I don't have a BPL membership and do not want to spend $5 to buy the article. I was wondering if someone could tell me what the magazine said about the goods and not so goods. I seriously have my mind on that pack so I could need some help

I own a Vapor Trail and also a Nimbus Ozone. The Ozone is by far the better suspension if you need to carry a ton of weight. I believe it is the same suspension as what you are looking at. The hip belt is also the most comfortable i have ever used. Buy it...you won't be dissapointed !
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/granite_gear_nimbus_review.html

BF

What do you mean by a ton of weight? My loads (for 3-4 days) are usually 28-32lbs. Would you overwhelm the suspension of the Vapor trail (I was also thinking of the Meridian Vapor)

It comes in handy when carrying water on long hikes between re-supplies. You never know when you will need to carry extra....my loads are around 20-25 lbs. on average but i have on occasion carried other peoples load when they have been tired or injured. By the way...you're welcome for the nice reviews. Some people, i tell ya'.........

Happy Birthday, bigfoot2! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Thanks, Leadfoot ! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The Granite Gear Nimbus Meridian Pack is a great pack. Of all the packs on the market, this is the only one that can make a very incredible claim. Most have heard of Trauma (aka. Justin Lichter). In my opinion, he has done something that no one will ever repeat, that is hike 10,000 miles in one year (to do this you have to average 30 miles a day for a whole year!). On his website, he used to have a list of the gear he went through. Included were 20 pairs of socks, 4 sleeping bags, 14 pairs of shoes, etc. etc. The list was quite extensive and nothing on it (including digital cameras) did he only use one of except for one thing, his backpack. Guess which pack he used? The GG Nimbus Meridian! For a lightweight pack (3.5 lbs) to last through 10,000 miles of pretty unforgiving terrain, sun, and other gear-killing situations, is pretty impressive. This is the only pack in existence to make such a claim.

Granite Gear's philosophy is one of simplicity. There aren't any extra stitching just for the aesthetics (I would encourage you to look at other packs to see how much extra stitching was done just to add to it's look). Jeff Knight, the founder and still designer of GG packs, is adamant about not putting extra stitching if it isn't needed. GG uses the best materials available including outer material, thread, foams, etc. The TopoFlex framesheet is the best solution for lightweight packs because it is lighter than a traditional stay/framesheet setup, but also better at working with the body to support the load. The framesheet has 3 areas of flex; the bottom which is really flexy to absorb the shock from each step, the middle, which is semiflexy to support the load, but also to move as your body moves, and the top which is fully rigid to help the pack comform to the curves of your back as you pull on the load-lifter straps. Aluminum stays and/or plastic framesheets don't have these flex zones.

The Numbis Meridian represents the 8 years of trial and error GG has had in developing their packs. It incorporates the best of the new designs, materials and technology available today, but also uses traditional designs that have been proven over the years. It's the pack I use and can't think of any other pack I would rather use. it is a privilege and honor for me to rep them in the Rocky Mtn States. I often ask myself, if I had a choice of any pack to carry, which one would it be (I visit many gear shops almost every week of the year in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming and am very familiar with what is out there)? There is no question that I would pick the Granite Gear Nimbus Meridian. This isn't the case with other pieces of gear I rep. It is an amazing pack.

Wow, you make a very good argument in packs favor. I saw it the other day and I thought it was kind of big (with just a bit of the extension collar used) compared to my REI Cruise UL which I find I can make some room so how about the Meridian Vapor? How does it compare to say the Osprey Atmos 65 or the Gregory Z55? oR even against the Cruise UL?

The Meridian Vapor is just slightly smaller (about 400 cu.in.) and is built around our "Vapor" suspension (Plastic Frame Sheet and Foam). This has proven to be a very comfortable set-up for total weight below 35 lbs. Other than the suspension (you can't adjust the torso on the Vapor Meridian, but it requires the buyer to buy a Large or Medium size), everything else between the Nimbus and Vapor Meridian are the same.

Though the Meridian Vapor doesn't look as "frilly" or as fashionable as the Osprey, it does carry better. The reason I say this is based on Thru Hikes on the Appalachian Trail. So many were having bad experiences based on the die cut, perforated foam waistbelt and shoulder straps of the Atmos, but loved the solid Vapor. The Gregory Z55 is a different back and is, in my opinion, more comparable to the Nimbus Meridian than the Vapor Meridian. In this case, I think the Nimbus Meridian carries better.

You can't go wrong if deciding on one of the packs you listed above. The only exception would be the squeeking of the frame from Osprey ("tent-pole" suspension frame sqeaks really bad over time based on very small pieces of dirt and rock getting inside the joints of the frame.). The Meridian Vapor will set you apart from the crowd, but is also easy to load, very comfortable, and 2lb. 10 oz.