New Ultralight Packs from Granite Gear, HMG, Terra Nova

by Seth Levy
August 5, 2011

Granite Gear Crown

There are many, many new packs at Outdoor Retailer. Here are four lightweight models from Granite Gear, Hyperlite Mountain, and Terra Nova that caught our eye.

Stay tuned for more backpack coverage from the show.

Granite Gear

The first standout is the Granite Gear Crown. The Crown is named after the elite long-distance hikers who hike the Triple Crown of long-distance hiking trails in America: the Appalachian, Continental Divide, and Pacific Crest National Scenic Trails.

This light pack features a roll top closure, the new LineLoc compression system, a removable framesheet, and new Vapor Current ventilated back panel. These features could also be useful for those of us hiking less than 7,000 miles at a time too.

Granite Gear Crown V.C. 60

Weight: 2.2 lbs
Capacity: 60 L
Max Weight: 30 lbs
MSRP: $199
Available 2012

Recently returned thru-hiker Matt LaClair (Porter) models the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Expedition pack.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear

Newcomers Hyperlite Mountain Gear were showing a prototype of a new ultralight expedition-size pack, the Expedition, at OR.

The 4,800-cubic-inch Expedition is a truly gargantuan hauler and expands the ultralight category into the expedition realm. Like Hyperlite's other packs, it's constructed from a Cuben fiber/nylon hybrid material. The model shown here is a prototype.

HMG Expedition

Weight: approximately 2 lbs
Capacity: 4,800 cu in
Sizes: S, M, L, Tall

Terra Nova

Terra Nova, maker of ultralight packs and tents, debuted the Voyager and Quasar pack series, emphasizing light weight, simple design, and durability.

The Quasar packs are lighter, constructed from a mixture of laminate and Dyneema. The Voyager packs are only slightly heavier, and more abrasion resistant.

Terra Nova Voyager