powder4breakfast
09-20-2011, 03:19 PM
I started backpacking again these past few summers and have realized that A)I'm not as tuff as I once was and B)much of my gear is either heavy or just not that good.
I am in the process of replacing my gear a little at a time.
I just sold my main pack on Ebay. It was made of 500 and 1600 denier nylon, double stitched in 2 to 3 places at all critical seams with kevlar and had an unconditional lifetime warranty that even covered blatant abuse. Although I will never find a burlier pack than the Vortex (Badlands)4500 pack I just sold, it was very super extremely heavy.
I want a pack that is:
-Under 4lbs
-Around 60L capacity
-Rated to carry up to around 50lbs. I will usually be hauling well under 30lbs - but want the extra for climbing trips etc.
-Good suspension
-Durable/good warranty/reputable name
I have looked at and tried on Gregory, REI, Dueter?, Granite Gear, The North Face and several other brands. I have narrowed my favorites down to the Osprey Atmos 65 and Sierra Designs Revival 65.
The Osprey Atmos bag has many plus features like the weight, air flow, pockets and awesome warranty. The main negatives being that the air space (frame/mesh for cooling) taking up area and making it hard to stuff large items like a bear canister etc into the pack. Also, complaints about the suspension when loaded with more than 30lbs not being comfortable and being a top loader without front access(I would suggest Osprey ditch the separate sleeping bag pocket and add front access to the main pocket). I also considered the Exos 58; but, don't know if the extra pound savings is worth it if the Atmos is more comfortable with more features and already under 4lbs.
Sierra Designs has not made a real competitor in the backpack market for a while if ever. The Revival series seams to get a lot of things right first time out. under 4lbs, top loading with front panel access, 50lb carry capacity, good fulcrum suspension with single DAC pole stay connected to CURV frame sheet, great airflow with the pack only contacting your back in 4 places. Negatives are hip belt not big enough to fit some people. Reviews show some with 34" waists complaining that the padding on the hip belt barely comes around and can be uncomfortable. The sizing is up to 18.5=s/m and 18" and up=m/l. Not a lot of over lap for someone like me with an 18" torso. Shoulder straps are sewn in and don't adjust for torso height. SD told me they will be updating the Revival series packs for 2012 with a new hipbelt that will accomodate a larger user range. Can I wait? good prices on current Revival packs now. What will happen to weight with a different hip belt?
I love my new flexfit down jacket and Nitro 30 sleeping bag with flexfit from Sierra Designs. I own a few of their more recently made products and it seems that they are on fire right now. It makes me lean more toward the SD Revival pack. But, I just don't know.
Anyone have knowledge of either or both these two packs? Would be awesome if anyone had first hand of both.
I have searched and read many of the backpack threads; but, I am looking for info on these two specific bags in relation to backpacking.
I am in the process of replacing my gear a little at a time.
I just sold my main pack on Ebay. It was made of 500 and 1600 denier nylon, double stitched in 2 to 3 places at all critical seams with kevlar and had an unconditional lifetime warranty that even covered blatant abuse. Although I will never find a burlier pack than the Vortex (Badlands)4500 pack I just sold, it was very super extremely heavy.
I want a pack that is:
-Under 4lbs
-Around 60L capacity
-Rated to carry up to around 50lbs. I will usually be hauling well under 30lbs - but want the extra for climbing trips etc.
-Good suspension
-Durable/good warranty/reputable name
I have looked at and tried on Gregory, REI, Dueter?, Granite Gear, The North Face and several other brands. I have narrowed my favorites down to the Osprey Atmos 65 and Sierra Designs Revival 65.
The Osprey Atmos bag has many plus features like the weight, air flow, pockets and awesome warranty. The main negatives being that the air space (frame/mesh for cooling) taking up area and making it hard to stuff large items like a bear canister etc into the pack. Also, complaints about the suspension when loaded with more than 30lbs not being comfortable and being a top loader without front access(I would suggest Osprey ditch the separate sleeping bag pocket and add front access to the main pocket). I also considered the Exos 58; but, don't know if the extra pound savings is worth it if the Atmos is more comfortable with more features and already under 4lbs.
Sierra Designs has not made a real competitor in the backpack market for a while if ever. The Revival series seams to get a lot of things right first time out. under 4lbs, top loading with front panel access, 50lb carry capacity, good fulcrum suspension with single DAC pole stay connected to CURV frame sheet, great airflow with the pack only contacting your back in 4 places. Negatives are hip belt not big enough to fit some people. Reviews show some with 34" waists complaining that the padding on the hip belt barely comes around and can be uncomfortable. The sizing is up to 18.5=s/m and 18" and up=m/l. Not a lot of over lap for someone like me with an 18" torso. Shoulder straps are sewn in and don't adjust for torso height. SD told me they will be updating the Revival series packs for 2012 with a new hipbelt that will accomodate a larger user range. Can I wait? good prices on current Revival packs now. What will happen to weight with a different hip belt?
I love my new flexfit down jacket and Nitro 30 sleeping bag with flexfit from Sierra Designs. I own a few of their more recently made products and it seems that they are on fire right now. It makes me lean more toward the SD Revival pack. But, I just don't know.
Anyone have knowledge of either or both these two packs? Would be awesome if anyone had first hand of both.
I have searched and read many of the backpack threads; but, I am looking for info on these two specific bags in relation to backpacking.