High Sierra Topix

I've sewn all my packs on normal machines, and the stitching is not what gives if something does give, in my experience. This is especially true if you are making a lighter pack, which uses lighter fabric.
Yes, sizing is important, and yes, we're not talking about packs that can be adjusted to fit people of different heights - that's one of the key ways to keep it light. Adjustability adds weight.

I still would love a copy of that pattern Paul , I'm looking at making another pack during these rainy winter days. Any chance of exporting it to tiff/pdf, or something a layperson can read?

Markskor-
Last summer I finally purchased my first backpacking bag;growing up dad would rent our packs seeing that we were growing like weeds, I just decided to buy one once I stopped growing & at 26 Ive stopped growing - if anything, Im shrinking LOL! Like Maverick, I too was debating between different REI Flash packs (different sizes 50, 65, etc) and Deuter Act Lite (different sizes). The toss up was great, the REI Flashes were great, well designed bags yet, seemed a little too flimsy. The Deuter Act Lites were equally great, well designed bags and they had the selling point- they were infinitely more ridged than the REI Flashes. So, I ended up purchasing the Deuter Act Lite 65 + 10! Love it, still making minor tweeks to the harneses for optimal comfort and making tweeks to the manner in which I pack the bag itself. Hope this helped! If anyone has tips/ experience with a Deuter, I would be interested to hear it (although, Im not giving up this bag for anything)! Thanks!
-Evan

PS Markskor-
Suppose I left out the crucial info regarding the Deuter Act Lite 65+10. On my way into Little Lakes Valley (LLV) this past summer in carried my canister (standard rentable canister from the Forest Department) vertically in the pack - I fully extended the "lid" straps of the bag to accomodate the canister then suggly tightened the "lid" down around the canister. In this scenario, the canister was at the very top of the pack but, no discomfort or awkward center of balance. On the way out of LLv, I carried the canister again at the very top of the pack but, in a horizontal fashion (not sure exactly why - possibly having to do with maximizing space inside the pack) but, horizontally is the fashion in which Ive always carried a canister! Hope this helped!
-Evan

I would (and will, when I have money) go to Santa Cruz, to the Down Works, and try on all the ULA and Granite Gear packs. (My next pack will probably be ULA. for a light pack they seem to be built very well.) I already have a Nimbus Ozone - the pack bag is a bit large for me now, as I have diminished my load to a 40 liter when not wrangling a large bear can. But the Ozone might fit a weekender in horizontally, come to think of it. The largest ULA has more capacity than the Ozone - 4,600 cu in/ 75 liters, vs. 3800 cu in - and the pack bag is impressively wide. Supposedly carries 40 lbs or less. I would guess the comfort point for me with a ULA frame to be in the neighborhood of 30 -35, based on my examining it in the store with sandbags and previous use of a semi-framed (gossamer gear) pack.

They also have all of the Ospreys, or did at my last visit. Also more down gear and more lightweight gear than you can shake a stick at - and they are backpackers themselves, so would not be raising an eyebrow at you if you show up with all your gear to try it in packs.

If I ever had enough money (probably not in the cards) I would be all over a McHale - but my budget remains low even when employed... so not likely to happen.

Late to the dance here, but heck.....

I have an Osprey Atmos 85 which could carry a ton of weight, but my legs don't want to. The pack weighs 6.5 lbs, which puts my pack/shelter/Bag/pad weight at over 13 lbs total. I want it to be more like 9.

A boutique pack maker / through hiker. The catalyst might be my next pack, guaranteed to fit most every bear can:

http://www.ula-equipment.com/packoverview.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I have used a ULA Catalyst for my last 2 JMT trips. With 9 days of food and a bear canister my pack weighs in at 30 lbs. I have a bad back and this pack works for me.
Mahalo

anyone got experience with the big Mystery Ranch load haulers? G6000 or G7000, or the Grizzly? I am in a bind with my Gregory Whitney 95 being at Gregory for warranty repair with no ETA, while I need to have a large pack by the end of next week... Been looking at Gregory Denali and the big Mystery Ranch packs, and from everything I can find online, the Mystery Ranch stuff is one of the higher grade choices available. The failure in the Gregory has made me look beyond the Denali, although I bet there's a big difference between the Chinese made backpacking Whitney 95 and the US made expedition Denali. Still, gotta explore my options - I buy packs for the long term.

I will have to pull the trigger today or tomorrow if I don't hear from Gregory about my Whitney pack being on its way back - tough call given these big packs don't come cheap

While I don't have any direct experience with the MR packs, I do know that the old Dana Designs are still sought after items and many folks still use them after decades. So basically this is Dana Gleason's company after Dana Designs. I would bet they are top notch.

My buddy has a Dana pack that looks like the G series and it has been through alot.

I had an old Dana Astralplane, which was stolen out of our car port closet, and
it was built like no other pack I have carried, solid, even though it was heavy, it rode
like a much lighter pack, and top of the line suspension system = very comfy.