Gear Guy

Thursday, October 14, 2010 5

Q: What's the best backpack for a two-week trip into the Canadian Rockies?

For last ten years I've engaged in yearly two-week backpacking trips in Canadian Rockies with hiking buddy. We carry in all of our food and gear for 10 to 12 days and then emerge, and I'm looking to replace I my six-year-old Arc'Teyrx Bora 95 litre pack, which blew out under one of its lateral tension rods this year, two years after I replaced the harness.
–Ed
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

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A:

Yikes. That surprises me a little. The Arc'Teryx Bora ($375) is a well-made pack. But you're doing big trips and carrying big loads, so I guess it's possible the pack was just over-matched.

My short list for a replacement would start with the Gregory Denali Pro ($499). This pack has been around for some time and is essentially unchanged since 2003, aside from minor tweaks to color and suspension. A great pack. A great BIG pack, with 6,400 cubic inches of capacity. Excellent suspension, good design for organization, lots of external tie-downs.

You might also check out the Granite Gear Stratus Access FZ 5500 ($390). As the name implies, Granite Gear is determined to make stuff that is tough. And the Access is, without adding so much weight that just carrying the pack becomes a chore. The FZ 5500 is a bit smaller than the Gregory, but still has an ample 5,500 cubic inches of capacity. Which should be plenty. I know food still takes up a lot of space on long trips, but the rest of your gear (tent, sleeping bag, etc.) is likely more compact than it was when you started these trips.

Third choice: Osprey's Argon 110 ($419). This is even larger than the Gregory, with 6,700 cubic inches. I really like the way Osprey designs a pack for storing stuff, and the Argon is no exception. Easy to pack, and easy to put stuff you need where you can find it. Excellent suspension, including a hip belt that can be custom molded. Very nice pack.

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Doug Gantenbein

Doug Gantenbein is Outside's Gear Guy. You can follow him on twitter @outsidegearguy.

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Comments

5
David Mosier

The quest for the "best pack" is nebulous and etherial. Of course there is not a "best pack", but some are better than others. I would recommend that Ed from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island look at the packs from Mystery Ranch. Specifically the G7000. I am on my second Pack from this manufacture and can tell you first hand of their superior design, materials, workmanship, and customer service. You will not be disappointed with this company or this pack. Well worth a look.

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Scott

I'll second the mystery ranch packs. I think they are much more durable than the new packs that try to find a balance between lightweight and comfort.

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AdirondackMan

I beg to differ with David Mossier. While Mystery Ranch may make a substantive pack they have by "FAR" some of the heaviest packs on the market. If your philosophy is to carry the heaviest, most durable equipment (and food) out there then, by all means, accept his recommendation. Otherwise, Doug's suggestions are the way to go. I have been backpacking for almost 40 years and have watched, with joy, how the equipment has gotten exponentially better; lighter and more durable.

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Jeff in Colorado

In 40 years of backpacking, I have had some time to try gear and I don't much enjoy having to replace it very often. It has been interesting to see weight versus durability debated, but what it really came down to for me was performance, functionality and fit. My Dana Designs packs are still going strong after 20+ years of stupid-tough trail days. Dana Gleason (now of Mystery Ranch) builds good products that stand up. You can buy new gear every few years if you want. Gear should last for the $.

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Six

#1 The best pack is the one that fits and works. Fit is the ultimate feature. Neither Outside magazine nor random internet commenters can tell you how a pack will fit your body. If Gregory or Osprey or Granite Gear or Arc'Teryx or McHale fits best, buy that. #2 If you broke a Bora 95, you're carrying more weight than you need. Seek lighter gear, especially tent, sleeping system, cooking kit, and water treatment system. Even with 10-12 days food in a beefy pack, you don't have to be carrying crushing loads. 1.75 pounds of food per day * 11 days = 19.25 pounds + 2L of water @ 2.2 pounds per liter = 23.65 pounds + 15 pounds gear/clothing (believe me, reasonable!) = 38.65 Even for a light and comfortable backpacker like myself, 39 pounds isn't so bad. And best of all, by the end of day 5, you're down 11 pounds to a sub-30 pound load. Imagine how much further you could go with a sub 30 pound load, and how much more comfortable you could be while going. How to cut gear & clothing weight? Try the forums for a start at http://www.backpackinglight.com/

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