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Ultralight Backpack Recommendations

Original Post
Michael Buszko · · Long Island NY · Joined Nov 2019 · Points: 326

I'm looking for an ultralight Backpack for weekend long trips in the Catskills (including some colder weather trips) that will also serve well in some short alpine-ish situations, like a three day high Sierra trip or overnight in Juniper Canyon, NV.  That kind of thing.  Something I can pack very light for hiking only trips but is also compatible in terms of features and durability with rock climbing trips.  I see some Gossamer gear packs that look great, 50L Gorilla for example.  Wondering if I'm asking too much of one bag (?).  New to this.  Thanks.

Jake S · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2019 · Points: 2

The overlap is unfortunately small for this request. I have been using a hmg porter this summer and I like it quiet a bit. I know folks like vitaliy use a z pack Nero or similar for their big objectives but ymmv

Gunkiemike · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 3,687

You've heard the saying: "Light-Cheap-Durable. You get to pick two"?

And what features would you want for the rock climbing trips that are special? I ask because the packs I use on climbing trips do one thing - they carry the gear inside. That's no different from a hiking trip. OK, I might remove the hip belt if I'm wearing a harness, but that's NBD, any lightweight pack these days can be stripped down like that (and usually other ways e.g removing pockets, frame sheet).

Matt Carroll · · Van · Joined Dec 2013 · Points: 266

My two cents are that you should just get a cold cold world ozone. Sure it’s not as light as some other options, but it’s hard to imagine it ever being prohibitively heavy for … anything, it will last forever, and it’s made by small business that has excellent customer care.

there will always be a new hotness, but at the end of the day really good gear looks the same. Simple and functional 

that guy named seb · · Britland · Joined Oct 2015 · Points: 236

Any alpine 45ish liter pack will do you fine, osprey mutant for example, they're light, climbing specific features and most carry loads just fine at that size. 

divnamite · · New York, NY · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 90

CCW Ozone is my go-to for lightweight hiking or climbing. You can ask for different material if Randy has it.

Ben Crowell · · Fullerton · Joined Jan 2013 · Points: 331

I've owned several Gossamer Gear packs, but I wouldn't use them for rock climbing. They're designed to be cheap and not that durable, so you use it for a few seasons of backpacking trips and then it starts to get holes in it so you buy a new one. It's like buying a ziplock sandwich bag. You can reuse it, but it's not meant to be a long-term purchase. If you tried to use one for rock climbing, I think you'd probably shred it the first time you did a squeeze chimney or butt-scooted down some granite.

In general, ultralight packs do not have a rigid shape, so there's an art to filling them properly so that they don't slump to one side like Gumby on oxycontin. You want to have a bag that's about the right size for what you're carrying, and if necessary you leave your sleeping bag out of the stuff sack so it puffs it up into the right shape. That's a mode of use that might be OK for backpacking on trails, but not really so much for mountaineering or rock climbing.

For rock climbing, I want a pack where I at least have the option of stashing some of my pro inside it, especially large cams so I don't have them banging on my thighs during the approach. If you did that with a GG pack, I'm pretty sure they'd tear it instantly. (The corners also tend to puncture thin-walled plastic water bottles, which are another typical ultralight backpacking thing.)

Desert Rock Sports · · Las Vegas, NV · Joined Aug 2019 · Points: 2

What's the largest pack you want to climb with? Would you use that same pack on a 3 day sierra trip?

... just get two bags.

James C · · Seattle, WA · Joined Sep 2014 · Points: 147

Mutant 38. Take out the frame and lid if you want it really "ultralight." The backpacking packs like GG, ULA are kinda annoying for climbing because they're wide and the hip belts are too movement constraining, but are great for long distance backpacking. The big elastic stash pockets on the front also tend to tear easily on rock.

Extremely common to see weathered 60L Osprey packs as do-it-all cragging/backpacking/alpine packs though. The extra 1-2 lb of weight is not going to compromise your 3 day trip.

a beach · · northeast · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 456

Hyperlite prizem Can take the brain off and has expandable collar. Does well as an ultralight backpacking bag.

Fabien M · · Cannes · Joined Dec 2019 · Points: 5

Exped black ice 45 or Arcteryx alpha fl 40

mountain troll · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2021 · Points: 0
Michael Buszko wrote:

I'm looking for an ultralight Backpack for weekend long trips in the Catskills (including some colder weather trips) that will also serve well in some short alpine-ish situations, like a three day high Sierra trip or overnight in Juniper Canyon, NV.  That kind of thing.  Something I can pack very light for hiking only trips but is also compatible in terms of features and durability with rock climbing trips.  I see some Gossamer gear packs that look great, 50L Gorilla for example.  Wondering if I'm asking too much of one bag (?).  New to this.  Thanks.

pack less and your pack weight matters less

Bill D · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Nov 2010 · Points: 90

I am a fan of cilogear. Not the cheapest but light and high quality. 

Danny V · · Campbell, CA · Joined Apr 2017 · Points: 0

I use a Patagonia Ascensionist 55. It is full of compromises, no external water bottle holder for summer backpacking, no avalanche tool pocket for winter skiing, a bit big for technical climbing. But in general I have used it in many different sports and scenarios and found it to work wonderfully. It's not super ultralight like a summer specific one but still is very light compared to some other options.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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