Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Granite Gear Stratus Latitude > Chuck Carnes > Long Term Report

Granite Gear
Stratus Latitude
  Long Term Report
Report Date: September 9, 2006
by Chuck Carnes

Biographical Information

Name:                                                             Chuck Carnes
Age:                                                                36
Gender:                                                           Male
Height:                                                            6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:                                                           175 lb (79 kg)
E-mail address:                                               ctcarnes1(at)yahoo(dot)com
City, State, Country:                                        Greenville, South Carolina, United States

Backpacking Background

            I love the outdoors – I’ve spent time camping in the outdoors since I was born, and have been actively hiking and backpacking for the past ten years. I consider myself a lightweight hiker, usually carrying 20 – 30 pounds (11-13 kg) for hikes up to a week in length. I hike at an easy pace, averaging 2 mph (3 kph). I am a one man tent camper for now until a lighter two man tent comes along and will give me more room. I like to carry a single trekking pole when I hike to help relieve stress to my legs and knees. I like to get out on the trail as often as I can.

Product Information

Manufacturer:                                                 Granite Gear
Model:                                                             Status Latitude
Year of Manufacture:                                       2005
URL:                                                                www.granitegear.com
Listed Weight:                                                  4 lb 14 oz (2.21 kg)
Weight as Delivered:
            Main Body:                                          4 lb 12 oz (2.15 kg)
            Removable Inside Pouch:                     1.2 oz (34 g)
            Complete Pack:                                    4 lb 13.2 oz (2.19 kg)
Listed Storage Capacity:                                   4800 cu. in. (79 L)
Size:                                                                 Regular
Hip Belt Size:                                                    Large
Color:                                                               Golden Brown/Black
My Waist Size:                                                  34 in (86 cm)
My Torso Length:                                             21 in (53 cm)
MSRP:                                                             $290.00 (US)

Long Term Report

'Cold Mountain' in the distance (as in the movie)

Trip #3:
Location: Shinning Rock, N.C.
Elevation: 6,000 ft (1,829 m) - 6,500 ft (1,981 m)
Temperature: 95-102 F (35-38 C) day, 85-90 F (29-32 C) night
Weather Conditions: Dry and hot in the day and night. Afternoon rain showers.
Duration of Trip: 2 days, 1 night
Length of Trip: 8 miles (12 km)
Pack Weight: 32 lb (14 kg)
Report: This was a great trip. Beautiful scenery and having a comfortable backpack made the trip even better. I packed the Stratus Latitude with stuff sacks as I did in my Field Report. This makes organization much easier and all of my gear stays in one place. I continue to load the pack as Granite Gear suggests which is heavier gear at the hips and close to the back, medium weight gear at the front and towards the bottom and light gear at and above the shoulders. The pack weight was easy to carry with this distribution of gear weight. My shoulders and waist stayed comfortable, however, the area where the shoulder straps, waist belt and back pad touched my shirt, did get wet with sweat. With the temperatures hitting the upper 90's F (30's C) range, there is not much that can stop that. I did not experience any rubbing in these areas due to the wetness. I did experience afternoon showers but at the time of the showers, my bag was placed in my tent so the pack was never exposed to rain. I really like the front loading portion of this pack. I like being able to lay the pack down, unzip the whole thing and spread it open to see all of my stuff sacks and loose gear.

Looking east toward 'Big Bald' on the AT

Trip #4:
Location: Mount Mitchell, N.C.
Elevation: 6,400 ft (1,951 m) - 6,750 ft (2,057 m)
Temperature: 88-94 F (31-34 C) day, 75-80 F (23-26 C) night
Weather Conditions: Dry and cool with slight breeze during the day. Cool at night. No rain.
Duration of Trip: 3 days, 2 nights
Length of Trip: 6 miles (9 km) total
Pack Weight: 38 lb (17 k)
Report: This was a short trip with my kids and I find that if I am able to take some of their gear in my pack, I am able to get more miles out of them; they don't get as tired. I used my stuff sack system on this trip because to me, I have found this to be the most efficient way to pack this bag.  Both of my kids had their own stuff sack with their cloths and toys in them and I placed them in my pack so they could carry their own sleeping bag and pad. It is somewhat difficult to place things on the outside of this pack such as a pad or tent or something hanging from a carabiner and still get the full compression design of the compression straps. When they are used to hold such objects on the pack, the compression capabilities are lost in my opinion. When I am carrying tent poles I usually place them in the outside pocket on the side and place the top of the poles under one of the compressions straps. Again, I feel like I am unable to cinch the strap tight in fear of bending the poles.

The pack carried everything very well and very balanced. During this testing period, I have not had any trouble with zippers or compression straps failing. Everything is still in very good working order. I do find it difficult sometimes to zip the water resistant zippers but I expect that from this type of zipper.


Likes and Dislikes:
Likes:   
* The removable top pouch
* The weight distribution
* The adjustable torso length
* The front loading and inside compression straps
* The wide front opening to the main body of the pack
* The stretch fabric on the front of the pack between the two zippers

Dislikes:
* Side compression straps, when engaged, will not allow any gear in or out of the pocket

Thank you Granite Gear and BGT for the opportunity to test this pack.

Reviews > Packs > Internal and External Framed Backpacks > Granite Gear Stratus Latitude > Chuck Carnes > Long Term Report