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Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Granite Gear Nimbus Latitude Ki > Rebecca Sowards-Emmerd > Initial Report
The Granite Gear Nimbus Latitude
Ki is a women's specific pack with a design unlike anything I've seen
before. Its unique design will definitely make me rethink my packing
techniques and its women's specific harness system and belt should make
carrying my load a comfortable 'walk in the park'.
The Nimbus Latitude Ki came with a
hang tag and owner's manual attached to the front of the pack. The sixteen
page owner's manual is generic to the Nimbus, Stratus, and Cirrus lines of
Granite Gear backpacks, but still does an excellent job describing the
features of the pack. It begins with a rundown of the harness and frame
features as well as descriptions for fitting all of the pack's components.
It ends with fantastic text and pictorial instructions for customizing the
pack. This includes the instructions for swapping out or adjusting the
belt, shoulder straps, and frame sheet. The pack rests against the
wearer's back with a flat, Durastretch fabric covered foam. The theory is
that extra padding 'bumps' that are regularly found on packs are not
needed here to compensate for a poor fitting frame. Since the frame will
adjust to the wearer's back there is no need to 'fudge' the fit. The
fabric covering the foam is intended to keep sweat from soaking the foam,
while being stretchy and comfortable against the wearer's back. The
owner's manual describes clearly how to measure for the frame size - my
torso length of 16.5 inches put me within the small range.
The shoulder harness has a pivot
point to adjust to the correct angle for the wearer's body. The shoulder
harness comes with two strap width options - medium or trim. The shoulder
harness also can be sized by measuring around the chest. The belt also has a pivot point so
that it will follow the natural movement of the body as a person hikes.
This should lead to less irritation and more comfort than a statically
positioned belt. Like the rest of the pack components, the owners manual
describes how to fit the belt comfortably by measuring at the hip.
As mentioned above, the owners
manual does a great job explaining how to swap and adjust the belt,
shoulder harness, and frame sheet. The amount of customization that
Granite Gear packs allow is fantastic. Each of these components is
measured and sized separately, and although Granite Gear ships their packs
in standard configurations, there is an option for switching any of these
components out. In fact, the last page of the online Owners Manual is a
card that can be sent to Granite Gear for swapping out any pieces that are
needed if, for example, the pack was bought in a shop without all the size
options available. This card did not come with the owners manual that came
with the pack. The online owners manual appears to be updated a bit from
the one that came with the pack, although they essentially cover the same
material. So, what makes the Nimbus Latitude
Ki specific to women? Among the pieces described above there are certain
specific modifications made for the women's pieces. At the place where the
shoulder straps attach is a pivot mechanism. The women's and small framed
packs have a narrower pivot point, while the rest of the packs have a
regular sized component. However, just like everything else this can be
swapped out. Also, the women's pack belt is a bit different, with a
sharper angle to it to fit a women's curves. Again, this can be switched
out. Although the Nimbus Latitude Ki is
listed and marketed as a women's specific pack, I see no reason that it
could not be worn by anyone by simply switching out the customizable
components. With the clear directions given by Granite Gear it is easy to
switch out the narrow should strap pivot point and women's angled belt to
the regular components, and then it would no longer be 'women's specific'.
The only thing that is unclear to me is if the framesheet is shaped
differently for women, and the hangtag briefly mentions that 'the Ki
offers a narrower attachment point for shoulder straps, with an option for
the standard wide option as well." Although I definitely fit the
women-specific pieces, I really like the flexibility offered with this
pack. As mentioned above, Granite Gear
ships 'standardized' versions of their packs. The Nimbus Latitude Ki that
I received is a short torso. This, by default, comes with trim width
straps and a narrow pivot point. However, the short torso in the women's
packs comes with a Medium belt by default, which was too big for me. I
simply requested the small belt, so the pack I received is fitted as
follows: Torso: Short
If I were looking at this pack in
a store and they only had a single pack with the default configuration, I
could have bought it, and mailed the Medium belt with the card from the
online owners manual back to Granite Gear, and exchanged it for the small
belt (for a minimal fee to cover shipping costs). Thanks for making it so
easy! Inside this panel are two internal
compression straps. These help secure the internal load and helps keep
things from tumbling out when the panel is opened all the way. There are
two additional straps on the outside of the panel, which appear to be more
for strapping on external gear than compression straps. This is what I
will likely use them for, and already have on one trip. There are also
compression straps, in a 'Z' shape, on the sides of the pack.
The Nimbus Latitude Ki has an
interesting internal 'hidden lid'. It has two clips where it can be
connected to the interior top of the pack, much like a, well, internal
lid. It has a foam bottom so that when it is set on the ground it is in
the shape of a bowl, with the top cinched together. I have to admit I am
baffled by the design of this internal lid - why the foam bottom? - but
found that it was quite useful last weekend in the snow as a food storage
sack. Clipped to the inside of this sack is a small repair kit. The repair
kit contains a few extra buckles and screws for the harness and belt.
All of this customizability and
fancy features are great, but the big question is how does it perform on
the trail? So, what kind of things will I be testing over the next six
months? First and foremost is comfort. A pack can have all the bells and
whistles I want, but if it's bugging me a mile down the trail I'm not
going to be happy! How does the frame, harness, and belt system distribute
the weight on my body? How long does it take to figure out the right
adjustment? The volume, 3900 cubic inches, is exactly what I need for my
winter gear load, and a bit big but not too bulky for my summer gear. With
my winter gear load I carry approximately 30 lbs (including food and
water), and the summer load can be as little as 15 lbs (with food and
water). I've already carried it on one winter overnight and found that it
carried 30 lbs quite well, but I'll have to keep varying my load, terrain,
and conditions to determine the true comfort of this pack. One thing that
I have noticed already as being a very positive feature of this pack is
how it keeps the load well balanced but low, meaning that I have room to
move my head around, look up, wear a wide brimmed hat, and not be annoyed
by my pack hitting me! I look forward to experimenting
with the loading of this pack - I will have to spend some time
reevaluating how I pack. I think I will be using stuff sacks more and will
have to figure out the best way to distribute my gear based on the weight
and accessibility needs. I actually think it will be easier now that I can
access things from the top or bottom. It seems that it will be just as
easy to access gear from the bottom as the top, so it wouldn't be a
problem having frequently accessed or quickly needed items (like rain
gear) packed toward the bottom of the pack. With my winter gear I will be
packing this pack to it's top limits, so I am curious how much extra space
can be squeezed into the pack by the stretchiness of the panel without
putting undue stress on the zippers. Also, I will need to strap some
things to the external straps - how easy is this and does is effect the
balance of the pack? On the rough and uneven high Sierra carved granite
trails I typically hike in the summer, balance is important.
What about the internal lid? Is this useful or will I just
end up leaving it at home? How durable is the material? I'll be tossing
this pack around on granite and snow. Will I need the repair kit? If I
*do* need a repair kit, does the provided repair kit include the tools I
need? I've already taken this pack out on an overnight in the snow and so
far am impressed with it. I look forward to experimenting with it over the
next six months!
Read more reviews of Granite Gear gear Read more gear reviews by Rebecca Sowards-Emmerd Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Granite Gear Nimbus Latitude Ki > Rebecca Sowards-Emmerd > Initial Report | |||||||||||||
The '3D Tepex' framesheet is designed with flexibility
in mind. It is supposed to flex to fit the wearer's back while still
retaining enough strength to carry a load comfortably. While not being
worn the framesheet will return to its normal shape. Only time will tell
if this type of regular deformation will lead to damage or breaking. I
hope not! 
Features: 
The stretchy material theme continues on the
sides of the pack. There is an enormous stretchy pocket on the bottom of
each side. Each pocket easily fits a standard Nalgene bottle, and in one
pocket I also added a sunglasses case, pair of gloves, and trekking pole
handle (strapped along the pack) in addition to the bottle. On the top
sides there are also two zippered stretchy pockets. There is no top lid to
this pack but these pockets allow for the stashing of small things
(sunscreen, chapstick, snacks, etc) that I usually would throw in a lid.