Should you buy an ULTRALIGHT backpacking bag?

Should you buy an ultralight backpack? This video reviews 2 of the best ultralight backpacks out there, the Atom Packs The Mo 50L backpack and the Durston Kakwa 40L backpack. However, this gear review video is also relevant to the Osprey Exos backpacking too.

Ultralight backpacking gear isn't cheap and I personally think it falls down in many areas, especially for UK weather conditions. However, there are circumstances where lightweight gear really comes into it's own.

Ultralight backpacking gear excels when:
You struggle to carry heavier loads
For 3 season and summer thru hiking trips
Longer hiking trails
Multiday backpacking and trekking adventures

These 2 backpacks are very popular for good reason. They both have a frame and they both have features. True ultralight backpacks are often frameless and / or with limited features. Bizarrely, they can still cost a fortune despite being little more than a bad with straps!

Buying an ultralight backpack may seem like a great idea to save weight. However, be careful as the majority of lighter packs are not designs to carry heavier loads.

Shout out to Ed for the support with the Durston Kakwa!

Atoms Packs The Mo 50L Features:

Main Pack body
The main body of the pack is completely open, yours to fill as you wish. It is secured with a roll top closure that can be secured vertically for added compression or dry bag style.

Large front pocket
The front pocket can be sewn in either Dyneema Stretch material or Bullet Net, both offer capacious storage. The Dyneema Stretch is better for a cleaner aesthetic and off trail bushwacks (doesn't snag easily) and the Bullet net is better for packing wet gear and improved visibility of items but can snag when bushwacking. The bullet net option will increase the measurable volume of your bag by 5L.

Side pockets
Each pocket can hold 2.5L and are perfectly shaped to carry 2 x 1L smart water style bottles with ease. You can use the elastic drawcord to secure these items whilst walking and, should the elastic ever break or wear out, we have designed it to be easily replaceable.

Load Carrying
S-shaped shoulder straps
Sewn using 10mm foam, durable 210d Robic Extreema face fabric and breathable, soft 3mm spacer mesh

Padded back panel
Uses shaped 8mm closed cell foam. Can be removed when the pack is empty for a 25g weight reduction.

Removable contoured hipbelt
Comes with 4 adjusters that tighten by pulling inwards allowing you to dial in the perfect fit. Can be removed.

Lumbar pad
Made with 10mm EVA foam and 3mm thick spacer mesh.

Sternum strap
Elasticated and height adjustable.

Plastic Frame with removable Alloy stay
Removable frame sheet made of 1mm thick plastic with a sewn-in 12mm / 0.5" alloy bar. The plastic for a medium frame weighs 91g / 3oz, with the alloy weighing 58g / 2oz.

Add More
Shoulder pockets (optional)
Super stretchy and big enough to hold most smartphones, a day’s worth of snacks or a 700ml water bottle. The elastic is fixed and, owing to its clever design, does not need a tensioner.

Front zig-zag elastic (optional)
Removable and designed to be able to store a folded Z-rest or assist with air drying your clothes.

Side elastic with Lineloc (optional)
These are there to secure a trekking pole or tent poles when stored in the side pocket..

Ice Axe loop (optional)
Sewn-in loop to easily connect an ice axe or walking poles.

Durston Kakwa 40L Features:

The Kakwa 40 is our premium ultralight, multi-day pack design. Its design is informed by Dan’s thousands of miles of backpacking experience to give the Kakwa 40 excellent load carrying, materials, pocket design, and quality – all while weighing a mere 27 oz / 775 g.

WEIGHT
Complete Pack (oz) 26.5 oz (S), 27.3 oz (M), 28.2 oz (L)

Complete Pack (g) 750 g (S), 775 g (M), 800 g (L)

Removable Items Frame (3oz / 90 g) and backpad (0.5oz / 15 g) are included but removable.

MATERIALS
Main Fabric Ultra 200

Front Pocket Mesh Heavy duty polyester knit mesh

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Thanks, Andy.

#backpacking #ultralightbackpacking #wildcamping

[Cornwall]

I just bought an Osprey kestrel 48, not the lightest but currently trying to lose about 5kg of extra fat I carry around so I’m not going to worry about a few hundred grams of pack weight

[Pasequale]

THE video i was waiting for BRO ❤ these two backpacks are the only ones i am interested in

[thewanderingforester]

I have the Atompack Mo and carried 12-14kg in it without issue on the Cumbria Way earlier this year with a couple of 18 mile days. It was a 70th birthday present last year and is mainly used on decent hikes to a summit wildcamp with about 10- 12kg depending on food and water.

[dudleyclements]

Very wise words matey. In my opinion absolutely no point trying to carry mid range (not ultralight) gear in a ultralight pack. I can't afford nor do I want to go ultralight, I obviously like to go light as I can but love a few luxuries so end up carrying between 10.5 - 12kgs and for that the Gregory Focal 48 is perfect. Great advice pal👍

[davids]

I just got myself a Kakwa 40 so we'll see how that works out. You're quite right, it's senseless to buy a pack before you know what the contents will be, and I delayed moving to a pack this light from a bigger and heavier one until I was happy my gear was light enough.

[stephenandelin]

I was considering a lightweight backpack, until I watched this Andy.
Reasonably fit nearly 50 year old, but do like to take a few tins of Guinness along the trail, so having watched this I’ll be sticking with the osprey rook!Thanks Andy, 👍🏻

[richardjennings]

Great video and great advice. I use the Hyperlite, which is very comfortable between 10 and 13kg. I'd rather have a bag that is basically a bin with roll top, than a bag with loads of pockets and buckles/straps etc.

[paulthompson]

You are so right. I have the Atom “the Mo 50L” and been carrying 13kg on Hadrians Wall this week and it has putting a lot of pressure on my shoulders so is not comfortable at that weight for me anyway

[mysterious.hiker.x]

I think you've described when to make the switch to an Ultralight pack pretty well. The upgrade should come AFTER you've changed the rest of your gear to be ultralight and more compact. Pack should always come last, whether Traditional or Ultralight.

[stigcc]

Good to know! I will use my old packs until I have a better feeling for the UL stuff I need to bring along on those long hikes.

[benvickery]

I bought the Atompacks Notch and really love it. I haven't taken it away with me on a mult-day trip yet but it's come on several DofE trips and I've carried it fully loaded on day walks. I've bought the waist belt packs for extra storage too. It's coming to Scotland with me next month for a 3 day trip. It's going to be a summer pack as I wouldn't get my winter gear in it. I've got my Osprey Aether 55 litre pack for that.

[peterbriggs]

I have an old Macpack 1.3kg single bag, with a top pocket. Looking at bags looked at Atom, type, Osprey 900g bag. In the end I thought I would test the concept of light bag and purchased a 3ful gear light copy bag 870g. The back is simply a sit mat tied into the back, which happens to be similar to that of a Macpack but the foam mat is located on the inside. I have taken out once, base weight about 9.8kg. It was comfortable but yes back gets damp. I do like a mesh back as in the osprey, its one on the list.😎👍

[blond-in-blue]

Thank you! I find the ultralight packs to be far less comfortable regardless of how heavy the load is, so I go between an Osprey Atmos AG and Fjallraven Kajka. However, I use some ultralight gear, which brings the overall weight down. It's feels like a nice balance having a heavier but more comfortable/breathable pack along with lighter gear.

[dcaudwell]

I couldn’t agree more about the weight limits of these packs. Too many folks are tempted by UL packs when they are nowhere near ready for it. Ideally you need a base weight at the lower end of lightweight (certainly under 15lb) for even the Mo. For the Kakwa 40 the bigger issue will be restricted gear volume.

By the time your base weight is in true ultralight territory (under 10lb) then I think there’s no need for a substantial frame and your gear volume is also going to make it awkward to have a bigger bag volume. I’m at an 8lb base weight for 3 seasons and I can get away with a bag with an internal volume under 30L and no frame in most circumstances as my gear volume is small and my pack weight is always under 20lb.

[patrickelliott]

Hi Andy, I have been using the Kakwa 55L for about 8 months, brilliant at carrying weight, I have used the Kakwa with 13kg it was a breeze, it swallows up the gear and easy to access water bottles even in side pockets.

[abbottsadventures]

Great video mate. Having watched your Cumbria way vids and walking it myself in 2 weeks, this is great timing

[craig]

The atompacks are great packs but bare in mind that once youve added a cpl hipbelt pockets and posting its just over 400 quid.

[carletonlong]

Spot on video these packs are great if you have your weight dialled in, I have the 35 litre atom get anywhere over the 9kg recommended at shoulders start to hurt, but then by adding the optional padded hip belt it makes a huge difference but you wouldnt want to carry more than the 9kg for too long.

[Obi-Wan_Pierogi]

This is my third year backpacking (I only stick to summers because I'm not a fan of waking up to near-freezing temps in Poland)

While my hikes usually don't take me more than 15km in a day and I generally just wild camp in one spot before heading home, I'm really starting to get into ultralight. It's hard when you're on a budget.

I was looking at the Durston until your last video popped up and you showed us The Mo. I can't justify the purchase this year, but maybe next year.

[ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Well done. Nice comparison. New follower here. Crow✌️