Granite Gear Virga3 55L Ultralight Review

Granite Gear Virga3 55L Ultralight Backpack

The world of Ultralight backpacking is one that has made huge advances in recent years. Not only does an Ultralight pack need to carry everything to support you for days to weeks in the woods, but it also has to be lighter than a liter of water. That is exactly what the Granite Gear Virga3 55L Ultralight pack aims to achieve. It is a tough and durable pack that comes in under two pounds. The Fatman doesn’t know much about ultralight so I enlisted my friend and backpacking enthusiast, Jackson, to review the Granite Gear Virga3 Ultralight Backpack.

As a disclaimer I would like to mention that I was sent this product so that I could write this review. All opinions on this page are my own and based on my own experiences with this product. I am not compensated for the opinions on this review. Your experience with the shoes may be different. This site uses affiliate marketing links. If you click on a button or link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

About Reviewer, Jackson

Jackson is an outdoor and adventure sport junkie! He started writing for FatManLittleTrail in 2024 with a focus on skiing, biking and the more fast paced sports. He is a ski instructor in Vail, Colorado and loves to mountain bike, backpack, cliff dive and fly fish in the summer season. Jackson also runs the website Coloradbro.com. There he talks about Colorado outdoor hobbies and gear reviews.

From Granite Gear

Before Jackson gets into his review, I like to show a bit of what the company says about their own gear. Direct from the Granite Gear website, they say this about the Virga3, “With a fully adjustable torso height and width and the lightest Re-Fit hip belt to-date, Granite Gear invites all to join the ultralight experience with the Virga3 55. It continues to be of utmost importance to our brand to expand the range of people and bodies that our packs can comfortably and responsibly fit.”

Here are more specs directly from Granite Gear.

Specs

Price*

$199.99

Sizes*

55 Liter.

1 Size, adjustable fit.

Weight*

• 1.68 pounds

Features*

• Frameless suspension for ultralight classification
• Dual density shoulder harness with load-lifter straps and dual removable sternum straps
• RE-Fit fully adjustable dual density hip belt (from 26-42″ & 24-40″ on Women’s fit)
• Dual large hip belt pockets with DWR treated zippers
• Roll-top main compartment opening with top compression strap for quick access and easy compression
• Large side fabric pockets with cinch closure
• Stretch mesh front pocket
• Pair of elastic bottle holders on both shoulder straps
• Hydration port with toggle to hang on interior
• Side and front compression straps
• ® High-tenacity nylon (100D and 210D) with Barrier DWR
• Undyed colorway* uses 98% undyed fabrics and materials reducing water waste by 55%
• *Because of this environmental approach with the Undyed, yellowing appearance may be a natural reaction over time.

Specs*

StyleUnisex

Best UseUltralight Multi-Day Backpacking

Volume (Liters)55 Liters

Volume (Cubes)3350 Cubes

Weight (Kilograms).76 kg

Weight (Pounds)1.68 lbs I Stripped Weight 1.18 lbs

FrameFrameless Suspension

Adjustable torsoYes

Fits Torso18 – 21 inches

Fits Waist/HipsStandard Re-Fit Belt 26”- 42” or Large Re-Fit Belt 36”- 52”

FabricsRobic® High-tenacity nylon (100D and 210D) with Barrier DWR

Load Rating25 lbs

Sternum StrapDual – Removable

Pack AccessRoll Top with Top Compression

Number of Exterior Pockets1 Stretch Pocket, 2 Cinchable Fabric Side Pockets, 2 Waist Belt Pockets

Raincover IncludedNo

HydrationHydration Port with Interior Toggle

Colors*

Flynt/Bright Red (Shown)

Undyed

*All spec information directly from GraniteGear.com. Subject to change. Check the Granite Gear website for most up to date information.

What I Liked (From Jackson)

The Virga3 – 55 liter ultralight backpack is an excellent choice for any multi day backpacking trip. It intersects lightweight capabilities without sacrificing on the durability that Granite Gear touts. This was my first experience utilizing a backpack designated as ultralight. It delivered a comfortable fit comparable to conventional backpacking packs. The Virga3 got me through an overnight trip with ease. My favorite features include the adjustable shoulder harness, dual hip belt pockets, and dedicated sleeping pad panel. Made in the USA by Granite Gear, this durable pack can serve as your go-to pack for years to come.

Durable Value

The pack looks and feels high quality. From the nylon body to the clips and zippers, the Virga3 feels like a backpack that can endure the elements and hundreds of miles on the trail. At just $200 retail, you’re getting a great bang for your buck. Whether you’re just getting into backpacking or are looking to set a speed record on your multi-day trip, the Virga3 is an excellent choice that won’t break the bank.

Ultralight

Weighing in at just 1.68 pounds the Virga3 also falls squarely in the ultralight category for backpacking backpacks. Personally I do not have much experience with ultralight gear, but I do appreciate a lightweight pack so I can worry less about the weight of the gear within.

Overall Fit

In reviewing this pack, I hiked approximately 5 miles with the pack fully loaded with overnight camping gear. Since the Granite Gear Virga3 is a unisex pack, it was designed with fit adaptability in mind. Being a frameless pack, it is intended that the user insert a sleeping pad into the rear wall of the pack, giving added structure. Just after beginning the hike, I found that after a few minor adjustments, I was able to adjust the pack to properly fit both the length of my torso as well as the width of my waist. The pack remained comfortably in the center of my back for the remainder of the hike.

Shoulder Harness

The shoulder harness on this pack makes it easy to adjust the pack to fit your height. The looped daisy-chain harness allows for easy adjustment to fit torso lengths between 21 to 24 inches. Though, it took me a second to understand how to unclip the carabiner to adjust the height on this pack. To achieve this, start by pinching vertically on the plastic carabiner and the small metal clasp will pop open. Next, unloop the carabiner and replace it on your desired height, re-securing the metal clasp. Also note that there is a second set of daisy loops for hikers with narrower shoulders. If you are looking for further adjustment, the shoulder harness also has standard strap tighteners below each shoulder pad which also have an effect on the pack’s weight distribution.

Waist Harness

Once again, the waist harness was designed with adjustability and versatility in mind. This pack was designed to adjust from 24 inches to 54 inches. This is really impressive adjustability! One can easily adjust the width of the hip belt by detaching the Velcro that secures the hip belt to the back of the pack. Then simply slide the belt through the nylon tunnel and make your adjustment to fit your waist. Once again, the widths are clearly marked on the inside of the belt. There are also clear and concise instructions printed on the inside of the hip belt describing this process.

As someone with a narrow waist, the pack held tight for the entirety of my hike. Since this is a frameless pack, I found that the hip belt proved to be less weight-bearing than waist belts on framed counterparts. If the Granite Gear Virga3 is relatively full and the contents provide stiffness, then the waist belt can alleviate more weight from your shoulders. More on this below!

Additionally, the hip belt is also entirely removable so if you find you’re looking for a day pack or light load travel pack, you can keep the Virga3 as a relatively compact option.

Storage – Main Pocket

The Granite Gear Virga3 55L is a conventional roll-top backpack. This was my first time using a roll-top pack. I had a very pleasant experience as it allowed the pack’s size to adjust to my equipment. Plus, it retained stiffness as I rolled the top tight. Being a roll-top, there is really only one storage compartment. I found that I was deterred from using this pack for more casual occasions, such as backpacking in Asia, for this reason. However, for true backpacking experiences where you’re typically unloading most of your gear each evening, this is optimal. I found that the Virga3 was able to accommodate all of my largest camping items with ease, including a down sleeping bag, inflatable pad and one-man backpacking tent.

Storage – External

Since the Granite Gear Virga3 55L pack is a roll-top, if you have particularly bulky items such as a multi-person tent, fishing rod, or camp slippers, they can easily be secured to the outside of the pack using the enormous side pockets and cinch straps just above. I found that I was easily able to fit multiple water bottles, sunscreen, tent poles and my fly rod in the side pockets. The items were well secured during my test hike and I was still able to easily reach my water bottles while en route. This is because the water bottle pockets have a steep angle, allowing you to simply slide your bottle backward into the side pocket.

The pack also has an elastic mesh on the outside of the pack. This storage has seemingly unlimited uses. I found it particularly useful in keeping any damp or dirty clothes so that the smell doesn’t contaminate the items in the rest of your bag. Alternatively, this mesh pocket could also be used for another easy-access pocket. One idea is to keep rain gear or cold weather gear here to easily add or remove layers in accordance with the weather. The mesh is highly flexible, so you could likely shove 3 or 4 garments into this pocket without an issue.

Storage – Waist Harness

The waist harness contains zipper pockets on both sides of your hips. These pockets can be your go-to storage compartment for items you would like to access easily. I find it particularly uncomfortable to hike with any items in my pants or shorts pockets and these zippers serve as an excellent alternative. These pockets can be a good place to keep your headlamp, batteries, multitool, sunscreen, etc.

Style and Environmental Impact

The pack that Granite Gear sent to FatManLittleTrail is the Flint/Bright Red colorway, which I think looks great and may be less likely to get dirty than the alternative undyed colorway. Granite Gear does warn users that the undyed colorway may develop a yellow hue over time, though this is a natural reaction for undyed goods. That said, Granite Gear advertises that the undyed version reduces water waste by 55%. As an avid outdoorsman and environmentalist, I might choose the undyed version in the future. Though I have not tested this colorway, I would imagine the pack may also keep you and your gear just a few degrees cooler while hiking as the white color reflects sunlight.

Per Granite Gear’s website, this pack is not made from recycled materials. However, Granite Gear touts durability as one of its outstanding attributes. A pack that can be used for years longer than competitors likely ends up being more environmentally friendly than one that gets thrown away and replaced due to holes, broken zippers, etc. Hopefully the Virga3 ends up being your go-to pack for years on end.

Durability

I have only used this pack a couple of times and as expected there are no signs of wear. Aside from cosmetic changes that come with any outdoor gear, I would expect the pack to stay perfectly functional for years to come. At only $200, this is a great deal for such a durable pack. If you read the ‘Our Story’ section on the Granite Gear website, they end their summary with “Granite Gear’s gear is truly tougher than granite. Given that the company also designs and manufactures tactical packs for soldiers and military personnel, I expect they will hold up to their durability promise.

Water Resistance

To the delight of this Coloradan, I did get to test the water resistance of this pack in a light afternoon storm. It rained lightly for approximately a half hour and to my pleasant surprise, the pack stayed relatively dry and none of my gear inside the pack got wet. That said, I would classify the Virga3 as water-resistant and not waterproof. The pack does not advertise being water-resistant, but in my testing, I noticed that much of the rainwater beaded off of the pack and only after the storm had passed did I notice some damp patches in the nylon. Therefore, I would recommend adding a backpack cover to protect your new pack and gear from getting wet. Granite Gear makes a rain fly for their ultralight packs called the Cloud Cover Fly Pack, but any cover suited for a 55-liter pack should do the trick!

What I Didn’t Like

This pack exceeded my expectations and gave me an excellent first experience with a frameless hyperlight pack. That said, there were a few attributes about this pack that I feel could be improved:

I would prefer one more zipper pocket. I know that this may increase the weight of the pack slightly, but I enjoy having many pockets in which to keep smaller items like my headlamp, ChapStick, lighter, etc.

Frameless Structure

The other minor critique about this pack is that Granite Gear suggests inserting a roll-up sleeping pad into the bladder of the roll-top. This method is intended to provide structure for the pack by packing gear along the inside of the roll-up pad. Unfortunately, I was unable to test this as I do not have a roll-up sleeping pad. Using a roll-up pad takes up more volume in the pack that might otherwise be used for storing other essential items. However, I believe that following Granite Gear’s recommendation would provide much-needed structure and help distribute more weight to your hips while hiking, which is crucial for maintaining comfort on long treks.

Despite this, the Virga3 kept me comfortable on both of my test hikes. While testing this pack, I used an inflatable pad from NEMO and folded it against the rear wall of the pack. This provided some structure, but most of the weight remained on my shoulders. This difference in weight distribution is one of the trade-offs of using a frameless pack, which lacks the rigidity of a framed pack but offers more flexibility and lighter weight. In the future, I would like to test the packing technique that Granite Gear suggests to compare comfort and practicality. However, I found that using my inflatable NEMO pad worked well for the limited amount of gear I was carrying, making it a viable option for shorter hikes or minimalist packing.

Video Review of the Granite Gear Virga3 55L Ultralight Pack

Before my final thoughts here is a quick video review of the Granite Gear Virga3 55L Ultralight Pack. If you enjoy the review make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel to be the first to see my new content.

Wrapping up the Granite Gear Virga3 55L Ultralight Pack

The Granite Gear Virga3 55 liter ultralight backpack stands out as a stellar choice for backpackers seeking a balance between weight and durability. Throughout my testing, it consistently offered a comfortable fit and adaptable storage, making it an excellent companion for both short overnight trips and longer excursions. The thoughtful design elements, such as the adjustable shoulder harness and dual hip belt pockets, enhance the pack’s usability. These ensure a customizable fit for a variety of body types. Additionally, the pack’s high-quality materials and construction promise longevity, making it a worthy investment for any backpacker.

While there are minor areas for improvement, such as the desire for an additional zipper pocket, these do not significantly detract from the overall performance of the Virga3. At a retail price of $200, the value offered by this pack is impressive, especially considering its durability and the fact that it’s made in the USA. Whether you’re new to backpacking or an experienced hiker looking for a reliable, lightweight option, the Virga3 is a versatile pack that won’t disappoint. I look forward to more adventures with this pack and recommend it to anyone in the market for a new multi-day pack.

More Product Reviews from The Fatman

If you like this review, you can see other products I have reviewed on my Product Review Page. If you have any items you would like me to review or any comments feel free to email me at fatmanlittletrails@gmail.com. Or, you can follow me on any of the below social media platforms. Happy Hiking!