ive been looking for an actual pack. Besides these pos army surplus bags. I came across. Ive never purchased a pack before. I think this is my solution Any one ever used this pack. my gear is fairly light, and im only looking to do a few small weekend trips for now warm-semicool weather 2-4 days max. untill i get a better job and can afford longer trips & better gear.
Thanx in Advance
Will

This pack is fairly small. Gregory sells it as an advernture racing pack. I've seen it at REI. For a little more money, you could get a bigger pack from Granite Gear that doesn't weigh a whole lot more and would be a more versatile choice for weekend and longer trips, or get one of Gregory's bigger packs.

The main thing before buying a pack is to gather all of your gear for a typical trip, take it down to where ever you are shopping and see if it fits in the pack you are looking at and equally important, that the pack fits you-not all of them will.

Buy a pack that holds your gear and fits you, instead of buying a pack then trying to fit everything into it.

If you can't get to a store and are buying online, buy from someone like REI that will take back whatever you buy, no questions asked. Otherwise, you may find youself stuck with something that is too small or doesn't fit right.

I have one and like it very much; it makes a good overnight/weekend pack for light gear as long as you don't have to hump a bunch of water. Very comfortable. You should be aware that it's silnylon and not as robust as most packs; you'll need to treat it gently. Wouldn't recommend it for bushwhacking.

“my gear is fairly light”

How light, and how small? That sets the bar for what backpack to get.

This is just my opinion; after looking at the REI specs ( http://www.rei.com/product/747085 ), how about something slightly bigger, much lower weight, and lower cost?

http://www.gossamergear.com/cgi-bin/gossamergear/Miniposa.html It even comes with the Sitlight pad.

-Barry

Actually Will, your better bet is to frequently post in the Beginner Forum, which is where you'll find most of the answers to your newbie questions <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Face it, if you have'nt even gone through a pack purchase, you're going to have lots more questions that are beneficial to newbies like yourself in the Beginner Forum <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> We all started in there, takes lots of time and money to get to the other side of the gear mountain IME. Y <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />you'll shorten your's by reading and posting there.

I have an Advent Pro. It's sort of a specialized pack with lots of bells and whistles you may not need. I don't think it would make a great first pack and it's not really that cheap even on sale. And it may be too small to hold all the gear you want have along until you learn what you can do without.

another avenue to pursue before you buy a new pack is to try renting one from a place like REI, EMS,etc. Then you can decide whay tou need to carry your vloume of gear, and choose accordingly. Some places apply the rental fee to your pack's price if you decide to buy, ask when you rent. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

im sorry if my post insulted your intellegence.

usaually for 4 days my gear will top out at 8 lbs with out food and ive been cramming it all into a 700 ci ss .thanx 4 link ill compare but i have a pad

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />thanx i hike a little ruff im not scared to get a few bumps or scratches so my gear usually suffers . thank you

bells and whistles ?? no comprende amigo ..

That's extra features you may not need. The pack is optimized for adventure racers. For instance, do you carry water bottles on your shoulder straps? Do you need a pocket for a helmet?

I think you misunderstood Earthling's reply; I've never found him to be given to insulting people who are simply trying to figure things out. I believe he was simply saying that there's a lot of additional information on finding the right pack on the other section of the forum.

Give it a look - you may find a lot of your questions have already been asked and answered, and you can save yourself some time by reviewing the threads there, rather than recreating them here (and waiting for answers.)

You didn't say in your original post what attracted you to the Advent. If it's on sale, and will hold all your gear, and is comfortable when loaded, go for it. However, if you're looking to invest once in a pack that will last a while, and are willing to spend a little more, you might check out some other packs. In the Gregory line, you might want to look at the G-Pack and the various Z-series packs. You might also be a good candidate for several of Granite Gear's packs, such as the Vapor Trail or Nimbus Ozone.

I have an Advent Pro, it wasn't my first pack, but it has become one of my favorites.
I use it on solo trips during the warmer months.

I agree that it does have a lot of bells and whistles, but i like finding ways to use all of them.

I find that the "helmet pocket" can be used to store chacos or keens for river/creek crossings. i dont like to cross in my hiking shoes/boots.

If you have light gear, go for it. It is a pretty light pack and is very comfortable if packed well and not overloaded.

Water on shoulders could be a neigh. maybe a camera .But id prob stuff poncho / groundsheet in helmet pocket maybe other things hat,gloves sandels who knows.

I was originally interested in the gregory z35 pack but was worried about destroying the mesh backpannel some how. although i like the roll top. but im now worried about the fabric the advent pro is made out of. im sorta interested in the golite jam 2 but im so darn indecisive. im sorry with my budget and supporting a family any thing over a hundred bucks is an investment and i cant afford to go wrong. im still verry thankfull for any advice and product reveiws you guys share ive pickd up most of my gear from you guys reveiws. ane made the rest from you guys advice.

im definatly interested in the Miniposa™ Ultralight Backpack. do u or anyone you know use this pack. ANY reveiw aprteciated

I own a Mariposa, which is just a slightly larger version of the Miniposa. I love it. I use a NightLight Torso pad for a frame and it works great. I can't think of anything I don't like about it.

Goose, note the Miniposa is also a silnylon pack, and as such isn't going to be any more durable than the Advent Pro. Now I love my Advent Pro, but are you sure you wouldn't rather have something made of tougher stuff for your *only* pack, like Dyneema (see ULA packs, for example)?

Try the REI UL Cruise. I have one & they are both lithe and tough, the newer version being made W/ Dyneema cloth (Nylon W/ Dyneema ripstop threads).

The pack is around $130. & you can buy REI side pockets & short Fastex buckled straps to attatch them if you need extra room.

I've used this pack on many trips and love it.

Eric