That being said, is it redundant to use both the Focal and the Flash? To get a clear picture of how these bags compare to each other, you need to look at least 7 specific categories. BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking either of these affiliate links to purchase a Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Windrider backpack at backcountry.com or hyperlitemountaingear.com or a Hyperlite Mountain Gear 3400 Southwest backpack at backcountry.com or hyperlitemountaingear.com. Thanks! Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Save big on Exos/Eja, Atmos/Aura, and Stratos/Sirrus Backpacks. I dont really think it matter with the weights that youll be carrying with this pack. deuter overnight trailspace packs lite sl act The only other pack I was able to do it is granite gear blaze 60, and only on the very bottom (instead of quilt). Theres a set distance between the hydration hose keeper straps that is too short for most accessory pockets that have fixed end points. Gregory Optic vs. Osprey Exos: The 7 Differences You Need to Know, The Airline Most Likely to Lose Luggage in 2022. I thought I had found my thru hiking pack for 2023. 
optic nalehko Or is it not that noticeable. NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. I think you should contemplate whether youre going to regularly push the weight capacity of these packs or remain within their range, and after that, choose the design you prefer. If they all fit you equally wellwhich isnt likely, but speaking hypotheticallythe pack capable of carrying the most weight may be the Flex Capacitor. The hip belt has two large pockets that can be used to store a smartphone and other trail essentials. The only additional parts have to be the pole holder on the sides and the small side pocket for storing your map. The material is strong, yet lightweight and the buckles look good as well. Those are the major differences. Super trip. When I loaded the Perimeter 50 with about 12 pounds of water on the first day of a 45-mile backpacking trip in Yosemitebumping the packs weight over the 40 pounds that Granite Gear rates it to handleI was pleasantly surprised at its comfort. Two tiers of side compression straps make it painless to strap gear to the outside of the pack and the main compartment is large enough to store a BV500 bear canister vertically or horizontally, making it a flexible gear hauler. I am just starting to get into backpacking and am looking for a pack that can function in a variety of trips, from a weekend to 5 days. The back suspended mesh is seamlessly integrated with the hip belt providing excellent comfort. The bag has a suspended mesh back panel that allows for airflow on your back as you carry it. I had a Greogory Wind River internal frame pack decades ago and when the metal buckles began to go I sent it back to Gregory at their direction and they replace buckles plus some straps! When you say lighter gear, your pack choice will depend on what you really mean by that in terms of total weight. New Customer Discount. Materials: 100D and 210D High-Density Nylon with 45% Recycled Content and DWR; the bottom of the pack has 2 x 210D HD Nylon layers. These are well-designed, comfortable packs for ultralighters who want some organizational features of traditional backpacks. The Gregory Focal 58 is a great lightweight pack for multi-day backpacking and thru-hiking on maintained trails. If youre considering a new pack and liked the previous Flash, you may like the new one even more.
Floating lids are great because you can scrunch gear under them that is too bulky to hold inside your backpack. Start with my 5 Expert Tips For Buying the Right Backpacking Pack. See also my picks for The Best Ultralight Backpacks.. They sport six external pockets, including two on the hipbelt and a large, stretch-mesh front pocket, and useful features like shoulder-strap attachments for trekking poles and sunglasses. Thank You! For an extended wilderness hike requiring a week or more of food, parents carrying food and gear for young kids, trip leaders and others, the Mystery Ranch Sphinx 60 ranks among the very best big packs for comfort, access, and features. See my reviews of the Gregory Wander 70 and the Osprey Ace 38, 50, and 75. The shoulder straps and hip belt are covered in mesh with pre-curved padding weather. Ps- wasnt thunder springs amazing? You do not have to worry about feeling the weight of your load, which is important if youre trying to avoid back pain. Youre asking *me* if its ok to have multiple backpacks? Mystery Ranch Sphinx 60$269, 60L/3,662 c.i., 4 lbs. If comfort was top priority ( i know thye are different packs ) what would you say feels better on a trip for sheer comfort. A top-loader with a roll-top closure, the 3400 Windrider is noticeably bereft of features found on many other packs. 15 oz.moosejaw.com. Available in three torso lengths and three capacity sizes, the mens Exos and womens Eja have an alloy perimeter frame with a pronounced bell shape that helps focus the load more directly onto the hipsan improvement thats noticeable on the trail, allowing the pack to carry 30 to 35 pounds comfortably. desired If you have to pack a canister, Id recommend packing it horizontally in the main compartment and closer to your core muscles. Hi Brad, those are good brands, Ive used packs made by some of them and may test and review a pack from at least one of these companies in the future. If youre on the border between sizes, Id try going to a longer torso length. Thats where you want to place your sleeping bag, perhaps tent rainfly, air mat, and other fairly light, bulky stuff you dont need on the trail. Like you said, they are really different packs just curious if you think they are both different and versatile enough to have both in the arsenal? My rating system admittedly tends to favor heavier, more-featured packs, which does not necessarily meet your needs; use the rating as a comparison with packs of similar weight. 4 oz.moosejaw.com. I dont know if you mean young girls or teenage girls, but if you want a pack for young girls, see my links (below the Osprey Exos and Eja review, above) to my reviews of the Gregory Wander 70 (which also fits many smaller women well) and the Osprey Ace packs. And the high-strength aluminum perimeter frame delivers serious support. For carrying loads of 50 pounds or more, I want a pack thats supportive, comfortable, and tricked out. Not a fan of the one sided / single trekking pole attachment. https://sectionhiker.com/gregory-packs-optic-58-backpack-review/. Thanks for doing that. weekend osprey Its hard to stay in business if you give things away on request. Cant say Im that impressed with their warranty, but on balance, a lot of other companies (like the cottages) are even worse. Not awful but not something your body can not sustain for respective days.
Its a great lightweight pack for multi-day backpacking and thru-hiking on maintained trails. or a Gorilla? 
Yes, there is some ventilation but the Flash does not have a large ventilation cavity like the Focal/Facet (or Exos) and is therefore not as good in that respect. Gregorys attention to comfort in its ultralight backpack is evident in the aluminum perimeter wire frame with a fiberglass cross-stay and an HDPE framesheet that lend the pack substantial rigidity, distributing most of the load across the hips. Of the three big packs for big loads on this list, the Sphinx 60 stands out for its full-length front zipper that completely fillets the pack bag open and coming in four sizes in mens and womens packs, along with substantial adjustability to dial in the fit. We also think the ability to carry a large canister horizontally inside is a huge win. You could stand upright with them and have the center of balance of a pack lower. TNFs updated-for-2019 Banchee 50 falls squarely into a category Im calling almost ultralight: barely over an unofficial ceiling weight of three pounds for ultralight packs, but more tricked-out than ultralight competitors, and with a greater weight-bearing and volume capacity than manyas I discovered on a five-day backpacking trip in Yellowstones Bechler Canyon area. Click here for my e-guides to classic backpacking trips. 3 oz.moosejaw.com. Took it out for 8 mile shake down hike with a full 4 day set up. The external nylon fabric is sufficiently durable for trail use, but you can expect to snag and wear holes through the side mesh pockets eventually. camelbak osprey itemvsitem You can also slide it back in, and re-orient it vertically. While the material makes the entire bag lightweight, it also makes it really fragile. Comment *document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a7b09c0d122778a2c4e699519fe1d2f8" );document.getElementById("je705695a8").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); BACKCOUNTRY.COM: Get 15% Off Your First Order. I was wondering if you might be able to provide some insight on this Gregory pack compared to the REI Flash 55. That is HUGE. 
desired The 58-liter size (30-35 lbs max recommended load) is perfect for people who are in the process of replacing their heavier gear with lighter weight alternatives and still prefer a pack with top lid pockets over a roll-top, or lightweight backpackers who need to up to a weeks worth of food in addition to their gear. 15 oz.backcountry.com. camelbak itemvsitem The Focal 58 comes with a speed lid (Gregory calls it an ultralight weather flap), which is just a flat piece of fabric without pockets, that can replace the floating lid if you dont need it. Like the best sub-three-pound, ultralight packs, the 3400 Windrider handles 30 to 35 pounds well, but weighs anywhere from a half-pound to nearly a pound less than those competitors. deuter guide overnight trailspace backpack packs backcountry Hi Michael- really great article and I especially appreciate the decision matrix and testing trip reports!
Before we start, lets get some of the basics out of the way, shall we? Two more notable features: dual side compression straps that can mate with buckles on the opposite side, wrapping completely around the pack; and 330-denier Robic fabric in the pack bottom and front pockets. 
The Anti-Gravity suspension feels more like putting on a jacket than a backpack.