Reader Reviews

Rating: 3 / 5

I found this pack to be reasonably comfortable up to 28 lb so long as I don't over stuff it. Nicely designed for an access and usability perspective. Panel loading with a zipper that extends 2/3 of the way down the pack. Some people complain that the zips will open accidentally, but I haven't had the problem. Big side pockets are easy to reach while still wearing the pack. The mesh used for the pockets aren't that durable, but the rest of the pack is quite durable, especially when considering how light this pack is. Ventilation for the back is a bit better than many light weight internal frame packs. The hip belt is fairly wide for decent weight transfer, but the maximum circumference of the size L seems to be around 36 inches without the extension strap which can add eight more inches. I do not find this pack as comfortable as my Vapor Trail. First, the hip belt is sewn into the sides of the pack rather than being a wrap around which I find more comfortable. Second, the shoulder straps are sewn in and not that adjustable. A minor nit which can be adjust with a little silicon sealer is that the straps have a tendency to slip. There is also a size M, and the Seraph which is designed for smaller women. If it carried better I would have given this pack a 5.

Rating: 4 / 5

The Ghost made me a fan of panel loaders. My husband and me have a 2002 model (the blue style). It was the pack that got me into going light. I still use the Ghost on certain trips. I like that I can attach my tent on the outside, so I can pack up everything in my tent in the morning, then jump out and break the tent down. This works well on cold and wet trips.

I often fit my Prolite 3 pad in one of the side mesh pockets, and use the compression strap to hold it place.

I now have a Seraph, which fits me much better. My only issue with the Ghost was the torso size. I am a 15" torso, and the Ghost is a 16-18" torso. The pack starts to slip and slide down my rear after a couple miles. The Seraph is a ladies model, with a shorter torso. It does not have the issues. For my husband, the Ghost works excellent.

While built to last, it isn't comfortable if you get over 27-30 lbs in it. You also have to like wearing your pack like a turtle. I have carried a weeks worth of gear so far in the pack, and still had some space left. I like how I can pack it up, and slowly zip it close, while packing in more items. If one likes stuff sacks, this method does not work well. I do the "stuff and cram into corners" method of packing.

If you can find one in a close out sale, it is a fantastic buy on a great pack. I found my Seraph for under $60 recently.

Rating: 5 / 5

For warm weather in areas where I don't need to carry large amounts of water, this is my favorite pack. I use the original blue 2002 version. The pack is a dream for my longer torso. For those with less than about 17" torso, I've heard the hoop will sometimes rub the back of the neck, an aggravation I have not had to contend with. But for me, the fit is nothing short of superb.

I view my Ghost as my UL "crutch". I have had issues with frameless packs in the past and the simple hoop design addressed them nicely, all for a 2 lb, 4 oz. weight. The hydration bladder ensures that my heaviest item carried (a 2-liter platypus) remains close to my back and beautifully balanced.

I was impressed that I didn't need to trim a single piece of unneeded webbing. The compression system of bungee cord is not the greatest I have seen, but for the weight, it is probably the most effective. It doubles nicely to hold my ice axe in place. Since I rely on a hydration bladder for on-the-go drinking, the small side pockets have not been an issue for me, though others have mentioned they were unhappy with using 1 litter bottles in them. The fabric is especially durable and after about 400 miles (including the North-South Trail of Land Between the Lakes NRA, a 150-mile section of the AT including the Smokies, and the Teton High Route), it looks and feels amazingly like new.

Why Mountainsmith chose to discontinue this gem of a pack is beyond me.

Rating: 5 / 5

I had the plastic snap-buckle on the compression strap of my ancient Mountainsmith Ghost pack break on me. The generic off-the-shelf replacements weren't compatible and I didn't want to cut the strap to replace the whole buckle so I called Mountainsmith. Because the model was so old the guy at customer service wasn't sure which of several buckles might work, so he sent me three different versions free of charge to make sure. You gotta love that. Like the previous reviewer I really don't know why they stopped making such a great pack.