|
|
The Virga Backpack from Granite Gear is a frameless pack that is designed just for the backpacker who shaves off ounces from their toothbrush, sleeps under the stars in an emergency blanket and walks the trail with the most ultralight gear.
The Virga has no suspension system, instead use your sleeping pad to create support and rigidity. To eliminate extra buckles, the Virga has fixed (not adjustable) shoulder straps and an unpadded 1.5" webbing hipbelt.
With Granite Gear's uber lightweight packs, the lid was the first thing to go. Next came the zippers. What’s left is a top loader with an extended spindrift collar that can be rolled down for waterproofness, and a unique cross strapping system for load security. Weight is further reduced by using lightweight fabrics in the pack body. Durability is accomplished by engineering the compression strap to tie into a heavier arch panel in front.
This is the pack for the person who lives and breathes ultralight. Titanium tool spoons, Sil nylon tarps—you know who you are! You’ve spent a considerable sum getting your pack weight down to 20 pounds. Now the good news—your ideal pack is only $100 bucks! The nylon shell gains support and rigidity from your sleeping pad—simply drop in a rolled pad and let it uncoil to push against the bag, and pack your gear inside the roll. The Virga has fixed (not interchangeable), nicely padded shoulder straps and a 1.5” webbing hip belt that adjusts to fit most hips. The Virga had the highest score in BACKPACKER’S “Superlight Smackdown,” August 2003.
Capacity and Weights Listed are for Regular Torso Size
This is the pack for the person who lives and breathes ultralight. Titanium tool spoons, Sil nylon tarps, you know who you are! You've spent a considerable sum getting your pack weight down to 20 pounds. Now the good news, your ideal pack is only $100 bucks! The nylon shell gains support and rigidity from your sleeping pad simply drop in a rolled pad and let it uncoil to push against the bag, and pack your gear inside the roll. The Virga has fixed (not interchangeable) nicely padded shoulder straps and a 1.5 webbing hip belt that adjusts to fit most hips. The Virga had the highest score in BACKPACKER'S Superlight Smackdown, August 2003.
This description was also provided by: O2GearShop.com (Spring 2008)
No description provided.
| Capacity: | 52 Liters / 3200 cubic inches |
|---|---|
| Cubes: | 3200 |
| Load Capacity: | 20 lbs / 9 kg |
| Suspension: | Frameless |
| Torso Sizes: | Short, Regular, and Long |
| Weight: | .54kb / 1 lbs 3 oz |
|
View other products from Granite Gear classified in Hiking & Camping > Backpacks. View all products from Granite Gear.
|
This product is available in the following colors:
Click any color to show the product in that color
 | Sulphur / Indigo |  | Sulpher |
|
|
"Best one-pound pack out there, hands down." | |
| Rating: |  |
| Great pack - very lightweight, but rides like an internal frame pack as long as you stay below 20 pounds. Webbing hipbelt lets your hips move freely, not constricting like a padded belt. Nicely padded shoulder straps, too. Fold your Thermarest short pad in half lengthwise, then width-wise, and insert it along the back of the pack lock it in place by stuffing your sleeping bag in the bottom - voila! instant framesheet! Put your tent poles or a folded chair kit along the inside edge of the pad, and you've got a pack with stays - and it will now carry almost 25 pounds comfortably. The load lifters really make this pack most frameless packs don't have them, and pull away from your shoulders the | |
| Glenn at Moosejaw on 06/24/2008 | |
"Not afraid to make a mod? Travel light? I recommend this pack." | |
| Rating: |  |
| For the backpacker with a light, but not ultralight mentality the Granite Gear Virga should be taken into serious consideration when purchasing a new backpack. It dwells in a class with only a handful of other packs on the market that fall into the 1 lb. frameless category. I have spent the past year thoroughly researching and purchasing other packs all of which I've turned around and sold in an attempt at getting just-the-right-one. The Virga is my latest test and in my initial opinion am very pleased. Firstly I highly suggest Moosejaw as an outfitter for a number of reasons. Price: met or undersold all competitors by around 10%. Service: Excellent communication with | |
| Sam at Moosejaw on 04/18/2006 | |
"Backpacked to Barr Camp and back" | |
| Rating: | |
| My 10 year old son carried an 18 pound load in this pack to Barr Camp from the trailhead and back over a long weekend. While the pack was a little lumpy due to the lack of a frame and probably from my lack of skill in packing a frameless pack, it did save him around 4 extra pounds in using this pack versus an internal or external framed pack. While still an effort due to the 11% grade and altitude, the pack made the trip easier and held-up well under the conditions. | |
| Andrew at Moosejaw on 08/01/2009 | |
"Light Pack for Backpacking - Get IT!!!" | |
| Rating: | |
| It is light and hold a lot of crap!!! Seriously, I am using this for a thru-hike of the Appalachian this year. It is a rugged pack that barely feels like anything fully loaded. It is low profile and stayed on in all conditions so far, including bush whacking. It is mostly water proof except when getting hit by rouge waves at the beach. I tested it in extreme conditions and only one item got wet, and it was an item that was directly hit by the wave. | |
| William at Moosejaw on 03/27/2007 | |
"Me gusta Mucho!" | |
| Rating: | |
| This pack is very light, well made and perfect for ultralight backpacking. The straps are heavily padded which I don't like and the extension collar is taller than the pack itself but these are easily modified. So all in all a great pack. | |
| Jhaura at Moosejaw on 07/09/2006 | |
"It will hold the essentials for the day and not be bothersome." | |
| Rating: | |
| This is great pack for day hikes and fast trecks. It rides on the back well and doesnt bounce around much. | |
| Isaac at Moosejaw on 03/30/2008 | |
"Moosejaw is the alpha moose of the dear family." | |
| Rating: | |
| One pound 5 ounces! Worth it's weight in gold. Criticaly acclaimed. Ruthlessly efficient pack for the fleet footed. Versitility and universaltility. | |
| O at Moosejaw on 07/05/2005 | |
"Maybe I'm Built Weird" | |
| Rating: |  |
| This frameless ultraight pack drags me down. I'm 6'2" and measured myself for a proper fit, yet, the pack is very low on my back. I have to cinch it up all day. Also, the pack won't fit the solo bear vault, small ultralight sleeping bag, pad, ditty bag, clothes, and tarptent. Just won't happen no matter what I try. Obviously if you are in bear can country, this might not be the right match. The shoulder straps bite into my thin shoulders too. Tall and thin, not a great match for this one! | |
| Andrew at Moosejaw on 08/26/2009 | |
