Weekend Packs

Recent Weekend Pack (50-69L) Reviews

Mystery Ranch Glacier

Designed For The Long Haul. Being a gear junkie you end up going through a lot of different backpacks. After owning and using many styles and brands, I found that the most durable and comfortable packs are typically in the hunting and tactical series. That being said, most of these companies do have an expedition line such as Eberlestock and Mystery Ranch. Kifaru, Kuiu, Exo, Badlands and others make some excellent packs, but in Canada, price and availability create a problem. Having owned six Eberlestock… Full review

Osprey Exos 58

Light enough, big enough, comfy enough—SO durable. I've had this pack for years now. It's definitely not Ultralight, but it's close. It travels well on the trail, even with a heavy load. It's been a great urban travel pack, and also has been a great air travel pack (I hate suitcases). The tensioned mesh keeps my back cool and less sweaty. This pack fit me well, as designed. Lots of adjustment and tensioning options to settle the load well. I'm tall and lanky, and I have always been happy with… Full review

Hyperlite Mountain Gear 4400 Windrider

Impossibly light, too big for the limited weight capacity. The obvious: this bag is impossibly light for the volume. I personally love a bare bones pack that is essentially a stuff sack on straps. If I were to buy again, I would go with Hyperlite, but I would go smaller. I got this pack because you can roll down the excess space not being used. The fact of the matter: 70 liters of gear weighs too much for the straps and dyneema to handle. Unless you are stuffing feathers in here, go for the smaller… Full review

Gregory Baltoro 65

Phenomenal pack, great for the thru hiker and more. At French Louie's fire pit along the Northville-Lake Placid Trail   West Canada Lakes lean-to along the NPT   Tirrell Pond area along the NPT This pack is rugged and very comfortable. My husband carried it on the Northville Placid Trail and many other thru hikes with no problems. I would highly recommend it for anyone who needs comfort and durability. We carried gear and food for 14 days. Repacking in the morning was a breeze and no issues with… Full review

Gregory Baltoro 65

Great quality at a great price. An even better company regarding their attitude towards the hiker.     Gregory is a company that cares about its customers. I bought the large given my long back and 6:1 frame. My inseam is only 30 inches. Was using the pack for the first time at Berg Lake, BC back country. My shoulders are very average while my chest is in the large category. I worried about the fit given I have had a broken clavicle historically and a major shoulder surgery (Laterjet-Bristow). Full review

Deuter Aircontact Lite 60+10 SL

A large winter pack with the option of extending the top collar with 10 more liters of storage space. Great vertical harness adjustability. I needed a new winter pack as my old but very serviceable Dana Designs Terraplane weighed 7 1/2 pounds!  After a long search I decided on the Deuter Air Contact Lite 60 +10. So far I'm happy with that decision. Yes, DEUTER borrows heavily on American internal frame pack design with the exception of Deuter's aluminum X frame itself, a unique design.  My -20… Full review

Arc'teryx Bora AR 63

A Ferrari with deep flaws. Minimal design that aims to translate in outstanding back support and ergonomics. Has minimal attachment points for gps, knife, pockets or the like. Water bottle pouches’ space on each side will be compromised when packed. The single column construction is easy to load but isn’t well protected by the top as the fabric is hard and allows little adjustments. Enough space for a four-day self-supported trek with food and material. The very impressive Carbon fibre support… Full review

Seek Outside Flight One

One of the few lightweight packs that can honestly carry 30-40 pounds comfortably. It's a very durable pack to boot. I own a Seek Outside Divide, which I've reviewed here, and love it. It resides on a frame that was designed for heavier loads and larger loads; it's pretty light, but far from ultralight—enter the Flight. The Flight is a new offering from SO, smaller volume and a redesigned suspension. Certainly won't replace their heavy haulers, but for your average backpacker, it's worth looking… Full review

Patagonia Ascensionist 55L

Gear for a three-day mountaineering trip to Glacier Peak I want badly to love this pack, but just can’t. I expect a little better from Patagonia. Patagonia made a good backpack when they made the original Ascensionist 35. I’ve had mine for a few years and it's my favorite small pack.  Having made three trips with this new 55-liter version I just can’t bring myself to like it over my Gregory Alpinisto 50 (a comparable pack) for anything more than really light mountaineering trips.    Best… Full review