Granite Gear Crown2 60 Men's

Granite Gear Crown2 60 Men's

Introducing the all-new Granite Gear Crown2 60, an ultra-lightweight yet ultra-comfortable multi-day backpack. This new and improved successor to The classic Crown V.C. 60, boasts our patent-pending fully adjustable Re-Fit hipbelt, our new and innovative Air-Current Mark 2 compression-molded PP back plate and removable lid, all at a weight of about 1 kg (regular torso without lid). For ultralight packing, the back plate can be removed. The Crown 2 60L has a fixed non-adjustable torso length available in 3 torso sizes.

Removable lid with DWR treated zipper. Weight is 75 grams with 5 liter volume(weight and liters are not included in the pack weight and volume)

One of the features that distinguishes the Crown 2 from its predecessor is the newly designed top lid with DWR treated zipper. The new lid is perfect for easily accessing smaller items. For easier packing, the lid is completely removable.

V.C. Mark 2 Frame with 15 kg load rating. The lid weighs 75 grams.

RE-FIT hip belt that is removable/adjustable weighs 187 grams.

The Crown 2 has adopted our Re-Fit hip belt. This easily adjustable belt allows a customization for all body types.

Specifications

• * V.C. (Vapor Current) mark 2 frame with 15kg load rating
• * Double density shoulder straps and removable chest strap.
• * Re-Fit hip belt with double density and adjustable (from 66 - 106 cm)
• * Double, large hip belt pockets with DWR treated zipper.
• * Roll-top opening in the main compartment with two straps and a buckle for easy access and compression.
• * Removable lid with DWR treated zipper.
• * Fluid valve and internal fluid sleeve.
• * Large, stretchy side pockets.
• * Stretchy mesh front pocket.
• * Side and front compression straps.
• * High-Tenacity Nylon (100D and 210D) with Barrier DWR

Regular torso

• Regular Torso weight: 0.96 Kg
• Torso Length: = 45 - 53
• Regular Torso Pack
• Packed weight: 998 grams, includes belt and back plate but not lid.
• Lid weight: 73 grams
• Total weight: 1071 grams

Long Torso

• Long Torso weight: 1.0 Kg
• Torso Length = 53-63 cm.
• Long Torso Backpack
• Packed weight: 1045 grams, includes belt and back plate but not lid.
• Lid weight: 75 grams
• Total weight: 1120 grams

Size guide

Our thoughts

Overall impression

The narrower hip belt and shoulder straps are reminiscent of HMG backpacks and the different backrest section with a plastic plate as support with a reddish foam against the back made me curious. Could this seemingly less robust backpack also work for my needs? Now in retrospect, I do not regret the choice. The Crown 60 sat very comfortably on my back, around my hips and shoulders. You don't need a wider hip belt or a more developed aluminum frame to carry up to 15kg-16kg. This backpack proves it. The roll top opening under the top lid allows you to compress the pack and provides an okay water repellent function. The material 100 D nylon at the top and 210 D nylon at the bottom makes me choose to use waterproof pack liner in the backpack.

The compression straps on the lid and on the sides make the backpack versatile and useful for different pack volumes. For shorter day trips from base camp, I was able to scale down the pack by removing the top lid (73 grams), hip belt (186 grams), and get down to just under a kilogram in weight. If you wanted to scale it down even more, you can also remove the back plate, (172 grams), possibly replace it with a weight pad, such as Sarek Eva Foam 3 mm for increased function, but I chose to keep it. It was hot outside and the hollow back plate with its patterns provided some ventilation. The larger mesh pocket in the center I used for trash and later also to carry fish. In the large side pockets I could fit my Omm rain jacket, zippered rain skirt, my Cnoc water bottle and the most important, my two rods with reels. The deep side pockets in combination with the compression straps on the sides were made for attaching the fishing rods. Please note that I only use split rods, not telescopes . Having said that, there must be compression straps on the upper part of the backpack because my rods protrude a lot. This is a must for my needs.

The volume then, 60 liters plus 5 liters in the top caps was perfectly ok for a week's trip. Between the roll top opening and the top lid I could also store my wading pants and expand the packing volume further. On the hip belt there are also 2 pockets of about 0.5 liters each, good for putting small picks in. In the bag there is also the possibility to put a water bag in.

On the hip belt, the Granit Gear Crown 60 has a smart adjustable function where you can customize its scope. The middle part of the hip belt can be adjusted with Velcro and then easily pulled back behind the lumbar cushion. I see this as a big plus that you can adjust the hip belt to sit comfortably regardless of hip circumference. This makes the backpack suitable for both men and women with different hip circumferences. The chest buckle can also be adjusted up and down. I see these adjustable features of The Crown as a big plus and something I wish more backpack manufacturers would follow.

Another fun feature is that the top cover can be removed and used as a chest/waist belt. Perfect for those who want to have the camera, binoculars etc. easily accessible. You only need two small carabiners to attach this to the backpack

Lifting capacity

I tested using the backpack with different volumes and weights in it. Up to 15-16 kg, the backpack does very well, but when you go up to 20 kr, the hip belt starts to chafe against the hip and the backpack feels like it loses its comfortable posture. So I would recommend not carrying more than 15 kg in this, so in line with what the manufacturer writes.

Plus: Low weight, nice comfort and balanced backpack up to 15 kg. The system is incredibly customizable, a backpack that you can both adjust the circumference of the hip belt, the position of the chest strap and the volume of the pack through smart compression straps and roller stop opening. Works well as a fishing backpack where you can use the top cover as a waist belt, or as many will prefer, downsized, completely without top cover. The overall rating is very good.

Negatives. The thin mesh fabric on the back plate feels completely unnecessary. You walk with the feeling that it will break at any time. Many of Osprey's lighter backpacks have a similar mesh fabric but there is a clearer distance between the bag and the mesh, there is not here. So I simply do not understand the function of this?