Granite Gear Blaze 60L Backpack

Coming from a Gregory Palisade, I found this backpack very comfortable. Since purchasing this summer, I've taken 2 trips totaling about 50 miles. My pack weighed between 30-35 lbs at the start with water.Things I like-- comfortable. The hip belt never hurt me. The torso adjustments are limited, but easy to make (make sure you choose the correct size). I highly recommend going to REI to find out how to fit a pack (would have bought from them but they didn't have this in stock). The weight felt easy. I admit that this is coming from a pack that, after all these years, weighed in at a whopping 8 lbs alone!-- the waist belt removes and attaches to the lid to form the best fanny pack you ever imagined!-- 2 good front hip belt pockets-- waist belt adjusts to your size with velcro, and then you can use the pull straps.-- Access to the internal pack from the outside. I never used this feature.-- large mesh, stretchy pocket on the back of the pack. I found this great for stuffing clothing I might need quickly like a rain jacket or a cap or something.Things I didn't Like-- #1 - and, I admit, in the beginning, this was almost a deal killer for me....no straps on the bottom to put a sleeping pad. Why? So, 1 trip (see pics) I fastened the large roll to the back of the pack (worked fine). 2nd trip I brought a blow up pad that fit inside.-- You cannot put the water bottle back in the pack with it on. I challenge you to work this feat of dexterity! Getting it out was hard but not impossible.-- The stretch strap on the side pocket didn't tighten when I had my nalgene bottle in it. I think it was a little too wide for the pocket's liking. Still you could use the strap that clicks and then tightens if you wanted too (pain b/c that would be each time taking the bottle in and out), but I didn't loose the bottle.Overall - I am really glad I purchased this pack.

I just got back from a 37 mile backpacking trip through the Ozarks. I have an Osprey Atmos that I love and have worn on multiple trips, but wanted to try this one since it was a pound and a half lighter, though I found when caring 40 lbs it made no difference. But I absolutely loved it! It made the Atmos feel bulky and lumbering. It has a sleek design AND you can reach the hip pockets WITHOUT taking off your pack!!! It felt just as comfortable as the Atmos, though your back will get hotter, but I prefer to backback in cool weather so it didn't bother me. The only con is that in order to make it a sleek design (it's more like a tube) and still hold 60L, fully packed it protrudes above your head about 6" (I'm 5'8"). So if you're hiking through the woods (like the Ozarks) and have to go under brush or downed trees, it can be taxing bending down with 40lbs on your back. But overall I LOVE this pack, the Atmos is amazing, but this holds the same weight in a sleeker design.

Everything you need and nothing you don’t. Comfortably holds heavy loads, easy access, tons of tie down points to add small to bulky items on the outside. Clever system to hang brain on front or convert to summit hip pack.

Got this backpack after returning a previous cheaper one. Do not cheap out on a bag this one is 100% worth it especially if it’s on sale. Have only taken it out twice but so far it’s amazing. I like the fanny pack option as well as how much the bag is able to hold. Only thing is I with it had a couple of pockets on the shoulder straps

After wearing an old 7lb Dana pack on my last hike I decided to go much lighter. A main consideration is that the pack be comfortable even with a heavy load. Most 'ultra' light packs are going to be uncomfortable at their max weight but even with 35lbs this pack carried comfortably, and I had few issues with it. I'm still playing with the idea of putting the lid on the front of the pack and carrying my water and snacks on the front. This helps offset the load in back by a few pounds. The two pouches on either side are hard to access and I had to ask other hikers to get my water out. The belt pouches work well and hold my LG cell phone, keys, wallet, etc. Space is a lot less than in my old Dana (100 liter) but the Granite Gear holds everything I need for a multi-day hike with ease. Most of your space is taken up by tent, sleeping kit/mattress, and cook kit. After that it's clothes and food. We tend to hike in cooler weather so we tend to carry more clothes but in warmer weather with few clothes, you could go many days out with this pack. Plus, the side pockets are so big, you could carry the tent and sleeping bag/mattress on the outside freeing up a lot of space inside. It's very versatile. There are lighter packs but this one fits me well. It's very comfortable and in the event where I have to carry a heavier load, it carries it very well.

I bought this for my son to come backpacking with me. I have a UL backpack that I adore for me, but my son is a bit more robustly built and wanted something that was still super lightweight but had more pockets and other functional components.This was the one. For the price, really hard to beat. It's not much heavier than mine, but very versatile and functional. And it looks great too. Definitely would buy this one for him again!

I've been using an Arc'teryx Bora 80 for over 20 years but I've decided to lighten my load. The Blaze 60 weighs less than half as much, holds nearly as much and is probably a little more comfortable. The large water bottle pockets that cinch tighter with drawstrings are fantastic. The large hip belt pockets easily carry a big cell phone. I've used the Blaze 60 as a day pack (it is barely heavier than my usual day pack) and the side zipper makes it easy to find items near the bottom. I've only found three minor issues: 1) there is no key clip in the top lid pocket; 2) both hip belt pockets zip open from the left, making it harder to reach around to open the zipper on the left pocket; 3) the opening to the stretchy stuff-it pocket is small, making it hard to put in a rain jacket bulkier than my Marmot Precip.

It's sturdy and I couldn't have asked for a better pack.