Backcountry Edge

A revamped incarnation of the award-winning Vapor Trail, the ultra-lightweight Granite Gear Crown V.C. 60 sports an innovative lightweight suspension and trail-friendly organizational features at a weight of just over 2 pounds!

New for 2013! Many lightweight packs skimp on support features and achieve weight-savings by sacrificing on carrying comfort. The minimalist Mountainsmith Haze 50 weighs less than 2 pounds but still boasts a surprisingly supportive suspension system.

Adventurer Peter Bakwin has run more than 75 marathons and ultramarathons and established numerous “fastest known times”, all while searching for the perfect pack. Now with Ultimate Direction’s help, he built his own, the PB Adventure Vest.

Drawing on the expertise of champion ultra-runner Scott Jurek, the Ultimate Direction SJ Ultra Vest effectively balances weight and performance in providing at-the-ready hydration for long-distance running or racing. Two 20 oz sport bottles included.

A lightweight offering for technical day hiking, bouldering and other active pursuits, the Mammut Lithium 25 delivers load-hauling support, storage capacity (1526 cubic inches) and convenient gear-lashing and organizational features.

Catering to runners who expect to spend all day on the trail, the CamelBak Ultra LR Vest has an integrated hydration system and features that keep water, fuel and other race essentials close at hand. Includes a 70 ounce Antidote Lumbar Reservoir.

Ideal for dayhiking or fast-and-light multi-day backpacking, the Osprey Talon 44 is sleek and functional. Weighing less than 3 pounds, the Talon 44 is still capable of comfortably carrying loads of up to 40 pounds.

Ideal for a full day of hiking or fast-packing overnights, the sleek, top-loading Osprey Stratos 36 combines carrying comfort, ventilation and organizational features for technical performance.

With a total focus on super lightweight construction, the award-winning Osprey Exos 46 offers stripped down performance for fast-and-light thru-hikes and weekend trips. Despite weighing less than 2.5 lbs, the Exos 46 comfortably carries up to 30 lbs.

Ideal for mountain biking, adventure racing, or dayhiking, the Gregory Miwok 22 is versatile and lightweight. Despite weighing a mere 1 pound 10 ounces, the 1282 cubic inch Miwok 22 is sturdy enough to comfortably carry up to 20 pounds.

An innovative, lightweight offering for technical day hiking or fast-and-light overnights, the Mammut Creon Light 45 offers 2746 cubic inches of storage capacity, load-carrying capability, a unique ventilation system and an array of features.

Running 26.2 miles or anything close to it means carrying a lot more water and gear than you would on your daily run. The CamelBak Marathoner Vest has an integrated 70 oz hydration system and organizational features to keep essentials close at hand.

Ideal for trail running, adventure racing, or fast-and-light dayhiking, the ultra-lightweight Osprey Hornet 24 comfortably carries loads of up to 25 pounds while mirroring your every movement.

An innovative, lightweight offering for technical day hiking or fast-and-light overnights, the Mammut Crea Light 40 Women’s pack offers 2441 cubic inches of storage, load-carrying capability, a unique ventilation system and an array of features.

New for 2013! The Mountain Hardwear SummitRocket 20 VestPack provides easy access to essential gear, fits like a vest so it moves with you, and keeps the center of gravity balanced during fast-paced summit attempts, alpine climbing or adventure races.

New for 2013! The low-profile, body-hugging design of the Exped Mountain Lite 20 makes it a perfect pack for day hikes, biking or climbing. Rugged, highly abrasion-resistant materials grant the pack excellent durability.

An ultra-lightweight backpacking or day hiking option, the award-winning Buttermilks 40 offers streamlined functionality. The top-loading pack weighs less than 3 pounds and can be reduced to just 1 pound, 15 ounces by removing the framesheet.

Despite it lightweight, streamlined profile, the Boreas Muir Woods is a more than capable dayhiking pack or crag pack. An aluminum frame provides load-carrying support and a z-foam backpanel delivers comfort-enhancing ventilation.

An ultra-lightweight backpacking or day hiking option, the award-winning Buttermilks 40 Women’s pack offers streamlined functionality. The top-loading pack weighs less than 3 pounds and can be reduced less than 2 pounds by removing the framesheet.

Borrowing the lightweight suspension design of the award-winning Vapor Trail, the Granite Gear Vapor Flash offers additional durability and organizational features while still weighing in at just over 3 lbs.

Built specifically for women, the feature-rich Meridian Vapor Ki Women's pack comfortably hauls loads of up to 30 pounds. Why settle for an ill-fitting men's pack when you can have an ultralight pack designed to equip women for outdoor adventure?

Weighing just 2.5 pounds, the Deuter Spectro AC 36 SL Women’s pack is a high-performance option for female day hikers. Unlike many ultra-lightweight packs, the Spectro AC 36 SL Women’s pack doesn’t sacrifice on fit or durability.