Thanks Mike , detailed info . I was hoping it would extend on the top of the main compartment to pack in more gear . I watched a few videos and they did not cover this feature even in Granite gears specs and descriptions .that would be a deal breaker for me. Now I will be purchasing the blaze 60 since it has the expansion top thanks again Mike . 👍
Great review man! Granite gear makes some great packs! I am curious how stiff the back is? They changes the material it looks like even with the crown 60. I kinda liked their older back panel design that were soft padded slots like on the older nimbus trace packs but maybe its stiffer and keeps your back cooler? Who knows only way to really find out is to buy one right. I do like the color too of this pack. The stretch panel on my older nimbus trace really stretched out over time but i guess thats to be expected with a lighter weight pack design. You definitely answered some questions i had. Thanks for sharing! Hope it works out great for ya! Hike on!
Is it easy to zip/ unzip the hip pouches when wearing please? Also is it easy to get/ put away a water bottle in the side pouches when wearing? Thanks for any help.
Great review, thanks! Could you please tell the length of its rigid frame? I wonder if one can remove the top lid and squeeze it in a 55 cm (22 inches) validator in an airport and take it as a carry-on. If so, that would be the backpack of my dream.
Hey Crystal, Thank you for watching and sorry I created confusion. The Blaze and the Ariel are two very different fitting packs. The way the suspension connects to your body is very different between the two and the pack configuration and materials are pretty different. Granite Gear and Osprey both make great packs and both packs are good options as long as they fit your needs. There is not one pack that works for everyone but this one works great for me. If you can, load both of them up with your gear and try them out. Pack and unpack each one several times to see how your gear fits.
Hey M P, Thanks for watching. I can't speak for everyone because of other gear options but yes this pack would be great for the JMT. It will fit a bear canister. If I hiked the JMT again, I would be using this pack. Hope this helps. Happy Trails and good luck on the JMT.
I am concerned about use in temperatures above 25°C/77°F (up to 35°C/95°C). Have you used it at these temperatures? I've also considered Osprey Exos 58 and Gregory Focal 58 but my average max load of 35lbs maybe is too much. I've thought about Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor 40-60 but the torso length is fixed.
I have used the pack in all conditions including warm/hot temps. I would call ventilation on this pack as 5 out of 10. Your back will get warm and will get sweaty as it will with any pack. The ventilation is not as good as the Osprey Exos but the Exos will not carry a 35 lb load very comfortably. I found the Exos to be comfortable up to 20 lbs and I'm wishing for my Blaze 60 at about 25 lbs despite what Osprey claims as the load capabilities. I also have The Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor in two different volumes. The SD Flex Capacitor has better ventilation than the Blaze 60 and it carries a load very comfortably but lacks the huge side pockets, stretch pocket on the front and a large lit pocket. Its a great pack but its very simple. I don't have any experience with the gregory Focal but a friend of mine said it made his back hurt for a week after using one. My Blaze is my go to pack. I hope this helps Thanks for watching Watch Mike Hike.
have u ever had stiching come apart or fraying on this pack? despite being very well made overall, modern packs often have some ridiculously sewn stress points..
I have not had any issues with this pack except for the varmint that chewed through one of the hip belt pockets. I have had a few Granit Gear packs and I have not had a problem with any of them. They are very well made. Thanks for watching. Mike
I store all my sleeping bags in their storage sacks but I use a waterproof stuff sack when backpacking. The Sleeping bag was used in this video just to give the pack its shape so you could actually see the features. The pack was not packed with all my gear, just fluffy stuff. Thanks for watching.
I sometimes put my canister on the very top after you close it up then put the top strap over to keep it in place then the lid . I have a large and small canister depends on how long I'm out for or how many people I'm with the small one would fit inside I don't have this pack but have one very similar I will be purchasing it now !
