Just got the Pinnacle to replace the previous generation Golite Gust. Looks to be much the same pack, but with a variety of minor upgrades. That pack was my paragliding pack, then my high volume winter camping pack, then girlfriend with too much gear camping pack, then I thru hiked 2600 miles from Mexico to Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail with it (a bit too much volume for that), then traveled for 8 months around the world to all continents with my wife and I using it as our only pack.

It's not perfect, particularly with really heavy loads, however I have carried close to 50 pounds with it; not comfortable but it can do it if needed for a really long food carry. I have been really impressed with the pack and it's durability. My old pack still has some life left in it and will continue on as a backup, but I thought it was time to get a new one.

In short, the pack is too big for most of my solo lightweight camping. But for those times when you need a low weight, large volume pack, it is great.

This pack was odd for me. I purchased a medium size pack. Normally, a medium size pack fits me fairly well. I purchased medium based on the sizing information on Go-lite's web site. The pack did not fit correctly. Even when letting the shoulder straps out as far as they would go the pack fully loaded or unloaded would not allow the waist belt to rest on my hips. The buckles at the bottom of the padded shoulder harnesses were above my arm pits!!! This put the chest harness near my collar bones when adjusted to the lowest position. Nevertheless, I found that the trade off in weight would not be worth no having a well designed frame. So, I sent the pack back. The company has a very good satisfaction guarantee. A large Gregory Z55 on the way. I am hoping that this will be the ticket to comfort and a good fit.

The Golite Pinnacle is the lightest, most comfortable, and least expensive pack I have ever owned. And it's the best thought out pack for my purposes (hiking on and off-trail in the Northwest). Last night I returned from using it for the first time, a two-day, 20-mile hike in the Olympics. I didn't weigh the loaded pack, but it was probably under 25 pounds.

I chose the Pinnacle over the Golite Jam2 and Granite Gear Vapor because I have a fairly long torso and in testing around the house the other two packs seemed to concentrate a lot of pressure on one spot on my lower spine, while the Pinnacle seemed to spread the weight over a much larger area. On the hike I was pleased at how well the pack distributed the load. The rather thin waist belt was really comfortable, making me wonder why other packs put so much padding there, even for relatively light loads. The weather was warm for the Northwest, low 80s around Puget Sound and felt hot while passing through a couple-mile long old forest fire burn. But the pack's mesh breathed well across my pack, and my cotton t-shirt stayed reasonably dry. Plus, both waist-belt straps have zippered pockets. One I used as my "safe". Because it contained money, credit card, car keys, etc. I zipped it shut at the trailhead and never opened it. The other held watch, compass, map, flashlight, sunscreen, watch, and matches. With the Granite Gear pack all that little stuff would have had to go inside the main duffle somewhere or in a pants pocket. The other outer pockets kept water bottle and pump easily reachable. The outer pocket on the front of the pack held my pocket, other map, and writing material, plus a large empty water bottle and some other stuff. With the Granite Gear all that would have had to go inside. Plus, the Pinnacle weighed 8 ounces less (2 lbs. 1/2 ounce vs. 2 lbs. 8.75 ounces in size large -- and the Pinnacle holds 1300 cc more.) For my old shoulders the shoulder straps might have been a little beefier, but they were OK and fit properly.