My wife and I both use the ULA CIRCUIT and it is my no. 1 in my "collection ". Top out load range is about 35 lbs. I also have an Osprey Atmos AG 65 for longer trips and have no complaints as it carries a heavier load more comfortably. Most extended trips I go on there is little to no resupply. While I do try to shed weight I don't subscribe to the total ultralight theory...I voted the Mystery Ranch 3rd as I know a fellow backpacker who stays out for 3 - 4 weeks at a time with no resupply and it's standard for him to be packing 100 lbs...he swears by the Mystery Ranch...
Is the Granite Gear Nimbus Trace the 60 or 70 liter option, or both? Very happy with the flexibility of my GG day pack, and this seems to take that design to the right level for shorter or extended trips. And look at that suspension system! Anyone know where i could test ride one though?
@DannyMilks it's just knowledge that has been passed down to me by the older gentlemen I camp with. The bugs tend to looks for animals to stick to, animals usually have dark fur. It confuses them. I'm sure there's an article out there somewhere but I'm to lazy to traverse through the Internet to find proof. Anyways the best evidence I can provide would be for you to try this out out yourself, grab a dark shirt or towel while you're out there, put on a tree branch about 6 ft or more away from your camp site. Come back the next day and you'll see the swarm around it.
I added the new REI flash 65 as a voting option since Osprey didn't want to participate. I really like the mesh back and load bearing system for the new REI design. It seems comparable to the Osprey Atmos AG.
I have the Osprey Atmos 65 and I absolutely love it but I'll be totally honest: when I bought this my partner got a 65L EMS brand pack for about $75 less and it has some features that I really wish mine had. Overall I don't think I would change because the netting on the back is really nice and it's extremely sturdy but keep in mind that "store brand" packs and tents from EMS, REI and the like are actually very reliable.
If you go for the atmos, try to get the newer one, with the bigger hip pockets. I sorely wish I'd gotten that one. It's too hard to fish stuff out of the skinny pockets on mine.
The atmos ag65 is actually heavier than its older version. I did some research as I was looking to get the 65 before the ag65 came out. The weight increases by about a lb.
I have the 65ag and it is awesome. Don't have any complains here even if it is an extra lb.