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Granite Gear Perimeter 50 Rucksack Review - Trek Scotland

Posted by Trek Scotland on Jun 16, 2022

The  Perimeter 50 rucksack is a mid-weight pack with a ton of features including fine adjustments to back length, shoulder width, and hip sizing.  Granite Gear says, “Body Diversity, every person has a unique build, shape, and size. Your pack should fit accordingly.”

Weighing in at 1500 grams may sound heavy compared to a lot of modern packs of a similar capacity. This is not then a pack for serious gram counters, and instead for those who require a comfortable pack to wear on extended journeys for when extra kit is needed. Stated to have a volume of 50L we found the Perimeter could extend well above its stated capacity with plenty of space to fit in all kit required to carry as a guide. As a keen pack-rafter the increased load handling was a definite plus, whilst combining both the capacity and load capabilities, ticking all the boxes for the usual camera equipment we will often require for our work in the outdoors.

Comfort is a must when carrying an increased load and you should end the day only feeling the effects of the effort put into the day and not sore spots from your pack. The many adjustable options to suit torso height and width may take a while to fine-tune but once in place are held securely with locking buckles. The hip belt is fully adjustable, and shoulder straps are well-padded and taper towards the underarm, both of which provide a supportive hold and a balanced distribution of weight. 

The back plate has a large PE sheet with foam panels and is supported by a spring steel rod which Granite Gear refer to as their “perimeter suspension.” This all comes down to personal preference, but we prefer a firm back plate and have long been fans of framed packs. The perimeter suspension gives a secure hold, perfect for keeping the weight from heavier kit distributed evenly, making walking over long distances an easier process. With a load rating of up to 18kg we rarely reached this without first running out of space to fit extra kit, and in total (including the pack itself) came in at around 15kg for a 4-day expedition with full camera kit and food. Carrying water in sections would have brought that up a couple more kilos at times. Never did the Perimeter feel under strain or unbalanced, which we can put down to the strong back plate and frame, combined with the use of fabrics. The main bulk of the material is a mix of 100 D/ 210D Robic high tenacity nylon and after 8 months of use shows next to no signs of wear apart from the odd nick in the lighter mesh fabric.

 

Storage options are above what we would usually look for and prefer a minimal approach. The main compartment is large enough to store bulkier items and will extend more so in height than width, a narrow profile in keeping with the back plate for increased stability. The “lid flaps” located at either end of the pack are an interesting addition. They both hold a fairly low capacity with us mostly using the top lid flap for storing spare navigation, snacks, and other non-bulky pieces of kit that we may need quick access to. The lower lid flap we didn’t tend to use that often apart from the odd spare pair of gloves or hat. The tough fabric of the lower lid flap does more of a job of protecting the underneath of the pack from scrapes and bumps, with the wide profile holding in place larger items such as our packraft. What we found a little baffling was that only the top lid flap was removable as this would significantly take down the overall weight of the pack when trying to strip back for lighter-weight activities.

The stretch woven side pockets are large enough to fit in full-sized water bottles, tent poles, camera tripod, etc, and are useable even when the main pack is fully loaded. The front stretch panels are useful for storing kit such as waterproof clothing and first aid, although we would have preferred a single large mesh panel rather than two shorter options as larger items such as a climbing helmet cannot ft securely in this place.

Pockets on the hip belt are large and well placed, a secure storage option for a headtorch, midge net, PLB, etc, a great feature that a lot of other brands do tend to overlook.

The overall design is unmistakeably Granite Gear, with the earthy two-tone colour scheme blending in perfectly with the Scottish hillside.

It does need to be noted that a waterproof cover is not included and would be an advisable purchase. This is not a water-resistant pack and once soaked in takes a while to dry. Also, the adjustment straps are far above the length needed and can whip around the face in windy weather. Much better to cut these down which will also reduce a few grams. 

Our Verdict

The  Perimeter 50L pack from Granite Gear served us brilliantly over 8 months taking in many high mountain camps, and multiple expeditions by foot and water. At 1500 grams it is by no means a heavy pack to wear, not either does it feel bulky or unbalanced, but if counting grams is of preference then by modern standards this is going to weigh in at more than you may like. Instead, the Perimeter is built for when you need to pack in the extra gear whilst having the confidence that your pack is up to the task, and importantly comfortable to wear. The Perimeter for us succeeded on both fronts and could handle the usual inclusion of kit required as a guide and photographer. The load handling of up to 18kg was above what we required and the capacity of 50L could be extended if needed. The lid flaps in particular a secure place to store large items to the outer of the pack. Where the Perimeter really sets itself apart is the ability to fine-tune to our body shape, along with a firm PE back plate and spring steel rod frame, creating a well-fitting pack for even distribution of weight. There are a few niggles as we generally prefer a simpler design, with Granite Gear adding in ridiculously long strapping, and no secure mesh pocket large enough for a helmet. But overall, a great pack to use and a solid build with little signs of wear after much use.



Trek Scotland is a small family business based in the picturesque village of Tomintoul in the North East region of the Cairngorms National Park. They provide bespoke Mountain Guiding for Single Day Walks and Lightweight Multiday Trekking experiences, including wild camping, in the stunning Cairngorms wilderness and surrounding areas. Whether in the high mountains or lower valleys, their Multiday Treks are equipped with high quality, lightweight camping and trekking gear. They only work with small groups and, whatever your ability, pride themselves on designing your outdoor experience completely to your needs and with professional guidance and expertise. Adventure is waiting...

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