own any of their products.

A quick search on Google Products shows that Amazon stock the Golite range, not sure whether international shipping restrictions apply. You could also try searching the UK stores if shipping to Oz from the US becomes an issue. The other approach is order from Golite and use a freight forwarder such as http://shipito.com to provide a US address.

Good luck !

Edit: I also noticed this on the Golite website: "With all of the enthusiasm generated by our international customers, we hope we will be able to serve everyone directly in the future."

[Stibb]

Edit: I also noticed this on the Golite website: "With all of the enthusiasm generated by our international customers, we hope we will be able to serve everyone directly in the future."

That's good news. I hope they sort it out soon. I bought a Quest from them earlier this year and had to have a relative pay for it and then ship it here. They didn't accept Aus credit cards.

This looks like a great opportunity: viewtopic.php?f=27&t=9229

Check this thread for more info about Golite packs: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=4230

I'm 160 and got a medium quest and it is perfect for me but to be sure you need to measure your torso length.

[Earthling]

Ebay has some mens Golite packs, but no womens...

[dugsuth]

I know it might not be in the same class as a Golite but I've just bought a Black Wolf B-Lite 55L at ~800g for $80 which my wife will be using this weekend on the Main Range track, I'll let you know how it goes.

[Strider]

Ultralight Outdoor Gear (UK) ship Golite gear to Australia. I bought a Quest from them recently - and received it 3 days later!

I am 168cm male and went with the medium, which admittedly I havent taken for a walk yet but definitely seems to fit well when loaded.

Essentially the differences are:

Pinnacle - frameless
Quest - moderate frame
Terrono - fuller frame

However the Jam 2 appears to now be replacing the Pinnacle.

It really comes down to how much weight you need to carry. The Quest is rated up to 20kg.

[bernieq]

the Go-lite range looks attractive, but is there anywhere I can actually look at them (preferably in Melbourne)

Have you considered Aarn packs? http://www.aarnpacks.com (NZ designed) I walk with women who are very happy with them (models : Featherlite Freedom and Natural Balance).

My original pack was a Lowe Alpine – but at 35yo, the PU coating had completely disintegrated and you could see through the material. I replaced it with an Aarn NB – big enough for a 10-day trip. Aarn packs are available in Melbourne from Outsports in Moorabbin and Backpacking Lite in the city.

[Strider]

At over 2kg, the Aarn packs are hardly lightweight..

[enduro]

My roomy Osprey Exos 58L is superbly lightweight at 1100g.

It's been down the OT and through several multi-day off track hikes in WA since I purchased it in late 2010.

It it does eventually fail, I will buy another.

[Bluegum Mic]

Im another exos convert. I've got the 46l and its very comfy. Now living up north I also appreciate the ventilation through the harness system. Great pack. Carries well. Definitely not for off track but not flimsy either.

[bernieq]

At over 2kg, the Aarn packs are hardly lightweight

Horses for courses, Strider. The Aarn Natural Balance is 2kg – true – but it’s a full size pack. I've carried mine for nearly 2000km, all multi-day, lots of it off-track - still going strong.

Sweetade’s 1.6kg Lowe pack would (I guess) be around 40L ? The equivalent Aarn pack would be the 50L Mountain Magic which weighs 1.5kg (or perhaps the Marathon Magic – 36L and 1.1kg)

[dugsuth]

My wife used the Black Wolf B-Lite 55L on the Main Range Track this weekend and it worked extremely well, carried everything she needed easily. I have also found that the aluminium stays can be removed (it has velcro straps so it looks like it is a built in feature). I will weigh the stays tonight to see how much lighter it can get. I'll post up soon on the weight of the stays.

[Miyata610]

At over 2kg, the Aarn packs are hardly lightweight..

The aarn feather lite freedom is 1.2kg for 50l

[Strider]

Yes but the larger packs put on a lot of weight, rather quickly. Nothing against them - just don't think they're relevant here

[Miyata610]

Yes but the larger packs put on a lot of weight, rather quickly. Nothing against them - just don't think they're relevant here

Yeah you're right for the big packs. My 75l Load Limo weighs 1.98 and it's their biggest pack now. However it's more than a kilo lighter than the same size macpac.

The smaller aarn packs are reasonably light and are similar to many other packs mentioned here.

But yes, they're not ultralight for sure.

[sweetade]

After reading the Aarn website, I'm wondering whether light pack size is not the end of the story. The ergonomics sound amazing! I'm off to have a look at them.

[ULWalkingPhil]

I own a Aarn Load Limo pack, great pack. but it's a little to large for me now. I know I can compress it down, but I don't need a pack of this size and weight anymore, as I have upgraded my gear to lighter options and now class my self as a lightweight hiker. I've recently purchased a Jansport 50 Litre backpack, It's 1kg lighter than my Load Limo. Thus far, I've only used the Jansport Pack on day hikes. Planning on a overnight hike in the next few days to test out my new gear for the first time. My base weight including the Jansport pack is 7.5kg not including food and water.

The Jansport Pack I picked up cheap, It's a nice pack and very tough made of Dyneema, I've tested it on a off track hike with thick sharp vines. Not a scratch on my pack.

The Aarn pack concept I believe spot on for load carrying as all the weight if packed correctly is down the centre of the body, giving you better balance and no weight carried on the shoulders all the weight is on my hips. Packs might be heavier but you don't feel the weight so much, but like someone recently told me, they might be better for gravity etc, but your still got an extra kilo on your back.

So, because of my lighter pack weight and less volume required, I'm doing a bit of a test to see if I do get a benefit with a Aarn pack. With the lighter load I am carrying now, there will be less stress on my body, therefore a lighter conventional pack should suite me better than the Load Limo pack. Time will tell. I'm going to try overnight hikes with the Jansport pack and the Load Limo pack in the next month or so and compare the two out in the field. and decide which pack I will stick to.

I also own a Oneplanet Mcmillan. Sorry Oneplanet but my opinion this pack is way to heavy and feels like a torture machine.

I'm following this post with interest, as if the traditional packs works out for me. I'm contemplating on upgrading it to a lighter pack such as a Golite Jam or something with a maximum 1kg in weight.

Last edited by ULWalkingPhil on Tue 20 Mar, 2012 10:01 am, edited 1 time in total.

[Bluegum Mic]

Another option for those wanting to split the load front and back is to go with a front pack as well as back pack. I've ordered one of the ribz front packs to give it a try. Im waiting on the new model which will ship at the end of the month. I like the concept as you don't have to take the front pack off when putting down your pack (which is some feedback I've had from those using the aarn packs is the front pockets and adjusting etc can be a little finicky). Just another option as you could pair it with a golite/ula etc and have the best of both worlds. I plan on using it with both my 46l to give a bit more space/distribution on bigger trips and to use with my 25l for lightweight overnighters with my hammock.

[Miyata610]

Just to put this Aarn weight thing in to perspective....

The Aarn Mountain Magic 50 is a 49l pack, but for those that want to go light it only weighs 922g when used without the front pockets and dry liner and is a very reasonable 37l in this configuration. Ample for most light work, but has the option to increase the capacity for 4 season work.

The front pockets aren't for everyone, but they're very easy to use once you get used to it.

I admit that when I get to 40kg loads or more in my Load Limo getting the pack on and off can be a struggle, but the benefits of a distributed load when carrying these weights are HUGE.

We own three Aarn packs, a Mountain Magic 44, a Peak Aspiration and the giant load limo (93l with pockets). The technology in these packs is truly amazing, even if you choose to not use the balance pockets... Check out the suspension system and the sliding straps. Amazing stuff.

And the designer Aarn Tate is an Australian.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Another option for those wanting to split the load front and back is to go with a front pack as well as back pack. I've ordered one of the ribz front packs to give it a try. Im waiting on the new model which will ship at the end of the month. I like the concept as you don't have to take the front pack off when putting down your pack (which is some feedback I've had from those using the aarn packs is the front pockets and adjusting etc can be a little finicky). Just another option as you could pair it with a golite/ula etc and have the best of both worlds. I plan on using it with both my 46l to give a bit more space/distribution on bigger trips and to use with my 25l for lightweight overnighters with my hammock.

Bluegum Mic, once you adjust the straps to your liking and with some experience with the Aarn packs, I find it quicker to put on and take of than my Oneplanet Mcmillan I used to use. I've found very little fiddling involved with the Aarn pack once you know how to setup and worked out all the straps. They are truly a wonderful pack. Who know's, I might end up buying one of the lighter models, I will see how the Jansport pack works for me. I might even end up sticking with it. It's a nice pack and for only 25.00 I can't go wrong. Naturally it's 2nd hand but it's only been used once and it's a prototype, very little difference between this and the final product apart from the pockets and the final pack is 63litres this one I have is 50litres, which is perfect for me. I've got a one off pack here, You can't purchase this pack.

I've had comments by other hikers how quick I've put on my Aarn pack and started walking. When they saw the pack on ground, they expected they would have to wait for me, but I was ready before them. I've even thrown the pack over my shoulders and adjusted and clipped in as I"m walking. Of course this is with less than 15kg total weight.

[dugsuth]

For your info, I weighed the Black Wolf B-Lite 55L, its 815g complete, and 760g sans the stays, not bad for a bag that cost me $80.

[Dale]

Comparing the weight of an Aarn pack to a 'standard' backpack isn't an apples / apples comparison because of how the pack distributes the weight. If you are carrying heavier loads - say 12 - 15 kg or more, than the Aarn pack, although heavier than plenty of lightweight pack options, carries better. The temptation with lightweight backpacking is to become too focused on the grams in the spreadsheet and lose sight of other factors which help with comfort but don't reduce the grams. The Aarn is a good example of a heavier item which can be more comfortable than its lightweight equivalent. If I have a trip where weight is an issue than the Aarn is my go-to pack.

[Bluegum Mic]

Apologies Phillip. I was certainly not trying to put a negative spin on the aarn packs. I think they're an amazing design and concept which I have often considered one myself. They are a great pack that is very well made. I was more giving my reasoning for not getting one after seeing a couple in the flesh and chatting to their owners (who don't get me wrong both loved their aarn pack).

Personally I chose not to buy one in my recent purchase of a new pack simply as I wanted the choice of wearing a front and or a back pack. The front pack will be great for quick little day walks. Ill certainly give a write up of the new design (nothing fancy I think they've just changed the strap layout and given padding).

I think with all the suggestions given thus far the OP can't go too far wrong with any of them. They're all great

[ULWalkingPhil]

Apologies Phillip. I was certainly not trying to put a negative spin on the aarn packs. I think they're an amazing design and concept which I have often considered one myself. They are a great pack that is very well made. I was more giving my reasoning for not getting one after seeing a couple in the flesh and chatting to their owners (who don't get me wrong both loved their aarn pack).

Personally I chose not to buy one in my recent purchase of a new pack simply as I wanted the choice of wearing a front and or a back pack. The front pack will be great for quick little day walks. Ill certainly give a write up of the new design (nothing fancy I think they've just changed the strap layout and given padding).

I think with all the suggestions given thus far the OP can't go too far wrong with any of them. They're all great

Sorry if I made it sound like you've put a negative spin on the Aarn packs. This was not the case. No apologies necessary Bluegum Mic.

[sweetade]

Thank you everyone for your input. I have "bitten the bullet" and bought the Featherlite Freedom. I have to say that unlike some Aarn fans, I did not feel like I wasn't wearing a pack, with the pack loaded with around 14kg in the store. There was, however, definitely less weight on the shoulders and less stress on the neck. I am intrigued by the technology and keen to try it out. Heading for a week-long walk In a couple of weeks and will report how it goes!

[matagi]

Congratulations on your purchase! Make sure you take time to get all the adjustments right and you will find it is an incredibly comfortable pack, even when loaded up.

[JohnDaly TakeAWalk]

I'm just catching up on the GoLite packs discussion. We have beeen using them for some time and although they are not as robust as soomething like a Macpac, they are only half the weight. We have used them on some pretty tough walks without any hassles.
Forthe Australian distributor go to http://www.area51.net.au

[ULWalkingPhil]

I'm just catching up on the GoLite packs discussion. We have beeen using them for some time and although they are not as robust as soomething like a Macpac, they are only half the weight. We have used them on some pretty tough walks without any hassles.
Forthe Australian distributor go to http://www.area51.net.au

thanks for the link, but I've noticed they only have a limited range of the Golite packs online. The Jam2 or the Pinnacle, both for ultralight weights. Pitty they don't have any of the other models.