Retailers and magazine editors have been buzzing on the 2011 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market floor about the new Granite Gear Crown 60 backpack.
The predecessor to the popular Vapor Trail, the Crown 60 has unique features like a top-loading roll-top closure for quick access, LineLoc compression cords, stretch mesh pocket for storage and stretch mesh side pockets to fit water bottles of many different sizes. The pack is made from 100 Denier Sil-Nylon Hybris Cordura Brand Fabric that is super light but durable. Total weight is only 2 pounds, 2 ounces – a great weight for a pack this size.
Also awesome on the Crown 60 pack is the Vapor Current Suspension technology. It’s a series of ventilation channels that run through the back pad to allow air circulation from top to bottom. This provides evaporative cooling to take place so you don’t get sweaty back on those long, hot backpacking trips. Underneath this molded foam is a VC frame for support up to 30 pounds. Plus, the frame is removable if you’re looking to keep things super-ultra light. Available in both men and women versions in different sizes.
Look for the Crown 60 to be released to the public in spring of 2012.
Also new from Granite Gear is the Air Zippety. Basically, it’s a zippered stuff sack for keeping your small belongings organized in your pack. It’s made from 30 d Sil-Nylon Cordura, is water resistant, comes in assorted colors, and is transparent so you can see what’s inside. They are also very light so no unneeded weight would be added to the load. They’ll be available to purchase in packs of two, or you can buy the set of 4 different sizes.
Currently out but also new is a ultra-light dry sack made from eVent fabric. This guy is so thin and feather-like that you can’t believe it’s durable, yet since it’s eVent, you know it will stand the test of time. Event also means that you don’t have to “burp” the air out during compression because the material breathes so well, that air is pushed out the bottom, but not allowed back in. Very cool.
What also caught my eye is this pack with an eye toward bear country. There are a few places in the backcountry that require a bear canister to be brought on your adventure, and Granite Gear has you covered. So this pack accommodates a small canister with a wrap-around system using straps and fabric to hold it all in. They say it’s also useful for carrying tools like chainsaws for trail work.
Keep an eye out for all these and more coming from Granite Gear in 2012.
We’ve heard the buzzing, too! The Crown 60 pack featuring 210D and 100D CORDURA® brand fabric offers light weight durability and exceptional strength-to-weight ratio. Granite Gear products are certainly durable with the use of CORDURA® brand fabric!
Tina Ingle
Account Manager
CORDURA(R) brand