I put up a detailed early review of the Granite Gear Crown VC 60 on my blog. I've summarized the important points here so that you don't have to click over unless you just want more information and pictures (sorry for the lack of pictures here, the forum software is being a PITA).

Measurement and Fit
The following measurements are based upon my pack---a size Regular torso with a Medium hipbelt:

Main Pack Weight - 23.14 oz / 656 g
Hipbelt Weight - 5.68 oz / 161 g
Framesheet Weight - 5.75 oz / 163 g

Total Weight - 34.57 oz / 980 g

True Torso Length - 17.75" / 45.1 cm (from the middle of the hipbelt)
Traditional Torso Length - 19.5" / 49.5 cm (from the bottom of the hipbelt)

Hipbelt Length - 31" / 78.7 cm
Hipbelt Height - 4.25" / 10.8 cm

What I have found is that I wear this pack a little higher than previous ones I've owned, and the wrap-around hipbelt essentially negates my problems with far less tension on the belt than I am used to. For me, the torso length is ideal, and thus the fit is excellent. I do not need the load lifters unless experiencing torso collapse from a heavy load (30 pounds and above, in my experience so far).

Materials and Durability
According to Granite Gear's website, the main pack (the grey fabric) is made of 100 denier ripstop nylon while the bottom and reinforcement sections (the green fabric) are made of 210 denier Cordura nylon (in a taffeta weave). The pockets are made of some kind of stretch mesh.

While I have yet to experience any kind of long-term use of these materials (obviously, since the pack was only recently released), I did have the opportunity to spend some time bushwacking with the pack through nine-year old deadfall and new reforestation.

I can find no evidence of snags or wear on the nylon materials. I was particularly concerned about the stretch mesh pockets, as they caught on several branches, and the right pocket has one small tear, about 3/8" (0.83 cm) long. To be fair, I was at a point of serious frustration with the conditions, and I felt the snag, but pushed on without trying to remove it. I cannot imagine that any other mesh would have fared differently.

Load Carry and Suspension
Granite Gear lists the maximum load capacity to 35 lbs / 16 kg. So far, I have carried the pack on several day hike tests, with normal UL two-day loads (17-18 lbs / 8 kg total pack weight) and one overnighter (28 lbs / 12.7 kg, including snowshoes and 3 1/2 of water). On one day hike, I also strapped my wife's pack to the top, bringing the total to 30 lbs / 13.6 kg.

Without a doubt, in each of these instances, the Crown has carried the load excellently. The Crown's framesheet is made of plastic and generally floppy, but it works very well. I have carried the pack with both the stock framesheet and a folded up Gossamer Gear 1/8" Thinlight pad, and both transfer weight very well to the hips. In fact, I cannot tell a difference in the carry between the two. Since I already carry the pad for my inflatable mattress, the pack weight drops to 28.82 oz / 817 g. In fact the time that I strapped my wife's day pack to the Crown, I was using the Thinlight pad instead of the framesheet, and I only experienced minor torso collapse (due to the fact that I just strapped it on with little attempt to balance it) that the load lifters easily resolved.

I also have an old framesheet with a sleeve for an aluminum stay from an old Marmot pack. After a little trimming, it fits in the Crown's sleeve very nicely. As soon as I can access a friend's drill press, I intend to add some holes similar to the Crown's framesheet so that---ideally---I will only be penalized two ounces or less for the improved carry.

The Vapor Current pad is also robust enough to act as a thin framesheet itself. A careful packer might be able to get by without any frame at all.

Compression and Linelocs
Frankly, the Linelocs seem gimmicky to me. The 3/8" webbing used for the top compression straps would barely register as additional weight if used instead of the Linelocs. The cord supplied by Granite Gear is not all that burly. I don't expect it to abrade quickly, but I don't expect it to last either. It seems to have no advantage over the thin webbing used elsewhere.

No advantage, that is, save one: modularity. Typical 2mm cord fits well in the Lineloc buckles, meaning that I can add lightweight, dyneema cords cut to any length that I need. I picked up a set of buckles from Gossamer Gear to use with Lawson's Ironwire. With spring arriving, I haven't bothered to fiddle with them yet, but it should be a simple process to rig straps for carrying snowshoes on the pack.

Likes
(1) The fit is excellent---especially the long, tall hipbelt.

(2) Modular components. I can configure the pack in several ways according to the needs of a particular trip, getting it as low 23.14 oz / 656 g (no hipbelt or framesheet). While this is not the lightest pack available, it keeps me from having several specialized packs.

(3) Modular frame options. I feel confident that I can easily meet---if not exceed---the 35 lb / 16 kg limit Granite Gear specifies with the framesheet options that I have. I don't like to carry that much weight, but I do need to a couple of times a year.

(4) I just plain like the way it looks. The aesthetics of the pack are really pleasing.

(5) For the weight, Granite Gear prioritizes the right things---proper carry, generous padding, and modular options. It is an excellent feature set.

The Granite Gear Crown VC 60 is a well-built pack with an excellent feature set for its weight. I recommend it.

Edited by GlacierRambler on 04/17/2012 21:53:00 MDT.

You say that the fit is ideal in the regular size but need to wear the pack higher than most.

What are your dimensions?

I am looking to get this pack and i am 6 foot tall 150 pounds, im thinking about getting the long (extra 2 ounces), what do you think?

Edited by bubonicplay on 07/31/2012 09:59:07 MDT.

You can certainly try the Long, but from what I've heard it is good only for those with very long torsos. My torso length is about 17.5 inches, but I also adjust my hipbelt up and down throughout the day to respond to what I'm doing. (I'm also just a half-inch under 6 feet tall too.) Do you know your torso length? That is what matters the most.

Also, you should check out this thread if you intend to use the pack without the frame.

I think im going to go ahead and just order the long version (2oz penalty) but im going to get the small hipbelt so it will even out (i have a 30in waist).

The reasons are because you said that it feels a little short on you, and your almost 6 feet tall. So i think the tall is a no brainer.

One more question, my old (new but heavy 3.9 pound) Northface Terra 45 pack bulges out in the bottom of the pack. There is a sleeping bag compartment which i dont use but there is a lot of extra material in the bottom of the pack.

I like packs that dont sag in the bottom, this is a concern with the Crown VC. Can you cinch up the drawcords so its not so heavy in the hips?

When adding waterbottles to the side pockets i can see a potential problem, as some say its better to have heavy items at the top of the pack to distribute the weight vertically through the spine more evenly.

Edited by bubonicplay on 07/31/2012 13:15:45 MDT.

Have you measured your torso length yet? That's really critical information. Height really does not factor in very much on pack sizing (except for the more extreme ends). For example, my wife is 5'3" and we have almost the exact same torso length.

The pack compresses very well. So if you pack carefully (lots of good advice here on how to do that), you should be able to avoid any problems.

I'd recommend getting a membership so that you can read the articles--especially the relatively recent ones on frameless and internal framed packs. The wealth of information is stunning. You will save a lot more money and time in the long-run if you just go ahead and join. BPL has saved me from a number of poor gear decisions (even though I've wasted my share of cash on bad ones before).

Edited by GlacierRambler on 07/31/2012 13:39:35 MDT.

Ive definitley bought stuff in the past that I thought was ultralight, which it was compared to some of my older gear i had when i was a boy scout.

My 4 pound pack and my 4 pound tent must go though. I am actually in the process of trying to sell both and when my student loan money comes in about a month I plan on saving about 3.5-4 pounds off my base weight.

Edit: I havent measured my torso yet, I looked around for a tape measure no luck.

I honestly think i might just order both packs reg and long, and see which one fits the best. I have also heard that the hip belts are long, so im going to get the Small size on both.

Edited by bubonicplay on 07/31/2012 14:48:37 MDT.

I don't know if you've found a tent yet, but look at the Tarp Tents. Both the Crown and the Tarp Tents will save you tons of weight with no real loss in function or increase in price over traditional, heavier tents.

There are other great UL tents out there too--Six Moon Designs, LightHeart Gear, and ZPacks come to mind. But I've only used the Tarp Tent, so it's the only one I can personally vouch for.

FWIW, I was attempting to switch to the Crown from the Blaze AC 60, mainly because the ~lb difference in weight. I tried both the regular and long torso sizes at my local EMS and sadly found I couldn't fit either one. The Blaze is a similar design, but allows one to dial in a perfect fit with the adjustable frame sheet, the sacrifice being weight and inability to remove the frame.

For the record, I'm 5'11" and around 185 lbs. I've measured my torso to be about 19.5" with a tape measure.

My recommendation would be to just order both sizes from a store like REI or EMS where you can simply return the pack (or packs in my case) in-store. It seems this pack is not necessarily popular, so I wouldn't expect much in-store stock.

I'm still trying to switch to a lighter weight pack myself, and currently have the ohm 2.0 and porter en-route. I found the mariposa 2012 inadequate due to a poor suspension system for the max-weight I might consider.

If I had to chance it I think i would rather have something a little bigger though, rather than something that sits too high up on my back. Plus there is 340ci more space in the "long" version at no extra cost, but a 2oz weight penalty.

Here's some fit information that I hope you'll find helpful. The Ms. and I sold our Exos 58 packs and picked up Crown VC 60s in the Regular and Short sizes.

We found the build quality excellent, the material very tough, the pack spacious and the carry with the plastic frame inside comfortable to 30 lbs. The hip belt is super comfortable and supportive, doing a great job of wrapping around your hips. We also found the shoulder straps sufficiently padded and comfortable. The pack also does a great job keeping the load close to you to maintain a good center of balance. That said, we plan a simple mod that adds support while reducing weight which I'll explain below.

First, in terms of sizing, sizes more like a frameless pack. I'm 6 ft tall, 21 in. torso, 42 in. chest, 175 lbs and slim athletic build, and I'm a long in every backpack I've ever tried from any manufacturer, and yet I got a good fit with the Regular, while the Crown 60 Long was off. My wife is 5 ft 6 in. tall, 18.5 in. torso, and she got the best fit with the Short, yet she's a Medium in every other pack she's every tried on or had.

Second, if you can try different packs in the same size at a store like REI, that would be helpful, as we discovered different packs within the same size had shoulder straps anchored spaced anywhere from .5 in. to 1.5 in. apart, with most .5 to 1 in. apart. Maybe it was just our batches at REI and mail order, but that's what we found, and it can affect fit around the neck/shoulders.

I'm kind of suprised no one has written about or posted pictures of a hoop stay added to this pack - either off the shelf from Gossamer Gear, or a DIY one. The plastic frame sheet in the regular size VC Crown 60 weighs a bit over 5 ounces. Take it out and replace it with a curved GG hoop stay at 3.4 ounces, and you've saved about 2 ounces and further improved weight transfer to the hips.

The only question is whether it's best to make a DIY hoop stay that's as wide as the VC Crown 60 panel, or if it's just as good or better to use a slightly narrower GG hoop stay made for the Gorilla or Mariposa Plus. If using the narrower GG stay, it would probably be best to sew 2 loops at the top of the frame sheet compartment to hold the top of the stay in the center of the pack.

What do you think - narrower GG stay or DIY stay that is as wide as the Crown 60 support panel compartment?

Any suggestions for off the shelf stay choice, or DIY stay material and sources for the material?

You should be able to find it fairly easily at 20% off, bringing the cost down to $160, and Granite Gear is very good about changing the hip belt for you and shipping it out quickly. They didn't even charge us for shipping the belt to me, so I only had to pay shipping one way for the belt I sent in.

Honestly, for that weight I would be more interested in the upcoming Klymit air beam frame than an aluminum hoop stay. I imagine that it would be more comfortable and easier to use for the same weight. It would be interesting to see which one provides better load transfer, but the early results from the Klymit pad-frames is that they do an excellent job while being more comfortable.

Hi Clayton, thanks for posting the review on the pack - it was very helpful. As for the Klymit, I start to get concerned about relying too much on high tech/less durable gear in the field which might be difficult to field repair. How durable are the Klymit pads? Will they fit inside the Crown 60 compartment?

By the way, beautiful dog. Bernese Mountain Dog? Had a neighbor years back who kept his Bernese in his apartment, and despite long outings in the nearby large park, the dog chewed through many dozens of pairs of shoes. I suspect those long outings were more like walks and not runs, and the dog wasn't getting enough exercise or things to do.

Australian shepherd. We love her, and she loves the mountains. If it weren't for the bears, she'd get out a lot more. Thankfully leash laws are generally considered optional here in Montana, so she really gets to run.

As far as the Klymit pad, I totally get your point on the simplicity factor. That alone might make a hoop stay mod worth it. I don't know about the durability so far, but Ron Bell at MLD was impressed enough to start offering them in his Exodus Full Suspension. Still, with the padding on the Vapor Current system, a hoop stay would be simpler and more reliable.

Edited by GlacierRambler on 07/31/2012 21:54:23 MDT.

I just clicked on the link - the Klymit looks nice and very comfy. You summed it up well - I'd only be concerned about durability and extra futzing around. I wouldn't want to have to bring the pump on trips either. I think Ron at MLD makes quality gear with high quality finish, but not sure if he added it because he thought it was a good idea, or because customers asked for it. Just knowing that he chose to use it is a positive vote IMHO, but I'd be very interested in hearing from users how the Klymit pad has held up.

Any thoughts on what type of stay you think would work best?

I like that the Gossamer Gear stay is bent at the top to allow space for the head, but it's a bit narrower than the Crown 60 compartment. Do you think a stay would work better at that width, or occupying the full width of the Crown 60 compartment?

Also, the bottom tips of the stay would have to be bent inward toward the center of the back of the hip belt to follow the shape of the compartment, but that's no big deal.

Funny thing is that I happen to have a Gossamer Gear hoop stay on hand since I've grown tired of trying to solve the Crown's frameless problems and am looking for a different pack. Here is the medium length stay on the size regular Crown backpanel:



As you can see, the hoop stay is the perfect width to anchor into the hipbelt attachment point. Now, this is a little short, so for the size regular Crown, you'd need the large Gossamer Gear stay to reach all the way to the load lifters--the Crown backpanel is 22" and the hoop stay 21.5". I'm not sure which one you'd need for the Women's short, but you can measure and always cut the aluminum short as needed.

The key issue if you tried this (and I think this is an excellent idea) would be to make sure that you have enough tension on backpanel to avoid the issues with collapse that I've had in frameless mode at the weak points along the cutouts. As long as you took care of that, I don't see why this isn't the best of both worlds that I've seen. It would take my Crown down to just under 32 ounces and possibly improve the load carry.

EJ, I am actually planning on getting two thin aluminum pieces (like the gossameer gear frame) and tying it to the factory plastic sheet of the Crown.

I plan on doing so with some lightweight paracord along the sides of the holes. I also think I should be able to drill some extra holes in the plastic to lighten it up some more.

However if i could (and i think i can) just find some rigid aluminum, and bend it just like the Gossameer Gear frame then I could go without the framesheet altogether. It would be cheaper and i could bend it to fit my body how i want. Of course i would need something thick enough to hold its shape and not to bend back on it own

It seems like it should be fairly simple to find a place that sells aluminum like that, or maybe even titanium. Having a rigid backpanel on a pack is much nicer imo. The crown isnt rigid, its just vertically stiff when packed.

Edit: On Gossamer Gear's site they say you can tweak the solid amuminum rod by hand. So i bet we could find something at a metal shop that we could bend to fit the Crown VC 60 exactly. By exact I mean height and width, unlike the GG one that is too narrow but might still work in large.

"First, in terms of sizing, sizes more like a frameless pack. I'm 6 ft tall, 21 in. torso, 42 in. chest, 175 lbs and slim athletic build, and I'm a long in every backpack I've ever tried from any manufacturer, and yet I got a good fit with the Regular, while the Crown 60 Long was off."

EJ, what do you mean by "off" too much weight riding on the hips because of the long torso version?

Michael, what you probably can't see from the photos is just how the framesheet anchors into the hipbelt, thus transferring the load. The frame actually goes in between the hipbelt and the foam of the backpanel. The hipbelt sleeve is the tightly sewn outside the frame so that it gets strong contact and thus transfer.

Therefore, the Gossamer Gear stay is exactly the width needed to go into the pocket between the hipbelt and foam backpanel. It's a surprisingly exact fit, in fact. The only shaping that should be needed for the stay would be to bend it to the shape of your back.

Edited by GlacierRambler on 08/01/2012 01:15:38 MDT.