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Gear Review: Granite Gear Nimbus Core

Love traveling in bear country, but dread carrying bear canisters? Try a pack that's specifically designed to make carting a bear can a pleasant experience.
  • The Granite Gear Nimbus Core is one of the more unique packs on the market, as it was specifically designed to comfortably carry bear canisters.
  • You simply drop a loaded canister in the center of the pack (or "core"), strap it down, place the sleeping bag above it, and you're set. This arrangement has the added benefit of keeping the heavy canister near the center of your back for balance.
  • Two parallel pockets running the length of each side of the pack hold the rest of your goods.  I fit all the gear necessary for four late-summer days in the northwestern corner of Glacier NP, although there was not much room to spare.
  • There's no lid or lid pocket, but the front stretch pocket is good for holding quick-access items like sunscreen, lightweight shells, or other sundries.
  • The suspension and proprietary Advection back padding combined for all-day comfort on 18 mile days through Glacier NP. The back panel contoured nicely to my back and breathed surprisingly well, even during extended and exposed uphill climbs.
  • The pack only comes in two heights, but there are a bevy of holes to allow for adjustment. Tall guys beware: I'm 6'0", and I had to use the top set of holes on the longest torso size to get the perfect fit.
  • The girthy hipbelt required zero break-in (no bruised hips on day one), and it comfortably bore the brunt of my 40-pound pack.
  • Without a doubt, this setup is the most comfortable I have ever used to carry a bear canister. The combination of a low center of gravity, easy food access, and a comfortable suspension makes for an impressively effective backcountry rig.
  • The Specs: <Br>$280<Br> 3 lbs. 12 oz. (regular)<br> S or R torso size <br> granitegear.com
The Granite Gear Nimbus Core is one of the more unique packs on the market, as it was specifically designed to comfortably carry bear canisters.
Image 1 of 9

The Granite Gear Nimbus Core is one of the more unique packs on the market, as it was specifically designed to comfortably carry bear canisters.

READERS COMMENTS

Page 1

Caption says the canister sits, "near the center of your back." It looks like it's actually at the bottom. I prefer to set the canister in my pack on top of my horizontally-packed sleeping bag so the major weight really IS in the center.
— Edd

Looks like a really wide pack, did you check the listed weight?

Is there a place to strap on a closed cell pad?
— Larry

Looks like a complex solution to a non-problem. I thought the solution to having to carry a bear canister was to put in your pack, put the rest of your gear in, put the pack on your back and start walking. Cool photos though.
— CapitolaDan

Just wondering why not pack the cannister on top of the sleeping bag - thought the heavier items were supposed to be higher. And this pack is pretty short already.
— Gary

With the OZONE at 12 oz. less, why change a great thing?
— bumpass

Does this pack efficiently accommodate individual-sized canisters AND 2X-sized canisters?
— Steve Alves

Looks like a cool pack. I thought I'd mention that my Osprey, Aether 85 (5100cu in), easily accommodates the Garcia "Backpackers' Cache™" crosswise and inside the pack. To keep the weight high I usually pack it under the drawstring at the top of the pack where there's a convenient strap to hold it in place.
— Donald Roman

Hmmmm. While I appreciate that a manufacturer is thinking about bear canisters, it costs almost twice as much as my Deuter, looks like it holds less, weighs more, and looks like crap. All this just so you have "easy" access to your bear canister. Looks like a major failure to me. Sorry, I don't have any room for "novelty" packs, and my Deuter holds my bear canister just fine.
— Ikan Mas

Something is either unique or not. Something can't be "more unique"
— unique grammer usage

i have a big fat gregory pallisade 80 lately ive been putting my bear can in the sleeping bag compartment and stuffing things around it....easy to get at...after reading this ive decided to stay with my big fat comfortable 6 lb mnonster....i almost bought this pack, too...thanks backpacker...
— adacus67


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