Getting ready to purchase a new light backpack

Looking for a good all around pack. My son and i usually do weekend trips, but are planning some longer range hikes next year ..

so far my research has led me to ULA packs and GG packs

I really like VC Crown and the CDT ..

What are the pros and cons of these packs ..

Thx for the input

Those seem like very different packs. The Crown is a framed pack weighing it at 2 lbs., 2.6 oz (my scale). The CDT is a frameless pack that is much smaller and is spec'ed at 21 oz. ULA is a phenomenal company that does great work. My Crown is well-built as well.

Here's a thread talking about the pros and cons of the Crown if you're interested. I'll give a hint, it doesn't work in frameless mode. That said, I think my opinion is more positive again after getting over the initial disappointment of its problems without a frame.

Well the CDT is the smallest of the ULA packs and is frameless.

The GG Crown is larger and framed.

Kind of like an apples to oranges comparison.

Unless you are very small on volume I don't see doing longer trips with the CDT.

Thx for the input ... I'm new to going lightweight and honestly thought those packs to be similar .. thx for the education!

On closer inspection the ULA OHM is more in line with the specs of the VC crown I'm thinking

Just buy both, load them up, and walk around in them. Return the one you like the least. With the Crown, I'd consider getting an aftermarket pocket or two.

From my experience trying these out, the Crown has a more rigid frame and will allow you to comfortably carry ~35 pounds. The ohm 2.0 has much better features, is around 8 oz lighter, but has a weaker suspension (uses a thin aluminum hoop stay), with a carry limit of more like ~25 lbs.

Edit: I should further specify that I think most of the +25 lb problems with the Ohm's suspension arise from the hipbelt to pack connection point, which is 2 sided velcro. When sufficiently loaded, it seems the belt starts to twist at this point, which results in the loss of rigidity and weaker load transfer. Maybe the original Ohm would work better with the sewn in hipbelt?

Edited by mikehaf on 08/30/2012 13:24:58 MDT.

My experience with both is much different. I could fold the Crown's suspension and found the Ohm's suspension much more stiff.

You might as well just get a medium or large zpacks zero and be done with it. With no features it about half the cost AND weighs in at 5-8 oz depending on features.

Think about how much weight you are going to carry.
I find the CDT works very well and comfortable with a thin closed cell foam pad as the frame. But I usually keep my total weight between 20 and 25 lbs.

It does matter how you pack it. It helps to really cinch down all the straps to stiffen things up.

It is more durable than the SUL packs and handles the abrasions quite well, except the mesh pocket, which is understandable.
I do like the mesh pocket a lot and would never want a pack without one.

I second what brooklynkayak said. I really like my ULA CDT, especially for loads not more than 25 pounds. Usually my base weight is no more than 10 lbs. and in such cases, the CDT fills the bill.

The Ohm's suspension is a two carbon fiber rods with a flexible plastic rod (delrin) joining them with a hoop. It's very stiff as CF cannot bend much without breaking. Part of what makes the Ohm carry well is that the hipbelt is really stiff vertically but has some nice cushioned padding where it wraps around the hips. The frame works well if it fits the shape of your back, but I found that my shoulders pushed the top of the suspension back, causing the pack to lean backwards.

The Crown has a high-density polyethylene framesheet that is very flexible, but I find it carries well up to around 30 lbs. I haven't gone beyond that with it yet. Part of what makes the Crown carry well is that the side panels of the fabric are curved in a slight "S" shape (similar to the side shape of the Gossamer Gear stay, though less pronounced). This makes the pack hug the back well and gives it traction in the lumbar. The other part of what makes the Crown carry well is the hipbelt. It's fantastic--comfortable and supportive.

I found the GG hipbelt to be better than the ULA belt. But if I could figure out how to get the ULA suspension to fit my back better, I would go with it--hands down.

About the same weight as the Crown, I have the lighter older version of the Circuit, very comfortable at 25-30 pounds, more comfortable than my 2003 Mountainsmith Ghost..

The carbon stays on the ULA's Are stiff. The connection to the hoop is not.



So how does the top of the pack transfer load to the stiff stays? (This is an early Ohm.)

Edited by greg23 on 08/31/2012 20:06:20 MDT.