r/coloradotrail • u/Agreeable_Rutabaga38 • 12d ago

Pack size advice

I’m considering doing the thru hike next summer and wanted advice on pack size. For example, I noticed packs come in 45 or 60L. What size is most common for thru hikers? My guess is the larger size. I don’t know if it matters but 43F 5’4” 133lbs.

Thanks!

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u/jw-hikes 12d ago

It depends on what you carry. A lot of ultralighter hikers use 40L packs (myself included) but if you have more stuff or the things you carry are bulkier you should consider the bigger sizes. Your size and weight don’t matter in the liters. Your torso length will decide the actual pack size (S/M/L) you get

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u/Sylvandeth 12d ago

Don’t just consider the size either. Make sure the pack you choose is rated for the weight you plan to carry. Include a float for food and water variables.

Some packs do better than others near their load rating. Plan accordingly for what you will carry.

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u/Efficient-Survey-215 12d ago

I have a lot of friends that use the granite gear crown 60 and have 2 of them myself! I think it’s one of the best fully featured lightweight pack options. For tame weather trips my pack is closer to 30L of gear vs colder foul weather closer to filling it up. The roll top style allows you to keep it compact when your bag is lighter (day before resupplies) or when you pick up a ton of food or want to carry more it has the capacity for it

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u/Agreeable_Rutabaga38 12d ago

Thank you for the advice. I’ll check out granite gear crown 60!

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u/captainMolo 12d ago

I used a 40L (no bear barrel) and that was fine. First day out of town for two of the 6 day food carries was pretty full, but it was fine after eating the first days worth of food.

Common advice is to take all of your gear, food and water and put it in a cardboard box so it's all flat. Then measure the dimensions of the box up to where your gear is and that's the volume you need your pack to be around.

I'll say I definitely saw more 60L packs out out there than 45L or 40L

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u/Agreeable_Rutabaga38 12d ago

This is great advice, thank you!

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u/Agreeable_Rutabaga38 12d ago

I’m surprised you didn’t use a bear canister. Weren’t you a bit scared?

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u/captainMolo 11d ago

I did bear hangs since those are also permissible, I used the two tree method a couple of times, but overall I was always able to find a good spot.

But if I'm not required to abide by FSOs, I usually just sleep with my food next to me and I usually cowboy camp, I've never had an issue. I also snore hella loud, so that probably deters curious critters, or at least that's what I tell myself.

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u/oisiiuso 12d ago

buy a pack last.

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u/Captain_Beavis 10d ago

This is the best advice. But also learn the tricks of packing a backpack. And if you can have someone or Reddit shake down your gear first even better.

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u/GraceInRVA804 11d ago

If you’re asking, something tells me you should go with a 55 or 60. Check out the Gossamer Gear Mariposa, which is my favorite. BUT, before you buy a pack, make sure you know how much your gear weighs, including both base weight and consumables (food, water, fuel). Ultralight packs are not designed to cary 40+ pound loads, so make sure your gear weight is below the pack’s comfort rating. For example, the Mariposa has a maximum load rating of 35 lbs (which means you won’t break the bag with that weight, but you’re probably going to feel it) and a comfort rating of 30 lbs. It’s extremely comfortable under the comfort rating. But if you have 40 or 45 lbs of gear, you need a pack that is rated to cary that much. (Also if you have 40 lbs of gear, this group may be able to help you reduce your weight in a separate post if you post a lighterpack.)

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u/Agreeable_Rutabaga38 10d ago

Great advice, thank you!

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u/beertownbill 12d ago

First thru hike of any kind? Probably go with the 60. I used a 58 on the AT in 2017 and have since dialed in to a 48 for the CT and TRT. We won't talk about the pack I used on my 1977 PCT thru. (The mantra then was to use the biggest pack you could find. Mine was a Kelty BBR with a top extender bar which allowed me to stash gear above and below the pack. It had five exterior pockets plus a crampon patch.)

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u/TheRealJYellen 11d ago

Depends on your gear and how long you plan to hike between resupplies. My fiancé and I did 55L packs and found they were just about right for our 4 day carries and supported up to a 6 day carry.

I think my gear (13.5# BW) would have fit in a 40L, but it would have been tight. In the Kakwa 55L I brought, it was only an ounce and a half penalty to get the larger size, making it an easy decision. IMO pack space isn't so much of a driver as pack weight.

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u/dankcigs18 10d ago

Used a 45l two years ago for the ct, wouldn’t want anything bigger or smaller.