User Review: Granite Gear Vapor Ki

Granite Gear Vapor Ki
Above: The current Vapor Ki, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed June 10, 2006 by gumball

Rating:
Design: top loading
Size: 3600
Number of Pockets: 4
Height of Owner: 5' 4"
Price Paid: $155

I recently took this pack on its first longer hike--approximately 75 miles from Atkins to Damascus, Va., on the Appalachian Trail. Previous backpacks I have used included a Jansport, a Kelty, a Lowe Alpine and, most recently, an Osprey Ariel 75. I am sold on the Osprey for comfort and fit--but was intrigued with the idea of losing several pounds by switching to this lighter pack, weighing in at around 2 lbs empty.

It took some adjusting to get used to--if they made this in a long torso size, as they do the men's, it might have felt more comfortable. I am used to my pack wrapping all the way around my hips and riding a little lower. This pack wrapped around my hips, but a bit higher on my body. Nonetheless, this was just a matter of making appropriate adjustments, both with pack and in my head.

I carried slightly less than 30 lbs with a full pack, the weight obviously diminishing as we ate our way through the trip. My sleeping bag is carried at the very bottom, followed by my hammock, some other light ditties (glasses, hygiene), with my extra clothing items on top of the hammock. Food, was placed on top of the clothing. A rain jacket was held in the lower side pocket, while the other side pocket held my pocket rocket and a small nalgene bottle. Fuel cannister, titanium mug and crocs were all at the top of the pack.

In addition to the side pockets at the bottom of this pack, the Ki has two small additional pockets at the top of the pack. I found these very convenient for maps and my pack cover, as well as keys and my wallet. Finally, a 1.5 liter bladder was placed in the bladder pocket, inside the pack, and my sleep pad (a light reflective pad and with fleece attached for the hammock) was strapped to the outside of pack on its front, vertically.

Initially, I felt some rub on the tops of my hips--this diminished with time and patience. In general, I have to say this pack performed quite excellently. I was pleased with its lighter weight and my own ability to pack only the necessities given the space provided (although the neck of the pack can be filled if you wish to carry more inside the pack), and the fewer numbers of pockets. I do wish the bottom side pockets were not such a tight fit--but they were manageable. The key to my using this pack was organizing it correctly so that the weight was distributed appropriately for my body and so that the pack contents were organized in a fashion that made sense to accessing the things I needed. I experienced no other discomfort or odd pains to speak of and, when I felt any initial discomfort, I discovered that it was merely a matter of making a proper adjustment of the straps. I never dreaded putting it back on when it was time pick up and go.

Overall, and 4+ star pack--thanks Granite Gear!!!