Favorite Lightweight Backpacks

Selecting ultralight backpacks or lightweight backpacks is a highly personal decision. What one person likes, another person may not like at all. Over the last several years, lightweight backpacks have evolved from simple, fragile, sacks to highly technical, feature rich and durable backpacks. There are numerous things to consider when selecting a backpack. Amont them - how much weight are you planning to carry, the volume of gear you are going to be carrying, and what the pack will be used for. A great pack for a weekend trip isn't probably going to be a good pack for climbing because it wouldn't have features for attaching ice axes, etc.

Since this website is dedicated to beginning lightweight backpacking, our selection was easy.

GoLite Jam2

The original GoLite Jam backpack was a winner, but GoLite has improved the design even more for the GoLite Jam2. At 21 ounces the GoLite Jam2 isn't the lightest pack you will find, but the weight is used very intelligently. First, the pack is 3,000 cubic inches (49 liters). That is the perfect size for holding a lightweight shelter, sleeping bag, lightweight clothing, and a cook kit with food for a weekend trip or longer. The pack is made with Dynema Gridstop fabric. This lightweight fabric gives the pack excellent durability and shatters the myth that a lightweight pack is delicate. The feature that impresses us the most is the ComPacktor system. This allows the user to reduce the pack volume down to 1,500 cubic inches (24.5 liters), and still effectively carry that amount of equipment. Other methods we have tried for reducing pack volume result in everything being carried at the bottom of the pack, and the pack "sagging" because it wasn't stuffed to capacity. In our opinion, the GoLite Jam2 pack is a winner.

Specifications

weight: 21.12 oz / 599.28 g
volume: 3,000 cubic inches (49.16 liters)
hydration: 3 Liter Hydration Compatable, Resevoir not included

Material: Dyneema Fabric - Stronger than steel and lighter than any other high-performance fiber

• Extremely durable and light polyethylene fibers – they float on water
• Chemical, water, and UV resistant
• Used to reinforce 210 Denier (medium-weight) ripstop nylon
• 10-times stronger than steel and 2-times stronger than Kevlar by weight
• The resulting pack fabric is extremely light and durable, and is somewhat water resistant – designed for the rigors of backpacking and mountaineering

 Features:

• Adjustable sternum strap and webbing for hip belt
• Haul Loop
• Watertight zipper for roomy front pocket
• Comfortable foam back pad
• Space mesh shoulder straps with Brock foam padding
• Two side hydration openings with internal hydration sleeve
• Cord lock to secure top closure
• Two angled side mesh pockets with elastic top binding for easy access while wearing
• Ice axe loops with lightweight elastic cord and pack hook system for closure
• Two side compression straps with quick release buckles
• Top compression
• ComPacktor system