GoLite Race Pack - 2700 cu in - 2006 BCS

This is a very good pack, comfortable, light and with many features.I am very happy with it. 2 things could be improved.Firstly it is not waterproof so use a pack liner.(maybe that is why there are drain holes in the bottom of the pack ) Secondly the lid/top pocket is attached by 3 straps and does not fit well. The construction material is very light so the durability is questionable. Other than these 2 niggles the pack would have a 5 point ranking

I got this pack to reduce weight carried on long arduous day hikes and climbs. It did reduce the weight and that is the best feature of this pack: light weight. It has adequate pockets that I like. The photos in the advertisments are not what your pack is going to look like unless you stuff it with down feathers. It is a bit sloppy looking actually and the top lid/pocket often hangs to one side because it is only attached at two points for easy removal. The volume is adequate for winter day climbs, but the volume is a little low for overnight winter or for one week in summer. The trade off with all light packs of this brand is that the material is fragile. It tears easily and mine tore from stress above the sholder straps in a place that was hard to sew. I know people who have rubbed them against rock while climbing down steep routes and torn them. Good from a weight standpoint and it does what I want, but bad from a durability standpoint.

I just got back from a week-long section hike of the Appalachian Trail and promised myself I'd give others some feedback on the equipment I used. Well, the GoLite did not disappoint! I carried 20 pounds fully loaded and 15 when I ran low on food (light by AT standards). I'd recommend not going above 20-25 pounds since the straps start weighing a bit heavy on your shoulders after a few hours. The pack itself was very light and extremely roomy and durable. I really liked the side pockets (allowed me to distribute weight as well as allowed easy access to frequently used items). I chucked the Platypus bladder after about 30 miles and exclusively used two water bottles instead. This made it much easier to refill my water without having to empty my pack and also reduced my weight by not carrying too much water at one time. I also sealed the seams which allowed me to skip the pack cover. Had a really hard rain on the trail and everything remained dry. I am very satisfied with my GoLite Racer pack!

I just took this pack for a day trip of skiing in the mountains. I was carrying a small load under 15lbs to start the day with water, food and some extra stuff. I was really impressed with this pack! Obviously, this pack is super light, yet managed to hold my load(which was small) with ease. The no-frame design means the pack relies on what's in it for stability and comfort, so pack wisely. I would like to see Golite add two compression straps to this pack for load stability and even weight distribution with small or larger loads. Overall, this pack sports adaquate features for comfort and convenience and fit so well...this is really the most comfortable pack I've ever worn!

After many years of external frame packs I recently purchased a Golite Race 2700 cu. in. frameless pack. My goal was to reduce my pack weight to allow me to carry more water. Why more water? I live in the Mesa, AZ area and hike the desert, the Mogollon Rim, the Flagstaff mountains area and the Grand Canyon. You carry your water with you in all these areas - springs are few and many times dry. For this reason I carry 9 -12 pounds of water. The new Golite pack reduced my pack weight from 4.5 pounds to 25 oz. Changes in my clothes, tarp and cooking kit brought the pack weight down even more. The result is a 4-day pack including food, stove, clothes, tarp, bedroll, medicine, snacks and map that weighs 15.47 pounds. Last year I hiked with 38 pounds plus in my external frame pack.

This last weekend I hiked from 6100 ft. to 8000 ft. along the Rim Lakes area for a total of 19 miles with 28.5 pounds in the pack - 12 pounds of water. At first the feel of the pack against my back was unusual - just different than an external frame. After 30 minutes on the trail I didn't even notice the feel - it seemed to mold to my back. It carried the weight very well and my shoulders and back never ached. Overall, an excellent light-weight pack.

The only drawback to the pack is the internal water bladder sleeve. You have to load the full water bladders without the pack being loaded. At my first water stop I tried replenishing the bladders and couldn't do it without unloading most of the pack. So, I put the bladders in last on top of my other items in the pack. It worked well. Final results: excellent light pack for carrying under 30 pounds.

I got this to replace my 2 lb 13 oz pack, it saves over a pound off my old one. The straps and hip belt are comfortable, I was easily able to pack everything I needed for an overnighter. The pockets and compression straps on the back are handy too. The only improvement I would make is to add some lightweight compression straps on the side, if you're carrying less than a full load.

Although the material seems lightweight, it easily survived some scrambling thru the brush.

After a dismal time of trying to get the pack from the Outfitters at Harper's Ferry, I looked you up because of a friend's good experience with you and I must say that you are now my internet source for outdoor equipment. My pack was shipped the day of order and I received it in 4 days (and the shipping was FREE!). The pack is wonderful.

A friend and I went on a 16 mile hike the other day and I took the pack It was freezing rain for the first hour of our hike and the temp. was around 30 we were at 3400 ft. and climbed to an elevation of 6420 ft. on trails and through brush that you had to craw through at 6000 ft. it was snowing and snow for several hours the pack was very comfortable and held up well under extreme conditions I have yet to find any flaws with it yet. Nothing in the pack got wet or even damp the extent of the trip.

I remember when I bought this pack it was the first time I had heard of GoLite. I was immediately amazed. My pack before this one was an Arc'Terex Bora 65 that weighes about 6lbs empty. The race immediately was my favorite. I often use it as my travel back for airport travel b/c it is very light and can be taken as a carry-on. (the speed also fits airline guidelines for carryons). I also use the pack for adventure racing but have recently switched to the GoLite Team Pack for larger races and the GoLite 24 pack for shorter races.

This has been a very good investment. I added this to my Aether 60 and I haven't used the Aether since I received the Golite Race pack. I like the Aether and will use it for longer backpacking trips. The race pack has been everything I hoped it would be and as I lighten my load, I expect it to be my primary pack for trips of 5 days or less.

I used this pack on my recent traverse of the Presidential Mountain Range in New Hamshire. This involved about 30 miles and 10,000 ft. of elevation change over three days. I own several backpacks, and this is by far the most useful and thoughtfully designed pack I own. It held just the right amount of gear for me (2700 ci), easy to access pockets were where I wanted them, and the pack in light as well. Outstanding design in a great product.

I confess. I don't adventure race. I'm using the bag for climbing, gym transport, hydration pack while running, and will use it ice climbing this year.

The Race pack by Golite is very light and extremely comfortable. The main compartment is really huge. I put my climbing shoes in the outside net so I don't chalk everything inside. I've used the helmet holder mostly to hold a light jacket for ready access, but will be using it for helmet this winter on ice. Overall, I'm very pleased and would buy it again for the type of use I need.

Some points to consider though: The top pouch likes to slide around a bit. When the pack is full, it's not a problem, but with a nearly empty pack, it would be easier just to leave it off.

Also, the toggle on the main pack is not as smooth as I'd like, but that's pretty minor.

I would like a second tool loop, but I figure I'll rig something up from the daisy chain this winter.

If you're looking for a very light pack for running/climbing, this is the ticket.

The Go Lite race pack is really light weight yet it's comfortable and has just about the right capacity for light, fast overnight backpacking or mountaineering. If you spend a little time (and $) shaving the weight off your pack, you'll see a lot more of the backcountry.