Ultralight camping packs

[Split toe]

I wonder where the new K4X could fit in here with 2lbs of weight savings over the K4? I know it isn't UL but it wont be necessarily heavy anymore either. It looks to be less than 4lbs most likely.

 

[Bowtie747]

I wonder where the new K4X could fit in here with 2lbs of weight savings over the K4? I know it isn't UL but it wont be necessarily heavy anymore either. It looks to be less than 4lbs most likely.

Yea it’s one of the reasons I’ve been holding off buying a pack. If it’s 4lbs and has the range mentioned it’s hard to beat. Steve Spec is my type salesman. No pushy just tells you what makes it good without all the annoying fluff.

 

[Split toe]

Yea it’s one of the reasons I’ve been holding off buying a pack. If it’s 4lbs and has the range mentioned it’s hard to beat. Steve Spec is my type salesman. No pushy just tells you what makes it good without all the annoying fluff.

I've used my K4 for backpacking in for 14ers, so I am looking forward to the option to shave a little weight for some trips like that and maybe even future trips such as the Colorado Trail. I also plan on utilizing the K4X in the Mammoth Challenge.

 

[Kenai]

I would wager it’s going to be fantastic. I’m going to try and grab one as soon as they come out. I am very fond of my K4.

 

[jakeyjohn1]

I think superior wilderness designs currently has the best hip belt, suspension, and internal frame design (in their long haul, wolverine, and big wild packs) in the <2.5# pack category.

I haven't used the new 'ultra' laminated uhmwpe fabrics, my current pack is the seek outside flight one in spectragrid. My buddy and I each got one to take on an off trail trek in the sierras. Mine survived great. My buddy surfed/slide down an avalanche shoot full of loose scree and wore a small hole in the bottom of his near the frame. The grid reinforcement worked and the hole didn't grow the rest of the trip. Another member of the group had a ula and no problems. I would expect durability out of these uhmwpe fabrics similar to 500d/1000d codura depending on weight, but in lab testing according to the taber test these new 'ultra' brand fabrics are supposedly way better.

 

[TREE ‘EM]

I’ve tried several packs and keep going back to my Seek Outside Unaweep 4800. Not only is it lightweight, but it handles a load better better than anything else in its class. I’ve done several pack outs with it, with no complaints. I run a Merlin on it for extended hunts, and a talon for scouting trips, pack outs, and shorter hunts.

 

[mauiarcher]

I have a couple. ULA ohm2 usually gets the nod but also have MLD prophet when running smaller more compact

 

[Speaks]

I cant stand the frameless dyneema sacks with shoulder straps, they are for bragging points in super low base rates posted on back packing forums more than function.

That said heavy hunting packs made to haul out quarters are not always ideal either. Something like and osprey asmos and similar options are not a bad compromise.

 

[isleofGough]

Seek outside packs are a very good compromise.

 

[Sponge]

I've done a fair amount of backpacking with an Osprey Exos 58L, about 2.5# ... gram weenies would classify this pack as light, not ultralight.
Comparison of my version to the newer model in case you are interested. mine is pre-2018 https://www.reachyoursummit.net/pos...sprey-exos-58-old-model-vs-2018-updated-model

The Osprey Exos carries 20-25 lbs ok, but it is bes at 20 lbs or less. 30 lbs and it struggles to manage the weight.
I also found the minimized straps and waist belt to be too minimal.

Ill echo what others have said about frameless packs and carrying more than 15-20 lbs. To get the real benefits of those you have to have your base weight silly low.

Now days I mostly hike with my hunting pack, just more comfy and enjoyable for me, even at lower pack
weights.

If I were to buy another backpacking specific pack, and not make any concessions towards hunting with it, It would be 50-60 L, have internal frame, hip belts and shoulder straps with some sort of decent padding. Cruising REI's website these packs are typically 3.5-4.5 lbs.
That makes the K4X look real attractive.

 

[roosterdown]

Besides Seek Outside, the Gossamer Gear Mariposa is another good semi-framed tweener option.

 

[Crews]

I have owned and used various models of Kifaru & Stone Glacier. Something like that will ALWAYS be the best answer for most situations.

However,
This is the lightweight zone and I don't think ultralight frameless packs should be so easily dismissed. You can shave more weight with the pack than almost anything else. OP, I have a 14oz/40L frameless pack made out of VX-21. It's got big fat shoulder straps. The fabric is awesome and doesn't absorb water. There's no zippers or straps to fiddle with. And the thru hiker community has really figured out the ergonomics piece.... all the external pockets are in the right places and designed for quick access without getting into the pack body during the day.

Most folks take more junk when they have a bigger frame pack. I think the frameless packs (and obviously less weight) make it easier to get around in the mountains, more flexibility, less restricting of movement. That makes walking safer and more enjoyable. I have zero issues doing several 10-15 mile days with up to 25 pounds. For recreational purposes, it's simply much more enjoyable than when I was taking my SG frame and the extra 15 pounds of "pack your fears" stuff.

You do have to pack it carefully. I use my sleeping pad as a frame sheet, and if it's not packed well it will barrel. And you have to plan more for your trips and apply some critical thinking to your gear list. It's not hard to achieve a 20 pound base weight without spending a fortune. To me, that's part of the fun.