45+L Framed Backpack Recommendations

[M1K3_W]

First of all, thank you in advance for your patience. This may be a fairly basic question but I'd rather consult a large group to get a range of opinions than one or two "best of" lists.

If you were to recommend a framed rucksack, with a capacity above 45L, what would you go for. I'm not too bothered about UL, I'd rather spend another 100g and get a comfy pack.

I'm planning a trip for the summer (COVID permitting, Wainwright's Coast to Coast), base weight around 6.5kg (blame a very heavy DSLR) (and this is my first time trying to cut grams). The overall weight should be around 10-12kg, depending on food choice and final tweaks to my pack.

So far I've seen recommended the Osprey Levity 45, Exos 48, Montane Trailblazer 44, Berghaus Alpine 45, and more pricey options like the Atom packs, and Gossamer Gear options. I'd like to spend less than £250.


Cheers,

Mike

 

[EM - paul]

Granite gear blaze 60 us my best carrying pack. Its done all my week long trips with heavy day 1 weights and remained comfortable. Not crazy lite but i think its 1.2kg. Optional lid is worth the investment. My big pack now is a mark one gossamer gear mariposa plus. 60l of ultimate comfort for 530g

 

[Robert P]

Exped Lightening might be worth a look. About 1.2kg adjustable frame, also the Sierra Designs Flex capacitor. Both available in UK. They are different designs and closures to consider.

 

[Charlie83]

Can't go wrong with an Osprey exos, price, sturdy, all the bells and whistles in the right place, great longevity etc and if you like the roomy back bit they're comfy. I personally don't like Osprey, just because I like my pack hard against my back, but I'm in the minority most folk are more than happy with them, my other half loves her osprey bags (but she's weird) except the lumina, she hated that one.

You've just missed a mariposa on ebay, if I needed a 45 framed bag I'd probably just get the "New" GG gorilla 50, slightly more cash though and only worth it if your going to use it on more than one wander.

 

[Jamess]

+1 for the Exped Lightening.

It's properly adjustable to get a perfect fit with a great hipbelt. It's compression system is better than most packs so it's easy to compress the 60 down to around 30 litres should you need to.

Provided you are not too tall and too large around the middle there's a ladies one for sale on the forum at the moment.

The trailblazer 44 is another light, fully adjustable option, albeit a bit overcomplicated.

Ultralight packs tend to be less adjustable so my advice would be to go for a cheaper option like one of the above and work out exactly what you want from a pack before investing bigger money.

 

[OwenM]

Take a look at the lightwave packs, they do 40, 50 and 60lt versions. Very comfortable carrying system and waterproof.

 

[Jamess]

Good call @OwenM. I'd forgotten about lightwave.

 

[M1K3_W]

Good suggestions all round so far, thanks. I like the look of the Exped Lightning 60, backpacking light have last year’s on sale for £100 which seems pretty good. I’ll also have a look on the for sale one on the forum.

 

[Teepee]

First of all, thank you in advance for your patience. This may be a fairly basic question but I'd rather consult a large group to get a range of opinions than one or two "best of" lists.

If you were to recommend a framed rucksack, with a capacity above 45L, what would you go for. I'm not too bothered about UL, I'd rather spend another 100g and get a comfy pack.

I'm planning a trip for the summer (COVID permitting, Wainwright's Coast to Coast), base weight around 6.5kg (blame a very heavy DSLR) (and this is my first time trying to cut grams). The overall weight should be around 10-12kg, depending on food choice and final tweaks to my pack.

So far I've seen recommended the Osprey Levity 45, Exos 48, Montane Trailblazer 44, Berghaus Alpine 45, and more pricey options like the Atom packs, and Gossamer Gear options. I'd like to spend less than £250.


Cheers,

Mike

It's all about the fit. Everyone has different body shapes/back lengths and what one finds nirvana, another finds a pack they tire of in the first few hours. There is nothing like trying them on.

Don't be scared of lightweight, it needn't be uncomfortable. I tote a 1kg pack with 30 odd kg in it for long backcountry trips with the camera gear. What I'd advise considering is how you use the pack. Do you keep the camera in the pack and keep putting it down? This can be unkind to packs and stresses the straps/fabric more. Does your capture clip fit the strap? Some packs have padding too fat.
Do you go into the pack to get camera out regularly? having a quicker closure/opening system may have a big impact.

I don't know a massive amount current offerings as I make my own packs based on the old GG Maroposa but as a camera/hiking pack I made a heavy duty bottom to resist abrasion, made it reasonably waterproof, made a big sidepocket to easily swallow a tripod plus poles and made the top strap a cinch cord for quick access.
Whilst walking, the camera gets carried on a capture clip and I use a padded insert for the camera gear that goes in the very top of the pack.

 

[higray]

Take a look at the lightwave packs, they do 40, 50 and 60lt versions. Very comfortable carrying system and waterproof.

I'll endorse this.

I have a 40 and a 50 and they really are waterproof. The only thing I have to solve is some hip-belt pockets.

 

[higray]

 

[Mole]

Some cheap Lightwaves here: https://www.crux-outlet.online/shop/category

 

[maddogs]

I'm sure it's all down to personal preference on fit but my 2p...

I don't get on with the current Exos. I loved the old one but the new wire frame version I find very springy and can't get the weight off my shoulders onto the hip belt properly. It feels like it's always pulling backwards. The levity is even worse. For me.

The Gregory Optic is a very similar design and works better for me, but I did find a seam on the lumbar pad that rubbed on my very boney spine, so didn't keep it

GG mariposa was an outstandingly comfortable carry. I didn't keep it for 2 reasons: too many draft shape pockets (I just want 2 big water bottle pockets) and it wasn't comfortable with a bear can inside (I acknowledge this is unlikely a problem outside western USA!)....so may be worth a look.

 

[Mole]

Agree Mariposa is massive and overpocketed.

The Gorilla is the 45l+ model to look at. Same frame setup. Does me for a week's food at s time in 3 season use.

 

[M1K3_W]

It's all about the fit. Everyone has different body shapes/back lengths and what one finds nirvana, another finds a pack they tire of in the first few hours. There is nothing like trying them on.

Don't be scared of lightweight, it needn't be uncomfortable. I tote a 1kg pack with 30 odd kg in it for long backcountry trips with the camera gear. What I'd advise considering is how you use the pack. Do you keep the camera in the pack and keep putting it down? This can be unkind to packs and stresses the straps/fabric more. Does your capture clip fit the strap? Some packs have padding too fat.
Do you go into the pack to get camera out regularly? having a quicker closure/opening system may have a big impact.

I don't know a massive amount current offerings as I make my own packs based on the old GG Maroposa but as a camera/hiking pack I made a heavy duty bottom to resist abrasion, made it reasonably waterproof, made a big sidepocket to easily swallow a tripod plus poles and made the top strap a cinch cord for quick access.
Whilst walking, the camera gets carried on a capture clip and I use a padded insert for the camera gear that goes in the very top of the pack.

Some very good points there, hadn't put too much thought into the camera aspect of it. I'll hopefully be using the camera pretty frequently, so having it within quick reach is necessary. I've not yet bought a clip to go onto the shoulder straps, how comfy are they after a solid day's walking? My camera plus lens (Canon 80D + 18-135mm) is just over 1.3kg, so I worry about it becoming sore at around day 5 on the trail if kept there all the time. I suppose the only solution is to try a few out and make a decision after. The mariposa looks amazing but definitely too expensive for a first go about. It'll have to remain as a goal backpack for the time being I think.

 

[M1K3_W]

Some cheap Lightwaves here: https://www.crux-outlet.online/shop/category

I'm sure it's all down to personal preference on fit but my 2p...

I don't get on with the current Exos. I loved the old one but the new wire frame version I find very springy and can't get the weight off my shoulders onto the hip belt properly. It feels like it's always pulling backwards. The levity is even worse. For me.

The Gregory Optic is a very similar design and works better for me, but I did find a seam on the lumbar pad that rubbed on my very boney spine, so didn't keep it

GG mariposa was an outstandingly comfortable carry. I didn't keep it for 2 reasons: too many draft shape pockets (I just want 2 big water bottle pockets) and it wasn't comfortable with a bear can inside (I acknowledge this is unlikely a problem outside western USA!)....so may be worth a look.

Agree Mariposa is massive and overpocketed.

The Gorilla is the 45l+ model to look at. Same frame setup. Does me for a week's food at s time in 3 season use.

I think the mariposa is too expensive for an entry level, as good as it looks.

The litewave ones also look good, thanks.

I'm also fairly boney-spined, so I'll bear that in mind for the Optic.

 

[Teepee]

Some very good points there, hadn't put too much thought into the camera aspect of it. I'll hopefully be using the camera pretty frequently, so having it within quick reach is necessary. I've not yet bought a clip to go onto the shoulder straps, how comfy are they after a solid day's walking? My camera plus lens (Canon 80D + 18-135mm) is just over 1.3kg, so I worry about it becoming sore at around day 5 on the trail if kept there all the time. I suppose the only solution is to try a few out and make a decision after. The mariposa looks amazing but definitely too expensive for a first go about. It'll have to remain as a goal backpack for the time being I think.

I find it quite comfy and it's nice to get it's weight out of the pack. If it's peeing down or I'm on technical ground, it can just go in the pack again.
It can barrel a bit with the long lens but your 18-135 isn't that big/heavy in comparison.

Downside is taking the pack off. The camera dangles and you can dump the pack as normal.

 

[Odd Man]

Some very good points there, hadn't put too much thought into the camera aspect of it. I'll hopefully be using the camera pretty frequently, so having it within quick reach is necessary. I've not yet bought a clip to go onto the shoulder straps, how comfy are they after a solid day's walking? My camera plus lens (Canon 80D + 18-135mm) is just over 1.3kg, so I worry about it becoming sore at around day 5 on the trail if kept there all the time. I suppose the only solution is to try a few out and make a decision after. The mariposa looks amazing but definitely too expensive for a first go about. It'll have to remain as a goal backpack for the time being I think.

You could consider chest pod if you're getting a pack with a hip belt. @slovhike makes a MPX(?) pack, which can used as a chest pod, bum bag or a shoulder bag.

 

[maddogs]

my wife uses a (heavily home modified) Mindshift Gear OutBound holster to haul around her ridiculously heavy DSLR and lens.

e.g. https://www.parkcameras.com/shop/mindshift-gear-outbound-holster-30_9369950m

Two bachelor clips on the shoulder straps and two side stabilizer straps seem to get the weight reasonably well balanced.

 

[Odd Man]

There's a Med Mariposa on sale on FB

https://www.facebook.com/groups/188...eaQYEvMGrHacZZaog5bLfXT7mf-3CN-&__tn__=,O,P-R

 

[maddogs]

Agree Mariposa is massive and overpocketed.

The Gorilla is the 45l+ model to look at. Same frame setup. Does me for a week's food at s time in 3 season use.

Are there loadlifters on the Gorilla? I don't see them in the photos. That, and a sensible pocket arrangement appear to be the main differences....how much difference would loadlifters make I wonder....?

 

[TinTin]

Good suggestions all round so far, thanks. I like the look of the Exped Lightning 60, backpacking light have last year’s on sale for £100 which seems pretty good. I’ll also have a look on the for sale one on the forum.

I think you will struggle to find better bang per buck than that. I have one and recently went through mental gymnastics trying to find something better having convinced myself that I needed more external pockets and might be able to shave 400g of my base weight with a different pack. In the end I couldn't find a clear better pack for my needs. On my back this pack fits in such a way that there is a small air gap over much of my back and I like that.

There is one very dubious Youtube video in which the person who made it says it wouldn't fit him. It nearly put me off but having got one an adjusted it properly I can't understand what he is on about.

Have a look at this one instead on how to fit the pack properly and you will see what a great system it is. Most of the load is carried on the hip belt and I've found that 12kgs is a very comfortable load all day. I've reduced my base weight by 2kgs now so expect to be even more comfortable on my next multi day hike.

 

[Mole]

Are there loadlifters on the Gorilla? I don't see them in the photos. That, and a sensible pocket arrangement appear to be the main differences....how much difference would loadlifters make I wonder....?

There aren't loadlifters on our 2012/3 models.

The frame only goes to where the shoulder straps attach, so I don't think it would benefit, as nothing to lift to? My 2012 Mariposa was the same.

The other difference is capacity in the main bag. The Mariposa I had was just too roomy in the bottom. It sagged too much below the beltline. I put a 2"+ horizontal pleat in it to lose some slack there.

 

[Mole]

I think you will struggle to find better bang per buck than that. I have one and recently went through mental gymnastics trying to find something better having convinced myself that I needed more external pockets and might be able to shave 400g of my base weight with a different pack. In the end I couldn't find a clear better pack for my needs. On my back this pack fits in such a way that there is a small air gap over much of my back and I like that.

There is one very dubious Youtube video in which the person who made it says it wouldn't fit him. It nearly put me off but having got one an adjusted it properly I can't understand what he is on about.

Have a look at this one instead on how to fit the pack properly and you will see what a great system it is. Most of the load is carried on the hip belt and I've found that 12kgs is a very comfortable load all day. I've reduced my base weight by 2kgs now so expect to be even more comfortable on my next multi day hike.

I tried a Lightning on in a shop once, but the central stay rubbed against my spine, and they wouldn't let me bend it to see if it could fit comfortably. So they lost a potential sale!

 

[TinTin]

I tried a Lightning on in a shop once, but the central stay rubbed against my spine, and they wouldn't let me bend it to see if it could fit comfortably. So they lost a potential sale!

I guess that it must be certain back shapes that have a problem. It's a shame they wouldn't let you bend the stay as I reckon that if you had bent it you'd have got a decent fit. In order for it to fit right it does have to be a few mm away from your back between the lumbar pad and the shoulder pads. For me that, when compared with GG packs with insulating foam against your back for example, is a major advantage. I walk hot.