Favorite UL pack bag design ?

[kevin_t]

Lots of designs out there, and a lot of similarities. Which are your favorites and why ? Exclude packs over 3 lbs and frameless packs.
Thanks

[JDZ]

Pack bag, with a frame, under 3 lbs? Does such a thing even exist?

Edit: I guess an Unaweep without a Talon might be under 3 lbs. Maybe I am misunderstanding the question.

[kevin_t]

A Ubaweep does without Talon or in cuben , but the question is more about other pacls like granite gear , ula , osprey or any other that has a backpacking pack under 3 lbs

[mankind117]

Besides the unaweep which has become hands down my favorite pack another framed pack I found I like is the Aquilo pack from another small company Elemental Horizons. It uses a simple inverted-U tubular aluminum frame and a sleeve you can put a pad in. What sets it apart from the other companies (think Gossamer Gear) that use a similar tubular aluminum is that it is well seated in the bottom of the pack right where the hipbelt attaches to the pack and goes all the way to the top where the load lifters attach so it does a good job with load transfer. The pack is about 2.5 pounds, about 50 liters, lots of external storage, usable water pocket bottles when the pack is full, and is the 2nd most comfortable pack I have used after the unaweep. That said if I had to carry more than 25 or 30 pounds I would take the unaweep. I've tried other packs from osprey, ula, and granite gear but none I've wanted to keep especially after discovering the unaweep and the elemental horizon packs.

[WanderingVenturer]

While, at 4+ lbs, it is a bit heavier than your 3 lb limit, I really like the approximately 5,000 ci Mystery Ranch Deep Trance. For its size, it carries heavier loads (up to 50+ lbs) incredible well. There are 3 things I really like about the Deep Trance.
1. The large external stretchy mesh shove-it pocket is great for storing anything from TP to wet a water filter or an extra layer on days that you are constantly taking it on and off.
2. It has an internal compression strap that goes over the inside at the top of the pack and then two cinch draw cords, one at the top and one at the bottom of the spindrift collar. This makes for a very flexible and tight combination, especially when not using the removable lid.
3. The two compartment removable lid is very light weight and utilitarian. The one pocket can easily be reached while wearing the pack to allow access to snacks, etc., without taking the pack off.
Downsides: A) it is no longer being made and is only available on the secondary market. B) The compression straps are not very useful when carrying very small loads.

[mtluckydan]

The ku packs from kifaru with internal frame fit the bill. I have ku3700 and ku5200 models and both have there place. I think I favor the ku5200 for hunting - more room for clothing and gear and also the beefed up belt. They are discontinued now, but available used. Definitely not as durable as some other fabrics, but to get below the 3 lb mark it is necessary to use lighter fabrics.

[RPJR]

I do like the pack bag design of the ULA Catalyst. It's got a really big mesh pocket in the back, which is great for storing wet tents, rain gear, etc. It also has really big, angled water bottle pockets, and really big hip belt pockets.

Perhaps my favorite feature are the bungie cords that attach to the shoulder straps…great for Smart Water bottles (or perhaps a can of bear spray). They even have arm rests that connect to the shoulder straps….If you don't use trekking poles you can just slide your hands through these things and rest your arms while walking. If you do use poles, just detach them and leave them at home.

It's very easy to access items with this pack without having to take it off. It doesn't carry as well as a Paradox, but the pack bag is a good design.

Another feature I've always liked is the trekking pole "stow and go" system on most of the Osprey packs. It's a great feature for very little weight.