Granite Gear Cirrus Access FZ 7000

This spring, after almost nine months of agonizing consideration, I chose the Cirrus 7000 as my pack of choice. As a guide in Alaska, I was looking for a pack to replace my 10 y/o Dana Astraplane. I looked at most of the packs available in this size and weight class and finally, after months of deliberation, I threw the dart at the board and went with the Cirrus.

I couldn't be more happy with my decision. My first trip of the season was an 11-day exploratory trip in Alaska's Lake Clark National Park. At the air taxi, my pack weighed in at 91 pounds - a weight I figured would ultimately provide the perfect test for the new sack. After a few squeeks during the first quarter-mile, the pack came into its own and settled into place.

What do I love about the pack? The comfort far surpasses anything I've ever carried. The carbon fiber framesheet is both light and rigid. The internal load compression system is brilliant. The hipbelt with Granite Gear's proprietary load lifting system is completely amazing, and the zip-down access flap on the bag is simply addicting.

What don't I like? Honestly, I do miss the vertical external pockets of my Dana. I also believe this pack (like my GG day pack) is a tad bit strappy. I fixed some of the longer straps with a hot knife webbing cutter.I also am not a huge fan of the multiple fastex buckles that seem to riddle the pack. Some of them seem unnecessary.

However, overall the positives outweigh these small annoyances. If you're looking for a comfortable pack that will carry monster loads with ease, the Cirrus is clearly a winning choice in my book.

I took this pack on a 36 day mountaineering trip. Just as the last guy has said the comfort was amazing. This pack was like a dream. I previously owned a Gregory Palisade and would feel very uncomfortable with it fully loaded it being about 80L. This pack fully loaded was a whole 45L larger and it felt like a day pack in comparison.

I was incredibly impressed by the amount of stuff I could fit in it and at how the pack became weightless when I tightened the straps for the hip belt.

As well the materials were very water resistant and for a day of rain did not let any water in. The top came off the pack to make an excellent day pack, a lot larger than any other pack lid I have ever seen.

Despite this there were a few problems which arose. The first was the strappyness of the pack. I found that the inside compression straps were useless so I removed them and the hydration pouch from the pack. The pouch was not high enough for my water bladder.

As well I had trouble with some of the straps disconnecting from the frame sheet but that was fixed in the field with a little pea cord and when I returned granite gear replaced them in less than a month including shipping time from Victoria BC to Minnesota and back.

All in all this pack was amazing and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a serious load hauling gear gobbling giant of a pack.