Fantastic, super-light pack with many features - Granite Gear Crown2 60L Backpack

After 4 treks with this pack, 3 to Glacier NP and one to CO, for a total of well north of 240 miles, I think I am qualified to give this pack a objective rating. For the features (hip belt pockets, adjustable belt, side pockets, lid, huge main compartment, large expansion compartment on back, multiple tension straps, daisy chain on shoulder straps, ability to add bungee cords across back and lid, etc. etc.), price, and the incredible low weight (40oz), this pack delivers hands down better than any other. I started out with the ULA catalyst, it is nice but lacks features and is heavier, and much more expensive…they don’t even compare. Yeah, the only feature it lacks that I wanted was a full trampoline back, but the ventilation is MUCH better than the Catalyst, and if you think your back isn’t going to be sweaty wet in any pack after a 3000’ climb to Boulder Pass in GNP you are sadly mistaken. The shoulder straps are just fine (I am 5’ 11”, 190 lbs) and this pack simply molds to my back, incredibly comfortable, and the waist belt is adjustable and comfortable, and the pockets are plenty large. Simply put, this pack is full of features not available in MUCH more expensive packs.

One thing I’ve read in so-called “professional” reviews is that because this pack is very light it will not shoulder loads comfortably if more than 28-30 lbs. This is ridiculous and simply not true. Yes, the padding on the shoulder straps is not luxuriant like many heavier packs, but that doesn’t mean they are not comfortable. In the 4 treks I have done with this pack, the lightest load was 35 lbs at outset (fully loaded including 2L water, 4 days food—we got resupplied on day 5 of a 9-day outing, fuel, bear spray, etc), and the pack rides quite comfortably on both shoulders and hips, conforming to my back perfectly—IF properly loaded and balanced (which is required for any pack to ride well). The latest trek (8 days in GNP) did not afford us an opportunity for resupply, so we had a full 8 days of food. My outset weight was 41lbs, and again, this pack rode quite well and comfortably. If I started getting a bit of tug on a shoulder strap it was because I needed to cinch my hip belt a bit tighter, and the pull went away. I simply don’t have enough good things to say about this pack.