crawford
Trail Wise!
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
Posts: 1,775
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Post by crawford on Dec 21, 2020 16:40:36 GMT -8
I did it...I took the bait. I bought the Granite Gear Crown v2 60L from MassDrop. I've been looking at a slightly smaller pack that is lighter. I pretty much had my mind made up on going with a ULA but I couldn't pass the crown up. Three fellows I hike with use them and I've tried one out before. This version is slightly different as the back pad is not quite as stiff. Because I tried them on I knew my size and I took the plunge. I got the men's regular, 60L with the removable lid, 2.2 lbs, robic material on the body and a 35lb load comfort rating. If I drop the topper (lid) and just use the role top I can get it to 2lbs. If I'm going ultra light I can also pull the plastic internal frame and get it to 1.7lb but doubt I'd ever do that.
My hiking buddies are now ecstatic as they all have crowns. They've taken to calling us the Bag Buddyz, mostly just to annoy me. I do have a small regret so far as I know that if the 4 of us hit the trail and someone passes us, noticing that we all have the same pack in 4 different colors, they are going to think we are weird. They would be correct of course about our weirdness, but it would be for reasons other than the pack.
I plan to add to this after I have a chance to get out with it. I've only done a short walk with it but hope to have some decent weather and can get out for at least an overnight in the coming weeks.
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crawford
Trail Wise!
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
Posts: 1,775
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Post by crawford on Dec 21, 2020 16:43:01 GMT -8
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Post by bradmacmt on Dec 21, 2020 17:46:23 GMT -8
I’ll be curious what you think. I’ve had a couple of GG packs, and never found they fit my body, or were remotely comfortable.
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zeke
Trail Wise!
Peekaboo slot 2023
Posts: 9,877
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Post by zeke on Dec 21, 2020 18:49:22 GMT -8
Having the same pack is no big deal. The 3 of us in the last Canyon hike I was on, all had different versions of the same pack.
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,666
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Post by rebeccad on Dec 21, 2020 21:43:13 GMT -8
Yeah, and we all had the same color, too!
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FamilySherpa
Trail Wise!
Tangled up in Rhododendron
Posts: 1,791
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Post by FamilySherpa on Dec 22, 2020 7:14:25 GMT -8
I’ll be curious what you think. I’ve had a couple of GG packs, and never found they fit my body, or were remotely comfortable. I sort of feel the same way. I appreciate that they offer so many light, no frills packs, at an affordable price, but the 2 i've had just had a flat back panel and the hip belt was made to basically wrap perfectly around a telephone pole. As long as it was a very very light load, i never noticed, but anything 3+ nights and I was suffering.
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crawford
Trail Wise!
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
Posts: 1,775
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Post by crawford on Dec 22, 2020 8:12:08 GMT -8
Having the same pack is no big deal. The 3 of us in the last Canyon hike I was on, all had different versions of the same pack. Yeah, but your hiking friends were cool enough not to start calling the group Bag Buddyz! I appreciate that they offer so many light, no frills packs, at an affordable price, but the 2 i've had just had a flat back panel and the hip belt was made to basically wrap perfectly around a telephone pole. As long as it was a very very light load, i never noticed, but anything 3+ nights and I was suffering. My plan for the pack is for summer use, 4 or less days. Long treks and cold weather will see my Gregory Stout 75 in use. I'll be sure to let you know. I've used a GG pack before that I thought was stiff. When swapping packs with my buddy to try the Crown2 out, he described my Gregory suspension as "hugging his body" versus his Crown as "hanging on his body." I didn't hate the pack, though stiff is a good description. This new version is supposed to be slightly more supple on the back pad, and I found the hip belt a little less stiff. I'm hoping to load it up and get at least 5 miles on in the coming week, though trails here right now are icy, so it won't be on normal trail terrain here in the heart of Rocksylvania.
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Post by bluefish on Dec 22, 2020 9:30:09 GMT -8
I replaced the shoulder straps once and the back frame is snapped in half. Other than a few tears and stains, mine is perfect. :D I've gone to ULA packs, now, but I got a lot of hard and happy miles on my GG.
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Post by johntpenca on Dec 22, 2020 13:38:17 GMT -8
I’ll be curious what you think. I’ve had a couple of GG packs, and never found they fit my body, or were remotely comfortable. Count me in the group. My main issue is the hip belts need more padding and in general just didn't seem to fit right. That said, I hope it works for you crawford . Packs are like boots/shoes; fit is vital; everyone is different. I finally found a perfect pack for me in the Deuter ACT Light 65+10 as recommended by @va3pinner . Not UL, but I'll sacrifice a weight penalty for a pack that is comfortable. Never tried a ULA as I've never found them in local shops to check out. Seems like a pretty popular UL pack.
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crawford
Trail Wise!
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.--Edison
Posts: 1,775
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Post by crawford on Dec 22, 2020 16:27:56 GMT -8
I'll sacrifice a weight penalty for a pack that is comfortable. I've felt that way about my Gregory. Lots of lighter packs, but man that thing fits like a custom built t-shirt that's been slightly shrunk in the laundry...form fit and just a bit tight! Weight isn't everything, but I'm hoping this lighter pack fits me well. Be well John and I wish the merriest Chistmas to you friend. You are one who is often in my mind.
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tomas
Trail Wise!
Posts: 1,906
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Post by tomas on Dec 22, 2020 17:33:19 GMT -8
I finally found a perfect pack for me in the Deuter ACT Light 65+10 I have the same and I love it. Fits great, comfy, and tons of room.
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franco
Trail Wise!
Posts: 2,297
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Post by franco on Dec 22, 2020 18:25:54 GMT -8
they are going to think we are weird Weird can be good. Can you imagine if we were all "normal" ?
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Post by johntpenca on Dec 23, 2020 9:46:34 GMT -8
Can you imagine if we were all "normal" ? "Normal" people are like "functional families": they don't exist except on television.
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franco
Trail Wise!
Posts: 2,297
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Post by franco on Dec 23, 2020 15:37:44 GMT -8
Yes I have seen Everybody Loves Raymond, All In The Family and Married With Children, all too good to be true.
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driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,973
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Post by driftwoody on Dec 23, 2020 15:52:32 GMT -8
I bought the Granite Gear Crown v2 60L I have the GG Blaze 60, and I'm very happy with it. The Blaze is the first pack I've had that tightens the hip belt with pulls from both sides to the center; I really like that feature. It caries very comfortably with heavier loads. It seems very well constructed, though I haven't used it enough yet to attest to its durability. I thought about getting the removable lid, but decided against it. Just returned from my first overnighter since last December. Not quite fully recovered from my severely dislocated & broken left ankle (Aug 2) I only did a few miles in Garden of the Gods Wilderness in southern Illinois. Long days were not in order anyway, given the winter solstice. Weather was perfect, aside from the high winds Sunday night into Monday morning. I'll post a trip report in the Midwest forum after I download and sort through my pics.
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