Reviewer Information:
Name: Jim Hatch
Age: 44
Gender: Male
Height: 5'9" (1.8 m)
Weight: 180 lbs (82 kg)
Torso: 18" (46 cm)
Chest: 44" (112 cm)
Waist: 36" (91 cm)
Hips: 38" (97 cm)
Email: colonelcorn76@yahoo.com
City/State: Simsbury, Connecticut

Backpacking Background:
I've been backpacking and camping for 30 years and get out for a weekend or more once a month, with longer trips (5 nights or more) 2-3 times a year. Most of my backpacking is done in the mountains of the East Coast (Appalachians, Whites, Berkshires, Adirondacks). Having tired of 60 lb (27 kg) loads, I caught the lightweight bug about 5 years ago and am currently carrying a base pack weight of less than 10 lbs (4.5 kg) before food and fuel and rarely venture out with more than 20 lbs (9 kg) anymore. I am now trying to develop a low-volume style to go with the lightweight nature of my gear.

Product Information:
Manufacturer: Fanatic Fringe
Year of Manufacture: 2004
URL: http://www.fanaticfringe.com
Style: Frameless Rucksack with hip belt

Color: Hunter's Green/Black (1 oz/28 g) less than the Tan/Black version

Size: Large (17 to 22 in/43 to 58 cm torso)
Mfg Weight: 9.5 oz (269 g) -- without hip belt, weight with hip belt not listed
Tested Weight: 10.3 oz out of the box (292 g)
Capacity (pack): 2,400 cu in (39 L)

Tested Capacity (pack): 2,350 cu in (38.5 L)
Capacity (with extension collar & pockets): 3,600 cu in (59 L)
MSRP (pack): U.S. $79

Pack Features (see my Initial Report for more details):
Here's what Fanatic Fringe has to say about the pack on their website:

Weighs in at a scant 10.5 ounces/298 grams! [Note: the Hunter's Green model is 9.5 ounces/269 grams -- the hip belt appears to add only an ounce (28 g)]
Compression straps on the upper portion of the pack sides to eliminate top flop [Is this cool or what? Look ma, no top flop!]
Uses a closed cell foam pad as its main support and padding [Under 13 lbs/6 kg I don't need any support/padding at all.]
The body of the pack is 1.9 ounce (54 g) coated Ripstop and the back and bottom is 200 denier coated Oxford
It has one large mesh pocket to dry gear and two smaller ones on the sides to carry water and fuel
The pack is around 2400 cubic inches (39 L) for the main body with an extra 400 cu in (6.5 L) in mesh pockets and about 800 cu in (13 L) more with the extension collar up
Sized in Medium for torso lengths 15 to 18 inches (38 cm to 46 cm) and Large (17 to 22 inches/43 to 56 cm)
Colors are "UV coated Tan/Black and Hunter's Green/Black" with custom colors available
A hip belt is new in February 2004

This pack is purpose-designed for the ultralight backpacker. The size (volume) and weight push the envelope. All of the straps, be they shoulder, compression, or waist belt are minimalist -- thin in both thickness and width. It is definitely not a pack I could have made work when I was hauling 60 lb (27 kg) loads.

Field Information:

Overall Impression-I have used the Thompson Peak on several day hikes as well as a couple of more extended backpacking trips; including 3 weekends and a 3 day whitewater trip. These "shakedown cruises" have proven the pack sufficiently that I am ready to take it on a trek this summer running the Presidentials in New Hampshire's White Mountains. The trips to date have been primarily on well maintained trails (although calling the car-sized boulders that form the "path" up -- straight up -- Mt. Monadnock a well maintained trail is an insult to real trails everywhere). Although the rafting trip introduced the pack to incidental water, it's not been subject to any real rain or water immersion. I'll be looking for that opportunity during the long term testing period.

So far I've had no pack feature/function failures of any kind (the tendency for the plastic grommet at the pack's top drawstring to pop off isn't really a "failure" in my mind -- I just make sure I hold it with one hand while pulling the drawstring with the other -- this results in a tighter top cinch as well). The seams, fabric, straps, and pocket mesh are all still as good as new. Nothing has torn or leaked (not that I've gotten too wet myself--although the seams are not sealed and can be expected to leak sometime). My maximum load so far has been 18 lbs (8 kg) and that took some doing. Typically I've been running between 13 and 15 lbs (6 - 7 kg). It's amazing what I can do without when I just don't have the room. On the other hand, it's also pretty amazing how much I can stuff in a 2400 ci (39 L) pack.

Field Uses:

Day Hikes-I've used the pack on several short day hikes on maintained trails (no bramble bashing) in nice weather with temps in the high 60s to low 80s F (19 to 28 C), dry, and pleasant. My pack weight for these has been between 10 and 12 lbs (4.5 to 5,4 kg). I'm using these as training hikes in preparation for the Presidential hike coming up this summer. I can pack a weekend's gear in 12 lbs (5.4 kg) and fit everything well within the main body of the pack. Wearing my normal wicking shirt and nylon shorts (sometimes including long-sleeved silk top or a fleece vest when temps drop at elevation). I haven't noticed any significant sweat build up between my back and the pack body (my shirt gets damp, but it's getting damp all over from my sweat and dries quickly). In this mode the pack is unremarkable -- it just does its thing holding my stuff. I have noticed that at these weights the hip belt is superfluous and Jardine's "slung over one shoulder" method of carry is actually useful. I often just toss it over one shoulder and carry it that way for some distance before either swapping to the other shoulder or slipping both straps on. In any case, the load at this weight simply isn't very much. Even at these weights though I haven't found much use for the compression straps (at least in terms of compressing the pack). I've used them to hold my walking stick (3-section Pole Cat) with one end in a pocket and the other tucked under a compression strap or to hang a bandana or other piece of clothing to dry--just not for squishing things.

Backpacking-A weekend trip adds a few pounds (kg) to my pack load but doesn't impact the usability of this pack. Clearly even loads of 15 lbs (7 kg) are well within the pack's design parameters. Whereas 10 lbs (4.5 kg) is almost not noticeable, a 15 lb (7 kg) load is definitely there. But, it's comfortably there. My gear gets packed with my pad circling the interior, food on the bottom, followed (upwards) by my spare clothes (in a space saver vacuum bag), sleeping bag, hammock (Hennessey in its SnakeSkins), and water bladder up against my back. The rest of my gear goes in the pockets -- this includes my stove & fuel (in the metal cup I use to boil water) on the left side, first aid kit & headlamp (on the right side) and my rain jacket, fleece & watch cap in the center pocket. Each day's lunch or snacks are carried in the pockets of my shorts. GPS, radio, or phone gets clipped to the shoulder straps or hip belt. When traveling far off road I carry a satellite phone (to make sure some Scout's parents don't find us returning without their son in the event of an emergency).

This does require that I leave the steaks & merlot at home but there is certainly enough room and carrying capacity in this pack for a week on the trail -- as long as I have the ability to camel up daily and can live on flat food. This isn't as difficult as it might first seem. Pita bread for a week's sandwiches is less than 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) thick. Tuna fish now comes in thin (1/2 inch/1.3 cm) foil packages. Combined with a packet or two of mayonnaise and relish in a half a pita, it's a filling meal that takes almost no room in my pack. The same is true for breakfast (a half-dozen packages of instant oatmeal, some dried eggs, and dehydrated mashed potatoes provide variety & calories in a small space). Dinners of course tend to require more room, but dehydrated foods (both home dehydrated & commercial freeze-dried meals) are generally good...and thin. The only place I won't compromise is in the area of snacks but gorp in vacuum packed bags and Zone bars taste great and don't require lots of water to rehydrate or space in my pack. Altogether, a week's worth of food can be fit in a 3.5 inch (9 cm) layer across the bottom of my pack. Everyday, as I repack my sleep gear, I pull out that day's snacks & lunch and am on my way.

The biggest downside to this pack are the pockets. When the pack is full I can't push a water bottle in a side pocket because I can't pull it out. Without cinching tops, these pockets are good to hold things but not to give them up easily (which can be a plus in some situations). If I had my druthers I'd make the side pocket tops bigger and string them with a drawcord & cordlock. Then I could loosen or tighten the pocket top as needed for whatever I'm carrying. Instead I have to carry my water in a hydration bladder in the pack. This is fine when I'm cruising but when I overwork and use more water than originally estimated, it's hard to know when it's empty until I'm sucking plastic. Then it's tough to refill as sliding it back into a full pack requires that I lay it on its back (the part facing the world when I'm hiking), sit on the pack to squeeze it some, and then pull the fabric upwards to open enough space to slide the bladder back in. Not awful, but not terribly convenient. Fortunately I haven't had to do this in the rain.

One thing that I'm happy I chose is the hip belt. Although it doesn't really transfer much weight to my hips (there's just not that much to transfer), I find it convenient to shift the pack "carry" when it's loaded with 15 lbs (6.8 kg). Using the shoulder straps is comfortable enough but being able to fasten the hip belt allows me to loosen the shoulder straps and have the upper pack "float" away from my back a bit. This isn't like a flopping overloaded top-heavy pack but simply a little air between my back and the pack. It changes where weight is carried and gives my (aging) body parts a rest without needing to take a break. In fact, there's no need to drop the pack when taking a rest. I haven't used the pack with loads heavier than 18 lbs (8 kg) so I'm not sure if the straps and belt become more necessary when the pack's limits are reached, but so far, it's a comfortable and sturdy bag.

The biggest concern I had when I began this test was the potential for having too much stuff (within the pack's weight limit) to fit in the volume capacity of the bag. In fact, I've found that it really isn't an issue. I've not noticed a need to leave stuff behind. Of course this is fair weather (aka not winter) camping, but I've been pleasantly surprised to find that everything I need I have room for...and in fact, an occasional thing I don't really need if I so choose.

Current Conclusions:

I find that the Thompson Peak is a sturdy and durable pack well suited to the needs of an ultralight backpacker. The only changes I would make are minimal (pocket drawstrings & sealing the seams). Its minimalist weight and workmanlike design & construction make it a good choice for the light/ultralight low-volume backpacking style I've embraced.

Things I like: Lightweight, low-volume, sturdy construction

Things I'd change: Side pocket top design, add a hydration tube hole (so the tube could come out the back of the pack vs. through the top cinch)

Long-term testing:

My travels this summer will include a week long trip hiking the Presidential in temps that should range from hot (probably reaching 95 F/53 C or more) and humid to cold (32 F/0 C on Mt. Washington) traveling on a well maintained section of the AT in the White Mountains (elevations to 6,299 ft/1,917 m). Other possible ventures include Katahdin in October and some early winter camping that should allow me to stretch the pack's volume capacity with cold weather gear before the long term testing phase is complete.

I'd like to thank BGT and Fanatic Fringe for the opportunity to test this pack.

Read more reviews of Fanatic Fringe gear
Read more gear reviews by Jim Hatch

Field Report