A great backpack is worth as much as the gear it’s carrying. But is there such a thing as the perfect pack? Perhaps…I’ve been using the Granite Gear Leopard A.C. 58 all summer long, and it seems to be the ideal combination of size, comfort, and performance. From single nights of solitude to multi-day excursions this backpack has proven to be one of my all-time favorites.
Granite Gear is known for making rock-solid bags without the bulk. I seek comfort in my life at every turn, so I was a bit concerned that a “lightweight” pack might not be equipped with all the luxury I need, but a quick rundown of the A.C. 58’s tech specs proved me wrong:
• 2 lbs, 12 oz without the removable floating lid
• multiple tool loops
• hydration port with internal sleeve
• exterior flap with axe cinches and 2 zippered pockets
• stretch woven wand pockets
• duel density hip belt and shoulder straps
• Cordura High Tenacity Nylon (100D and 210D)
The Leopard A.C. 58 is meant to handle everything you need for long treks into the wilderness, and it does that with ease. On an early season multi-day trip, I brought a heck of a lot more than my usual 25 lb cargo. Extra clothes, food and yes, a six-pack of brew were stuffed and secured with room to spare. And when you do have room to spare, the roll-top closure works wonders in keeping everything from jostling around. A 30+ lb load was a breeze to carry. The Air Current Suspension kept me from overheating and working up too big a sweat, and I was very impressed by the comfort level.
I’m not blowing smoke when I tell you this: the Leopard A.C. 58 transferred the weight in the pack to my hips better than any bag I have ever used. I’m not sure how Granite Gear did it, but they nailed it. I could feel the weight shift to my hips (where it belongs) as soon as I dialed in all of the adjustment points on the pack. In turn, this meant that every time I needed to move over precarious terrain, the pack moved with me. It felt as if the backpack was never off balance, no matter what the trail ahead had in store.
Thanks to the excellent hip belt design, my shoulders never ached. I’ve been on short jaunts with a modest amount of weight and had my shoulders banged and bruised with other packs. The Leopard A.C. 58 was a dream to carry. Admittedly, I never carried 40 lbs (the load rating for this pack), but I am confident it can handle it. During one trip to the Uintas, I decided to use this bag to carry my gear for a summit bid. The multiple cinch points and adjustments made it so the Leopard was not a hinderance in the slightest, and I’ll probably use it again for this purpose.
Okay, I’m gushing a bit, but this is one hell of a backpack! In fact, I’m being rather nitpicky with my sole complaint: I feel that some of the attachment points are a bit confusing. It took me a few trips with this sack before I had a routine for securing everything dialed in. Perhaps cutting down or color-coding the straps to their attachment points would solve this very minor issue.
I think you can tell where this going: I love the Granite Gear Leopard A.C. 58. I have carried a decent number of packs, and this is the king of them all. Big enough for long adventures, and nimble enough for sketchy terrain. The pack carries weight exactly how it should, and handled all manner of beatings, from rain to scraping against brush while off trail. If you’re in the market for a new bag, and want one that can do it all, the Leopard should be on your list.
The Good: Excellent hip belt, large capacity without being cumbersome, lightweight, durable
The Bad: Confusing cinch strap/attachment point interface
The Verdict: The Leopard A.C. 58 is the best pack I’ve ever used. Comfortable with a heavy load, nimble enough for any terrain, and able to take a good beating…everything you need and nothing you don’t.
Great review! I am really thinking about buying this one. Have you use the GG Nimbus Trace 60 or 70 packs? Im trying to decide between the Leopard and the Nimbus. The Leopard is smaller and lighter with less bells and whistles, and the Nimbus is bigger, a pound heavier, but has all the extra stuff. Tough decision! Thanks