Granite Gear Crown2 38 Backpack Cheers to the Review

The Company.

A seed was planted in 1986 while paddling the Boundary Waters between Minnesota and Ontario in founders Jeff Knight and Dan Cruikshank minds. They realized there was a need for better outdoor gear. After that trip, Jeff and Dan set out to make the best gear possible. For the past 30 years, Granite Gear’s team of product designers and engineers have done just that, built gear that has gained a following of dedicated fans and proven their product’s durability in some of the toughest environments, including Mount Everest, the North and South Poles, and thousands of miles of everyday wear and tear. Today, Granite Gear is going strong and expanding their products from stuff sacks, to ultralight packs, to ultra-durable packs that meet the demands of soldiers. Just like their name, Granite Gear is truly tougher than granite.

The Pack.

Granite Gear’s Unisex Crown2 38 Liter pack is the skinnier version of their thru hiker favorite, the Crown2 60. The pack is ultra light, and as we found out after many trail miles, ultra comfortable.

Features include:
V.C. (Vapor Current) Mark 2 Frame with 35 lb (15 kg) load rating
Dual density shoulder harness with load-lifter straps and removable sternum strap
Re-Fit fully adjustable dual density hip belt (from 26" - 42")
Dual large hip belt pockets with DWR treated zippers
Roll-top main compartment opening with centered dual strap and singular buckle for quick access and easy compression.
Removable lid has a compartment with DWR treated zipper
Hydration port & internal hydration sleeve
Large size stretch woven pockets
Stretch mesh front pocket
Side and front compression straps
Robic High-tenacity nylon (100D and 210D)
Torso Size = Regular 18" - 21" / 46 cm - 54 cm
Volume = 38 liters / 2320 cu in

The pack weighs in at just around 3lbs with the removable pack lid and removable frame sheet. It weighs 2.1 lbs without the lid, and 1.6 without the lid and frame sheet. The pack has a maximum comfort load of 35lbs, making it a great option for long day hikes, winter hikes when you need to carry extra gear, and multi day hikes.

The comfort comes from the patent-pending fully adjustable Re-Fit hip belt, Vapor Current Mark 2 compression molded PP frame sheet with molded foam back panel, and dual density shoulder harness with load-lifter straps and removable sternum strap. The pack is designed to be unisex, and fit both both of us just as well as any of our other packs specifically designed just for men or women.

Granite Gear is known for the durability of their packs and the Crown2 38 lives up to that reputation. Although it is rated as an UL pack, the sturdy construction and design of the pack will ensure a long lifetime of use. Granite Gear’s packs include a limited lifetime warranty where packs are warranted to the original owner for the lifetime of the product against defects in materials or workmanship under normal recreational use. If your granite gear product fails due to material or manufacturing defect, they will repair or replace it at their option.

Get your Crown2 38 here:
https://www.granitegear.com/crown2-38.html

A company that cares.

After being inspired by the Packing it out Team, they met at the Appalachian Trail Days in 2015, Granite Gear founded the Grounds Keepers Program. Through the program, Granite Gear and other sponsors are able to support hikers who want to “Leave it Better” and pack out trash as they hike long trails and parks and paddle waterways and lakes around the country.

The Grounds Keepers are individuals who previously completed or are currently completing a thru-hike or various section hikes, (such as the PCT, AT, AZT, PNT, SHT) and have a passion for Leave No Trace ethics, are strong in mind and body, and are committed to doing their very best to pick up as much trash as possible while outdoors. Since the first team in 2017, Grounds Keepers have picked up more than 6,630lbs of trash, mostly micro trash, like bar wrappers, bottle lids and toilet paper.

Grounds Keepers are fitted with the following gear for their hike:

1 multi-day backpack or 1 portage pack, 1 Dump Trunk (Tactical Line), 1 Stuffsack of their choice, 1 Toughsack, 1 pair of gloves and 1 scale
Each Grounds Keeper is given two pairs of Altra Running shoes of their choice, plus gaiters if needed
Five meal packets from Backpacker's Bistro
1 reusable water bottle from Klean Kanteen
T-shirts from Recover Brands
1 Kula Cloth

The goal of Grounds Keepers is to inspire as many hikers to value our outdoors areas and pack out trash. They believe, and we support them, that trash in our outdoor spaces is everyone’s responsibility. You can follow along to also be inspired by the pounds of trash picked up on Instagram.

Join in and use #TheGroundsKeepers for a chance to be featured for doing your part of keeping our outdoor spaces litter free.

Meet the 2019 team here:
https://www.thegroundskeepers.org/previous-teams

Overall, we loved this pack and would recommend it for many uses. A huge thank you to Granite Gear for making a wonderful pack and caring about our outdoor spaces.

Cheers to the Gear!