What a Pack Should Be!

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The Waymark Lite isn't the lightest pack, or the cheapest, but in a lot of ways it is exactly what a pack should be. I go through all the reasons why the Waymark Lite 50L pack is a great all around backpack.

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[AdventureOtaku]

As a professional pack fitter with 15 years of experience - literally tens of thousands packs fitted to people - There is so much here I love to see. Perfectly packed pack, correctly fitted. Great recommendations on gear and outfitting. A couple of things I would tweak though. First, there is no one pack for everyone. We come in all shapes and sizes and some packs just dont fit some people well. It’s like buying shoes they all look good on the wall. OKay, the other thing, load lifters. Yes, packs feel great when riding close to your back. But you need to find the sweet spot. If you overtighten load lifters it shifts weight from your hips to your shoulders. (Incidentally, 60/40 hips to shoulders is our goal if you are getting 80, that’s awesome) Your hips will never get tired. Your shoulders will. If your shoulders hurt while you are hiking, your load lifters are too tight. Fully 90% of the people I see who come in and say “i can’t make this fit me” its because load lifters are too tight. On my channel I have a tutorial on pack fit and I talk about how to determine if load lifters are too tight. Great video though, as always.

[bilbodd]

Great video! I would however recommend to put the tent somewhere that is accessible without unloading your entire pack. Either on top of the rest inside, or outside in one of the side pockets. In case of bad weather you can erect your tent first so you have a dry space to unload the rest!

[Whamola]

I really want to like ultralight packs, but the lack of airflow against my back means that in sweating and uncomfortable before I've walked away from the car.

[ervalkat]

I have this pack and I love it! With a single hip belt pocket and one shoulder strap pocket, it carries everything comfortably that I need. I agree that 50L is a good size. I also like how it folds down when less full, so can be used on shorter hikes or day hikes from camp as well (no daypack needed). I fit a smallish bear can inside horizontally with no problem. My small Tarptent fits in the longer side pocket which I really appreciate since setting up the tent is generally the first thing I do at camp. But the main thing I appreciate is the comfort. The pad sewn into the back, the lumbar pad, the load lifters, and the articulating shoulder straps all serve to make this a great pack!

[Zzmj]

I know this is probably sacrilege to the ultra light folks out there but I highly recommend anything from Ospreys AG line. The "AG" stands for "antigravity" and it truly is the most comfortable pack I've ever used. It's not going to be the lightest pack but if you go with a hybrid style of ultralight and traditional like I do, you can carry 25lbs+ and never feel it on your back and shoulders. I've used other packs that just wrecked my shoulders or my back. I now use an Atmos AG 65L and it's amazing how it cuts down on soreness. You might still feel it on your legs but if you're a tall person like I am who already has back problems before turning 30, it's a game changer. A bit on the expensive side at 300+ but it's worth it. Not too many pointless pockets and such either with a removable brain if you're going extra light and don't need it. Can't recommend it enough even though my ultralight friends frown upon it's weight

[kookkamajunga]

I have a waymark thru 40 UL (now discontinued) and it’s the best, most comfortable pack I’ve ever had. They did some sort of magic when engineering their packs.

[nicebopo]

Just got back from trip w my new custom Superior Wilderness Design long haul, has most of the same features as the Waymark, and made w the new Ultra 200/400, I purposely loaded it up w 25-30lbs and it carried it very well, they have the same double strap hip belt which is super comfy and great design, highly recommend SWD, On par w Waymark. Always good to see videos supporting the cottage brands👍🏻

[jeffpeters]

Great video Steven! Keep this original viewpoint of yours coming! I wish more UL backpack companies would incorporate (what I think is essential) ventilation for the back. Yes Zpacks does it, but I don’t think anyone else does. That makes me hesitant to abandon my Osprey.

[waveydavie]

I just weighed my 29 year old Lowe Alpine Cerro Torre 70+20, 2.2kg. Two compartments with a zip-able divider. Two ski pockets and two ice axe loops. Large removable lid can be used as a day sack. Fully adjustable back system and two internal malleable frame sections. No pockets! Only once did I fill it for ski mountaineering, damn near killed me! Still love that bag though.
I need something smaller now and I like the look of that Waymark Lite.

[arnoldkotlyarevsky]

I think you would be really surprised by the REI Flash 55. It is shockingly good for what it is. Carries weight well, super light, extremely full featured while not going full osprey or breaking the bank. I would love to see your review.

[derekboland]

Load lifters need to be above the height of your shoulder, otherwise they are just stabilisation straps and simply dont perform the same function. Load lifters as the name suggests lift the weight up and off the shoulders whilst bringing the pack closer to the back also. Stabilisation straps just bring the pack closer to the back without properly lifting the weight. There are very few decent ultralight packs that have propper loadlifters. Even on the pack you showed, I would be hesitant to call those loadlifters. The suspension system is by far the most important function, well before pockets.

[funnybeingme]

I've never head of load lifters referred to as magic straps in all my years of backpacking.

[HikingwithGus]

It took me a while and a few packs before I landed on my ULA Circuit. I still use a large Osprey for winter back-country snow trips. I usually put my quilt, clothing bag on the bottom, next is stove and anything else like my sleeping pad etc, then my tent and food on top of that. Works well for me...

[TarikVann]

Here's me, using Kelty Redwing 44, Coyote 65 & 80. And yes I use every feature it offers, every single one.
Compartmentalization is essential, but people with lighter packs just usually get excess bags to do that which is now just more weight and it's till a jumbled mess inside. For an extra 500-1000 grams mine is pre sorted and easy to access at all times.

[trwashere]

Thank you for not using "tons" in your videos as universal adjective. So refreshing.

[chipkormas]

Yes sir I agree. Waymark delivers with a pack design that offers usable features, super construction, environmentally friendly materials, pays back to the hiking community with charity donations, small cottage company, and all for a fair price. Not much more to

[biomorphic]

I bought an Osprey Atmos, 55 l, and I went on a trip in Guatemala. I brought with me so much stuff I didn't use. The pack was 22 kg. I learned to go ultralight. Now I travel with a 40 l, ultralight duffel pack, about 500 g. I don't carry more than 12 kg, including the laptop, even if I stay away for 6 months. That's all I need to live. My duffel pack has a single big compartment, then I use ultralight pack cubes. Don't bring what is not necessary essential, no matter if it's for hiking or travelling, just take what is strictly necessary. If you are unsure you would use a gear, leave it at home. Minimalist and ultralight changed my lifestyle completely. Decluttering made me happy.

[cxsey]

Recently started getting recommended your videos and I love it, putting out great stuff !

[panhandlejake]

I have the HMG 3400 (55L) very similar to the Waymark that you reviewed.. It does not have load lifters and I have learned that I need to adjust the bend of the aluminum stays so that they fit to the curve of my back. If not done, the stays will actually put more load onto the front of my shoulders as I tighten the shoulder straps. The pack does carry load well - up to about 35 lbs.

[Skhmt]

I've been looking up reviews on the Waymark Lite for the last couple of weeks and suddenly this video pops up! What good timing!