Equinox Katahdin Ultralight Backpack

Does anyone have experience with this type of pack ?

It looks nice/light/inexpensive ($100) but I am concerned that the capacity (3,350cu) might be a problem since there appears to be very limited space to attach gear externally. I would probably have my tarp/poncho, sleeping bag, pad, and bivy.

Does anyone know how this type of material holds up over time? Is the price too good to be true?

I recently looked at it. Nice pack, but the suspension collapsed in the store after i put 20 lbs. in it. Also, the load lifter straps were useless and the mesh back left it open to water getting in it...i was thinking of using a poncho over it when hiking to get around this. If you keep the weight under 15 lbs, good pack. I went with the Golite Jam 2, myself.

BF <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

yikes...they claimed that it was fine up to 30lbs. I can keep my gear down to less than 10lbs but water/food will put me in the low 20s

It's sack is silnyl, so it'll take a lot of care and I wouldn't recommend it for bushwhacking.

3350 cu. in. should be sufficient for a week of all but the coldest winter camping, IMHO.

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/...itial%20Report/

BF <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the help. Although it looks like a decent pack, I think I would rather sacrifice some weight for the assurance that it will last longer than a season.

You are right about 3,700 cu in. For some reason I was imagining half that actual size. 3,700 is cavernous.

I am leaning towards the REI Cruise UL 60(65) Pack. Although it weighs in at a little over 3lbs, it is large enough to fit all of my stuff inside and it is reasonably tough. The negative reviews have focused on complaints that it didn't handle 40+lbs well or that you can't be unduly rough with it. Neither of which I am looking to put it through. Plus, REI will take it back if I ever have a complaint.

Have you looked at ULA packs? http://www.ula-equipment.com/

Sounds like you ahve the same problem I was having -- light gear but the need to sometimes carry a lot of food and water. The ULA is light but supportive when required, well made and durable. Just an idea for you.

Methinks that within the limitation of frameless packs -- the weight at which a particular frameless pack starts to collapse depends almost entirely on what "frame" YOU insert into the pack, how YOU pack your gear, and how well the pack cinches down into one tight bundle -- either when full or less than full.

In other words, most all framelss packs "start out" basically the same (one large sack) -- and the important aspects that differentiate one from another in the comfort department are:

1. Shoulder straps -- how comfy are they to you (i.e. material, padding, curvature and size). For example, many love Gossamer Gear frameless packs but their wide shoulder straps make them uncomfortable for me.

2. Sizing -- important if the pack comes with a hip belt

3. Cinching -- are the straps well-designed for cinching down the load?

Once you pick a frameless that meets the criteria above, it's a matter of inserting an appropriate frame, and packing carefully to minimize any discomfort and imbalance. Using an "extreme" example to illustrate a point, if you've got a good load but choose to use an ultrathin, spongy soft Thinlight pad as your "frame" -- then it's hardly the pack's fault when it collapses at well below 30 pounds. In contrast, inserting a sturdier frame -- such as blue foam pad -- or at least a self-inflating pad -- will make all the difference.

Given the nature of frameless packs and all the above -- I find it odd that one can form a straight conclusion that one particular pack will collapse at a lighter weight than another.

I agree completely. with My GG virga I can stuff 30 lbs of food and water in it just fine when using
the monster 27" wide CCF pad I hammock with as a frame - rolled up as a tube. The pack just won't collapse with this, and deals very well even when not full. On the other hand, after a discussion with Glenn, I've tried putting load in with just a folded regular width 3/4 pad as the "frame" - not a tube, with the load cinched down on it, and then just doesn't cut it at higher weights, it's a pain over 20 lbs or so. it becomes squishy, so I think most people (who would not be carrying a huge wide ccf pad if they aren't a hammocker) would *not* be able to carry 30 pounds comfortably in that
pack,

Basically within the very broad constraints of the basic suspension, and size of the bag, I think
the packing method and "pad" used as a frame matter a lot more than the pack.

bigfoot, thanks for the link to my backpackgeartest page. To the OP, make sure you check the field test, too:

http://tinyurl.com/6mpusr

In short, it's fine with less than 22 pounds or so. There were lots of little annoyances, but I know several hikers who liked the pack.

It all depends on you ...if YOU like it...if YOU are comfortable...YOU are the one who has to wear it. I would suggest that you try one on with some weight in it. Hey, this sounds like the conversation i just had when i took my daughter clothes shopping.... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Good luck!

BF <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />