Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Granite Gear Nimbus Latitude Pack > Thomas Peltier II > Field Report

I have been in the outdoors since I was a toddler. My mother introduced me to backpacking when I was in the backpack. I in good turn joined the Boy Scouts to get away from Mom on the weekend hikes. My first backpack trip with the Boy Scouts was down a dirt road to a park and campsite. That was my last trip with the Boy Scouts. Since then I have been backpacking mostly in the Sierra Nevada.

I have been a professional river guide and kayak instructor for the last 11 years; however, I currently work at a family establishment in Bakersfield, California. Working a "Real Job" keeps me away from the outdoors a bit more than I would like. My summers are busy between city work and river guiding. Much of my packing is done on the river in the summer. This has driven me to long winter trips and short summer trips for the last several years. I took up snowshoeing to help get into winter packing. I have found that less is often more in my backpacking and my summer trips I find myself as happy in a pair of Chacos carrying my pocketknife as I do with a heavy pack and big boots.

During the last few months I have had several opportunities to use the Nimbus Latitude backpack. I have used the Nimbus exclusively in the Sierra Nevada, the temperature has been between 40 F (4.5 C) and 95 F (35 C), over an altitude range of 2500 ft. (762 m) to 8000 ft. (2438 m). I have used the pack for a total of 12 days backpacking and on four other weekend trips out of town during which I stayed at friends' homes. I have carried loads from 15 lb (6.8 kg ) to 60 lb ( 27 kg ) while testing the Nimbus Latitude.

I like the way the Nimbus Latitude looks and feels on my back. When the load is small the pack shrinks down and when the load is larger the Nimbus Latitude just keeps on expanding. Even with the pack loaded to the gills it is still comfortable to wear and distributes the weight very well. I have not experienced any rubbing or sore spots from the hip belt or the shoulder straps. The load lifters do an excellent job of transferring weight to the hips even with a 60 lb ( 27 kg) loads. I found that the back pad presses firmly against my back and stays there. There are no uneven marks or stitch marks on the back pad to cause sore spots. The pad is thick enough to cushion against my back comfortably.

The suspension system works just fine. As I said earlier, the weight distribution is good and I get no hot spots even when carrying oversize loads. The system has held up well so far. The hip belt contours nicely to my hips and the shoulder straps fit nicely over my shoulders and back past my rib cage. The sternum strap is easy to adjust. After several miles on the trail my shoulders and back do not become overly sore or aggravated from carrying the pack.

Now for the big one, the panel loading system. I love the panel loading system. On my longest backcountry trip I was out for five days. My backpack stayed well organized and everything in my backpack was accessible all day long. In fact on every weekend trip, every couch surfing weekend and every multi-day trip I have had great success with the panel loading system. I dare say I love this system. The dual front zipper system makes everything accessible and the side pull compression straps keep everything in the pack even when the front panel is completely open. I can pack everything in my pack according to best fit and weight instead of frequency of use. This feature has proven to be a great advantage for me.

The side pockets are the only down point I have found so far. I indicated during my initial report that the bottom compression straps ran across the pockets. I have indeed found that this can cause some trouble with using the side pockets. Small or flat items may be placed in the pocket and then cinched down when the pack is compressed but this limits accessibility while on the trail. The side pockets are made from the same material as the center panel and I must say that they will just keep expanding to accept gear. Since these are the only two exterior pockets I have found that most everything must be stored inside the pack. I did find I could carry my ground cloth and floppy hat in the side pockets fairly easily. I simply loosen the compression straps stuff the pockets and then pull the straps tight again. This has the advantage of securing whatever is placed inside the pocket. As far as connecting things to the outside of the backpack, besides the two pockets there are two ax loops and the front compression straps and the top straps on both sides have buckles. I found that I could easily carry things like my ground tarp rolled up and secured by one or two of these straps.

The Nimbus Latitude also has a water bladder compartment. The compartment is at the back of the main compartment against the frame. I found that I could remove and replace the water bladder even when the pack was full. I would open the front panel about half way down, loosen the top internal compression strap and wiggle the water bladder out. Like most packs with water bladders I found the drinking tube and mouth piece difficult to install and remove. Because of this I try to fill my bladder without removing the drinking tube. I have had moderate success with this approach, it is a bit precarious sometimes but for the most part it seems to work out just fine. Once I have the full water bladder wiggled back into place, I retighten the compression strap zip up the front panel and connect the outer compression straps. All in all I find the water bladder a little bit difficult to deal with but that is no different than any other pack I have used.

1. The way it looks
   
2. The weight
   
3. The panel loading system
   
4. The suspension system
   
5. The stitching
   

1. The bottom strap over the pockets
   

The panel loading system works very well. The pack has held up to all of my backpacking, camping and travel. The fit of the pack on my back is excellent, even after several hours of walking. This is my new favorite backpack. I intend to use this pack several times over the next four months, including some long term backpacking and traveling, I will report back and let everyone know just how well the pack holds up over the next four months. Until then live well and go backpacking.

Tom Peltier

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Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Granite Gear Nimbus Latitude Pack > Thomas Peltier II > Field Report