Ideal pack for lightweight packing

By joarthur1452050 Ranked #1238 - Weekend Packs (3000-4500 cu in) June 3, 2009

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.

View Details: GoLite Pinnacle Pack - 4400cu in

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