Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Granite Gear Stratus Access FZ > Steve Nelson > Field Report

Field Report: Granite Gear Straus Access FZ 4500 Backpack
February 1, 2005

Reviewer's Information

Name: Steve Nelson
Age: 44
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 9" (1.75 m)
Weight: 155 lb (70 kg)
Torso length: 20" (51 cm) (this and following measurements done per Granite Gear Instructions)
Hip circumference: 32" (81 cm)
Chest circumference: 39" (99 cm)
Email address: nazdarovye at earthlink • net
City, State, Country: San Francisco, CA, U.S.A.

Backpacking Background:

As an interface design and usability consultant by trade, I'm always excited by analyzing and improving designs and processes; backpacking provides a fertile and fun arena for that. I have been backpacking since I was a kid growing up in upstate New York: we backpacked and canoe-camped in all seasons, throughout the Adirondacks and nearby areas, ranging as far as La Verendrye Wildlife Reserve, Quebec. As an adult, I've backpacked and hiked extensively in California, but also have taken trips throughout the West, from New Mexico to British Columbia, and return often to the Adirondacks.

In the past year I made the transition to lightweight and ultralight backpacking. I like moving fast, and lightening the load facilitates that. I also enjoy urban strolls, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, kayaking, and aviation in addition to hiking and backpacking, so my gear gets exposed to a wide variety of uses and conditions.

Product information

Overview

The Granite Gear Stratus Access FZ 4500 Backpack is a moderate-volume pack featuring a unique frame sheet and load stabilizing supension along with a panel-access pack body. I provided much more descriptive detail in my initial report, which you may wish to reference along with this report, which focuses on my first uses of the Stratus Access pack in the field. One note for reference: I am testing what Granite Gear notes as the standard pack setup based on my measurements: a regular framesheet with a set of trim medium shoulder straps and a men's medium hip belt.

Field Locations

I've used the pack on four overnight trips so far—two at Yosemite National Park and one at Castle Peak in the Donner Pass area of Northern California (all in winter conditions), plus one at Point Reyes National Seashore (in mild coastal winter conditions). Loads on these trips have ranged from approximately 30-37 lb (14-17 kg). Altitudes ranged from sea level to over 9,000 ft (over 2,700 m). Temperatures have ranged from 15° to 60° F (-9° to 16° C), winds have ranged from calm to gale force, and precipitation has mostly been non-existent (just a light dusting of snow on one occasion).

Trail conditions have been fairly benign—I've stuck mainly to established trails, with only a bit of bushwhacking at Yosemite and Castle Peak. I have set the pack on rock, dirt, mud and snow, though I've been careful not to dredge it through those elements, and I do my best to set it on a pad or inside a shelter whenever possible.

Field Impressions

So far I've enjoyed my use of the Stratus Access pack. It's carried the moderate loads I've tried quite well, and it features a large number of suspension, compression and load-carrying adjustments that I appreciate, even as I am still learning how to optimize them. With that said, I'd like to delve into more detail on several specific aspects of the pack:

Fit and Feel

While I like the feel of the Stratus Access overall, I don't believe I've quite "dialed in" the suspension and its myriad adjustments to the point where the pack is completely a fit for me.

On the positive side, the shoulder straps and hip belt are well-padded and comfortable, and the various adjustment straps are easy to find and use. In addition, while I'd initially worried that elements of the pack design might get in the way of my stride and arm swing, the pack has actually been quite compatible with my fast hiking and snowshoeing pace. I like the slim profile of the overall pack body, and the occipital cavity is quite well designed (it's easy to look up and down while wearing the pack; I can even wear a Tilley hat and not feel like the pack is crushing its brim against the back of my neck).

On the negative side, I've found it hard to get the pack to feel like the hip belt is carrying as much of the load as I'd like; the pack seems to want to carry more weight on the shoulders than I prefer, and I've not yet found a way to asjust it to alleviate this. With shoulder straps set so the weight is resting on my hips, the pack seems unstable; tightening the shoulder straps makes it feel more stable, but of course hikes weight off of my hips.

Also, a number of times I've felt as if the pack is leaning toward my left side, even though the load is balanced and straps adjusted evenly; this is something I've not noted on other packs. I've not yet sorted out what's going on, but it has happened often enought that it has me curious, so I'm going to simply keep an eye on this in long-term testing.

I've not yet decided whether the "cruise control" straps really do anytihng for my comfort and mobility (even though their purpose and usage is well-explained in the pack's instruction manual). I've tried them out, and don't find a significant difference in the stability of the pack or in my range of bending motion (the area they're meant to address).

The whole issue of fit is one I intend to spend a lot more time playing with in my long-term testing. Given the superior adjustability of the Stratus Access FZ and its suspension, I have confidence I will find the right combination of settings to make me feel "one" with this pack—but it is not a given.

Loading

So far the pack has swallowed everything I've thrown at it—though occasionally it's taken some thought and reorganization to get everything (especially on snow camping trips) to fit. There are a lot of straps and flaps to deal with, including three internal compression straps, the access panel, two cinch cords, three more external compression straps across the front, three compression straps down each side, and the lid and its attachment points. The good news is that there's a lot of latitude for adjustment, and a lot of ways to cinch down my loads.

I really have appreciated the compression straps as extra, built-in straps for securing items—as you will see in the pictures below, it's possible to attach a lot of gear to the pack without needing any extra straps or cords. I especially like the "wings" of the outside front straps; it's easy to strap a tent, pad, shovel and other items here, yet have easy access to those items as well as the interior of the pack.

Since I generally go ultralight during the rest of the year, I have reduced the weight and volume of even my winter kit to somewhat less than I see most people hauling. That said, I still have had to pack carefully to fit all of my cold-weather gear into the Stratus Access. The best strategy seems to be to use compression and stuff sacks to organize and separate gear, rather than trying to cram it loose into the pack body. This is in part because of the nature of the panel access system and its internal compression straps; it's easier to load stuff sacks, then cinch the internal straps around them, than to snap those straps closed, zip up the panel, and try to load the pack like a traditional top-loader, though I have successfully used both strategies.

Here are two views of the pack loaded up with winter gear, including snowshoes, an ice axe, a snow claw, a full-length blue foam pad and a Cloudburst tarptent strapped to the exterior of the pack body, and a sit pad and extra clothing strapped to the lid; the pack contained a full set of winter clothing layers including insulated pants and down booties, a 5°F (-15° C) sleeping bag, hydration bladder and full cooking setup:

The pack handled all of this gear, though it was definitely filled to capacity.

One last loading note: I use a BearVault bear canister, and have tried loading it two ways: standing vertically in the upper part of the pack body, and shoved horizontally down toward the bottom of the pack. Both have worked adequately, though when I stow the BearVault vertically, it's a tight squeeze with a full hydration bladder in the hydration pocket.

Convertible Lid/Hip Pack

One of my favorite features of the Stratus Access pack is its lid. The lid is capacious enough to hold all kinds of items I want to have handy (lights, personal care items, maps, batteries, first aid and survival kits, and so on), and it has top straps with buckles which I have found quite handy for holding a sit pad and extra clothing layers. Furthermore, it's easy to remove the lid and convert it to a hip pack (the belt is built in, and just has to be deployed and hip snugger webbing laced through buckles to put it to use). Here's a picture of me wearing the lid this way for day hiking near Castle Peak:

While the capacity of the lid is not enough for an extended day hike, it's large enough to hold snacks and a couple of liters of water along with miscellaneous items, and the external straps can hold extra clothing or other bulkier items.

Other Features

The stretchy external pockets come in handy—I like external pockets—but they're a bit small and suffer in volume when the pack is full. Generally, I use them to hold a bag of snacks on one side, and mitten shells and a bandanna on the other. There's not room for much more when the pack is full, and I wouldn't mind larger pockets.

The hydration sleeve is smaller than I'd like—I can just barely squeeze an insulated winter 3 qt (3 L) bladder into it, and can't fit my 4 qt (4 L) hydration bladder when it's full. Also, the hydration port is too small—I've ended up simply routing the hose and bite valve of my bladder out the top of the pack body, snaking it under the edge of the lid and around to the shoulder strap. I'd love to see Granite Gear enlarge both of these in future versions of the pack.

Quality and Durability

Though I can't say I've abused this pack in any way, I've also not babied it, and it looks as if it has suffered no wear whatsoever. The construction is great, materials are solid, and so far I haven't even noticed a loose thread. Zippers and buckles operate smoothly so far—everything works as expected.

The pack has handled snow and wet ground well—so far I've noted no leaks or seepage inside the pack body. I've not yet had the pack out in heavy precipitation, and am concerned (because of its configuration) that the strechy access panel will collect snow and even possibly leak moisture into the pack body; I hope to find conditions to test this on upcoming trips.

Long-Term Test Locations

I'll be using the Stratus Access FZ in the coming months for snow camping and extended backpacking trips, and will be focusing on taking longer trips, carrying heavier loads, and figuring out how to maximize the comfort and utility of its suspension.

Specific trips planned include:

• Confirmed backpacking and snow camping trips in California, including Lassen, Yosemite, Henry Coe State Park, Sequoia National Park
• Car camping in California (Mendocino and Big Sur) during the rainy season; possible car camping at other locations this spring (Colorado, New York)
• Planned additional winter camping trips and day snowshoe outings in California in the Lake Tahoe, Mt. Shasta, Yosemite and Snow Mountain Wilderness areas

Altitudes on these trips will range from sea level to over 10,000 ft (3,050 m). Weather will range from cool and crisp fall and winter weather in less extreme locations to wet and windy winter coastal Pacific storms and active snowfall in the Sierra Nevada. Temperatures will likely range from as low as 0° F (-18° C) to as high as 80° F (38° C).

Long-Term Test Plan

In addition to the already-noted points, I will continue to monitor:

• Overall comfort on the trail over a range of loads (focusing now on even heavier loads than I've tried to date)
• Effect of the shape and other design elements on walking (I love to move fast, I hike with poles, and I like narrow pack designs that don't get in the way and that stay well-attached to my torso; Granite Gear makes a particular point of noting the flexibility of the hip belt system on this pack, and I intend to test this)
• Suspension adjustability on the trail (evaluating the "Cruise Control" system including load lifters, sternum strap, hip belt adjustments, and other elements for load and comfort balancing)
• The effectiveness and comfort of unique suspension elements including the "exoskeleton" hip belt and "3D Tepex" frame
• The effect of various weights, volumes, and weight distributions on the comfort and stability of the pack
• Ventilation (does the suspension get hot; does it promote or soak up excessive perspiration, including in cold weather?)
• Ease of packing, unpacking, repacking, and adjusting for changing loads (including the internal compression flaps and straps and what appears to be a separate sleeping bag compartment)
• Usefulness of pockets on the lid and the two side pockets (which appear to be a bit shallow compared to what I'm used to)
• Ease of use of cinch cords, buckles and other elements, including when wearing gloves or mitts
• Suitability and security for lashing external items (including extra pads, shelters, sacks, climbing and winter tools, helmet, snowshoes, crampons, skis)
• Further exploration into the pack's ability to accommodate bulky items such as a bear canister, including flexibility of loading position and orientation
• Usability with a hydration bladder (including more thoroughly evaluating the hydration sleeve and port features)
• Durability of materials, accessories and construction (including during bushwhacking and non-technical climbing, and in sub-freezing conditions)
• Weatherproofness (how waterproof is the pack in fog, precipitation, snow and slush, or resting in the wet bottom of a canoe; how effective is the pack closure; how well does the water-resistant zipper on the lid work; how weather-resistant is the Durastretch fabric?)

For all trips I'll record a summary of items carried, their overall weight and volume, and note weather and trail conditions along with my observations.

Summary

The Granite Gear Stratus FZ 4500 is an expedition-quality, moderate-volume pack with a highly flexible suspension and adjustment system. I'm enjoying testing this pack and look forward to zeroing in on the right settings for the most comfortable fit.

Things I like so far:

• High quality construction and tough materials
• Near-infinite adjustability
• Strong, flexible suspension
• Multiple, effective means for load compression
• Removable/convertible lid
• Sleek overall design

Things I don't like so far:

• Overall comfort is not quite as good as I'd like so far—hard to get the pack to be stable while carrying weight mostly on my hips, but this could easily be my lack of experience with the pack—I'll keep adjusting this
• Hydration features and pockets a bit under-sized

Thanks to BackpackGearTest and Granite Gear for giving me the opportunity to participate in this test.

Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Granite Gear Stratus Access FZ > Steve Nelson > Field Report