ISO Lightweight Backpack

[cjward]

I currently have a 38L Gregory Jade small (as recommended by the fine folks at my local REI). I really appreciate the frame as it offers great back suppprt (spinal fusion). However it weighs 2.98–let’s just call ot THREE POUNDS! I think the 35L is the same due to the frame. Any recommendations for a 32-35L that weighs less? And has a good back supporting frame? Many thanks in advance for all replies

 

[David]

Osprey Talon 33? 2.2 lbs.

 

[C clearly]

I love my Osprey Talon 33 but I don't think it meets your frame requirement. Maybe that accounts for the extra weight.

What do you mean by ISO?

 

[cjward]

I love my Osprey Talon 33 but I don't think it meets your frame requirement. Maybe that accounts for the extra weight.

What do you mean by ISO?

In Search Of (ISO)

 

[C clearly]

In Search Of (ISO)

Ah! I should have googled. But I was too fixated on International Standards Organization, and didn't think they had a standard for back packs!

 

[rogersoncharles1951]

I currently have a 38L Gregory Jade small (as recommended by the fine folks at my local REI). I really appreciate the frame as it offers great back suppprt (spinal fusion). However it weighs 2.98–let’s just call ot THREE POUNDS! I think the 35L is the same due to the frame. Any recommendations for a 32-35L that weighs less? And has a good back supporting frame? Many thanks in advance for all replies

IBe used a Berghaus 35 L for last five years now with airflow back support excellent will be using again this June for 3 weeks from Logrono to wherever I get to my 18 th Camino trip over last 11 years now reached 70 years young so slowing down a shade but still have urge and appetite for another.

 

[cjward]

Osprey Talon 33? 2.2 lbs.

IBe used a Berghaus 35 L for last five years now with airflow back support excellent will be using again this June for 3 weeks from Logrono to wherever I get to my 18 th Camino trip over last 11 years now reached 70 years young so slowing down a shade but still have urge and appetite for another.

What does it weigh?

 

[CarolamS]

I use an Osprey Eja 38L and remove the brain for Camino trips as I don't need to use it. Minus brain it weighs 900g and has a frame. It's women specific, the mens version is called Exos. Well ventilated and easy to reach water bottles in spacious side pockets. No hip pockets but I prefer using a separate lightweight belly-bag.

 

[KCP]

I use an Osprey Eja 38L and remove the brain for Camino trips as I don't need to use it. Minus brain it weighs 900g and has a frame. It's women specific, the mens version is called Exos. Well ventilated and easy to reach water bottles in spacious side pockets. No hip pockets but I prefer using a separate lightweight belly-bag.

I love my Gregory Jade but recently purchases Osprey Ejo 38L (mine is a small so only 35L). Am very happy with the fit and the fact that it is a pound lighter than the Gregory.

 

[JerryStroebele]

I have used 2.2 - 3.2 lb framed backpacks for my Caminos until last fall. On the Frances in September and October I used the Z-pack Nero 38 L DCF. 10.9 oz/308 g. (!!!) No frame. To it I added 2 padded belt pouches (2 oz), 2 stick-on key zip pouches (inside), 2 oz total, and one shoulder bottle holder 1 oz. So, right at one pound. But expensive. I found if I could keep the weight right at or under 16 lbs it was comfortable without a frame. Over that, not so great. It's all about how much water you have to carry. The external back padding just pops right out of the bungees holding it. Great for sitting down on spiky grass, small rocks. Buen Camino

 

[Anniesantiago]

I have a 30L Jade that I like.
Recently I purchased an Arcteryx Brize which is very streamlined and is 32L.
It is a top loader, which I love, and I plan on taking it on the Camino in May and September.

 

[TaijiPilgrim]

Ladies who have the Osprey Eja 38. Coudl you tell me if you have the same issue I had with the pack? My problem was with the hip support. On me, both sides stuck out like wings and every time I swung my arms walking they rubbed against these hip wings. I really wanted to like the pack but I had to return it. Was this just me? Did you have this problem? How did you fix it? Thanks.

 

[CarolamS]

Ladies who have the Osprey Eja 38. Coudl you tell me if you have the same issue I had with the pack? My problem was with the hip support. On me, both sides stuck out like wings and every time I swung my arms walking they rubbed against these hip wings. I really wanted to like the pack but I had to return it. Was this just me? Did you have this problem? How did you fix it? Thanks.

I know what you mean but haven't found it a problem. I always walk with poles so maybe that makes the difference

Although technically I should use the medium size I swapped it to a small which felt much more my size. I bought both and tried them at home then returned the medium. I filled them with the kit I planned to take and could take my time comparing and deciding. My base weight is around 5.5kg.

 

[JZA]

I currently have a 38L Gregory Jade small (as recommended by the fine folks at my local REI). I really appreciate the frame as it offers great back suppprt (spinal fusion). However it weighs 2.98–let’s just call ot THREE POUNDS! I think the 35L is the same due to the frame. Any recommendations for a 32-35L that weighs less? And has a good back supporting frame? Many thanks in advance for all replies

Osprey for me. 33l Talon and their 4l bumbag. I have a back problem (ruptured L3) so the excellent waist strap is vital. I also like the ”stow and go” system for the walking polls.

 

[cjward]

I use an Osprey Eja 38L and remove the brain for Camino trips as I don't need to use it. Minus brain it weighs 900g and has a frame. It's women specific, the mens version is called Exos. Well ventilated and easy to reach water bottles in spacious side pockets. No hip pockets but I prefer using a separate lightweight belly-bag.

What’s a “brain”? (Other than the leaking one inside my own skull)

 

[TaijiPilgrim]

I know what you mean but haven't found it a problem. I always walk with poles so maybe that makes the difference

Although technically I should use the medium size I swapped it to a small which felt much more my size. I bought both and tried them at home then returned the medium. I filled them with the kit I planned to take and could take my time comparing and deciding. My base weight is around 5.5kg.

Thanks. I was trying out the small -with and without poles - didn't seem to make a difference. This seems like a design flaw in the pack - especially for small women like me. I have used a Osprey Talon 33 and now a Tempest 40 because these hip wings on the Eja did not seem like a problem I could resolve.

 

[CarolamS]

What’s a “brain”? (Other than the leaking one inside my own skull)

It's the pocket lid section. On the Eja it unclips leaving just a flap cover.

 

[C clearly]

What does it weigh?

A few ounces of weight are much less important than how THAT backpack distributes the 6-8 kg of pack contents, on YOUR body and your walking style.

My problem was with the hip support.

This seems like a design flaw

It sounds like this pack is not right for your body.

Sometimes it might seem silly that there is such a huge selection of packs with seemingly trivial design differences. But what fits one person just right may drive another person crazy!

 

[Grace3808]

Traded an Osprey for a Z Pack. 19oz and waterproof, no rain cover needed!
It’s minimalist but has been comfortable last 2 caminos. Good luck!!

 

[CarolamS]

In the UK Atompacks make UL backpacks. I have their belly-pack (called a Roo), it's well made and very light.

 

[KCP]

Ladies who have the Osprey Eja 38. Coudl you tell me if you have the same issue I had with the pack? My problem was with the hip support. On me, both sides stuck out like wings and every time I swung my arms walking they rubbed against these hip wings. I really wanted to like the pack but I had to return it. Was this just me? Did you have this problem? How did you fix it? Thanks.

I noticed they stuck out a bit but they don’t bother me at all when I walk. Have been training with the pack a couple of weeks now. One caveat though is that we are having a cold winter so I am walking in a bunch of layers.

 

[Sheesh]

An important consideration is the height of the pack, as it could interfere with the rear brim of any hat you may be wearing. This happened to me on my first trek and I had to pin up the rear brim; the hat never sat well as a result.

 

[JerryStroebele]

Amen. That was a surprise to me. I wore a full brim sun hat for the first time last fall and noticed the interference. So I bought a super light baseball cap by Salomon in an outdoor store, I think in Santo Domingo de la Calzada. I also carry a superlight umbrella for both rain and shine, so really did not need the sun hat. Buen Camino

 

[Blister Bill]

Can't recommend enough AARN packs. Discovered completely by accident as couldn't get any other pack to fit when going on my first Camino (male 6'3") Have used the Natural Exhilaration on my caminos. Ok the colours are ugly and the front pockets (which are perfect for all your Camino bits and pieces) will result in plenty of mammory jokes but having had back issues i found this the perfect Camino option. Comes in two sizes (S=33 Ltr and L =36 Ltr) and very adjustable. The balance pockets add extra valuable space ( camera, phones, guides/credentials, water, hats sun block etc) and are easily detachable for sightseeing. Have a look at the design concept which is key. https://www.aarnpacks.com/collectio...s/natural-exhilaration-short-long-backlengths

 

[ken2116]

I currently have a 38L Gregory Jade small (as recommended by the fine folks at my local REI). I really appreciate the frame as it offers great back suppprt (spinal fusion). However it weighs 2.98–let’s just call ot THREE POUNDS! I think the 35L is the same due to the frame. Any recommendations for a 32-35L that weighs less? And has a good back supporting frame? Many thanks in advance for all replies

The effect of pound more or less matters less than how well the pack fits and transfers its load to your body. Be prepared to audition a number of them, properly adjusted and loaded with the weight (and distribution) you will carry.

 

[maruska89]

I use an Osprey Eja 38L and remove the brain for Camino trips as I don't need to use it. Minus brain it weighs 900g and has a frame. It's women specific, the mens version is called Exos. Well ventilated and easy to reach water bottles in spacious side pockets. No hip pockets but I prefer using a separate lightweight belly-bag.

I ended up with the men's exos version because it fit me better and love it! It's a 48L but I won't fill it and it's the perfect size for my overnight backpacking trips. I have't hiked with it yet but it will be coming with me on the VDLP in April. Good luck choosing and buen camino!