After spending 3 days carrying an uncomfortable 55lb pack that I picked up discounted at REI, I realized I shouldn't cheap out on a pack the hard way. My shoulders and back keep reminding me that today. In your opinion, what is the most comfortable mountaineering pack that is 5500 cu in or bigger?

Dana Design and Gregory used to make some good
load humpers. I can't remember the name of my DD pack, but it's
big, black, and it carries a load very comfortably--It's their
biggest pack. Black Diamond has come out with some pretty fine
packs too, thought I'm not sure if they have one for mammoth loads
like that.

I used to be a Dana Design guy--until they sold out.

I spent a lot of time at a shop recently checking out light and fast packs. I was between osprey and gregory; I went with the osprey and I've been very happy with it.

I'm about to replace my Dana Terraplane *sob* and I think that I'm going to pick up the Osprey Aether 70 because I am happy with their other pack that I have been using. They custom mold the hip-belt and custom size the shoulder straps--and both are gender specific.

Hope that helps.

--Marc

I have had the best experiences with Gregory packs, and I think you can be comfortable with 50-60 lbs of weight in a Gregory. I have a Lassen that I've used for mountaineering. It is around 5000 cu in but has a great suspension that carries a big load well.

Highly recommend macpacs. Very comfortable and well featured.

http://www.macpac.co.nz/go/home


Neptunes carries them.

I gotta agree with the Steves, Gregory makes some nice packs. The Palisades is amazing, the suspension system makes carrying a heavy load a dream.

i have to put in my .02 i think that osprey makes a great pack, i have 2 of them and love both of em. the aether their mid line "backpacking" bag which would work great for what you are doing. if you have some extra cash to burn you could always upgrade to the argon series, the really fancy pants pack. personally i have the aether in an 85L and it is the most comfortable pack that i have ever worn.

Ben

I'm sold on Gregorys too. I've got an older model Cassin (ca. 1983), 10,000+ cu in, pretty dang heavy, but 100+ lb loads feel like nothing. Well not exactly, but pretty comfy. I bought a Gregory Z pack about two years ago for hut skiing. Very light, ~4000 cu in. I love the way it rides so much that I started using it for cragging this past summer, but the lightweight fabrics are getting a little beat. I think the newer model is a little different. They have a whole line of very lightweight models, from small to way big.

The gregory pallisades is really good.

Yep, Gregory packs are top shelf. When I worked for an outdoor retailer years ago I sold quite a few. I own three myself. The Z pack is great for fast and light backpacking. REI has never been too famous for their packs. Osprey are great also. I have one of those too.

Gregory Palasides, man what a great pack. I have used mine for 5 day backcountry trips and 3 day backpacking/climbing trips. Carries 55# plus comfortably. A chipmonk gnawed a hole in my main compartment and I taped it with nylon tape, that was 5 years ago.

It is very important to get it sized right, no matter what pack you go with.

I also have an Osprey pack that I love but it is not as big or as comfy as the Gregory. Great for weekend trips or gear intensive day stuff in the 40-45# range.

I second your thoughts that REI packs are no good, I just don't have the money to replace mine, plus I am good at suffering.

Bummer about Dana. I have an old Astralplane - over the years, it's been with me on a lot of trips. I even spent a week in relative comfort double hauling with that beast. I can't picture anybody wanting to part with one, but it might be worth looking on eBay or something. I love that pack.

Arc Teryx has been making some good large packs. Check them out up to 90L.

I've had my Gregory Wind River for about ten years now, taken it everywhere I've been including seasons in Patagonia, a trip through India on the rail system (your bags take a BEATING doing this), and a two year trip from Mexico City to Tierra del Fuego - not to mention all the hiking and trekking I've done with it in the Sierra and the countless climbing days.

All of that and it still kicks ass today. Cost me $300 in Freeport, ME, 1998, well worth it. I'm a Gregory man for life.

I've had a Wild Things Andinista for about 5 years. Love it.

Maybe it isn't quite as huge as you're looking for. But I've loved the light weight, stripped down style (without going to flimsy-feeling material like some backpacks I've looked at). And the adjustability with the side zippers makes this really versatile.

I'll second (or whatever it is) the motion for Gregory. I have a whitney that I can stuff to the gills and strap a bunch to the outside and it still feels, well, as good as a 75 pound pack can fill.

and a guide friend swears by the largest gregory pack, which you could almost pack your car in.

good deal for the money, too, compared to dana and some of the other high end makers. which doesn't mean cheap.

ultimately, though, it's how the suspension fits your body and how it's padded. you need to load it up and walk around the store for a while, which is why rei is a great place to buy a pack.

I don't know much about the newer Dana's, but here's a link to
a terraplane. . .
http://www.neice.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Co>>>>>

I'll second the arc'teryx post. I've had a Bora 80 for several years, and it's bombproof, holds a ton of weight well, is quite comfy, and will last for many seasons. They make a Bora 95 if you need extra space. Also, the packs are still made in Canada (I believe), so that's a plus. The downside: they're expensive. Also, check out some of their other packs, like the Naos, Acrux, and Needle.

I've had a Gregory Shasta for over 10 years, and love it. They do make great packs. I'm looking forward to getting a Gregory pack with some more modern and lightweight materials. But for a cragging pack, I'm planning on getting a new Arc'teryx Miura 50 when they come out.

Gregory Packs are awesome, I logged over 250 mi backpacking with the Reality in a year. When selecting the pack, note the max recommended weight it was designed for. I found that when out for a two week jaunt, I loaded up on water one particular day, the next camp was dry, and found the suspension was not able to handle the extra weight. I estimated the pack was at least 75# loaded with 2+ gallons of water, far above the max load recommended. I'll buy another Gregory when this one really craps out.

I agree with everyone's disdain for the new DD. Quality has really taken a dive. I spend a lot of time beneath enormous loads for work. I used an ill fitting Dana for years till one of my buddies offered me more than it was worth. I've regretted selling it for 5 years now. Currently I use a Lowe Alpine countour III and find it adequate with the 70+ lbs loads I suffer beneath. BUT, there is a better option. Granite Gear out of Two Harbors, MN makes some incredible packs. I have one of their ultra light packs and have carried some large loads with it for multiple days in the mtn.s of CO and overseas. the carbon fiber suspension sheet is like nothing else I've used. Some how they've made it fit 5'9, 185 lb. me equally well as my 6'3" 230lb. brother equally as well. He has one of their behemoth packs and has used it hard in the MN winters as well as extended trips in Wyoming.

You'd be doing yourself a disjustice if you didn't check Granite Gear out.
http://www.granitegear.com/

best wishes to your back
Tony

I'll add to the list of Gregory fans. You can customize the suspension and hip belt of the high end packs. I have the simple Shasta, and was able to carry 1/3 of my body weight through steep terrain without any discomfort. They come in lots of sizes to get a good fit. I bought mine in person at Campmor, and the salesperson spent quite a bit of time with me to adjust it to fit. I spent more on it than I had planned, but it was worth it.

Kathy