My thru hike starts in six days. Yes six. And I am having to have my GoLite Pinnacle replaced due to "over-tightening"... Well, the seams failed in more than one major location. Customer service was great! Not complaining.
But now I am wondering if I should go with another pack!?!

Any suggestions? Base load from 12.5 to 15 lbs. I am a big guy at 6 ft 220 lbs. I have a 50" shoulder measurement and I have had it since highschool. Its not going down on my hike. What do you guys think?
And please don't say "don't over tighten". I have gained my understanding of the pack. Just concerned about it holding up to the my wear and tear.

I'd recommend going with another brand. I had similar problems with a new tarp from Golite that I returned for another brand. I've seen several people on the board that have had the same problems. Have a great hike!

I'm looking at a Six Moons Starlite, the ULA Circuit, the REI UL 60, and... Well, that's about it. Fully loaded I never maxed out the GoLite pinnacle's volume. I don't even think I passed into the extension collar. I hope this helps.

Thanks Don! I will! I was perusing the forums (Is perusing spelled right?) and have noticed that this is a recurring theme. I guess I should have done my homework better.

I use the ULA Circuit and absolutely love it. High quality and very functional.

I don't think you will be able to get a ULA or SMD pack in six days..You know this right? I mean maybe, just maybe one of them would be able to do something, but I wouldn't count on it.

I hope it works out though!!

Edited by arichardson6 on 03/18/2008 17:50:02 MDT.

I would also cast a vote for the ULA Circuit. I live in downtown Atlanta and Brian had my pack to me in 5 days using regular UPS Ground Shipping--I am sure you could get it faster if you were willing to pay the extra shipping costs.

P.S. - I also have broader shoulders and this pack works well for me.

Good luck and have a good hike!

Thanks Ryan! I am really glad to hear from someone who has wide shoulders. How does it hold up to abuse?

The ULA fabric holds up to lots of abuse. I used a Catalyst (same fabric as Conduit) on my entire AT thru hike last year. I wasn't always careful with my pack and threw it down quite a bit. I sat on it a lot. Fell a lot in Southern Maine. Scraped it against rocks in New York and Maine while squeezing thru tight spots. I'd say it's near bomber and you don't need to worry about it at all.

Matthew,

I have only used it for a couple of trips (I just got it a month ago), but it seems VERY well made and durable. Take a look at the reviews on the BPL site:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/reviews/display_reviews?forum_thread_id=3555&cat=Backpacks%20%2D%20Internal%20Frame&cid=14)

I don't think you can go wrong with any of the ULA packs.

P.S. I just looked at the ULA website and it said Brian has circuit packs ready to ship right now.

So what I'm hearing is the ULA packs are kinda okay? hehehehe...
I will call brian tomorrow and talk to him. I can always have it shipped to Neels Gap.

Thanks guys! With Sunday being a no ship day and monday being a hike day I really appreciate your fast responses!

There are quite a few used ones for sale here and on whiteblaze. They could probably ship really fast. If you can't get a ULA just pick up a GG Vapor Trail.

call up mountain crossings (neels gap store), they usually carry ULA packs in the store. Wenton is really helpful too.

I'd just like to try to discourage you from settling for a Granite Gear Vapor Trail instead of the Circuit. I know it may seem attractive because they have similar capacities and the price is lower for the GG, but the quality is much lower on the pack. I saw a handful of people on the AT last year having to get a replacement from GG, although granted, GG was fantastic about sending a replacement. I hiked with Waffle who replaced his pack 3 times! Surely there are lots of people who went the whole way on pack, but be wary that they can fail. I'm not sure that this is even remotely true with ULA.

Food for thought since I know the Vapor Trail is really easy to come by.

I am really curious to hear more about "overtightening". I am imagining a funny story. Good luck on your hike!

Oh yeah... and you want the ULA pack.

Edited by jbrinkmanboi on 03/18/2008 23:44:30 MDT.

I know you're a heretic if you use the three initials that start with "R" on this forum, but I've had exceptionally good performance out of my UL 60. Great value, tought pack.

But the Codex clearly states:

"...And on the 8th day, He returned all to REI."

Matthew,

I don't know what the volume of the rest of your gear is but I am selling a ULA Conduit that isn't getting much action on the various gear selling forums and I'd be willing to cut you a good deal considering you're a thru hiker. Check it out and let me know if you're interested:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/xdpy/forum_thread/12518/index.html

I've compared the Conduit and the Jam2 and, while comparable, I'd have to say ULA, like most cottage companies, are more mindful of our needs. Whereas GoLite is aiming at the crowd with feature rich products.

That being said, the Conduit is a great pack but I don't think it's the right one for your base weight and trip length. I've been considering what I'd use for 7-9 days, summer, self-supported, and I'm looking closely at the Catalyst.

From direct experience, I'm convinced that the class of frame-less (even stayed) packs like the Jam2, Conduit, Comet are best kept sub-20lbs.

-Michael "sawchuck"

Edited by uberkatzen on 03/19/2008 11:23:11 MDT.

Not so for everyone, Michael! I've carried my Conduit comfortable with loads of 30+ pounds. Many others have, too. I know it's been used successfully on AT, PCT, and CDT thru hikes. In fact, Scott Williamson carried this very same pack on his most recent yo-yo of the PCT. That's over 5,300 miles with the same pack. Andrew Skurka carried his Jam2 almost 7,000 miles on his recent Great Western Loop. There is certainly no way experience hikers like these would use these packs for such great distances if they didn't find them to be more than adequate.

Albeit, those folks are hauling a base pack weight lighter than mine (in most cases) but my experience with a base weight similar to the original poster's (10-12 lbs or so) still allows me to have no problem carrying 7 days food in addition to my gear and still do so comfortably.

I'm not saying this to sell this pack. Someone will buy it. I'm just trying to point out that with the right gear, a 7-10 day unsupported hike can certainly be accomplished using a pack like the Conduit.

All that said, if Matthew is likely to be routinely carrying 30+ pounds, probably be better off with the Circuit over the Conduit. Brian Frankle is a great guy and I'm sure he'll make every attempt to accommodate!

Edited by rswanson on 03/19/2008 12:12:40 MDT.