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Showing 1 of 23 conversations about:
jimbolaya
104
Apr 24, 2017
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I just got one of these, and so far, I'm impressed. I usually strive to pack light/ultralight, but when backpacking with my wife and son, I sometimes find myself acting as the pack mule, carrying most of the food and therefore weight. It's for those trips that I got the Paragon 58.
What i I like best about this pack is the way it plants itself in my lumbar. My usual pack (Osprey Exos 48) slips from my lumbar when I go above 25 pounds or so, putting more weight on my shoulders instead of my hips.
Not so with this pack. I've loaded it with more than 30 pounds, purposely overpacking for an overnight trip, it stays firmly planted. I put in about 18 miles so far with the pack, and while that's not a lot, I've already decided it's a keeper.
If you are like me and need a pack to handle occasional heavy loads, or if you're considering (or moving from) a heavier pack like the Baltoro or Osprey Atmos, I strongly recommend you take a look at the Paragon instead. While hardly ultralight, it is lighter than those packs, while still handling loads of 30-40 pounds easily.
Apr 24, 2017
DannyMilks
4557
Apr 24, 2017
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jimbolayaThank for the review Jim! Glad you found this pack works for you. Any pictures of it in use?
Not to go on a tangent, but you mentioned the most common complaint about the Exos series that I've heard - that loaded with >25lbs and it starts to fail. . If Osprey could get that right, they'd have an amazing pack.
Apr 24, 2017
jimbolaya
104
Apr 24, 2017
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DannyMilksAlas, I didn't take any photos of me wearing it that weekend, but I'll see what I can do.
They sure would! I tried the Marmot Graviton (unfortunately, not while it was on Massdrop), hoping it would have better lumbar grip, but alas, it's only offered in one size, and the hipbelt is too large for me, so I returned it.
I've wondered if I could wedge some foam or something behind the bottom part of the Exos mesh to form some sort of lumbar pad, but I haven't experimented with that idea yet.
I think Gregory is really on to something with the lumbar pad in the Paragon. If I could get that in a lighter pack, I might reach pack nirvana.
Apr 24, 2017
heyheynicolep
6
May 30, 2017
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jimbolayaI finally retired my 7lb, 18yr old Gregory Shasta for the Maven and have taken it out on 2 backpacking trips so far. My experience with it has overall been very good so far, with a few kinks.
I had to carry a lot of water this past trip so my pack was probably around 40lbs and it felt just fine. I had to get used to the smaller hip pads compared to the Shasta but it felt like it carried the load well. I also really like the simplicity of it. I'm not a fan of packs with a bunch of pockets on the outside and this pack is very sleek looking.
I have 3 complaints that I'm still trying to work through - 1) it squeaks and creaks a lot. I'm hoping that's just because it's new and still needs to be broken in a bit. 2) there is no practical way to carry any sort of water bottle and be able to reach it while wearing the pack (not that I've been able to do). And 3) The pockets on the hip belt are not very roomy. It just fits a Cliff Bar but I couldn't easily get my smart phone to fit without someone helping me. I wish those pockets were just a smidge bigger.
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May 30, 2017
jimbolaya
104
May 31, 2017
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heyheynicolepI'm able to reach a Smartwater bottle out of the right side, since it has a second opening that allows the bottle to go in at an angle. I would have preferred that opening go on the other side, just because I tend to have an easier time reaching that way, but this works for me.
May 31, 2017
m0arpheus
433
Jun 15, 2017
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jimbolayaHow well does the pack ventilate your pack and keep it ventilated? I have read several legit reviewers from Trailspace and on YouTube say the pack doesn't ventilate all that well on the back. Just curious what your experience was with that. Thanks!
Jun 15, 2017
m0arpheus
433
Jun 15, 2017
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heyheynicolep How well does the pack ventilate your pack and keep it ventilated? I have read several legit reviewers from Trailspace and on YouTube say the pack doesn't ventilate all that well on the back. Just curious what your experience was with that. Thanks!
Jun 15, 2017
Inocente
33
Jun 15, 2017
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jimbolayaThanks for the review, Jim. I was actually on the fence between this and the Osprey Atmos 65. So I take it you've used the Atmos? Were there any benefits from the Atmos over this one? I know it's a bit late to ask but I'm still curious.
Jun 15, 2017
jimbolaya
104
Jun 16, 2017
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InocenteI haven't actually used the Atmos. Several years ago, I tried on the old (non-AG) Atmos, but it didn't fit quite right. I ended up with an Aether, which fit me well but was heavy. Then I went to the Exos, which suits me very well, except when I carry a heavier load, such as well carry food for the family for a week (or, as in my week in the Winds last year, I overpacked food for myself).
Because such trips are rare for me (unfortunately; I'd love to have longer trips with the family), the Exos is by far my most used pack. The Paragon is intended for my once a year big family summer trip, which hasn't yet happened (shooting for end of July). So far, so good, though I do wish I could give a more in-depth review than my initial impression, which is positive.
Jun 16, 2017
jimbolaya
104
Jun 16, 2017
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m0arpheusUnfortunately, I don't yet have warm weather experience with this pack (see my reply to Inocente). It definitely doesn't have as much ventilation as my Exos. On the positive side, it doesn't sit far from the back like the Exos does (which is why the Exos has such great ventilation). I did (part of) the Wind River High Route last summer with my Exos, and going up those off-trail scrambles over a pass, my pack got a little squirrelly. I would have liked something that hugged my back better (though the Paragon 58 would have been overkill for this trip).
There is definitely much less ventilation in the lumbar region; effectively, there's none on the Paragon. But it's the way it fits my lumbar that I like about this pack, at least so far, so it's a worthy tradeoff.
Outdoor Gear lab and Section Hiker now have reviews on the pack (68 liter and 48 liter, respectively). They'll be able to give you more thorough details than I can at this time, alas.
Jun 16, 2017
heyheynicolep
6
Jul 25, 2017
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m0arpheusMy apologies for my slow reply. I was out in the mountains for a while! I honestly don't notice if it vents well or not. It's only the second pack I've ever owned after my Gregory Shasta. I just carried this pack in the Wind River Range and it is very comfortable and carries the load well. The creaking I noticed in the beginning is fading. Sorry I can't speak specifically to the ventilation. I've been on some really warm trips with it and haven't thought to myself "I really wish this pack vented better" so I guess it's not too bad!
Jul 25, 2017
charliez
3
Jun 9, 2018
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DannyMilksI have the Paragon 68 and I like it so far, have not tried it in a long hike, but will at the end of summer. I had an Osprey Atmos 65, which I like the number of compartments it has, BUT, it slides from my waist. At the beginning I thought that it was due to excessive weight but it was slipping at the end of the hike, with almost half the weight. Returned it and went with the Paragon.
Jun 9, 2018
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