Lightweight packs

[Blackhound]

I am thinking of using an OMM bag next year (~1lb 2oz / 550g) - don't know model name but it is black and yellow - and which has waist and sternum straps.  It will pack down small and I can use it for a few bulky items or additional food, packing it away as the food is gorged.

I have not sorted out my frame bag yet but I am hoping it will take a 4l MSR unit as I do not want to carry the weight on my back. Will a 4l bag fit easily in a frame bag?  Its a Voodoo Aizan which has a steeply sloping top tube.

[HOser]

I have no experience with them, but MLD has some interesting options specifically http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=25&products_id=153. 

[Fettis]

The Black Diamond Magnom 16 has accompanied me through TD and (most of) CTR. Weighs 400g (just under a pound). Not as comfortable as a Talon 22 but half the weight and it covers less of your back, might be better for temperature control. The side mesh pockets were handy for drink bottles or water filter.

I tried a Talon 22 and found the waist band takes a lot of the weight off your shoulders. Some smaller / lighter packs feel heavier when riding.

I also have the BD Flash but decided it was just too small to be of use on these long trips. It claims 9L but I think that's a bit optimistic. On the plus side it's short enough that you can still use your jersey pockets and it only weighs 200g.

Anybody tried the Camelbak Octane (18 or 24)? They get good reviews and are pretty light.

[donmeredith74]

If you can find a GoLite Ion, they're really easy to break down and sew custom external pockets and features onto. I've done two and LOVE the pack. GoLite quit making them so they're a little hard to find at a reasonable price these days.

The REI 18L Flash is a pretty good looking pack as well at a great price.

There are some pretty slick small volume silly light packs from Montbell as well.

I can vouch for MountainLaurel Designs packs... great stuff.

[mmeiser]

I had a brilliant aha moment of excitement when I was at my favorite store in Ann Arbor (called Bivouac).  Sea-to-summit has a new crazy light ultralight pack that stuffs nearly down to the size of my thumb!


Sea-to-summit 2.4oz daypack by mmeiser2, on Flickr

It weighs 2.4 ounces and holds 20 liters. $28 MSRP.

This is absolutely perfect for what I call and "overflow pack".

I like to carry nothing on my back.  However with frame bags one is always needing a little extra space to throw a bag of chips, a banana, apple, orange, a spare liter or two of water in a bladder, a baguette of bread.  These are almost always only temporary things for a critical stage in a trip that is remote, or merely grabbing some excess grocery toward the evenings at a gas station or grocery store.

This pack is perfect for such use as when done with it it can be zapped away in your frame bags somewhere.

Indeed I was so ecstatic about finding this bag because I have been using for the last couple years my own DIY version made of ripstop nylon, a draw string top and flat nylon straps.  Based basically on those cheap gym clothes bags you find at all crappy outdoor clothing stores.

Anyway, this might not be great for carrying more then 10 or so pounds of gear but it's a perfect place to stuff that jacket, wind breaker or other lightweight gear.

Plus it fits well under a wind breaker.

For my upcoming december / january trip down the Blue ridge parkway this will be essential.

It won't have much in it but a few things I don't want to freeze such a spare battery or two, and occasionally a liter or two of extra water.

p.s. I'm also a huge fan of the Wingnut and Zpacks stuff.  The z-packs are no doubt as light as this sea-to-summit bag but can comfortably carry a lot more.

[6thElement]

I like that. I like that a lot. As you say, perfect for a quick food stash before packing it away in a frame bag.

[jakomait]

After looking high and low for the lightest thing out there I found the winner with the ZPacks.  160g with padding in the shoulder straps, sternum and waist belt, side pockets you can actually use when riding and any other custom options you want or dont want.  Thing is tough as nails.  I also own a REI bag and a MH scrambler.  The scrambler is no where near as comfy and the REI is a tank vs Z Pack.

[mmeiser]

@jakomalt, zpacks, can't argue with that if money is no object.

[pro_out]

Lowe Alpine has a new pack coming out in Feb. that has my interest.   14 lt. with hip belt pockets,  side mesh pockets, 2 shoulder strap bottle pockets (removable), rear bungie/ compression,3 zippered pockets and (removable) back pad at a (stated ) weight of 12 oz, min. weight of 9 1/2oz.
Thats a lot of pack for as little as 9 1/2 oz. , but production runs are usually heavier than sample runs. Also a larger 25lt @ 14 oz and a 28lt @ 14oz.   Heres a link  http://www.lowealpine-usa.com/index.php?nav=24&search=cat&Category=Hyperlite&docp=16_1404

[DaveC]

I think you could lighten a Talon 11 or 22 a bit and still maintain functionality for real bikepacking (ie gnarly singletrack).  I you went the stuffsack with straps route (Zpacks, REI Flash, MLD Newt, etc) you'd give up comfort with heavy water loads, and more importantly, stability in technical situations.  Even with a waist belt, I've found that packs in the later category tend to jump forward and hit the back of my helmet when rolling steep drops.  No thanks.

FWIW, the Talon 11 is about 2/3s the functional size of the 22.  Definitely enough for light and fast multi-days.

[Eric]

Patagonia has a new travel pack that comes in at 14 oz. Looks nice and simple but it might sit too high to bike well...

[AZTtripper]

I think you could lighten a Talon 11 or 22 a bit and still maintain functionality for real bikepacking (ie gnarly singletrack).  I you went the stuffsack with straps route (Zpacks, REI Flash, MLD Newt, etc) you'd give up comfort with heavy water loads, and more importantly, stability in technical situations.  Even with a waist belt, I've found that packs in the later category tend to jump forward and hit the back of my helmet when rolling steep drops.  No thanks.

FWIW, the Talon 11 is about 2/3s the functional size of the 22.  Definitely enough for light and fast multi-days.

1+

[go kart mozart]

Osprey is about to release a new line of packs (not on their website yet) called the Hornet series. An even lighter version of the Talon. Looks pretty cool.

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=34480&disable_pagination=1

[Solrider]

I like the look of that new Osprey Hornet, but I'd like to see one in person.  They are currently only carrying the larger size at REI.

II was curious if anyone had any experience with this bag?  http://www.altrec.com/arcteryx/axios-25-daypack Looks like it could be another good option and its pretty light at 24 oz.

[bartspedden]

CAMP also has a nice offering for a light weight pack named the Outback.  There's a 5/10/15 liter option:



http://camp-usa.com/products/packs/outback-5.asp

 - Padded straps
 - sternum strap
 - bladder compatible
 - the 5 liter pack weighs 290g(10 oz.)

[DesertDog]

The Osprey web site isn't updated yet to include this, but found it on a search.  So, here is the official Osprey page for the Hornet series:

http://www.ospreypacks.com/Packs/HornetSeriesActiveLightPursuitsSuperlight/


Early December I picked up both an REI Stoke 9 ($18) and Stoke 19 ($24) pack - price is a bit more now on the 19.  Stoke 19 should be my new bikepacking pack for the '11 season.  Nice and light like the Hornet 24 at just 1lb 2.2oz and pretty similar in design to the Talon packs.  Should work well as is, though I could end up sewing on side compression straps?  And, that's a nice 12oz weight reduction from using the Talon 33 I've been using.

http://www.rei.com/product/807933


I've seen the Sea To Summit pack mentioned earlier.  Thought about getting one of those to use for backpacking.  Be a nice, light, cheap daypack to use when you're going out to play for the day from base camp!

[boddunn]

I've had a month to use my OMM Jirshanca and it's bloody fantastic! The pockets on the hip belt are incredibly useful, the mesh pockets are great for gloves and water bottles, it's really light but still manages to be comfy when carrying heavy stuff. It should come with an instruction manual though as there's so many features I can't figure them all out.

[Solrider]

Next on my list to compare is the Camelbak Octane....anyone with any experience?  Weighs just a pound.  http://www.rei.com/product/811759

[christianxlaura]

From Germany:

Laufbursche huckePäckchen...

http://hrxxlight.com/?p=972

[pro_out]

Next on my list to compare is the Camelbak Octane....anyone with any experience?  Weighs just a pound.  http://www.rei.com/product/811759

If color doesn't matter, here's a deal on a Octane.  http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___85231