Date: 2008-06-02
From: Discussion of Hennessy Hammock

To: Discussion of Golite Breeze pack
Miles today: 0.0

Just found out that I have an interview for the potential job on Tuesday, June 3rd. Not sure if there will be a follow-up interview or what will occur thereafter. I'll let you know when I know more.GOLITE BREEZE PACKI wanted to give you some up-to-date thoughts on this pack. I have been using it daily for the past 200 miles of my thru-hike.The Breeze is one of the frameless packs that Ray Jardine helped design for Golite. It came out several years ago and was designed for use in some specific circumstances: total, carried weight would be 20 or less pounds (including food and water).The Breeze eliminated both a hip and sternum belt. Their argument was that a pack weighing under 20 lbs did not require those belts to take the load off the shouldars. Also, by elimating the hip/sternum belts the pack weight could be kept under one pounds (around 12 ounces).The actual pack sack for the Breeze is pretty large. You can fit quite a bit of gear inside. The problem of course is that the weight of that gear needs to stay under 20 pounds. I had had my Breeze since my 2003 SOBO. I never really tried it much because I didn't have suitably light gear to place in it. This hike I pulled it back out and gave it a shot. By waiting until reasonably warmer weather, and reducing some of the gear carried, I could get my total weight (one liter of water and three days of food) down to 18 pounds. But doing so required making some sacrifices (mentioned below).So, I began hiking with the Breeze and carrying about 18 pounds of weight. If I hiked for, let's say, 10 hours in a day, the Breeze was pretty comfortable for the first 2/3 of the day. Afterwards I could feel my shouldar and back muscles start to complain; and then begin to hurt. Without the other two straps the only adjustment I could make while hiking was to tighten or loosen the shouldar straps - which did somewhat help.After several hiking days I decided it would help to have a sternum belt that could adjust the pull of the shouldar straps. I jury-rigged such a strap and the positives results were immediate. This configuration continued to work well throughout the time I carried the Breeze. The only issue seemed to be the last hour or so in a hiking day - when my entire body seemed to start "caving in" after a full day of effort. I never felt the need for the hip belt and it felt good having the "freedom" of doing without it.But, as I mentioned above, there were other "sacrifices" that had to be made to use this pack and keep the weight under 20 pounds. First, my tent (MSR Hubba) was just too heavy for inclusion in the Breeze. Switching to the Hennessy Hammock knocked 2.5 pounds (at the present time I still prefer using the hammock over the tent regardless of which pack I carry - that may also change later).Another sacrifice involved reducing the clothing I was carrying: no rain pants; minimum amount of shirts/shorts/socks; etc. This cut out an additional pound of weight. It meant that my daily hiking garb would be worn continuously, regardless of how wet, stinky, etc. And then the decision to go stoveless - sending home the JetBoil and associated fuel (close to two lbs saving). Yes, I could have compromised using either alcohol or Esbit stoves - just didn't care to.There were other, potential sacrifices involved: I was only carrying one liter of water. As summer approaches, carrying only one liter becomes more problematic. But adding a second liter would increase the pack weight an additional two pounds. Same thing for food. To stay at 18 pounds, I was only budgetin for three days of food. That may be enough (between resupply points) for the majority of time. But there are significant times when four or even five days food may need to be carried.To the credit of the Breeze there is nothing that says the pack will "fall apart" if you exceed the suggested 20-pound limit. You just have to be prepared to deal with the associated impact on your body. And ask yourself if that impact is worth going through.One significant thing I learned about the Breeze (and other frameless packs) is the benefit of placing a folded, closed (or deflated, open) cell pad inside the pack next to where your back will rest. This "padding" makes for a much more comfortable experience. Having the pad inside the pack also gives it some "structure" that carries better.I think my experiment with the Breeze was interesting and challenging. Without any doubt, carrying such a light (sub-20 pound) load made for the ability to complete longer daily miles. It was while using the Breeze that I was able to complete my 29 mile day. It was just that near the end of each day my muscles began to complain about that weight exclusively on my shouldars.So, assuming I do not get/take this potential job, I'll head back to the Trail without the Breeze. I'll revert back to my Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone with its great hip belt and higher load capacity. I won't go "hog crazy" about what I carry - but I do think I'll carry some things I had gone without. Maybe even the stove! I guess the end result is a compromise of what works with what one wants.