New member hoping someone of the community could help me.

I have a Nimbus Trace currently and have been looking at the optional replacement hip belts available from the Granite Gear site. Specifically I'm considering purchasing either their Light Belt or their Expedition Belt for times I may want a more secure ride. I would like to confirm whether or not these are compatible with the Trace before I place an order though.

I've tried contacting Granite Gear through their contact us form on the site several times but have not heard even a peep in return about it.


I assume the Trace is compatible with at least the Light Belt (in it's description it says compatible with Nimbus packs) but like I said I just want to make absolutely sure. I'm further wary about how interchangeable the belts are because when selecting the hip belt size for ordering a Trace in their online store they make it seem as though it comes with their Ultralight Belt-which the describe as standard for Nimbus packs-but it seems to actually come with the Vapor Current belt equipped instead.

Would anyone happen to know if either of these belts are incompatible with the Trace for any reason?


Sorry for disturbing the community with what's probably pointless worrying on my part, and thank you in advance for any answers/help.

I doubt the Trace will come with a Vapor Current belt. All Nimbus belts have a beefy grommet in the middle. They attach with a small screw. It's impossible to get a Vapor belt on a Nimbus pack unless you cut/burn a hole in it and install a grommet.

Both the Light and Expedition belts have plastic skeleton as part of them. The Expedition is a full plastic wrap. The Light is only partial. The Ultralight is just padding. I believe most packs in the Nimbus line ship with the Ultralight by default, but that might be different with the Trace.

If you're looking for the Expedition belt, I think I have one I'd sell for much less than what GG charges. Not sure what size it is - I'll look into it if you're interested. It came on a pack but I don't use it. Way overkill for sub-20lb loads.

In short, you CAN use Nimbus belts on a Vapor pack, but you CAN NOT use Vapor belts on Nimbus packs. Frames are different. Attachment systems are different.

Hope that helps!


"I assume the Trace is compatible with at least the Light Belt (in it's description it says compatible with Nimbus packs) but like I said I just want to make absolutely sure. I'm further wary about how interchangeable the belts are because when selecting the hip belt size for ordering a Trace in their online store they make it seem as though it comes with their Ultralight Belt-which the describe as standard for Nimbus packs-but it seems to actually come with the Vapor Current belt equipped instead."

I don't have the answer to your question, but here is my experience.

I needed a new shoulder harness for my old Granite Gear Ozone pack. Went to the website and ordered a small, trim size shoulder harness.

When it arrived I realized that it was the shoulder harness for the new backpacks they now make. It is compatible as in you can attach it to my Ozone pack. However it is much longer than the original and doesn't fit me well at all. So I tried to contact Granite Gear through their website to see if they have the old style shoulder harness. No response, contacted them again, and again without response. I think their website communication is broken.

They don't have a phone number on their web site, but they do on Facebook.
Phone 218 834-6157 (ext 2 Customer Service)
Called them and got a very friendly customer service rep on the phone. She went to the warehouse but could not find any old style Ozone shoulder harnesses. So I think I'm out of luck.

Well it does seem that my hip belt attaches by the screw in the middle you're speaking of, Curt. I would be upset to otherwise learn I bought a Nimbus that isn't a Nimbus. The reason I said it seems like it's the Vapor Current is because what's on my pack looks almost exactly like the picture of the Vapor Current on their site. http://www.granitegearstore.com/Vapor-Current-Belts-P312C22.aspx

If it's compatible with the trace and the right size (I'm currently using a men's medium) I would be more than happy to buy your expedition belt and save some money.



Thanks Katy for that phone number, I'll try giving that a call. I'd believe their website communication isn't working, the site itself seems to give me trouble loading often.

Hi Jason -

My belt is an XL, so I don't think it will work for you. It's in perfect shape, so I think I'll probably try to swap it out with GG myself.

If you Nimbus came with a newer style belt that looks like the Vapor Current, any way you could get a weight of that? I'm curious if it's lighter than the Nimbus Ultralight belts.

Thanks!

Bummer on the hip belt.

I currently don't have any way to measure the weight of mine, but have been meaning to get a scale for measuring ingredients in the kitchen. I'll see about adding one to an order I've been building on Amazon and getting back to you when I pull the trigger.

Well I had trouble reserving a good time to contact Granite Gear by phone, but played a short game of phone tag with them. They're closed currently until the 5th; so I'll find out after that about getting a Light Belt, but I was told in the message they left me that the Trace is NOT compatible with the expedition belt. It was most definitely overkill anyway.

I received a scale and weighed the belt for you Curt. My medium is 215 grams or 7.6oz