Granite Gear

Blaze 60L Backpack

Built to carry burdens and give you joys

This pack is a total tank. I live in MN and love to camp in the winter. I purposely loaded this pack to 52 pounds. The weight rating of 50 pounds and I did not feel weighed down at all. The really stiff backboard really helps hold the weight close to your back and keep your posture upright. I own an Osprey Atmos and carries no where near as comfortable for this amount of weight. The greatest part of this pack is that the Blaze is only 3 lbs. It is mind blowing to have such a lightweight pack carry such a heavy load. The GG Blaze is really in a tier of its own for weight and ability to carry 40-50 or more. Nothing compares. The cinch straps are great and I carry my snowshoes and tent on the outside. Ive even cinched 20 pounds of wood to my pack to make sure I had dry wood for a weekend trip here in the MN winters. It has a compartment zipper on the side to pull everything you need out without having to pull from the top so I can get straight to the bottom of my pack if need be. The top lid is small but can be used by itself for daytrips. The hip pockets are big and easily accesible. I literally cannot think of anything wrong with this pack, There is no backpack that is even in its realm of competition. Packs that carry heavy weights are usually 4-7 lb packs. The fact the Blaze carries such and is 3 lbs speaks volumes to the innovation Granite Gear brings. The Blaze may not feel as comfy as an Osprey, but you cannot beat this for heavy winter loads. I enjoyed the stiffness of the Blaze because it really helps align your spine and keep proper posture even when exhausted. My Osprey will now become my 3 season pack and my Blaze is now my late fall/Winter pack.

Great Multi-Use Pack

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

I ordered this pack in June after my first backpacking trip with a borrowed pack. After much research I decided to go with the Blaze 60 for several reasons: 1) It's lighter than most 60L packs - 3lbs for regular fit, 2.5 without the lid 2) It is rated to handle up to 50lbs which covers extended trips with heavy water carriers 3) It has compression straps EVERYWHERE to minimize bulk even when carrying items like a bear canister. I took it on a 4 day 3 night trip in late July and absolutely loved it. Even on my first day with the pack at roughly 30lbs it felt connected to my body and I did not experience any shoulder or neck fatigue. I was especially happy with the two side pockets where I stored my water and could reach it without having to take off the pack - a big plus for those looking to cover many miles in a day. Lastly the pack feels very well designed with thought-out features, but still sturdy enough to handle the rigors of the backcountry. This pack is great for anyone looking to reduce weight while still going with a framed pack. Due to the design and compression straps it works well on trips ranging from a few nights to ones lasting a few weeks and with Granite Gear's Rock Solid Warranty I feel confident I can put it to the test without worrying about something breaking and I'm at a loss.