GoLite Jam 35L

Summary

Great pack for a one or two day trip.

I bought the medium and it fits me perfectly (5'6"). Hip and shoulder straps adjust well. Pack carries nicely when loaded. I had about 25 lbs. in it for an overnight in cold weather (Warbonnet Blackbird 1.1 double hammock, extra cord for tarp ridgeline and food bag, cook gear, misc. items (headlamp, hygene, small flashlight, etc.) spare clothes, sleeping bag, tarp, down jacket, Kelty Cosmic 20-degree down bag, tyvek ground sheet, food bag) and it was stuffed to the gills. Didn't have to carry water because we camped near a river.

It's a rucksack-type pack with no top lid—the top rolls down and cinches with a strap and buckle like a dry sack. I happen to like this style a lot. There's compression straps on the sides and some smaller adjustments (with shock cord) for making the pack smaller for day hike use). Two large elastic side pockets for water bottles or extra gear, and two zip pockets on the hip belt. There's two ice axe or trekking pole loops on the bottom which came in handy to tie on a rolled Ridgerest mat (I hadn't gotten my hammock underquilt yet so needed this underneath).

The pack is well-made and appears to be pretty sturdy. I'll probably have it until my legs give out.

I would say that this pack is best suited to warmer weather use when a lot of insulating gear is not required. I've realized I will now have to buy a bigger pack for cold/winter backpacking to accomodate the extra gear needed, and for when I must carry water.

As you can see in the photo below, I had that pack filled to the brim!