GoLite Unisex Peak Backpacking Backpack

too small and uncomfortable hipbelts
September 21, 2011

I was drawn to the GoLite Peak due to it appearing to be a lower cost version of the Jam2 and online comments the size was only slightly smaller and the hipbelts nearly as good. However, this is quite a bit less a backpack than the Jam2, to the degree, I'd say avoid the Peak. The issues are - the removable hipbelt leads to the buckles when fitting the hipbelts causing to dig into you, with the narrow buckles magnifying - the pack is quite short, I cannot easily place my tent vertically inside. I have the Large size and still too short. - the top is open to the elements, you draw the cord to close the top, its still a hole sky-facing. Overall, I'd say it is a good daysack, or for multi-day hiking where you are hostelling, but not camping, each night (B&B touring). The volume is good for winter day-hiking with cold peak gear to be packed, or winter hostelling touring. This pack is not big enough for multi-day camping, unless you were using all the highest-cost tent, sleeping and cooking equipment, in which case you'd balance the $ investment with something like the Jam2.

Great Day Pack
February 17, 2011

This is great for a day pack, long or shorter trips as you can adjust the pack to make it slimmer. I haven't had much weight in it but being a female of relatively small frame the waist strap is pretty much useless as it doesn't tighten enough to really feel like its taking any of the weight. So far a very durable pack. Not crazy about the roll down top, especially in wet weather.

Excellent day pack and ultralight overnight pack
January 10, 2011

IMHO, the Peak is often overlooked by folks in the market for a day pack. There are certainly lighter options, but most of them are made of less durable materials like silnylon. The Peak is constructed with Dyneema, which is an awesome fabric for packs. Some of the weight gain of the current Peak over previous years models is the mesh backpanel. It doesn't have the glitz of a ventilated trampoline backpanel, but it works just about as well, and it's worlds better than having foam or Dyneema against your back. Having done a lot of day hiking with the Peak over the summer, I feel that the fain of a few ounces is well worth having the mesh backpanel. It provides enough ventilation that I'm not left wishing for anything more complicated. I'm a big guy (42" waist), and the hipbelt is mostly worthless. Mind you, the kind of weights I've carried in the Peak don't really require a heavy duty hipbelt, but the Peak's hipbelt doesn't transfer weight at all for me. It is handy to have the pockets, but I usually leave them off to save weight. Which leaves a simple webbing strap, which I do use sometimes to keep the bag from bumping against my back on rough trails. It also does well as an pack for ultralight overnights, but admittedly isn't the best suited for this. For a relatively small additional investment and a few ounces, you can go for the Jam, which would provide the capacity for longer trips. But you know what they say- get a bigger pack, and you'll fill it even if you don't need to. The Peak certainly can handle a base weight of 10-15 lbs plus a couple of days food and 1-3 L of water, provided you're using less bulky summer gear.

Shop with Confidence
December 21, 2010

This is an excellent ultralight backpack for day hikes.There are certain expectations one should have of a pack that ways a little over 1lb. Great weight, well built, good design on outside.

Golite Peak
December 06, 2010

Nicely made pack, and is great for light, light loads. I personally could not get comfortable, and with a decent load (33 lbs), this pack felt a bit overwhelmed. Pretty specific pack, and like I said is great for the ultralight crowd, but I am not quite there yet.