Well, it's a soft release, no prices or full specs on all the items. What are your initial thoughts/response on the new Absaroka pack and the UL 240 BPL quilt in the Gear Shop?

Edited by Eugeneius on 04/30/2010 13:29:50 MDT.

Vapr Bivy as well.

I'm planning on picking up the quilt, but being a south eastern resident of the US, I think the pack is not geared towards our climate. That said, it looks like a great pack for 3 season for the Western part of the country. Should be a great pack for Winter CDT and PCT hikes.

but being a south eastern resident of the US, I think the pack is not geared towards our climate

Details? I'm in GA but plan on probably picking up a couple to try out.

quilt is cool, so is bivy if it weighs in a projected. but not too pumped about the pack. there are many better options in 2lb range. IMO. i mean just get a tried and true vapor trail. its got the removable hipbelt, frame, padded backpanel, large stretchy pockets, probably cheaper too. just my $.02

Edited by benwood on 04/30/2010 13:35:30 MDT.

The pack looks great--super simple yet comfortable

From the desciption it seems like it is intended for larger volume gear like synethic quilts and synthetic winter clothing like the BPL line.

I don't find that our winters with the exception of this year's, warrant the need for all synthetic clothing or large loft synthetic quilts, so for me it would simply be too large of a volume pack.

Like I said I believe it would be an excellent choice for those doing harsher winter hiking, and even for those up north on the east coast. This would be a great pack for winter in NY, NH, VT, ME, CT, PA, and MA where you are going to get more snow and wetter conditions.

I am in no way putting the pack down, just simply stating that I don't see the need for such a large dry pack here in the South even in winter.

I will be very interested to see the smaller version when it comes out, and will definetly be grabbing one of the quilts and the bivys.

I like the new pack and quilt.

I would much rather see the BPL Artic Dry Pack back. Much more innovative.

Coming from a tall guy. I wonder what the torso sizes it will support. Maybe it's on there and I'm missing it.

jake, i agree with your statement as i am in the southwest. not really a pack for our needs. if i lived in the areas you mentioned, it may be a good pack. i just think the market is already full with 2lb packs that can hold alot of gear.
i don't believe that ryan and co. have the BPL store as first priority or they would simply be a cottage manufacturer. don't get me wrong, i like BPL and the community that comes with it, just saying...

Yes, it's a larger volume pack but keep in mind this version is designed for thru-hikers so it's designed to compete with something more like a ULA Circuit or even the current Jam which has no frame.

Edited by simplespirit on 04/30/2010 14:27:43 MDT.

I am looking forward to more details on the quilt.

I like what I see so far in the new pack. I am not ultralight but have been reducing the weight and volume of my gear and think that dropping down to a 45L pack can save me another 21 oz. From the photos, I couldn't tell if there were attachment points on the straps.

in the specs, the pack i s much smaller than the circuit, heck, its smaller than any of ULA's packs!
assuming typical BPL prices, i don't think it will be anything great. it would have to be less $ than the circuit, imo. the BPL pack is 4oz lighter, so that's a plus. the OHM has suspension, larger volume, great compression, more pockets and is lighter.
as to the vapor trail, the VT is heavier, but it can easily be trimmed down to the same weight, it has similar features and definately cheaper. spec-wise the GG arete is closer to the BPL pack and costs all of $100.
the gorilla has almost the same volume, toughness, removable hipbelt and frame, much lighter weight, and very well trail tested, plus you can call grant at gossamer gear directly for thoughts, advice, and info.
this list could go on with SMD, osprey, REI and the like.

i'm not saying its a bad pack, it might be a great pack. my point is just that the market doesn't really need what this pack is offering. going by the price of the nano tarp, i would expect this pack to be well over $200 and i think their are plenty of offerings to match it.

this is just my $0.02 so please don't think its worth more than that-
ben-

The pack seems like a great transitional pack for people moving to UL, and seems very feature-rich for the wt.

That being said, I can't see many of the regulars here replacing the lighter packs they're already carrying for one of these. As competition to ULA's offerings, I think BPL is being smart. ULA is selling like hotcakes.

For my part, I'm constantly finding the Gorilla the perfect size, yet still too heavy for my needs. I can easily carry my gear + a week of food in the summer without compressing my quilt, or my winter gear+week of food with compression.

I just cant see myself ever needing more than 45L. I bought and sold a Starlite because I realized it was useless for me (and not comfortable for my back).

I really like the quilt. One of these might end up in my gear collection.

The pack looks nice, but I think I'd prefer the ULA Epic.

The bivy also looks good, but I still prefer my Titanium Goat Omni-Zip bivy.

Just my thoughts.

That is a beautiful pack. Well designed, well-sewn, solid. Those big side/ front pockets are something innovative... though I'm a little unsure about accessing water bottles while walking. My initial doubts about the pack have dissipated. Looking forward to learning more about it.

Miguel: but be honest, are you even remotely considering buying it? ;)

Recommending it yes. Obviously. ;)

If I needed another pack, I'd consider buying, yes. But after cutting away all extraneous gear over the last four months I don't want to get back to gear hoarding. I've only just weaned myself of gear dependence! The withdrawal was simply awful! Late night sweats, chewing my fingernails, banging my head against the walls, sudden cravings for stuff sacks, inexplicable desires to lie down on the floor and measure torso length, etc...

Though shalt not tempt me, Oh Gear Fiend!