Palante V2

Excuse me. Bottom line: On this point, take the recommended weight limitations of this pack into account: overfill it and you will grow to dislike it ...

I Kind of feel like the simple V2 is just an upgraded pack in every single way, you know?

Do not love. The floor is only 15D nylon. I got a hole in it on a recent trip. Yes, it's super light (only 16 ounces for a net that can sleep 3 and is very roomy for 2) I also would really rather it was a thicker denier silnylon floor instead of a polyurethane coated floor.

Bottom pocket was useless to me though. Palante V2- A little more overbuilt than the simple and not as comfortable for me tbh.

It's also very similar in volume to the Palante V2 and the MLD Prophet (and lighter than both even counting the stays, as long as you don't go "upgrade-crazy" with the options!). Do bear in mind that on the PCT there are times when you'll want/need to be carrying 7 days of food and/or extra water, so you don't want to be too tight on volume, especially if your BPW is closer to 9lb than 7lb after you've switched packs (and considering your likely kit volume would also be bigger at a higher BPW).

Frameless packs I've tried before ending up on the cutaway: Palante V2, GG G4-20, Zpacks Nero. Cutaway hands down the most comfortable and best for fast hiking, and once I used tye vest straps there was no going back (also have a tiempo for trail running/super ul fast packing that I can just transfer the strap system over to and be good to go. Also +1 on the customer service.

However, the straps are uncomfortable with any weight in the pack. I also miss is a large front pocket, preferably stretch a la palante/zpacks/etc. I have owned and sold an HMG 2400 (too many frills and too big for my use), HMG summit (no side pockets for water, uncomfortable with thin shoulder straps), Black Diamond Distance 15 (did not like the size and vest style backpack) and will sell my palante robic v2 soon (would like gridstop, an internal pocket for foam pad and preferably one zippered pocket). I am eyeing a gridstop MLD burn or hell 27 for the what they say about the straps and considered a 25L UD fastpack but dont want vest style straps.

Stretchy shoulder pocket on my Palante V2. In the same pocket I keep a tiny plastic bag for when it rains.

-Palante V2 (great pack, wanted something more versatile, sold). -MYOG sul pack 8oz (one of my fav packs, sold).

Don’t love the side pockets tho. Still my main pack. Palante v2- got a used/still great condition one for the bf, he just got a job tho and probably can’t hike much with me, I plan to borrow it. Kyle koppenhaver pack- this was described to me as bigger than it was, it’s maybe 26L including side pockets definitely not 30.