User Review: GoLite Women's Pinnacle

I year and a half ago, I wanted to get into backpacking, but didn't want to spend a fortune on gear.  I also knew that since I was hoping to thru hike the AT soon (ended up doing it the following summer) and I liked the ultralight style of backpacking, that I wanted a pack that would lend itself to both. 

I'm 5'10, 145lbs.  It fit all my gear, and me. It held up amazingly, with only one small puncture in the side mesh pocket (which to be fair is from shoving my trecking poles in there when I hopped into town, not from snagging on anything.) 

It's not waterproof, so pack in waterproof bags, and/or get a pack cover.  I love the simplicity of the design - one main compartment, an outside zippered pocket, and 2 mesh pockets for my waterbottles. 

Note: I think I bought the 2009 model. The back and straps do not have the same mesh as the 2010 model did. Some thru-hikers had the newer model and complained that the mesh rubbed them the wrong way. 

I did not give it 5 stars because there is very little padding on the hips which sometimes can be a little uncomfortable when my pack is at capacity, and I would like to see either pockets on the hipbelts (which I know would add weight) or for GoLite to develop a way to attach hipbelt accessories (ie: granite gear puts loops on their hipbelts, and all the accessories slide into them.) I needed a convenient place to carry my camera and a snack or two on the trail.

Overall, have recommended this pack and this company to friends, and will continue to do so!