GoLite Packs

I just found this forum...looks interesting for a gear/backcountry junkie like myself...I have been looking at the GoLite packs...and it looks like some of you have used them...whatchya think of them? Anybody use any of the lightweight Granite Gear packs?

I have 2 GoLite packs plus some of their clothing (ummmm, correction - I have 1 GoLite pack and my spouse has 1 GoLite pack, and the clothing is also split between us). Anyway, the Breeze(14 ounces - which Jim S refers to) is really nice as a day pack, and I have used it for light overnights. Since it doesn't have any sort of pad/frame or a waist strap, it is pretty much restricted to very light weights (<20 pounds or so). I get around the lack of a frame by folding my "blue foam" pad and putting it against my back (actually stiffens the pack quite a bit). The Breeze is a real "RayWay" pack, and if you are going ultralight, works quite well.

The Trek (2 pounds) is a larger capacity pack with waist belt and top pocket. I have carried up to 35 pounds in it, but I find that I have to pack it somewhat carefully, since the back pad isn't all that thick. Also, I find that unless the Trek is fairly full, the top pocket never seems to sit quite right.

The very light fabric (Dyneema) looks scarey light to some people, but I find it is quite durable. For a lot of treks, though, I prefer my Kelty Cloud 4500. The suspension fits me better, and the modular accessories allow me to carry a load into the backcountry, then strip them of for a day of peakbagging. On the other hand, the Breeze rolls up very small to shove in a bigger pack to then use as a summit pack, and the Trek has a pretty large capacity at a smaller weight than the Cloud.

I have looked at the Granite Gear packs, but not tried them. So no comment, except that I find the GG superlight AirLine compression stuff sacks to be nowhere near as good as the Integral Designs SilCoat (ID has been in that game for a number of years). GG has taken some shortcuts (to cut weight) with the stuff sacks that hurt their utility, and I saw what I suspect are similar shortcuts with the packs. GoLite has been making light gear for many years and has a lot of field experience in that area that GG does not have. But I will have to try their packs before making a real comment.

Thanks Bill...the shop I work at, has started carrying GoLite Packs and I am interested in what people think of them..am also looking for a nice light pack around 2000 cubic inches..I was looking at the adventure pack series..I was wondering about their comfort..I am just mainly looking for something light for long day hikes and maybe long trail runs..For larger loads, I have a Granite Gear Nimbus Access FZ 3800..which I love so far..its not one of their ultralight packs, but it is a lighter pack and I really like it..its very comfortable.