Virga$109.95

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 $110 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.

Use

Ultralight Backpacking

Specifications

Torso Sizes: short | regular | long
Weight: .54kg | 1lbs 3oz
Capacity: 52 liters | 3200 cubic inches
Suspension: Frameless
Load Capacity: 20lbs | 9kg

Materials

70D Ripstop Body
210D Nylon Cordura Reinforcements
Stretch Woven Pockets

Features

• hyrdation compatible
• optional lid (click here)

Roll Top Loader

The concept of our original Vapor Trail and Nimbus Ozone is to eliminate everything that adds weight without adding to the comfort. 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.

What torso length should I get?

To find your torso length, measure the distance between your seventh cervical vertebra and the shelf of your hipbones. Do this by standing up straight with your feet shoulder-width apart. Tilt your head forward and place your hands on your hips, thumbs to the back. With a flexible tape, have someone measure from the most prominent vertebra at the base of your neck to an imaginary line drawn between your thumbs. This will be your torso length.

VirgaTorso Lengths
Short Torso 15” to 18”
Regular Torso 18” to 21”
Long Torso 21” to 25”

NOTE: Virga torso lengths are not adjustable on the pack body.

What size hipbelt?

The Virga has a fixed webbing belt that is adjustable from 26"-42"

What size shoulder strap?

Virga packs have fixed shoulder straps that cannot be swapped out for other sizes.

Granite Gear Virga

Memo to adrenaline addicts: This back hugger is built for going faast, far, and high.

You'll have no control issues with the virga. On the scrambly climb up Glacier Peak, it slamped my torso as I negotiated steep pitches of unstable rockfall. Thanks to loadlifters and a sternum strap, the Virga's ride is very stable, ideal for high-angle jaunts, skiing, and fastpacking. This kind of control plus rugged construction, fine detailing, and versatile packing options elevated it to top honors.

The Virga lacks a top lid (as do most ultralight packs), but testers agreed the crossing straps-secure for small loads and accommodating for bulky items-form the best closure system of all models tested. Side compression straps hold a wet tarp or tent, and stretch side pockets keep water bottles and other extras handy; when empty, they don't catch on trailside branches. The reinforced, 420-denier nylon/polyester packbag withstood all abuse (not surprising considering the Virga is the little brother of the tough-as-nails, Editors' Choice Award -winning Bapor Trail and Nimbus Ozone; see April 2003). The 1 1/2 inchwebbing used for the hipbelt proved adequate, but comfort could be improved with a little padding and hip stabilizer straps. The Virga's relatively small capacity enforces the pack-light philosophy you must practice to make these rucksacks work.