Drop + Granite Gear Crown X60

Made in collaboration with Granite Gear, the Crown X60 strikes the perfect balance between being lightweight, rich in features, and durable for long-term use. It builds on the Crown2—the company’s most popular pack and a favorite among long-distance hikers—with a few revisions suggested by the backpacking community. For one thing, the lid is more versatile and can be detached from the pack and attached to the hipbelt to create a breathable 6-liter lumbar day pack. The side pockets are angled lower for easier accessibility, the front straps are longer to accommodate items like a foam pad, and new removable cords on the shoulder straps give you a convenient way to keep water bottles close at hand. The result is a comfortable, well-made pack that carries like a dream, backed by Granite Gear’s Rock Solid Warranty.

The Crown2 modernized past designs with tough Robic 210d fabric, better organization options, and easier access while on the move. Unsurprisingly, it sold quickly and earned rave reviews. With the Crown X60, we aimed to make the pack more usable than ever—without adding extra weight. Thanks to the shorter side pockets and shoulder strap cords, you can grab your water without stopping. The lid has two interior pockets for key items like a book and GPS tracker, with space remaining for food or a rain shell. Minor adjustments to the straps and buckles make for easy attachment to the hipbelt. Finally, the upgraded single-piece hipbelt is a bit lighter, has no exposed Velcro, and can fit a wider range of waist sizes.

We kept a lot of what you loved about the Crown2 around in the Crown X60. For mile-after-mile comfort, there’s the removable Vapor Current Mark 2 frame and molded foam back panel with mesh ventilation channels. For additional hydration options, there’s a hydration port and an internal bladder sleeve. And for all-weather reliability, there’s the roll-top main compartment, DWR/Barrier repellent treatment, and DWR-treated zippers. The side and front compression straps keep the pack weight close to your body to minimize shifting and bouncing. Along with a large stretch mesh pocket, there are straps across the front where you can put something like a tent.

During a paddling trip through Quetico Provincial Park in 1986, friends Jeff Knight and Dan Cruikshank decided the world needed better outdoor gear—and they wanted to have something to do with it. Not long after, Granite Gear was born. Today, it’s one of the most experienced pack manufacturers in the US, making award-winning packs for wilderness adventurers, travelers, students, and even soldiers in the field. The Minnesota-based company takes its name from the toughness of its products, which have gained a cult-like following and proven their mettle in some of the world’s harshest environments, from Mount Everest to the North and South Poles.