Bob
2005-02-12 19:48:11 UTC
Owner's Review: GoLite Breeze
Personal Information
Name: Bob Sanders
Age: 47
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight: 180 lb (81.6 kg)
Torso Length: 22 in (55.8 cm)
Email: sherpabob(at)mac(dot)com
City: Boulder, CO
Date: 02-12-05
Backpacking Background:
I went on my first backpacking trip as a Boy Scout at the age of 16. We
hiked about 60 mi (96.5 km) of the Appalachian Trail through West
Virginia. I was hooked. Over the years I have hiked the Wonderland
Trail in Washington and section hiked parts of the Florida Trail and
the Appalachian Trail. In 2003 during a 7 week period I hiked over 700
mi (1126 km) of the Pacific Crest Trail. Best vacation I ever took. I
continue to backpack and hike year round in the Colorado mountains.
Backpacking Style:
I have evolved from a heavyweight backpacker to a lightweight
backpacker. The equipment I choose to carry is determined by season,
weather conditions, length of trip, total mileage and if I'm hiking
solo or not. My 3 day summer, solo adventures (using a hammock) have me
hovering around 15 lb (6.8 kg) total weight including food. I backpack
because it is fun. If I am uncomfortable than I'm not having any fun.
So my main criteria is a balance between weight and comfort.
Product Information
Manufacturer: GoLite
Year of Manufacture: 2003
Manufacturer Website: http://www.golite.com
Listed Weight: 15 oz (425 g) size large
Measured Weight: 15.5 oz (439 g)
MSRP: $69.99 current price
Product Description
The GoLite Breeze is a very basic rucksack with no suspension and no
hip belt. The design of this pack is an adaptation of a pack that Ray
Jardine originally designed before his PCT thru hike back in 1992. It
is designed for an ultralight mindset. It is not designed for loads
above 20 lb (10 kg). Conventional, heavyweight equipment will not fit
in this pack.
The pack consists of a main top loading bag constructed of Spectra®
Gridstop fabric. There is a large mesh pocket on the front and a
smaller mesh pockets on each side. There is no top lid on the pack but
there is an extension collar that rolls down and secures with a single
strap. The website lists the entire volume of this pack, size large
(main bag, 3 pockets and extension collar) at 3950 ci (64.7 L). I think
the true volume is closer to 3600 ci (58.9 L). The reason I say this is
because when the extension collar is fully extended the pack is
extremely top heavy and very unstable. So with the extension collar
only half full I estimate about 3600 ci (58.9 L).
The current model is available in sizes medium and large. The only
color currently available is black. The fabric is basically black with
white threads running horizontally and vertically every 1/4 in (0.63
cm) or so. Giving it a pleasing checked pattern.
Field Information
Location for Testing: Southern California along the Pacific Crest Trail
Description of Use: I bought the pack to use for training before and
during my section hike on the PCT. I carried this pack for approx. 400
mi (643 km) of the 700 mi (1126 km) I hiked. Switching to a G4 later in
the trip. Explained in the review section below.
Hiking Conditions: Southern California has varied terrain ranging from
desert to high mountain passes. I experienced temperatures between 100°
F (37° C) to 30° F (-1° C) and elevations from sea level to 10,000 ft.
(3,048 m)
Owner Review
During the planning for my PCT section hike I did a lot of research on
the web and read Ray Jardine's book "Beyond Backpacking". I was
convinced I needed to lighten my load. So I bought this pack to train
with during my daily walks. Every week I increased my mileage and the
weight in the pack until I was up to 15 miles (24 km) and 20 lb (9.1
kg) in the pack. It was a good test of comfort and load capacity before
hitting the trail.
Comfort: I bought the large size pack to fit my 22" torso. Since there
is no suspension I used a Ridge Rest sleeping pad unrolled inside the
main bag. This helps give the bag some rigidity when it is loaded with
gear. The pack rode well on my back with the bottom of the pack sitting
in the small of my back. The shoulder straps are the least comfortable
part of the pack. They are not very wide and not very thick. Since
there is no hip belt your shoulders carry all the weight. After a 20 mi
(32 km) day with a 20 lb (9.1 kg) load my shoulders were very sore. At
15 lb (6.8 kg) the pack is tolerable all day. Above that I saw the need
for a hip belt. I modified the pack by adding a simple 2 in (5 cm) wide
web hip belt. Now it was comfortable to about 20 lb (9.1 kg).
Construction and Durability: The pack is well made and the Spectra®
Gridstop fabric is very durable. All stress areas are reinforced with
extra bar tacks. I was originally concerned with how well the mesh
pockets would hold up. They have also proved to be very durable. The
two side pockets are perfect for water bottles small items and snacks.
Since there are no compression straps on the sides, anything long, like
tent poles need to be stored in the larger front pocket or on top under
the top strap. The large mesh front pocket is perfect for anything wet
(tarp, tent fly) and for quick access to rain gear.
Capacity: During my section hike the amount of weight and volume the
pack could comfortably carry became an issue. In Southern California
there are areas where water sources are 30 mi (48 km) apart with
daytime temps of 100° F (212° C). You need to carry a minimum of 6 L
(1.58 gal) of water. Add to that a base weight of 9 lb (4 kg) plus 10
lb (4.5 kg) of food for 5 days and you are well over 30 lb (13.6 kg) in
total weight. So the first couple of days between resupplies were
uncomfortable. Volume also became an issue as the trail heads into the
Sierra Mountains. A warmer sleeping bag and warmer clothes stretched
the pack to its maximum capacity. With the extension collar extended to
accommodate the extra volume the pack became top heavy and unstable.
After 400 mi (643 km) of use through the desert I switched to a GVP G4
pack. With a padded waist belt and wider padded shoulder straps it
could handle 30 lb (13.6 kg) and the additional volume of warmer gear.
Conclusions
I really like this pack. It is perfect for what is is designed for. I
still use it but only for quick overnighters and 1-3 day ultralight
summer trips where water is available. If I keep my total weight to 15
lb (6.8 kg) I can carry this pack all day through the Colorado
mountains.
Pros:
Very light weight for the volume it can carry
The simple design makes packing and unpacking second nature
Very durable
Outside mesh pockets keep wet items separate and speeds drying
Cons:
No hip belt
Shoulder straps are thin and not well padded
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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Personal Information
Name: Bob Sanders
Age: 47
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight: 180 lb (81.6 kg)
Torso Length: 22 in (55.8 cm)
Email: sherpabob(at)mac(dot)com
City: Boulder, CO
Date: 02-12-05
Backpacking Background:
I went on my first backpacking trip as a Boy Scout at the age of 16. We
hiked about 60 mi (96.5 km) of the Appalachian Trail through West
Virginia. I was hooked. Over the years I have hiked the Wonderland
Trail in Washington and section hiked parts of the Florida Trail and
the Appalachian Trail. In 2003 during a 7 week period I hiked over 700
mi (1126 km) of the Pacific Crest Trail. Best vacation I ever took. I
continue to backpack and hike year round in the Colorado mountains.
Backpacking Style:
I have evolved from a heavyweight backpacker to a lightweight
backpacker. The equipment I choose to carry is determined by season,
weather conditions, length of trip, total mileage and if I'm hiking
solo or not. My 3 day summer, solo adventures (using a hammock) have me
hovering around 15 lb (6.8 kg) total weight including food. I backpack
because it is fun. If I am uncomfortable than I'm not having any fun.
So my main criteria is a balance between weight and comfort.
Product Information
Manufacturer: GoLite
Year of Manufacture: 2003
Manufacturer Website: http://www.golite.com
Listed Weight: 15 oz (425 g) size large
Measured Weight: 15.5 oz (439 g)
MSRP: $69.99 current price
Product Description
The GoLite Breeze is a very basic rucksack with no suspension and no
hip belt. The design of this pack is an adaptation of a pack that Ray
Jardine originally designed before his PCT thru hike back in 1992. It
is designed for an ultralight mindset. It is not designed for loads
above 20 lb (10 kg). Conventional, heavyweight equipment will not fit
in this pack.
The pack consists of a main top loading bag constructed of Spectra®
Gridstop fabric. There is a large mesh pocket on the front and a
smaller mesh pockets on each side. There is no top lid on the pack but
there is an extension collar that rolls down and secures with a single
strap. The website lists the entire volume of this pack, size large
(main bag, 3 pockets and extension collar) at 3950 ci (64.7 L). I think
the true volume is closer to 3600 ci (58.9 L). The reason I say this is
because when the extension collar is fully extended the pack is
extremely top heavy and very unstable. So with the extension collar
only half full I estimate about 3600 ci (58.9 L).
The current model is available in sizes medium and large. The only
color currently available is black. The fabric is basically black with
white threads running horizontally and vertically every 1/4 in (0.63
cm) or so. Giving it a pleasing checked pattern.
Field Information
Location for Testing: Southern California along the Pacific Crest Trail
Description of Use: I bought the pack to use for training before and
during my section hike on the PCT. I carried this pack for approx. 400
mi (643 km) of the 700 mi (1126 km) I hiked. Switching to a G4 later in
the trip. Explained in the review section below.
Hiking Conditions: Southern California has varied terrain ranging from
desert to high mountain passes. I experienced temperatures between 100°
F (37° C) to 30° F (-1° C) and elevations from sea level to 10,000 ft.
(3,048 m)
Owner Review
During the planning for my PCT section hike I did a lot of research on
the web and read Ray Jardine's book "Beyond Backpacking". I was
convinced I needed to lighten my load. So I bought this pack to train
with during my daily walks. Every week I increased my mileage and the
weight in the pack until I was up to 15 miles (24 km) and 20 lb (9.1
kg) in the pack. It was a good test of comfort and load capacity before
hitting the trail.
Comfort: I bought the large size pack to fit my 22" torso. Since there
is no suspension I used a Ridge Rest sleeping pad unrolled inside the
main bag. This helps give the bag some rigidity when it is loaded with
gear. The pack rode well on my back with the bottom of the pack sitting
in the small of my back. The shoulder straps are the least comfortable
part of the pack. They are not very wide and not very thick. Since
there is no hip belt your shoulders carry all the weight. After a 20 mi
(32 km) day with a 20 lb (9.1 kg) load my shoulders were very sore. At
15 lb (6.8 kg) the pack is tolerable all day. Above that I saw the need
for a hip belt. I modified the pack by adding a simple 2 in (5 cm) wide
web hip belt. Now it was comfortable to about 20 lb (9.1 kg).
Construction and Durability: The pack is well made and the Spectra®
Gridstop fabric is very durable. All stress areas are reinforced with
extra bar tacks. I was originally concerned with how well the mesh
pockets would hold up. They have also proved to be very durable. The
two side pockets are perfect for water bottles small items and snacks.
Since there are no compression straps on the sides, anything long, like
tent poles need to be stored in the larger front pocket or on top under
the top strap. The large mesh front pocket is perfect for anything wet
(tarp, tent fly) and for quick access to rain gear.
Capacity: During my section hike the amount of weight and volume the
pack could comfortably carry became an issue. In Southern California
there are areas where water sources are 30 mi (48 km) apart with
daytime temps of 100° F (212° C). You need to carry a minimum of 6 L
(1.58 gal) of water. Add to that a base weight of 9 lb (4 kg) plus 10
lb (4.5 kg) of food for 5 days and you are well over 30 lb (13.6 kg) in
total weight. So the first couple of days between resupplies were
uncomfortable. Volume also became an issue as the trail heads into the
Sierra Mountains. A warmer sleeping bag and warmer clothes stretched
the pack to its maximum capacity. With the extension collar extended to
accommodate the extra volume the pack became top heavy and unstable.
After 400 mi (643 km) of use through the desert I switched to a GVP G4
pack. With a padded waist belt and wider padded shoulder straps it
could handle 30 lb (13.6 kg) and the additional volume of warmer gear.
Conclusions
I really like this pack. It is perfect for what is is designed for. I
still use it but only for quick overnighters and 1-3 day ultralight
summer trips where water is available. If I keep my total weight to 15
lb (6.8 kg) I can carry this pack all day through the Colorado
mountains.
Pros:
Very light weight for the volume it can carry
The simple design makes packing and unpacking second nature
Very durable
Outside mesh pockets keep wet items separate and speeds drying
Cons:
No hip belt
Shoulder straps are thin and not well padded
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~-->
Meet the McDonald¿s® Lincoln Fry get free digital souvenirs,
Web-only video and bid on the Lincoln Fry prop charity auction.
http://us.click.yahoo.com/9hSKEA/fV0JAA/Y3ZIAA/V4TolB/TM
--------------------------------------------------------------------~->
To read our reviews, please visit http://www.backpackgeartest.org/
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BackpackGearTest/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
BackpackGearTest-unsubscribe-***@public.gmane.org
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/