The Arcteryx Needle series of packs is part of the Arcteryx line-up of alpine ascent packs. The Needle 65 is the largest pack of the series and is a strippable alpinist backpack. That means that it is a multi-day pack that can be stripped down for lighter summit assualts. Arcteryx packed the Needle 65 with all the extras you need without the extra weight. This includes a hydration bladder hanger, four external compression straps, an accordian front pocket, a key clip, lightweight ski attachments, two external daisy chains, two ice axe holders and watertight zippers. Heavy loads are stabilized through the V-frame suspension system and strong frame-to-belt integration. To make sure you’re comfortable throughout your climb, Arc’Teryx uses Thermoformed back panels and shoulder straps. The Needle comes in 3 different sizes with the following specs: Small: 4 lbs 3 oz, 3722 cubic inches expandable to 4150 cubic inches, Medium: 4 lbs 6 oz, 3844 cubic inches expandable to 4272 cubic inches, Large: 4 lbs 10 oz, 3966 cubic inches expandable to 4394 cubic inches.

Arc’Teryx has set a Retail Price of $300 for the Needle 65 Backpack

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The Lite-Speed Packs from GoLite are thoughtfully designed for multi-day adventures for the weight conscious traveler. This 3000 cubic inch backpack has enough room to carry everything you need while its svelte 2 pound 7 ounce weight insures you’ll be fast on the trail or in that long adventure race. The pack comes in a Women’s and Men’s versions, each shaped specifically to fit that particular body type. The space mesh back panel and shoulder straps allow for excellent breathability to keep you cool on the trail. A roomy front mesh pocket accommodates extra gear, and lashes down securely thanks to a bungee cord system. Two side angled mesh pockets and bellowed pockets on the hip belt allow easy access to important items. The comPACKtor system inside the main pocket reduces in-pack flapping when you’ve got extra space inside. Even though this may be the lightest multi-day pack around, you won’t have to worry about its durability as the velocity nylon material is tough as nails.

GoLite has set a Retail Price of $130 for the Lite-Speed Backpack

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The North Face Crestone 60 is a versatile backpack for weekend adventures or light mountaineering. It comes in either a men’s or women’s fit and features the easy to adjust X-Frame II suspension. Packing and distributing the weight in the Crestone is a snap as there are several smaller compartments within the main one to help keep you organized. Other features include front and top quick pack access, a removable top hood that doubles as a lumbar pack, a separate sleeping bag compartment for easy packing and canted side water bottle holders for easy access on the trail. The North Face also equipped the Crestone with a cranial cavity to allow for full head mobility.

The Women’s Crestone 60 comes in 2 sizes with the following specs:
Small: 3050 expandable to 3650 cu in weighing 5 lbs 10 oz
Medium: 3350 expandable to 3950 cu in weighing 6 lbs.

The Men’s Crestone 60 comes in 2 sizes with the following specs:
Medium: 3650 expandable to 4300 cu in weighing 6 lbs 3 oz
Large: 3950 expandable to 4300 cu in weighing 6 lbs 9 oz.

The North Face has set a Retail Price of $200 for the Crestone 60 Backpack

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The lightweight revolution continues with the Gregory Z55. This backpack weighs in at a svelte 3 pounds 5 ounces (medium). It will hold all the gear you need for your ultralight backpacking adventure. Gregory Packs also made sure that you wouldn’t overheat wearing the Z 55 by equipping it with their Jet Stream Suspension. The Jet Stream includes a perforated frame sheet and a mesh back panel in order to promote ventilation. The padded harness and waist-belt also feature moisture-wicking mesh, to keep you from getting all sweaty underneath your pack. Padding in the lumbar region and at the shoulder blades makes carrying your load comfortable while the aluminum stays give you lightweight vertical load support. Get into the Z55 from the top or the side, and load your quick access items, like snacks, your camera, or rain shell, in the external pockets or your waist-belt pockets. Even though the Z 55 is lightweight, it is still made with super durable materials. The 210D High tenacity ripstop and twill nylon will stand up to years of abuse. It comes in 3 sizes: Small: 3,050 cu. in. / 3 lbs. 2 oz., Medium: 3,350 cu. in. / 3 lbs. 5 oz., Large: 3,660 cu. in. / 3 lbs. 8 oz.

Gregory Mountain Products has set a Retail Price of $189 for the Z55 Backpack

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Osprey Packs Atmos Series of backpacks were designed with the light and fast mantra in mind. The Osprey Atmos 50 is the mid-sized offering of the Atmos line and is a versatile 3000 cubic inch pack. It will fit a sleeping bag, clothes, food, and other necessities in the main compartment, while the accessible twin side pockets will hold Nalgenes, fuel and other cylindrical items. On the outside, diagonal compression straps allow you to strap anything you need to the outside of the pack. A supple shovel pocket can stash a shovel or just-in-case raingear. There’s also a hydration sleeve for storing your water bladder and a bonus stash spot behind the mesh back panel.

Speaking of the mesh back panel, Osprey equipped the Atmos 50, which is part of the “ventilated” line of packs, with a 3D breathable mesh fabric with a space between the mesh and the bag, allowing air to flow to your back. Osprey has built its reputation on comfort, and the ErgoPull Hipbelt combined with the AirSpeed suspension system allow you to carry up to 40 lbs in complete comfort.

The Atmos 50 comes in 3 sizes, the specs of which are as follow:

Small: 2800 cu. in. - 2 lbs. 15 oz.
Medium: 3000 cu. in. - 3 lbs. 1 oz.
Large: 3200 cu. in. - 3 lbs. 3 oz.

If you’re ready to join the light and fast revolution and want to keep your back cool and comfortable on your overnighters, look no further than the Osprey Atmos 50.

Osprey Packs has set a Retail Price of $200 for the Atmos 50 Backpack

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The Arcteryx Naos series of backpacks is a revolutionary backpack line made of completely waterproof 420ACT VaporTight fabric. The Naos 55 is the flagship of the line which earned both the 2006 Editor’s Choice award from Backpacker Magazine and a 2006 Gear of the Year award from Outside Magazine.

Not only is the Naos 55 fabric waterproof, but all of the seams are sealed, zippers are water-tight and the top opening uses a drybag-style rolltop closure. The only way you’re gear will get wet in this bag is if you forget to close the zippers.

Being waterproof is great, but the Naos 55 excels in being comfortable and organized as well. Radially formed shoulder straps and Radially formed Binary hipbelt offer a nice comfy fit. The binary hipbelt components include an internal polycarbonate torsion support to stiffen the open cell foam padding, offering an excellent load transfer from the circular Load Transfer Disc. This disc freely pivots from the circular housing mounted to the tri-laminate, lightweight Monoframe back panel, moving with the user as they high-step and rotate their back through technical terrain. Organization is easy with zippered large Kangaroo side pocket and zippered smaller pocket on the other side for storage of oft-used items. You can also stuff in a hydration bladder in the reservoir pocket with a waterproof hydroport for the drinking tube. The Naos 55 comes in 3 sizes:

Short: Weight: 4 lbs 6 oz, Volume: 3230 cu in, extends to: 3780 cu in
Regular: Weight: 4 lbs 10 oz, Volume: 3420 cu in, extends to: 3970 cu in
Tall: Weight: 4 lbs 14 oz, Volume: 3600 cu in, extends to: 4150 cu in

Arcteryx was able to keep the weight down on the Naos 55 with the high tech seam sealed construction as well as not adding too many useless straps and clips (just enough side straps to hold skis, tools or other equipment). Since the pack doesn’t get wet, it won’t take on any extra water weight when you end up hiking in the rain. If you live in the pacific northwest or do any hiking/paddling combo trips, this is the pack you need.

Arc’Teryx has set a Retail Price of $500 for the Naos 55 Backpack

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 “On treks in New Mexico’s Pecos Wilderness and even ski touring in the Tetons, testers were unanimous: The Meridian carries like a champ.” For comfort, versatility, and durability, Outside Magazine’s Buyer’s Guide awards ‘Gear of the Year’ to the Granite Gear Nimbus Meridian, “which is as comfortable as it is tough.”

“The Nimbus Meridian was engineered from the beginning to last for the entire 10,000 miles of Justin “Trauma” Lichter’s hike,” said Granite Gear designer Jeff Knight. “The pack had to be light, yet durable so we selected Cordura fabrics and the new RiRi Aquazip zipper.” Trauma field-tested the pack during his 10,000 miles of thru hiking in 356 days during 2005-2006. He completed extended versions of the International Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail and the Continental Divide Trail (North America’s Triple Crown) using just one pack, which was still in completely serviceable condition after his treks. “I have no doubt that any pack made by another manufacturer would not have made it even half of the 10,000 miles,” Trauma affirmed.

Granite Gear’s Nimbus Meridian features the “firm yet flexy” Topoflex framesheet that “moves with your body,” the “dual density foam in the hipbelt that cushions luxuriously,” and a “precision fit” for ultimate comfort. “It’s light enough to use as a weekend pack yet big enough for a week’s worth of supplies – and you won’t feel you’re compromising in either case,” state Dennis Lewon and Justin Nyberg of Outside Magazine. Weighing in at three and a half pounds, the Nimbus Meridian exhibits a heavy-duty vertical RiRi Aquazip zipper that accesses the main packbag, stretch woven bottle pockets for trail necessities, a removable lid that converts to a hip pack and an internal hydration pocket perfect for stashing water.

Granite Gear has set a Retail Price of $250 for the Nimbus Meridian Backpack

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Eastern Mountain Sports currently has the Gregory G Pack on sale for $89. That’s 40% off the suggested retail price of $149, for a total savings of 60 Bucks! This price is only available at EMS.com until 5/14/07. Click Here To Buy The Gregory G Pack at EMS, winner of Backpacker Magazine’s 2005 Editor’s Choice Award.

EMS.com offers flat rate shipping for only $5.95 and one of best guarantees in the business. If you are dissatisfied for any reason and have your original store receipt or web invoice, they will exchange or repair the item in question or provide a full refund.