Bought this pack about a year ago gearing up for the AT next year. Thus far I have used it nearly everyday since I got it. If its not out in the woods with me its carrying my camelbak, laptop, change of clothes, tech gadgets, etc. It truly has become my 'home'. On most days I even have all my gear in it as if im constantly in 'survivorman' mode waiting for emergency or something. I have loaded this thing down with a lot of weight and it packs well, can hold tons, and is rather comfortable given its not fat ladden with thick padding. Ive heard ppl complain about the lack of padding around the hips but I dont find it to be that uncomfortable. I guess it all depends on your stature and fitness level. I grew up lugging army canvas rucksacks so this thing is a dream. I like the fact that it is stripped down with only the one front pocket (not counting the side pockets of mesh). It kinda helps you keep that light weight stripped down edge cuz if you aint got the pockets to stuff uneccesary crap you learn to utilize whats necessity. The gear hoops on it are convenient for my solar panels and fishing gear. And another complaint I see from time to time about the pack is the extra long cords on the compressions system (which rules) I think are a plus cuz it gives you means to strap other stuff that may come in handy at some point along the way.

A 3000 ci pack in under 1 1/2 lbs with all the features anyone could need (not want maybe, but need) for under 100 bux is aight by me!!!! You will need a raincover for it if you expect lots of downpour but its tough as heck and goes thru backcountry briar bushes without the slightest whimper....

This is a very well thought out pack and I highly recommend it. It is superlight, just over a pound, but designed to perfection. I thought for sure a frameless pack was asking for trouble, but I found that if you pack this thing carefully you can carry 35 pound loads with no problem at all; in fact feeling good. To tell you how much I love this thing, I've returned my Arcteryx Naos 55 and my Arcteryx Acrux 40 packs, which are 4 lbs(!) HEAVIER. Arcteryx makes bomber stuff but unless you live in the wild 365 days per year its overkill and useless weight. The Jam pack has perfectly positioned straps, a totally helpful pair of quick-attach thingies for the little things you always forget but don't want to repack the whole pack again. The only thing I would have wanted to change on this pack is to make the hip belt, which is just a fabric, a little more aggressive and substantial but that's more weight. Weight is king in my book. Quality of construction of this pack is top, comparable to Arcteryx. You won't regret this pack; guaranteed. I just finished a trip up Mt. Shasta and I couldn't believe I got all that climbing gear plus backpacking gear all into this thing and still walked comfortably and balanced. They should be asking $250 for this pack instead of $100.

First, don't buy this unless you are truly going light. I'd say 20 pounds. This will certainly hold more, but not as comfortably and the weight will not transfer to you hips as well as a pack with a frame (even noting that this has a hipbelt). If you are very experienced you can play around with the center of gravity and the manner in which you pack, but most folks find this easier to talk about than realistically achieve.

The fabric, nylon with dyneema reinforced grid, is fairly robust and water resistant. Great for lightweight 2-3 day trips, climbs or peak bagging. Longer stuff I would recommend an internal frame pack that will carry and transfer weight much better. If you are strong enough that you don't mind carrying extra load on your shoulders (instead of the hips), then you are probably strong enough to not have to worry about every ounce of pack weight. The GoLite Pinnacle model is a bigger version of this, but makes no sense to me. If you are going to carry that much stuff then you will want a frame. Don't make the mistake of fussing about every ounce of weight and then feeling sore all over, kinda defeats the whole purpose of enjoying the trip.

This pack is best suited to lightweight hiking where you don't need a bear canister and don't need to carry more than 2-4 quarts of water (water is heavy).

My Jam has been ideal for trekking between the tent cabins on the High Sierra Camp loop at Yosemite.

It's not so big it's clumsy, hot, or heavy, but I can still carry a warm synthetic fill sleeping quilt so I don't have to use the fairly nasty blankets provided by the camps, and there is also enough room room for a puff jacket or thermal fleece for cold evenings and mornings at camp.

Best of all, since I don't need some of the stuff that regular hiker needs (like tent or tarp, cooking gear, food) I don't have to "stuff" my quilt or jacket which extends their life.

I also like being able to use either a hydration bladder with tube, or external water bottle.

The outside pouch provides some basic organizing, but this isn't a pack with a million secret pockets. The main compartment, two side slash pockets, and front pocket are plenty, though.

I consider my self a lightweight hiker, and this bag is more than ample for my summer hikes with "comfort" clothing (I like to stay toasty), snacks, and emergency overnight gear. But this pack is also a favorite of ultralight hikers with 1 pound bags, alcohol stoves, and other stripped down, streamlined gear.

It kills me when I see hikers on the High Sierra Camp circuit weight themselves down with much heavier packs for the light duty hiking required for the High Sierra Camp circuit. On the other hand I'm flabbergasted by those who just carry a daypack and look miserably cold because they didn't bring a really warm sleeping bag or really warm jackets, etc. The Jam strikes the happy middle ground, bigger than an oversized daypack, much lighter than most backpacks you see on the trails.

This review is based on ownership and extensive use of the first generation Jam, and inspection of the second generation model (the Jam2 offered here). I will purchase the Jam2 in summer of 2009 since I like the improved shoulder straps with Brock foam much more than the first generation straps (no padding to speak of).

Also the compression straps on the new model add a lot more versatility - without compression straps (lacking on the old model) I pretty much need to fill the pack or my gear will sag or shift around.

Generally, though, the Jam2 is an evolutionary and not revolutionary upgrade over the original Jam.

Weighing in at a scant 1 pound and 5 ounces the GoLite Jam2 offers everything the weekend warrior could ask for. The pack has two features that really turned me onto it: the compactor system and the inventive ice axe loops, both make the pack very versatile.The material is tough and I think it will prove it's durability over the next few years. I hesitate to place more than 25lbs. in the pack even though it will handle 30 lbs. Personally the support is fine, until the pack begins to get overloaded, then you start to notice the lack of padding and frame. But lets be honest with ourselves, this pack is not meant for heavy loads (over 25lbs)and those of us who own one knew that when we purchased.
The pack is "awesome"..light..simple..functional and cheap..everything I look for in equipment. Its crazy to spend any more than what is needed for the task and at a one hundred dollars this is all I need for that task. I would recommend this pack to anyone looking for a light and functional addition to their arsenal. Weighing so little there is really no other pack that offers anything close to the Jam2, so if your searching..stop.

for as lite as the pack is it is great! I too was worried about not having support in the back but it is worth it for the weight saving. the only thing bad about the pack is that the hip straps really need padding. everything else is just fine. I can pack a two man tent w/fly, a sleeping bag, a sleeping pad, clothes, a little food and my pots all inside and still have room on the inside and out. if you want to make the pack even lighter you can take out the foam pad on the back, which can be used to add padding to the hip straps!! to sum it all up this is a great pack if you are a weight shaver. you cant beat the price!! and it is probably the lightest bag on the market.

I just returned from an overnight backpacking trip on the appalachaian trail with a hiking buddy. The pack was awesome. I was surprised at the room in the pack. For the first time, I packed my sleeping bag and tent inside the pack, and there was plenty of room for my clothes and other stuff. This is the first non-external pack I have owned, and I am very happy with my purchase. I would recommend this pack to anyone, both experienced backpackers and those with very little experience.

I recently used this on the Florida Trail doing field maintenance. I had a Platypus Big Zip SL reservoir,rainpants and top,lunch and snacks plus two bottles of liquid in the side containers and I was very comfortable using this pack.

This is the best pack I've ever bought and is my go to pack for everything from overnights to multi-day trips to Red River Gorge with some climbing gear.. It can carry a ton of weight if that's your thing, but with a typical base weight of about 8 lbs., I think it's perfect. It has all of the necessary aspects of a pack without the extra weight. Once you learn how to pack it, there is little need to own anything else.

I do wish the back pocket was made from a different material, maybe similar to the the stretchy, breathable material on the Osprey Aether. Nevertheless, for the price, this pack cannot be beat.

Love this pack - it can carry a TON and only weighs like less than a pound. I love this pack to death.