Weekend Packs

Recent Weekend Pack (50-69L) Reviews

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

ULA Equipment Circuit

Unreal how great this pack is. Filled it up completely, hiked 14 miles up and down a mountain, no pain, not even the day after! First, the video on how to adjust the pack was awesome. With the help of my daughter I got it all set before the trip. But the proof was in actually carrying all that gear up the brutal hike to our destination. I filled it to capacity, 35 pounds, and headed out. One caveat: if you needed to carry more weight, this pack might not be for you. It was FULL. But the pack itself… Full review

Gregory Maven 65

The most important thing to me was comfort, and this backpack nailed it. I have a long torso so I wanted to make sure it fit properly so it wouldn’t rub when I was walking. I love the color too and the rain fly adds a pop of extra color. First, let me start by saying I am not a “hardcore backpacker”. I camp, I hike, I backpack, and many other outdoor activities. The last backpack I owned was just not a great fit, and I bought it before I had a good understanding of what made a backpack a good… Full review

Gregory Paragon 68

I personally will be using this for scouting and hunting purposes, which is not the usual backpack for that, but it is very comfortable and I did not have a problem with anything. Honestly I have nothing bad to say about this backpack. First of all, I do a lot of hiking, scouting, hunting, and fishing; I enjoy the outdoors a lot. I took this backpack for several scouts before hunting season starts and I am impressed on how this backpack is so comfortable. The shoulder area has padding and keeps… Full review

Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60

I would not be shopping at Gossamer. Customer service alone is a deterrent. There are much better companies to deal that are worthy of our support. The company may have good bags, but unfortunately the service is horrible. They don’t take responsibility for their products. I spent a long time trying to figure out what bag to get, and decided on the Mariposa. Tired it on via a couple of friends and did extensive research. When I received it the web strap on the belt was 1-inch, which is not what… Full review

Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60

This is a great lightweight pack for loads up to 30 pounds. First of all, this is my favorite backpack. I bought this pack because it weighs in at about 2 pounds and carries loads up to 30 pounds comfortably. One of the best features is the long "quiver" pocket on the side. It is a great way to carry longer items like a rolled up tarp, 2-liter water bag, camp saws, or survival knife. The stretchable mesh front pocket just continues to swallow gear. To keep weight down, the side and front pockets… Full review