Ultralight camping packs

[Bowtie747]

Hey guys, I’m looking for lightweight or ultralight pack suggestions for camping. Mostly looking at packs like the Durston Kakwa 55, Zpaks, ULA, outdoor vitals. Those type brands. There’s many more and any info on any of them is what I’m after.

I’m also looking for your experiences with any of those types packs. What weights were and weren’t comfortable. How they held up.

I didn’t see a thread like this so hope it’s not a repost. I did see one about more hunting style lightweight packs but I’m looking more for camping types. Thanks!

 

[Beendare]

I've tried a couple back in the day- none of the ones you mentioned. One was the UL Kifaru thing under 2# that didn't last long- it wasn't good.

General comments;
IMO, You can go TOO light with a pack and many of these packs under 2# that are only designed to carry 15#. Any more weight and it's like throwing a sack over your shoulder.

The 2 components that suffer most is the straps and suspension if you have any weight in there at all and the pack body Barrels, loses shape. Some of these make it necessary to use a waffle pad to maintain its shape. No matter, stuff them full and they barrel.

I typically carry a 100oz water bladder so thats almost 7# right there. A good lightweight pack that still has a LW frame makes the felt weight less than some of these UL packs that will just hang on you with 15# plus.

as with any pack, actually trying it on with it loaded is critical to seeing how it fits.

 

[Kenai]

Ultralight backpacking is great, you just have to remember to keep it light. You can’t expect these packs to perform like a hunting pack. It’s hard to do if you don’t already have most of the gear.

That said, doing a backpacking trip with a lighter load makes the trip way more enjoyable for me.

To get there though you need to keep your base weight pretty light. If you can keep your base weight (sleep system, tent, stove, water filter and backpack) around 10 pounds it’s a good start. That leaves room for food and a luxury item or two but still be around 18-20 pounds.

Any of those brands you listed are good. I would toss Gossamer Gear and seek outside in there as well. Look for the size the features you want. I am currently running the Durston Kakwa 55. Whatever you choose I would recommend some sort of actual frame over a frameless pack.

 

[sargent]

I have a Mountain Laurel Designs Prophet that has worked well for me. The pack weighs just over a pound and is totally frameless. I've used it on a lot of backpacking trips and even took it elk hunting twice and packed out some meat.

I discovered immediately that you have to load this pack differently than a framed pack with the heaviest items towards the bottom rather than the middle to top of the pack. The comfort range (20-25 pounds) listed on the website is accurate, but the pack with hold up to heavier loads (my meat loads were ~45 pounds).

Good luck with your search.

 

[Macintosh]

My experience with true UL stuff is more technical alpine climbing, so different set of brands, equipment, etc. but I think my lesson translates: you have to define what you are bringing IN the pack, and only then choose the pack for that. If you switch that order you run the strong risk of either having a heavy/stiff/overkill pack for your load, or having too little pack for your load and therefore a really uncomfortable carry. Having a little more structure to the pack is certainly a bit more versatile.
As above, if you have a defined base weight and food weight, then you can start to get into which packs offer the best combo of comfort and light weight.