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#181203 - 12/09/13 01:05 PM GoLite Jam 50
nate99 Offline
member

Registered: 07/17/13
Posts: 32
Loc: Denver Colorado
Hello all! Over his last weekend I ripped up my last UL pack (A Mountain Hardware) down in the southern Rockies trudging through a couple feet of snow. I am now looking at the GoLite Jam 50(Purple color!). Before I decide if it will be my pack, I am looking for experiences/reviews of the pack you guys have had with the pack. Anything will do!
Thanks to all!
-Nate-

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#181204 - 12/09/13 01:45 PM Re: GoLite Jam 50 [Re: nate99]
lori Offline
member

Registered: 01/22/08
Posts: 2801
What happened to the pack that it tore?

What about the Jam makes you think it will be a good replacement?

I haven't owned a Jam - two of my friends have, and no longer use it as neither one of them is UL and the Jam seems to be easy to overstuff. I have a ULA, which has a better frame/suspension and lets me occasionally overload it without suffering.
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"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind there are few." Shunryu Suzuki

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#181205 - 12/09/13 02:05 PM Re: GoLite Jam 50 [Re: nate99]
Rick_D Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 2939
Loc: NorCal
I have whatever the heck Jam they sold circa five years ago, and it fits me so is a nice option. In summer. I'm simply not disclipined enough to use it for winter backpacking, as the capacity isn't there, plus the upper weight is roughly 20-25 pounds.

For winter I'd want more capacity (60L or so) and some kind of frame--probably a hoop.

cheers,
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--Rick

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#181206 - 12/09/13 02:17 PM Re: GoLite Jam 50 [Re: nate99]
OregonMouse Online   content
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
Just note that the GoLite Jam is a frameless pack so, as mentioned in the other posts, you don't want to carry very much in it.

For me, I can't carry more than 7-8 lbs. in a frameless pack because I have extremely sensitive shoulders. I have to have a frame, load lifters and excellent weight transfer to the hip belt. I can't recommend my pack, though, because it was discontinued 5 years ago. The nearest to it is the Six Moon Designs Starlite, but that one is quite a bit bigger. The Starlite is also discontinued.

Packs I'd look at if I were replacing mine would be the ULA Circuit, Elemental Horizons Kalais, and possibly one of the new designs (not yet on the market) that Brian Frankle (founder of ULA) is coming up with for Six Moon Designs (no, I haven't seen them; just curious).

Since pack fit is almost as individual as shoe fit, my comments are definitely in the YMMV category!


Edited by OregonMouse (12/09/13 02:20 PM)
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#181219 - 12/09/13 10:58 PM Re: GoLite Jam 50 [Re: OregonMouse]
balzaccom Online   content
member

Registered: 04/06/09
Posts: 2232
Loc: Napa, CA
My wife and I both use the Go Lite 50 for our summer trips. I've carried up to about 35 pounds in mine on an eight day trip--my wife carries a max of about 25 pounds.

They're good packs, simple, seem to be well made. We wish the side pockets were a little bigger...but all in they work fine. They seem to be pretty waterproof on their own, which is nice.

Then again, we're not gear heads to have to have the latest of everything. If the pack fits, carries our gear, and doesn't weigh too much, we like it!
_________________________
Check our our website: http://www.backpackthesierra.com/

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#181302 - 12/13/13 04:42 PM Re: GoLite Jam 50 [Re: balzaccom]
nate99 Offline
member

Registered: 07/17/13
Posts: 32
Loc: Denver Colorado
Thank you all for your contributions, i'll keep everything in mind!!
-Nate-

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#185509 - 06/02/14 04:26 PM Re: GoLite Jam 50 [Re: nate99]
Weldman Offline
member

Registered: 11/21/05
Posts: 193
Loc: Sunnyvale, Ca
I have the Golite Jam2 Large pack which carries 3300 cu in. and have carried 30lb with no problem as I use my 3/4 sleeping pad as part of the frame.

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