Best Ultralight Backpacks of 2024, Tested

The Greatest Ultralight Backpacks: Frameless

Frameless backpacks are one of the excessive items of substances in ultralight backpacking. These packs switch no load in any way to your hips. Once they’re working proper, they maintain the burden excessive, nearer to your trapezoids. Some folks — lots of people — hate this. For one of many frameless backpacks we checked out, a tester commented that it “felt like giving a toddler that wishes to kill me a piggyback journey.” 

However you additionally may shock your self. I doubt my private backpacking package is beneath ten kilos, even when I swap in an ultralight backpack. However I do have a 45-pound toddler, that I generally keep it up my shoulders for as much as a half mile at a time. After I first tried one in every of these frameless backpacks, I used to be stunned by how comfy — and releasing — they felt in comparison with the extra inflexible frames of different fashions. Having the ability to transfer my hips with out the constricted feeling of a inflexible backpack body made backpacking extra pleasing (not less than so long as my pack weight was beneath 25 kilos). 

Briefly, if carrying your backpacking package excessive in your again supported by your shoulders seems like hell, skip this complete part and hop all the way down to the detachable frames and inflexible frames. But when that sounds compelling after years of restrictive framed backpacks, learn on. 

Greatest General: Palante Desert

Examined on the Oregon Coast Path by Jac “High Shelf” Mitchell and Laura “Chop Chop” Lancaster

Report Card 

• Match: 4.4
• Consolation: 4 
• Load bearing: 3 
• Packability: 5
• Accessibility: 3.5
• Worth: 4.5

Key Options

• Value: $270
• Capability: 37 liters 
• Weight: 1 pound, 3.4 ounces
• Unisex Torso Match: 17 or 19” (examined the 17” model)
• Pockets: Two facet pockets, again mesh pocket, two shoulder strap pockets, one undercarriage pocket
• Adjustment Factors: Shoulder straps, sternum strap, waist belt
• Comfy as much as 30 kilos (as reported by the testers)
• Guarantee: 2 years

Professionals

• Surprisingly comfy
• Very light-weight
• Respectable capability
• Considerate particulars

Cons

• Fewer shoulder strap pockets than different choices we checked out
• Restricted sizing choices

Our most skilled tester, High Shelf, took the Palante Desert out on the primary day of our trek alongside the Oregon Coast Path, overlaying nearly 20 miles in a day. She reported that she was stunned at how comfy she discovered the backpack, on condition that its complete weight was resting squarely on her shoulders. However, then once more, she was solely carrying 14 kilos, which included her typical package in addition to three liters of water. And that’s who frameless backpacks, together with the Palante Desert are for, backpackers who’ve already dialed their base weight all the way down to 10 kilos or much less. 

Whereas the Palante technically has a waistbelt artfully stashed behind the facet pockets, it’s nothing greater than broad nylon webbing. This belt doesn’t successfully distribute to your hips — and we don’t advocate attempting — it does assist to safe the load in your again in order that it doesn’t transfer a lot facet to facet when you’re trekking. Our tester reported, as anticipated, that a lot of the burden of the pack was sitting on her trapezoids. However she was impressed by the vary of movement this type of backpack afforded her. The Palante Desert rides excessive, even for a frameless backpack, which permits for a extra open gait. 

High Shelf preferred the considerate options designed particularly for this type of backpacking. An undercarriage pouch was the proper place to stash a bar or two whereas climbing. Mesh pockets on each shoulder straps match her telephone comfortably. There was even a delegated stake pouch within the entrance mesh pocket. That makes it that a lot simpler to stack your tent in opposition to the within again of your pack — no pointy bits to shift and stab you within the again whereas climbing. One of many facet pockets additionally ran excessive, helpful for stashing mid-sized gear with out having to fret about it falling out. She additionally famous that the primary physique of the Palante Desert appeared to swallow gear, holding rather more than you’ll anticipate given its tiny profile. 

I took the Palante Desert out for a four-night journey in Washington State’s Goat Rocks Wilderness — scouting for our second backpacking gear check — and was equally impressed. The Desert had loads of house for my package (which is fairly light-weight however seemingly not beneath ten kilos) and 4 days of meals. Whereas I did discover the burden on my shoulders beginning to get a bit previous by the tip of the second day, once I did lastly pull out the waist strap — that is positively not a hip belt — it was rather more useful than I had anticipated in distributing the load and taking the burden off my strain factors. By the tip of my trek, this backpack regarded no greater than a daypack, and felt about the identical as nicely. I used to be hooked. 

The Palante Desert is accessible in each 210 gridstop (Dyneema) or 400D Extremely, heavier weight supplies than different ultralight backpacks on this check. This could present substantial sturdiness, and makes the sub 20-ounce weight of the pack that rather more spectacular. For those who’ve been utilizing a frameless (however structured) pack just like the Zpacks Arc Haul or the Durston Kakwa 40 for a while and are able to degree as much as one thing much more minimal, this is a superb alternative.

Greatest Worth: Mountainsmith Zerk

Examined on the Oregon Coast Path by Patrice “Regular” La Vigne and Diana Helmuth

Report Card 

• Match: 4.5
• Consolation: 4.5 
• Load bearing: 4 
• Packability: 4
• Accessibility: 4
• Worth: 4.5

Key Options

• Value: $220
• Capability: 40 liters
• Weight: 1 pound, 13 ounces
• Unisex Torso Match: 16 to 19 inches
• Pockets: 4 shoulder strap pockets, 4 facet pockets, one entrance mesh pocket
• Adjustment Factors: Shoulder straps, sternum strap, waist belt
• Comfy as much as 30 kilos (as reported by the testers)
• Guarantee: Lifetime 

Professionals

• Inexpensive (consists of lifetime guarantee)
• Comfy
• Nice pockets

Cons

• One dimension matches all could not work for everybody
• Considerably heavy for a smaller frameless pack

The Mountainsmith Zerk divided our testers. The dedicated ultralight-pack lovers took one have a look at the double-mesh pockets, the spongy again panel (the one frameless backpack we’ve checked out to make use of a chunk of froth alongside the again panel), and thicker nylon physique and grabbed one thing else. It simply didn’t have the options they search for in an ultralight backpack.

The opposite half, who sometimes put on traditional-style backpacks, picked it up nearly instantly. After struggling to pack different ultralight backpacks with little greater than a again mesh pocket and a single shoulder pocket, the double pockets on each shoulder straps and each facet pockets had been a reduction. “I used to be apprehensive that the pack didn’t have hipbelt pockets, however I actually didn’t want them as a result of there have been 4 facet mesh pockets, 4 chest mesh pockets, and one massive mesh pocket plus bungees on the again,” mentioned Regular. “I like pockets and correct group and there was a spot for the whole lot.” 

The versatile cloth of the physique of the pack was simple to root round in in comparison with the opposite packs we checked out and the roll-top closure cinched down tight with one easy buckle. Then we instructed them that, at $220, it was the bottom priced pack in the whole check. That sealed the deal for the worth award. 

Whereas the Mountainsmith Zerk is usually focused at ultralight fastpackers, our testers’ suggestions exhibits that extra conventional backpackers trying to experiment with ultralight gear profit most from this inexpensive choice. The one main draw back to this pack is that it has a one-size matches all torso size that can solely work for a subset of backpackers.

Nashville Cutaway 40

Examined within the Goat Rocks Wilderness by Adam Tycaster, Alex Robinson, Laura “Chop Chop” Lancaster, Jac “High Shelf” Mitchell, and Ashley Thess

Report Card

• Match: 3
• Consolation: 3 
• Load bearing: 2.6 
• Packability: 3.6
• Accessibility: 3.6
• Worth: 2.8

Key Options

• Value: $326
• Capability: 43 liters
• Weight: 1 pound, 2.2 ounces
• Unisex Torso Match: 16 to twenty inches
• Pockets: Six shoulder strap pockets, two facet pockets, one entrance mesh pocket with inner shelf, one undercarriage pocket
• Adjustment Factors: Shoulder straps, sternum strap, waist belt
• Comfy as much as 25 kilos (as reported by the testers)
• Guarantee: 1 yr
• Shoulder straps sold separately

Professionals

• One of many lightest backpacks we’ve ever examined
• Extraordinarily customizable
• Versatile pocket design
• Delicate, versatile shoulder straps

Cons

• Uncomfortable when the straps will not be positioned optimally
• Not applicable for a brand new ultralight backpacker

The Nashville Cutaway is likely one of the most difficult backpacks we’ve examined at Outside Life. The customization is unparalleled, which introduced sudden challenges throughout testing. However whereas not everybody had a optimistic expertise with the Nashville Cutaway, all of them revered what this backpack was attempting to do. 

The largest distinction between the Nashville Cutaway and different ultralight backpacks is that you’ve full management over the position of the shoulder straps and sternum straps. In reality, Nashville Cutaway sells them individually so they’ll arrive within the mail unattached. 

Threading the nylon straps by the six buckles (three on either side) in all fairness time-consuming, particularly contemplating they had been chosen to be light-weight and robust — not simple to make use of. I took the freedom of doing this at dwelling earlier than heading out with the staff on the preliminary backpacking gear check, since I used to be the primary particular person slated to check this backpack.

I’m glad I did. There may be at all times loads occurring throughout gear testing journeys, which might make it onerous to present extra complicated items of substances the eye they deserve. Besides, as I hiked, I began to comprehend that I won’t have adjusted the shoulder straps in addition to I may. I ended up unraveling all of them throughout a break and pulling them in a loop on either side. That improved the carry expertise considerably, however I may inform by the tip of my testing day that I nonetheless hadn’t cracked it. Maybe even another loop in, and the furthermost in straps loosened, would have executed it. However then it was the tip of the day, and the pack went to the following tester, Thess. 

Thess left the straps, each the shoulder straps and the three sternum straps, as they had been when she acquired the pack. To say she was not a fan, can be an understatement — she rated the pack a 2 for match and ended up swapping out noon with Magic (he rated it a 3). He additionally didn’t regulate the straps. The tester on the third day — High Shelf —  probably the most skilled in our group — didn’t regulate the straps and rated the match as a 3. 

On the ultimate day of our journey, I made a decision to essentially curate the expertise of the tester, Tycaster, adjusting the straps and packing the backpack, which ended up weighing 20.6 kilos. At 13 miles, it was the longest day of our journey, however he nonetheless rated it a 4 for match and a 4 for consolation. “I anticipated to need to readjust continually since my different favourite is the Osprey,” Tycaster mentioned. Osprey’s Exos backpack, which we coated in our tackle the best backpacking backpacks, has glorious suspension that strikes the burden straight to your hips. “Nevertheless, since I had assist, I barely registered it whereas climbing. If I had sat with it, I may make this match completely.”

“The Nashville wants you to spend high quality time thoughtfully configuring its many customizable choices to your particular type,” famous High Shelf. “Your package must be dialed all the way down to 25 kilos or much less, together with meals and water, to permit this pak a good shot to do what it’s actually good at.” OL backpacking gear testing strives to hit a steadiness between giving the testers’ sufficient time to get to know and use lots of totally different gear and really backpacking. On this case, the testers merely wanted extra time than was allotted to undergo the trial and error means of optimizing it to their body. To some ultralight backpackers, this degree of customization will sound like a dream; to others, it’s a trouble not definitely worth the bother.

All frameless backpacks appear and feel a bit like shapeless lumps earlier than you begin (rigorously) organizing your gear inside, however this was very true with the Nashville Cutaway. That’s largely because of the cloth used right here — Problem’s EPX70 RS — which is much less stiff than the UHMWPE cloth used on the Palante and Symbiosis packs. The pockets on the Nashville Cutaway had been additionally distinctive, even amongst frameless backpacks. Just like the Palante and Symbiosis backpack, it had an undercarriage pocket, though right here the entry level was subsequent to the again slightly than alongside the facet. 

Every shoulder strap had three pockets, for a complete of six, together with one with a backside up-entry. Apparently, the again pocket was not separated from the facet pockets. This introduced some frustration amongst testers, as the shortage of construction meant that their water bottles or trekking poles stored falling over to the facet. One innovation that was appreciated was the inclusion of a shelf contained in the mesh again pocket. This was helpful to maintain monitor of smaller gadgets that every one too typically fall to the underside of typical again pockets. 

Symbiosis Aspen

Examined within the Goat Rocks Wilderness by Laura “Chop Chop” Lancaster, Patrice “Regular” La Vigne, Diana Helmuth, and Ashley Thess

Report Card

• Match: 3
• Consolation: 1.8 
• Load bearing: 2 
• Packability: 3.5
• Accessibility: 1.2
• Worth: 3

Key Options

• Value: $300
• Capability: 38 liters
• Weight: 1 pound, 8.3 ounces
• Unisex Torso Match: 16 inches to 19 inches (as reported by testers)
• Pockets: One shoulder strap pocket, two facet pockets, one entrance mesh pocket, undercarriage pocket
• Adjustment Factors: Shoulder straps, sternum strap, waist belt
• Comfy as much as 20 kilos (as reported by the testers)
• Guarantee: Restricted lifetime 

Professionals

• Loads of capability within the excessive roll-top 
• Retains weight centered in your shoulders
• Excessive S-shape of the shoulder straps was comfy to testers
• A lot of placement choices for the sternum strap

Cons

• Smaller capability than most testers wanted
• Tight again mesh pocket was troublesome to make use of
• Just one shoulder strap pocket

Once they first obtained their begin, frameless backpacks had been hottest amongst a selected kind of tall and thin fastpacking males. Maybe this was partially as a result of ladies are extra comfy carrying weight on their hips; maybe it’s as a result of lots of excessive ultralight traits get their begin amongst a selected kind of tall and thin fastpacking males. Irrespective of: lighter gear is crucial for packing within the excessive mileage days that thru-hikers encounter, and frameless backpacks are right here to remain for good motive. 

The issue has been that lots of frameless backpacks are unisex, which generally signifies that they don’t match ladies — particularly curvy ladies — in addition to they do people with extra streamlined torsos. Symbiosis founder Sarah Berkeley (path identify “Mellow”) struggled to discover a frameless backpack that was comfy to her body, and was impressed to create a extra versatile frameless backpack that was comfy for people with brief torsos and enormous cup sizes. I used to be particularly curious to see if the Aspen Symbiosis appealed to any of the ladies testers which have heretofore been extra skeptical of frameless backpacks. 

Outcomes had been considerably combined. Whereas testers (all ladies) who wore each this backpack and the Nashville Cutaway, discovered this pack to be extra comfy, it nonetheless didn’t reach promoting them on the idea of a frameless backpack. First the great, we had a spread of sizes and physique sorts use this pack and it match everybody. The intense S form on the shoulder straps match comfortably round testers’ chests. The power to maneuver the sternum strap up and down the size of the shoulder straps was extremely appreciated by testers. 

The Symbiosis Aspen additionally does an awesome job of driving excessive on the torso, which is probably the most comfy strategy to carry weight with frameless backpacks. The one ding right here was that our tallest tester, Helmuth, discovered that she benefited much less from the acute S form of shoulder straps than different testers just because she needed to let extra of the nylon strap out. 

However right here’s the factor about this backpack: For those who discover carrying the burden of your backpack in your shoulders uncomfortable, the design tweaks of this backpack will not be going to vary your thoughts. “Carrying the burden on my shoulders made me indignant,” mentioned one tester. Even understanding how this pack was meant to work didn’t sway everybody, with a number of expressing frustration of their notes on the lack of load lifters and the non-weight bearing waist belt. Studying these notes, it was clear that backpack design isn’t the one motive you’re much less more likely to see ladies carrying frameless backpacks within the backcountry: smaller trapezoid muscle tissues imply that girls are much less more likely to discover the liberty of movement definitely worth the lack of load bearing potential. 

Testers additionally famous that the inside quantity of this backpack was a lot lower than different frameless backpacks. In case your package is ultralight however cumbersome, this may occasionally current a difficulty. One other battle was the stretch alongside the again mesh pocket, which was minimal. A number of testers famous that it was troublesome to achieve inside and discover issues on this pocket, which is an even bigger subject for a minimal pack than for a extra conventional mannequin with a greater variety of pockets. A vibrant spot was the highest compression strap, which was each extraordinarily lengthy (ultimate for one thing like a closed-cell foam pad and even an empty bear canister) and a pleasure to make use of. 

Greatest Ultralight Backpacks: Inflexible Frames

Outdoor Vitals CS40 Ultra

Examined on the Oregon Coast Path by Laura “Chop Chop” Lancaster and Patrice “Regular” La Vigne

Report Card

• Match: 4
• Consolation: 4 
• Load bearing: 4 
• Packability: 3.5
• Accessibility: 3.5
• Worth: 4

Key Options

• Value: $370
• Capability: 53 liters
• Weight: 1 pound, 11 ounces
• Unisex Torso Match: 18 to 22 inches
• Pockets: two hip belt pockets, two facet pockets, again mesh pocket
• Adjustment Factors: hip belt, shoulder straps, load lifters, sternum strap
• Comfy as much as 30 kilos (as reported by the testers)
• Guarantee: Lifetime 

Professionals

• Nice again panel padding and air flow
• Roomy again mesh pocket

Cons

• Costly
• Profile is considerably slack 
• Aggressive J straps had been much less comfy for our testers 

There are lots of positives in regards to the Outside Vitals CS40 Extremely. It’s light-weight, thanks partially to its 200D Extremely exterior. It has an awesome entrance mesh pocket that not solely holds your entire small gadgets, but additionally lets you see the place they’re — decidedly not the case for all of the mesh pockets we checked out. It’s obtained loads of capability and it carries masses moderately nicely, producing solely a minor crick in a single tester’s shoulder after 10 miles and 1,200 ft of elevation achieve by muddy terrain. 

However the place this pack actually stood other than the group was in its skill to handle sweat alongside the shoulder straps and again panel. Historically, the sweatiest long-distance hikers have gravitated towards Osprey’s packs, together with the 40-ounce Exos, due to its best-in-class again panel air flow. And this isn’t a small level: For some backpackers, again panel chafe could be a debilitating, hike-ending subject. That makes the overwhelming majority of ultralight backpacks a digital nonstarter.

Regular (who says she sweats “simply by wanting on the solar”) took this pack out on day three of the Oregon Coast Path, when temperatures climbed into the higher 70s proper as we hit a destroyed part of path that necessitated some bushwhacking. Not solely did she discover the again panel to be probably the most comfy of the whole lot she tried, however she additionally didn’t really feel any sweat in opposition to her again. That’s as a result of, along with being ventilated, the padding can also be raised off the center portion of the Outside Vitals CS40 Extremely, and overlaid with a mesh layer that permits some airflow to maneuver beneath it. For those who’re used to utilizing an Osprey pack, you may be disenchanted with the extent of airflow supplied, however in case you are in search of an improve from a typical ultralight backpack, it is a large enchancment.

The largest ding in opposition to the Outside Vitals CS40 Extremely is that it seems just a little sloppy. The mesh of the entrance pocket is a bit free, the roll-top bunched up, the facet pockets drooped. Whereas that is finally extra an aesthetic concern than a sensible one, at this value level we’d anticipate a backpack to look loads sharper. For this testing group — all ladies — the aggressive J-straps additionally proved noticeably much less comfy than different fashions we examined. In case your chest has any bulk to it, try the Duston Kakwa 40.

Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 40

Examined on the Oregon Coast Path by Jac “High Shelf” Mitchell and Ashley Thess

Report Card

• Match: 3
• Consolation: 3 
• Load bearing: 4 
• Packability: 3
• Accessibility: 2
• Worth: 2

Key Options

• Value: $400
• Capability: 60 liters
• Weight: 1 pound, 2.8 ounces
• Out there Torso Sizes: 16 to 26 inches
• Pockets: Two facet pockets, again mesh pocket
• Adjustment Factors: Hip belt, shoulder straps, load lifters, sternum strap
• Guarantee: Two years

Professionals

• Very light-weight
• Nice load bearing
• Matches nicely

Cons

• Costly
• Fewest pockets in our check

The Zpacks Arc Haul Extremely is precisely what it guarantees: It strips away the whole lot you don’t completely want and makes use of absolutely the lightest supplies for the whole lot else. And it does that whereas staying true to the wants of thru-hikers: It doesn’t skimp on load bearing, boasting each load lifter straps and carbon fiber stays that present vital construction to this pack. 

It does, nonetheless, skimp on options — an excessive amount of, it turned out, for our testers. We must also notice that it’s one of the costly we’ve ever examined. However it’s additionally one of many lightest packs we’ve ever examined. 

Each of the testers for this pack had been impressed with how nicely the Zpacks Extremely Arc Haul dealt with the masses typical of ultralight backpackers, thanks partially to the stiff again panel that helped to distribute weight. They even pushed the burden to 26 kilos by strapping a water bladder to the pack throughout a dry part of the hike. The tester who hauled that load famous that the Zpacks Extremely Arc Haul dealt with the extra kilos nicely given how unideal the setup was. And the changes had been comfy and conformed to the testers’ our bodies the best way they needed them to. That is, in any case, an ultralight backpack’s most essential job, and the Zpacks Extremely Arc Haul will get it executed. 

So what didn’t they like? Each testers struggled with accessibility with the Zpacks Extremely Arc Haul, even in comparison with related fashions just like the Durston Kakwa 40 and the Palante Desert. There have been no pockets on the hip belts, or on the shoulder straps (Zpacks does promote these as pretty dear further add-ons), so to get something out of their packs they needed to cease to take it off. In addition they had sturdiness issues with a few of the non-Extremely elements of the pack — significantly the mesh on the entrance pocket.

REI Flash Air 50

Examined within the Goat Rocks Wilderness by Adam Tycaster, Ashley Thess, Jac “High Shelf” Mitchell, and Sven “Magic” Anderson

Report Card

• Match: 2.5
• Consolation: 2.5
• Load Bearing: 2.75
• Packability: 3
• Accessibility: 3.5
• Worth: 2.25

Key Options

• Capability: 50 liters
• Weight: 1 pound, 15.3 ounces
• Males’s Torso Match: 18 to twenty inches
• Ladies’s Torso Match: 16 to 18 inches 
• Pockets: Two facet stretch pockets, entrance pocket (not mesh), two hip belt zip pockets, one shoulder strap pockets
• Adjustment Factors: Connected hip belt, shoulder straps, load lifters, sternum strap
• Comfy as much as 25 kilos (as reported by the testers)
• Guarantee: 1 yr

Professionals

• Beneath two pound backpack
• Nice water bottle pockets

Cons

• Stiff, rigid body
• Doesn’t carry heavy masses nicely

Testers had been stunned on the finish of the check once I revealed each the burden and the worth level of the REI Flash Air 50. At just below two kilos, it was proper in keeping with the likes of the Hyperlite Southwest. However it was dearer than testers, accustomed to REI as a best-in-class worth model, had been anticipating. And finally, given the standard of different choices on this checklist, they didn’t assume that the burden financial savings had been justified by the pack’s design at this value level.

Not like different packs, testers reported a myriad of small complaints with this pack with no clear sample. Magic reported that it didn’t transfer along with his physique like different backpacks at this weight sometimes do, whereas High Shelf and Thess mentioned that the body felt stiff and rigid. Thess even commented that she struggled with parts of the body digging into her torso, whereas there was a basic consensus that the pack didn’t carry nicely even with sub-30-pound masses. High Shelf additionally famous that the laminate getting used tended to be a bit sticky in humid climate. 

Two vibrant spots with the REI Flash air was the inclusion of separate water bottle compartments that was a boon for people that don’t use hydration bladders. Testers additionally famous that the hip belt on the REI Flash Air was particularly comfy, with one tester noting that in case you may swap these two options onto the Osprey Exos, you’d have the proper backpack. Magic additionally mentioned that the easy-to-access water bottle pockets had been a sport change for his Parkinson’s.

I used to be a bit stunned at how little the testers responded to the REI Flash Air 50. It has many common options: roll-top lid, deep pockets on the facet and again, a Y-strap that can be utilized to safe further gear on high of the pack, shoulder strap pocket. However when the group sat all the way down to undergo the packs, there was little to say in regards to the REI Air Flash 50 in comparison with different packs that elicited sturdy emotions in both route. Ultimately, I ponder if it was this sudden marriage of options: a backpack that introduced and weighed-in as ultralight however then tried to hold like a standard backpack that simply didn’t sit proper, leaving the testers feeling that this backpack merely wasn’t for them even when there wasn’t something all that improper with it. 

Greatest Ultralight Backpacks: Detachable Frames

Best Overall: Hyperlite Southwest 40

Examined on the Oregon Coast Path by Ashley Thess with further enter from Jac “High Shelf” Mitchell

Report Card

• Match: 4
• Consolation: 4 
• Load bearing: 5 
• Packability: 4
• Accessibility: 4
• Worth: 3

Key Options

• Value: $350
• Capability: 40 liters
• Weight: 1 pound, 14.8 ounces (1 pound, 15.9 ounces for DCH150)
• Unisex Torso Sizes: XS to L (15 to 21 inches) 
• Pockets: Two hip belt pockets, two facet pockets, one massive again pocket
• Adjustment Factors: Hip belt, shoulder straps, sternum strap
• Comfy as much as 25 kilos
• Guarantee: One yr

Professionals

• Out there in brick and mortar shops
• Light-weight
• Nice load bearing for its weight

Cons

• Costly
• Sternum strap was abrasive to our tester
• Restricted guarantee

Hyperlite is likely one of the most well-known names in ultralight gear, and it’s one of many few bought in brick-and-mortar shops. So we had been curious to see how it might stack up subsequent to the cottage firms. For those who check out a Hyperlite pack in an REI and adore it, does that imply it is best to go forward and purchase it? Or would it not be higher to take of venture on one other pack on this checklist?

After testing the Hyperlite Southwest 40, we really feel assured that it is best to belief your intestine and purchase that Hyperlite in case you prefer it within the retailer. It’s comfy even with the heavier finish of ultralight masses (one tester carried 24 kilos on this pack over 15 miles). Regardless of having solely two aluminum stays and no load lifters, Thess mentioned she was capable of overlook in regards to the pack on her shoulders — the very best of reward, in our opinion.

It additionally scored excessive for its accessibility, because it had the entire pockets (two hip belt pockets, two facet pockets and a large entrance pouch held closed with an elastic band) we search for from an ultralight backpack, and not one of the ones that add additional weight with out rising performance.

One factor to notice is that, in contrast to the opposite ultralight backpacks at this value level, the Hyperlite is created from DCH slightly than Extremely. DCH is a laminated model of Dyneema Composite Material (DCF), which has most of the identical qualities as Extremely. The one concrete distinction between the 2 is that DCH tends to look the more serious for put on over time, though its efficiency is usually unaffected. 

So what are the downsides of this pack? It’s a number of ounces heavier than the opposite packs in Extremely that we checked out (though lighter than the extra frame-intensive ULA Circuit). Regardless of their widespread availability and ubiquity, there isn’t the choice to modify to S straps (though our tester did notice that the J straps had been much less excessive than on different ultralight backpacks). The sternum strap can also be solely minimally adjustable, and for Thess it was pitched too excessive. She reported needing to stash a bandana beneath to stop chafing. Lastly, it has a restricted guarantee — just one yr. 

Durston Kakwa 40

Examined on the Oregon Coast Path by Jac “High Shelf” Mitchell and Ashley Thess with further enter from Laura “Chop Chop” Lancaster

Report Card

• Match: 2
• Consolation: 2 
• Load bearing: 3 
• Packability: 3
• Accessibility: 4
• Worth: 4

Key Options

• Value: $250
• Capability: 36 liters
• Weight: 1 pound, 11.3 ounces
• Unisex Torso Match: 14.5 to 21.5 inches
• Pockets: Two hip belt pockets, two facet pockets with vertical zip pocket on the left facet, again mesh pocket
• Adjustment Factors: Hip belt, shoulder straps, load lifters, sternum strap
• Comfy as much as 35 kilos (as reported by the testers)
• Guarantee: One yr

Professionals

• Nice pockets
• Probably the most inexpensive backpack in Extremely that we checked out

Cons

• Lack of construction alongside the again panel requires cautious packing

The Durston Kakwa 40 is an skilled ultralight backpacker’s dream. It’s light-weight (27.3 ounces for a medium). It has sufficient construction to handle heavier masses. It’s obtained all of the pockets you’d anticipate (plus one additional). It’s made with Extremely, providing you with that additional sturdiness and extra waterproofness. And it’s extraordinarily moderately priced.

Whereas the Durston Kakwa 40 has a body that’s much like the ULA Circuit, what it doesn’t have is a foam backing. On many of the again panel, there’s only a skinny piece of Extremely cloth between you and the inside contents. Thess struggled with the shortage of construction, reporting {that a} bulge in opposition to her again all day was annoying. Like all frameless, or unpadded, backpacks, even barely lower than ultimate packing goes to end in critical discomfort. For those who’re going frameless for the primary time, take note of the way you’re structuring the gadgets within the Durston Kakwa 40.

High Shelf, conversely, discovered the construction to be nearly too stiff. Whereas it wasn’t uncomfortable, it was extra noticeable than different packs we checked out. After the testing journey, I loaded this pack up with about 35 kilos to see how it might deal with the load. (35 kilos is what it is best to anticipate to hold within the desert with an all-day water carry however an in any other case ultralight load.) Whereas the pack hugged round my physique comfortably at 15 kilos, to get the 35-pound balanced between my hips and my shoulders it needed to perch extra on my hips that was pure. That may be fantastic for a brief distance (you’ll be consuming all that water, in any case); this isn’t the pack for somebody who plans to persistently carry 35 kilos.  

The testers appreciated the main points of the Durston Kakwa 40. Beneficiant hip belt pockets, facet pockets, and entrance mesh pockets (one of many few in our check that was actually see-through) made stashing gadgets on the go a breeze. There was additionally a bonus zip pocket alongside one of many facet pockets for straightforward entry to bigger gadgets that don’t slot in your facet pocket. Our solely ding on the options had been the facet compression straps, which had been considerably troublesome to tighten and launch.

Learn how to Select the Greatest Ultralight Backpack

Body or Frameless

Most backpacks, even ultralight backpacks, have some sort of inner body or construction, to help the heavier masses that often happen on long-distance treks by transferring a few of the weight to your hips. For those who plan to forgo any sort of construction to the again panel of your backpack, then intention to maintain the whole weight of your backpack beneath 20 kilos. For those who’d prefer to experiment with going frameless with out committing, select a pack with a detachable body.

Packing Your Bag

Packing an ultralight backpack is totally different from packing a standard backpacking backpack. These backpacks are primarily a large tube — pack one thing on the backside that you find yourself needing in the midst of the day and also you’re going to need to unpack your complete backpack to retrieve it. 

See: How to Pack a Backpack

Backpacks with out a inflexible again panel add one other complication: For those who pack one thing stiff or awkwardly formed within the improper spot, it’s going to press into your backbone till you cease and rearrange the whole lot. For backpacks that lack again panel help, High Shelf recommends utilizing a vertical stacking method (slightly than a horizontal one) to present extra construction and help to the backpack. Softer gadgets, just like the physique of a tent, go in opposition to the again panel as an alternative of extra inflexible gadgets, like a cooking pot or meals bag. If you’re completed, have a look at the again panel from the skin and ensure that it has a straight profile earlier than heading out for the day. She famous that a bonus to packing gear into an ultralight backpack is that you just sometimes don’t must pay as a lot consideration to weight distribution inside the backpack, since the whole lot is already light-weight.

Materials

The not too long ago launched Extremely materials has upended the world of ultralight backpacks, and there have been plenty of backpacks that used this materials as their major physique cloth. What makes Extremely distinctive is its sturdiness and waterproofness (as much as 200 PSI) coupled with its low weight. Different common backpack supplies are DCH (a variation of Dyneema) and ripstop nylon (significantly Robic, which is particularly tear-resistant). Word that no matter materials you select, the mesh pockets are sometimes the primary a part of the backpack to present out.

Material thickness is measured in denier, sometimes shortened to D. Most backpacks we checked out had been 200 denier, though some had been bolstered or made wholesale out of extra strong 400 denier cloth. Just a few had been additionally thinner; in case you select a kind of choices, take into account the guarantee supplied and the quantity of damage and tear you sometimes put in your gear. 

It has change into more and more widespread for people utilizing packs made totally or partially from Extremely to forgo rain covers, waterproof pack liners (sometimes a trash compactor bag), or each. The water resistance of brand-new Extremely is sort of excessive — as much as 200 PSI. Nevertheless, a visible inspection of the ultralight backpacks confirmed that of the 5 that used the Extremely materials, just one was seam-sealed on the within (the Zpacks Extremely Arc Haul). When queried, ULA defined that it’s because, with sufficient use, seam sealing will come aside and even probably the most waterproof materials will finally moist out. In Extremely’s case, that is partially as a result of it will get its water resistance from a lamination: Anyplace on the pack the lamination begins to fail then turns into a possible entry level for water. Whereas Extremely will tackle much less water weight than different supplies, trusting this materials to supply long-term safety akin to a dry bag is more likely to finally end in moist gear.

Strap Model

Most ultralight backpacks default to the standard J-strap, slightly than the S-strap generally seen on ladies’s packs. Our testers (all ladies) thought they might be bothered by this, however finally it wasn’t a difficulty (not less than for many of the packs). There was a choice for the running-vest type straps — which hug your physique greater than conventional backpacking straps — on the Mountainsmith Zerk and Nashville Cutaway amongst testers that used these backpacks. 

Torso Size

Not like conventional backpacking backpacks, which regularly mean you can zero in on the precise torso size in your body, nearly the entire ultralight backpacks we checked out for this check had a hard and fast torso size. Throughout testing, it was clear that at any time when you’re in-between sizes (say you’ve gotten a 17-inch torso size and are attempting to determine between a small that matches between 15 to 17 inches and a medium that matches 17 inches to 19 inches) that it’s greatest to dimension down. Testers may sometimes get a barely too-short torso to work fantastic, however struggled with backpacks that had been too lengthy for his or her body. 

Guarantee

Ultralight backpacks can differ broadly of their sturdiness. A few of these packs you would carry for 10,000 miles; others are going to be shredded by the tip of your first thru-hike. In our expertise, the warranties supplied by the producer typically replicate what you may anticipate, with probably the most sturdy packs having multi-year or lifetime warranties, whereas much less sturdy packs will cease at one yr. Whereas we didn’t check for sturdiness throughout our part hike of the Oregon Coast Path, we’ve got included guarantee info as a part of this evaluate, querying producers when their coverage was unclear to supply enough context for long-distance hikers. Take into account that nearly all of these warranties will cowl repairs to your current backpack, with full-blown replacements solely being supplied beneath choose circumstances. 

FAQs

Last Ideas on the Greatest Ultralight Backpacks

The perfect ultralight backpacks we checked out for this check spanned a spread of types and approaches, reflecting the creativity and ingenuity of UL cottage firm designers. There have been packs missing load lifters, commonplace hip belts, and again panel frames and construction. Nevertheless, with out fail, all testers reported that they had been capable of carry loads of weight comfortably in these packs. The place ultralight backpacks often stymied us was of their method to group and accessibility. Every is exclusive and also you’ll must develop a private relationship with it to zero in on the proper packing technique. However we’re assured that in case you’ve been inquisitive about attempting out ultralight backpacking, one of many choices on this checklist will change the best way you journey within the backcountry: 

Greatest Ultralight Backpacks: Frameless

Greatest Ultralight Backpacks: Inflexible Frames

Greatest Ultralight Backpacks: Detachable Frames