GoLite Quest Pack - 4400 cu in - 2007 BCS

This is a good lightweight pack. It's very simple, a good moderate size for most backpacking needs, and fairly comfortable. I have used mostly larger heavier packs (and still do sometimes) like the gregory palisade (great pack). I have been impressed with how well the suspension performs on this pack. I have definitely loaded it with at least 40 lbs and it carries very well. It's definitely more comfortable with even less weight but it's not bad even with 40. I really like the big zippered pocket on the outside of the pack because you can put a decent amount of stuff in there even with the main compartment being full. The pockets on the hipbelt are very spacious and can easily hold even a medium size digital camera. The compactor system is a cool idea. The pack definitely scrunches up quite a bit. You still have quite a bit of pack for just a day pack but it's better than no compression system. Some of the minor gripes: I don't like how long the suspension stays are; they stick up at least an inch above my head which is fine if I have a full pack but when using it as a day pack (which is one of it's big selling points) you can't reduce the height of the pack very much. even when you remove the stays the upper part of the pack is stiff so it doesn't really pack down out of the way so you have a really tall day back that can sort of get in the way if you are wearing a helmet for climbing (but not too bad). One other small gripe is that the ice ax loops are really big and if you have a full pack and the zippered pocket is full, it holds an ax or trekking poles securely but if the pack or the zippered pocket is not full, then there is some slack and the ax moves around a little bit (but it won't fall off). Hopefully you'll be using your ice ax or trekking poles and won't have to worry about it! Overall this is a great lightweight pack that is very versatile and comfortable and the price is awesome as well (even at full price).

I just got back from 2 weeks in the New Mexico Sangre De Cristo mountains and this pack held up well under pretty tough conditions. It is light and comfortably carried a total of just over 43 pounds (water, food and crew gear in addition to 22 pounds of personal gear) without a hitch even though it is only rated at 40 pounds max. The pockets and the waist band provided a ready spot for the camera. The only problem encountered was a break on one of the bottom clips caused a careless crew member who stepped on it. GoLite gets a big thumbs up from me. Elburn Scouter