Product
Description
The GoLite Breeze is a no frills ultralight backpack. It is a smaller pack
(3950 cu in/64 liters for size large), about the same size as a climbing
pack. In order for this pack to work, one needs to make a commitment to
ultralight backpacking and carry minimal and light/compact gear. There is
not enough room in this pack to carry conventional backpacking gear. It
has a comfortable carrying capacity of 20 lb/10 kg. The main body is made
of Spectra®
Gridstop (also called Dyneema®). The 3 large outside pockets are made of
mesh. Shoulder straps are padded. There is no sternum strap or waist belt.
The Breeze is available in sizes medium and large. Available colors are
black and green.
Field
Information
Location for Testing—Southwestern US (Colorado, Utah, Arizona,
New Mexico)
Description of Use—I have carried this pack for approximately
1000 miles (1610 km) in the mountains and deserts of this 4 state area. It
was also used on one trip to the Wind River Mountains in Wyoming.
Hiking Conditions—All of my backpacking trips with this pack have
been in the summer. Elevations ranged from 4500 ft (1372 m) to 14,150 ft
(4313 m). Most of my trips using the Breeze were shorter 1 to 3 night
trips, but I did use it on one 8-day trip carrying 29 pounds (13.2 kg).
While using this pack, I encountered every type of weather you can name,
except snow.
Owner
Review
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Modifications—My
wife added a lightweight sternum strap and a waist belt to the pack
when it was fairly new. This added 2 oz (57 g) to its weight. In my
subsequent use of the pack I found that the waist belt was not really
necessary for carrying loads in the 15-20 pound range (6.8-9.1 kg).
The sternum strap did prove to be helpful to improve the load
stability of the pack.
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Construction,
Fit and Comfort—The GoLite Breeze has high quality materials and
construction, utilizing reinforcements in all stress points. The pack
in size large fits me quite well and is very comfortable to carry with
light loads. The pack tends to ride high on my shoulders, which I
like. The only pack adjustments are the shoulder straps. The foam in
the shoulder straps is a bit on the hard side and my shoulders get
sore after extended use. It helps to shift the location of the straps
on my shoulders to minimize the soreness.
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Features—The Breeze’s beauty is in its
simplicity and functionality. The pack has very few extra features,
which accounts for its light weight. There are very few packs that
weigh less than the Breeze. The Breeze is both light and durable. I
especially love the outside mesh pockets that hold numerous gear items
and keep them readily accessible.
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Durability—The
Spectra®
Gridstop main body of the pack is extremely durable. I have
bushwhacked with this pack on numerous trips. The outer mesh pockets
have snags in 2-3 places from 5 years of use. My wife has a newer
Breeze pack and the mesh on her pack is more durable than mine.
Overall, except for the snags in the mesh, the pack has held up very
well.
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Weight
Carrying Capacity—The pack is
very comfortable (for me) with loads less than 15 pounds (6.8 kg).
Above that weight it becomes increasingly uncomfortable, and I prefer
to use a different pack. The Breeze is rated to carry up to 20 pounds
(9.1 kg) comfortably. The one time I carried 29 pounds (13.2 kg)
(initial weight) in the Breeze on an 8-day trip, it was quite
uncomfortable. Without any suspension to transfer the load, the pack
weighed heavily on my shoulders. The result was sore shoulder and
upper back muscles. I have found from experience that the Breeze works
best (for me) for shorter 1-3 night summer trips where I can keep my
pack weight below 15 pounds (6.8 kg).
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Volume
Carrying Capacity—I realize
that the Breeze is loved by many thru-hikers for long distance hiking.
For hiking in the Colorado Mountains, I have found that the Breeze
simply does not have enough volume (and weight) carrying capacity for
more than a 1-3 night trip. In good weather, where I don’t need to
carry as much insulated clothing, rainwear, etc., I could probably do
a 4 to5 night trip and keep the total weight below 18 pounds (8.1 kg).
The pack’s oversized extension collar is redundant, in my opinion,
and could be reduced to half its present length. When the extension
collar is filled, the pack is very top-heavy.
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Loading the
Breeze—The packing system that works
best for me is to put my sleeping bag (in stuff sack) in the bottom of
the pack. I then fold my sleeping pad and put it inside the pack
against my back to provide a back pad. Camp clothing, dinner food, and
cooking gear are put in next. I pack trail clothing and food on top to
keep it accessible. In the mesh pockets I carry an assortment of
smaller items that I frequently need on the trail. A 1-liter water
bottle fits well in each side pocket. I have tried carrying a 2-liter
Platypus flask in a side pocket, and have found that the corners catch
on the mesh, making it difficult to slide it in. I often carry a
Tarptent Squall 2-person tent in a side mesh pocket. It fits tight but
it works.
Conclusions
The GoLite Breeze pack is brilliant in its simplicity and functionality. I
have found the Breeze to be an excellent pack for ultralight backpacking
on 1-3 night summer trips, which is the most common type of trip I do.
Although the pack is rated to carry 20 pounds (9.1 kg) comfortably,
I prefer not to carry over 15 pounds (6.8 kg) with the pack. For longer
trips and cold weather trips, where more weight and volume carrying
capacity are needed, I prefer to use a pack with some type of suspension.
After 5 years of use, I have found the Breeze to be very durable and
reliable, and well suited for ultralight backpacking.
Personal
Information
Reviewer's Name: Will
Rietveld
Age: 61
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft (183 cm)
Weight: 170 lb (77 kg)
Torso Length: 20.5 in (52cm)
E-mail: (willi_wabbit at bresnan dot net) willi_wabbit@bresnan.net
City & State: Durango, CO 81301 USA
Backpacking
Background
I have been an avid backpacker for 46 years, and have done
hundreds of trips in the Rocky Mountain States and the Upper Midwest.
Ultralight backpacking is my passion. In the fall, winter, and spring I
backpack in Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. In the summer I backpack in
several wilderness areas in southern Colorado. I have been a lightweight
backpacker for many years, and an ultralight backpacker for 5 years. My
wife and I present ultralight backpacking workshops in our local area, and
have developed a website called Southwest
Ultralight Backpacking to share information.
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