Thanks for the comprehensive review. I like all the pro points but you're right that the weight and comfort level are downsides for sure. Good luck with your search, which can be half the fun in my opinion. Take care:)
I have the model older than this you're describing. The brain comes off and gives me a fanny pack. Nice hip belt. Pack is on the heavy-ish side, but I love it.
I was always a medium fit, with the new models, seems as though 2022+, I am now a small. With the medium, even on the smallest possible setting, its too big. I have to go small and expand it to the largest setting for a proper fit. Weird.
Ok you hike where and when it may not get to cold..? But hiking in the shoulder season, in Alaska or somewhere similar. Part of the trip is exposed tundra (Durston won't do) 7-14 days without resuplying, fishing gear and the whole business. That can easy become 25kg (55pounds) plus. Are there any ultralight alternatives? I've seen Hypelight Mountain Gear 70 Litre claiming to handle 27kg. That seem just...unlikely? Can it possibly be more comfortable to carry 25 kg plus backpack with the Hyperligh then Baltoro?
Nah, I've hiked (snowshoed) in cold climates as well. Take a look on my Hiking Amazing Trails playlist in the past year and you'll see what I mean. I don't mind the cold, obviously since I am a skier as well, haha. Yeah, I've heard a lot about HMG as well. Reviews are a mixed bag tho- some say they're super light and wonderful, while others say they're uncomfortable and flimsy. Not sure if they would be more "comfortable" than the Baltoro. Comfort is very subjective... what may be comfortable to someone may be terrible for others. I've also heard great things about Granite Gear and Mystery Ranch, so perhaps those would be worth looking into as well
Lol, the whole point of the Baltoro is the ability to haul heavy loads in great comfort. There are many reasons why your low back was uncomfortable. The way you packed, your own biomechanics, the pack wasn't set up properly, or it's the wrong size.
Haha, well comfort is subjective for everyone. What works for some, may not work for others. Those things can certainly contribute and I believe most of those checkboxes were checked. I even went to great lengths on the last trip to make sure I packed lighter and still had to take off the pack & re-adjust multiple times. Very annoying. I also noticed that most serious backpackers don't use the Baltoro due to it's weight. Thru-hikers definitely don't use it. To carry heavy loads doesn't mean the pack also has be heavy- not to me anyway. Unfortunately, I discovered this after I bought the pack
Thanks for the comprehensive review. I like all the pro points but you're right that the weight and comfort level are downsides for sure.
Good luck with your search, which can be half the fun in my opinion.
Take care:)
Total downsides. It was very disappointing to deal with as I was expecting great things with the pack. Haha, thanks!
I have the model older than this you're describing. The brain comes off and gives me a fanny pack. Nice hip belt. Pack is on the heavy-ish side, but I love it.
Oh sweet! I've seen backpacks that have that feature. Sounds like your model was a good one. Thanks for sharing and tuning in!
I was always a medium fit, with the new models, seems as though 2022+, I am now a small.
With the medium, even on the smallest possible setting, its too big. I have to go small and expand it to the largest setting for a proper fit. Weird.
Wow, yeah that is weird. I've heard of the same issue from other people as well. Hope Gregory gets that addressed
Ok you hike where and when it may not get to cold..? But hiking in the shoulder season, in Alaska or somewhere similar. Part of the trip is exposed tundra (Durston won't do) 7-14 days without resuplying, fishing gear and the whole business. That can easy become 25kg (55pounds) plus. Are there any ultralight alternatives? I've seen Hypelight Mountain Gear 70 Litre claiming to handle 27kg. That seem just...unlikely? Can it possibly be more comfortable to carry 25 kg plus backpack with the Hyperligh then Baltoro?
Nah, I've hiked (snowshoed) in cold climates as well. Take a look on my Hiking Amazing Trails playlist in the past year and you'll see what I mean. I don't mind the cold, obviously since I am a skier as well, haha. Yeah, I've heard a lot about HMG as well. Reviews are a mixed bag tho- some say they're super light and wonderful, while others say they're uncomfortable and flimsy. Not sure if they would be more "comfortable" than the Baltoro. Comfort is very subjective... what may be comfortable to someone may be terrible for others. I've also heard great things about Granite Gear and Mystery Ranch, so perhaps those would be worth looking into as well
Lol, the whole point of the Baltoro is the ability to haul heavy loads in great comfort.
There are many reasons why your low back was uncomfortable. The way you packed, your own biomechanics, the pack wasn't set up properly, or it's the wrong size.
Haha, well comfort is subjective for everyone. What works for some, may not work for others. Those things can certainly contribute and I believe most of those checkboxes were checked. I even went to great lengths on the last trip to make sure I packed lighter and still had to take off the pack & re-adjust multiple times. Very annoying. I also noticed that most serious backpackers don't use the Baltoro due to it's weight. Thru-hikers definitely don't use it. To carry heavy loads doesn't mean the pack also has be heavy- not to me anyway. Unfortunately, I discovered this after I bought the pack
😂