Granite Gear Blaze 60 vs Granite Gear Blaze 60 Women's Fit
Which one to buy
The harness is the difference. Granite Gear puts the same Air Current frame, 60 L body and 50 lb rating under both, at the same $300, and both have an adjustable torso, a removable lid and a hydration sleeve. The Women's Fit uses a women's harness and covers Short (15-18 in) and Regular (18-21 in); the standard Blaze adds a Long size up to 24 in.
A few smaller differences follow. The standard Blaze has hipbelt pockets and was revised to carry a BV500-class bear canister strapped on top; Granite Gear claims neither for the Women's Fit. The Women's Fit adds 210D UHMWPE ripstop panels to the Robic body for abrasion resistance, and its 2.9-3.0 lb is quoted without the lid, so it carries a little heavier once the lid goes back on.
Independent testers back the standard Blaze's 50 lb claim, loading it to that weight without hipbelt slippage or torso collapse, though the minimal framesheet rewards careful packing. Reviewers also warn the adjustment hardware is fiddly, so plan an evening at home to dial it in. No rain cover comes in the box, and the Women's Fit doesn't include one either. Choose by which harness sits better on your shoulders and chest, since the spec sheets otherwise match almost line for line.
Granite Gear Blaze 60
For anyone the women's harness doesn't suit, any torso over 21 in, or anyone who wants hipbelt pockets on a 50 lb-rated pack.
Granite Gear Blaze 60 Women's Fit
Made for women with a 15-21 in torso who fit a women's harness better, especially on abrasive terrain where the UHMWPE panels help.
| Spec | Granite Gear Blaze 60 | Granite Gear Blaze 60 Women's Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.94 | $299.94 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Traditional Pack | Traditional Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 60 L | 60 L |
| Weight | 3.0 lbs | 3.0 lbs |
| Max Load | 50 lbs | 50 lbs |
| Torso Fit | Adjustable within three sizes: Short 15-18 / Regular 18-21 / Long 21-24 in | Adjustable, 15-18 in (Short) / 18-21 in (Regular) |
| Material | 100D Robic high-tenacity nylon with Barrier DWR body | 100D Robic with 210D UHMWPE ripstop |
| Back Panel | Air Current frame with molded foam back panel | Air Current frame |
| Adjustable torso | Yes | Yes |
| Ventilated back | No | No |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | No |
| Removable lid | Yes | Yes |
| Hydration sleeve | Yes | Yes |
| Fits BV500 bear can | Yes | No |
| Warranty | Granite Gear Limited Lifetime Warranty: original owner, defects in materials or workmanship under normal recreational use | Granite Gear Limited Lifetime Warranty |
Pros & cons
Granite Gear Blaze 60
- ✓A 50 lb rating at 3.0 lb of pack weight is a rare pairing among backpacking packs.
- ✓Weighs nearly two pounds less than the Osprey Aether 65, though the Aether is rated 10 lb higher.
- ✓Adjustable torso, which several packs at this weight give up.
- ✓$300 undercuts the Aether and Baltoro by $70.
- ✓Granite Gear's compressed-panel framesheets have a long track record in long-distance hiking.
- ✓60 L handles a bear canister and a long food carry.
- ✓Hipbelt pockets included.
- ✓Sits between ultralight and traditional in a way few packs manage convincingly.
- ✗Granite Gear's retail presence is thinner than Osprey's or Gregory's.
- ✗No rain cover included.
- ✗The low pack weight comes from a minimal frame, which is less forgiving of careless packing.
- ✗No ventilated back panel, so it carries warm against the back.
Granite Gear Blaze 60 Women's Fit
- ✓Its 50 lb rating is 7 lb above the best figure for the Crown3 60.
- ✓Adjustable torso across two size ranges from 15 in.
- ✓UHMWPE ripstop panels add abrasion resistance.
- ✓Removable lid and a hydration sleeve.
- ✓3 lb is reasonable for a pack rated to 50 lb.
- ✗Listed weight excludes the lid.
- ✗No raincover.
- ✗$299.94 regular price sits at the top of the brand's range.
- ✗Heavier than the Crown3 60 for loads under 35 lb.
Granite Gear Blaze 60 vs Granite Gear Blaze 60 Women's Fit: common questions
Do the Blaze 60 and the Women's Fit carry the same load?▾
Both are rated to 50 lb on the same Air Current frame. Independent testers loaded the standard Blaze to 50 lb without hipbelt slippage, though careless packing makes the minimal framesheet carry worse.
Can a woman with a long torso use the Women's Fit?▾
Only up to 21 in, the top of its Regular size. Beyond that, the standard Blaze's Long size runs to 24 in, though it uses the standard harness rather than the women's one.