Price:
$399.99
Our Rating:
At 48-litres, the Graviton is bordering on being a multiday pack – and if you limit your packing to only essentials and plan to stay at huts, you could easily use it for longer trips.
I packed for overnighters, carrying tent and gear for two days. The tent wasn’t really necessary, but I wanted to see if one could be carried because many overnight packs can’t accommodate one. Overall, I carried 12.5kg (the pack itself weighs 1180g).
The hipbelt is thin and quite flimsy, and with the tent strapped to the the base of the pack the belt was dragged down, putting the weight onto my shoulders. During my tramp, I found myself repeatedly having to tighten the belt.
But when I broke the tent down into two packages and strapped it to the sides, it was a different experience. I barely felt the weight at all and the load was more stable and balanced, moving with me on the trail.
A padded plastic back panel provides stiffness and shape to the pack, preventing the main body from resting against the mesh airflow suspension system. As a result, the airflow channel actually works.
The padding on the belt and shoulder straps may be thin, but it is firm and comfortable.
There is a U-shaped front panel zip that completely exposes the contents of the pack. There are valid criticisms to this type of design – added weight, less water-resistance, more parts to get hooked while bush bashing – but on an overnight pack these criticisms are less of an issue and I found it convenient to access gear without rummaging through the top opening.
Hook-closure tool attachment points are simple to use and secure; I stashed my walking poles in seconds.
The 70D nylon ripstop fabric is on the light side for a pack, but if you’re not going off track then it should hold up OK. I would recommend taking a pack liner in case of rain.
If you pack it carefully, the Graviton 48 is an excellent choice for overnight or long weekend tramps. Its light fabric is a weak point, but carrying comfort more than makes up for this.