What Backpack do you use?

Since we have several new members on the board, I thought it would be good to see what everyone uses as their pack.
I'll start. My main backpack that I use the most is the ULA Conduit. I also use a ULA Amp for overnight or multi-day warm weather trips.
I'll be ordering a ULA Catalyst later this spring for a two-week trip, which includes carrying a bear canister.
UL

I was just gandering at the Catalyst, it is nice. I currently carry an Outdoor Products 5400cu inch bag that weighs about 4lbs. I only paid $40 for it so im not too upset with the weight.

OMSC... thats actually not bad for weight for a pack of that size. The prob. that I have ran into with the OR packs and most other of their gear is it just don't last. $40 is not to bad of a price, but I have had to replace some of their stuff with as little as 1 use. Generally I rarely could get one seasion out of it. So Even if 5 uses before failure that could add up quick. Hope you fair better than me with the stuff. lol

Its hard to argue when you get such a good deal on a pack. As you continue to drop the weight with all of your other gear, then at some point you may want to change packs, but that should be the last of your big items to change.
Once you get a lighter bag, such as a down bag, and you decide on the shelter you want, then you will have a real good idea as to the size pack you're going to need to put it all in.
The Catalyst is a great pack. Its the one that bostonmtnman and Lew have. They seem to like theirs a great deal.
UL

Do all of you use internal frame. I have an external frame Kelty. It seemed to me most people I saw at Albert Pike had internal frame. I dont want to look stupid. I will try to keep that a secret.

Janet and I both use Granite Gear's Nimbus Latitude. It is a 3800 cube pack. And it'd weight is 3 lbs. 8 oz.
This pack is extremly comfortable. The link above list's it at 259. but I have seen it in the 150.00 range
which is what we bought it at several years ago.

OH

After a long span of time when I didn't do any bping at all I got us back into the sport with Kelty externals. They are ok but after Janet took a nasty fall head first into katy Creek into a large bolder because her load had shifted on her and threw her off balance we sold them on ebay got out internal Nimbus Latitudes and we haven't looked back.

OH

You prob. will find most people like the Internals better as they do fit the body a lot better and have a lot more compression straps and load stays. Having said that, and I do use a Internal as well, I still like the Externals as they will hold the load away from the back. Alowing a much better flow of air. I have about 3 externals that I will use in the warmer weather and 3 Internals that I will use in colder weather. Also nothing will haul the load that the externals will. If you "must" haul a large load go with these. If I had to haul more than 30 or 40 lbs, I would go with the externals. They just handle the loads much better.

OH:
I've heard a lot of good things about Granite Gear's packs. I was looking at the Vapor Trail a lot before finally deciding on the ULA Conduit. I didn't think that I would like a frameless pack, but after using them for over a year, I really like them a lot.
UL

Trail monkey, I like your icon. My wife and I thought we would be cute and go that formation and take our picture. That thing scared the S_____ out of me. I have a picture of me back by the pine to the left.

TM:
I agree. I have had to carry elk quarters out of some big canyons in Colorado and with a load like that, you can't beat an external frame pack for that. It truly is a work horse.
UL

Hey Dfieldhiker... if that scared you... Dont go down to the Goat Trail off the Centerpoint Trail. Rodger wouldn't even go all the way out on that sucker and he had no problem with the Hawksbill. Thanks by the way. If you like the view from there go over to Mcferien Point. Its down by Compton off 43. You can get almost a 280 veiw from there, all the way back down into Erbie.
UL, I still love my ALICE Pack and my MOLLE both. Just for different reasons. I just picked up a Kelty Illiusion, and used it on the BRT on New Years. It to is Dyeenma but it uses a alum. frame. I love that sucker. Just got a couple of mods for it. Uh I belive its around 2500ci and right under 3lbs

I hosted at Steele Creek last March. I looked at the goat trail from the river below. No one had to tell me to stay off that one. I love the Bible Scripture that says Low I will be with you always. I guess I am going to stick with the Kelty for now. I need to focus on a bag.

I LOVE my Alice pack. For rough terrain where bushwacking is the norm, you can't beat it.
BTW, the Illusion is a 3500 cu. in. pack, unless you did some drastic mods.
UL

D:
What bag are you looking at?
UL

Hey UL.. your a fellow External Lover like me check out http://ultraliteskunkworks.blogspot.com/ He is doing some pretty incredable things, but mostly the External Pack is amazing. He is pretty serious and I wish the major bag manufactures would take note of this kind of stuff. If they would gear their gear like this I am sure their sales would spike.

Since I have been gone, I am jumping in with my vote for the ULA Conduit. It has been the best pack I have used I have used in a long time. I use to use a large Gregory Acadia that weighed 4.5 pounds, and now I'm glad that it was stolen. I love to be able to hike all day and not feel anything, its a wonderful time out in the woods.

UL,

I thought that this posted last night but I guess something happened. In response about the Granite Gear packs I feel like with our age, bummer, and bad knees that the wife and I needed a framed pack. We love our Granite Gear packs. Very adjustable and comfortable. Although I would like to look at yours and others that have ULA packs up close some time in the future. I know that they have gotten rave rewiews.

OH

ULA Catlyst and Conduit is what I use. Both are great packs.

Lew

I was just checking out ULA's website and I noticed that the Catalyst is made much like my old Lowe Alpine (original Bolder Colorado) Expidition pack. It has twin alum. stays in the back. I always found it very comfortable. The Catalyst is a much more modern equivilant verson of my old pack. It has the extension collar the only thing it doesn't have is all of the pockets! This looks like a very good pack.. O and the old Lowe pack is made out of heavy Kordura nylon, much heavyier by todays standards.

OH

As UL said, I use a Catalyst and love it. I ordered mine with a single stay, as I am on the border b/t lightweight and ultra-lightweight. However, even for light and fast overnights, the pack isn't overbuilt and doesn't feel like an unnecessary burden. For me, it's just right. :-)

I'm quite happy with my cheap, external frame Kelty Yukon 2900 ci. It is marketed as a youth pack but fits my rather small body nicely and keeps the load away from my back, and the hip support great. It isn't terribly light but at 5 pounds it isn't a burden either. I've carried it for about 5 years now, and have gone through a couple of bags, tents, tarps and everything else in that same amount of time, which just strap to the frame and go. As a bonus I don't have to completely unpack it to get my bag out.

I use a kelty, 5600 cu. inch, internal frame I can't imagine it beeing any better, well maybe lighter.

You know the one thing that I am learning is that a LOT of people have these HUGE backpacks. Dont get me wrong, I have a full MOLLE system direct from Army Surrplys. I may be wrong but I think its around 6000ci. UL will let me know if I am wrong... lol. But I only take it out for either a serious pack trip, ie 2 weeks no resupply, or keep it packed up, loaded for bear and in the back seat of my truck in the summer in case I get the urge and decide to camp out somewhere. My BOB bag if you will. I couldn't imagine toteing that thing for a 2 or 3 or even a 4 dayer. I almost did back last summer but man am I ever glad I wised up lol. To each their own and nothing wrong with this, just WAY to large for my taste lol. Have fun with them and give m hell guys. hahahaha

I got 2. Both internals and prolly heavy cuz they were cheap. One is a Pinnacle??? Don't think they exist anymore and that is the only name on it I see. Guessing 3500 or so. I got it because of several features, compresses straps to pull it forward. Plenty of tie ons outside. It does well for the day hikes I do which involve extra clothes for little boys, picnics, binoculars and whatever. I end up with gallons of water sometimes cuz I am a fan of bringing extra kids along. Seems I paid 70ish for it on sale looong time ago at Sports Authority.

The other I got in a lot form a second hand outdoor store in Greenbrier along with several drybags, and a nalgene bottle that leaked. I asked to buy a new cap and nalgene sent me a whole new bottle..... oops back to the point

second one I find no name on. It would pack bigger with its top designed to extend up but I have never filled it. Bigger but does not cinch down quite as well. Never done an overnight with them. Both seem comfy and for the price I won't gripe... well .. yes I will. They make my back sweat... bad. Been looking at Osprey that are sposed to be good for that. Both seem light and comfy after carrying the 40 lb kid in the kelty carrier. But that beats holding him on the hip or shoulders by a long shot.

I looked at externals but remember them being a pain back in the boy scout days... but ya get what you pay for, and they are better now I'm sure.