Pack Reviews
All pack gear reviews.
Atom Packs The Roo Review
The Atom Packs Roo is a 70g ultralight hip pack/bum bag made from production offcuts, offering weather resistance and trail-ready organisation in 1.5L and 2.5L sizes.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55 Review
The HMG Southwest 55 is a bombproof ultralight pack now built with Dyneema Woven Composite 3.9 — a proven thru-hiker favorite with real trade-offs worth knowing.
Osprey Aether 65 Review
A full review of the Osprey Aether 65 — a beefy, feature-rich heavy hauler built for 30–60 lb loads on multi-day trips and expeditions.
Salomon XA 25 Review
The Salomon XA 25 is a 443g, vest-style daypack that blends trail-running DNA with day-hiking capacity — a strong pick for fast-and-light mountain days.
Exped Thunder 70 Review
The Exped Thunder 70 is a 1,600g, feature-rich 70L trekking pack with triple-access and an adjustable aluminum stay — a smart choice for winter and multi-week trips but not a true ultralight option.
Nylofume Pack Liner Bag Review
A 25.9g nylon polymer pack liner that's waterproof, surprisingly durable, and costs about as much as a candy bar — the ultralight community's favorite trash-bag replacement.
Osprey Eja 58 Review
The Osprey Eja 58 is a women's-specific ultralight pack that brings genuine comfort and ventilation to the 58L class without the typical weight penalty — a go-to for thru-hikers and multi-day adventurers.
Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Packable Daypack Review
A 72g, 20L packable daypack built from 30D siliconized CORDURA® nylon — the go-to summit bag and travel companion for ultralight hikers who hate wasted ounces.
ULA Equipment UltraGrid CDT Review
A deep-dive review of the ULA UltraGrid CDT — a 50L frameless pack built for ultralight thru-hikers who have their base weight dialed well below 12 lbs.
Exped Impulse 30 Review
The Exped Impulse 30 is a 30L technical daypack built for alpine touring and day hikes, blending durable construction, thoughtful organization, and alpine-ready features in a close-fitting profile.
Quechua MH500 30L Hiking Backpack Review
The Quechua MH500 30L is a feature-packed budget daypack from Decathlon with a mesh back panel and integrated rain cover — but its weight holds it back for ultralight hikers.
Gregory Zulu 55 Review
A comfortable, feature-rich 55L ventilated pack for multi-day trips—but its 1,910g weight means it's built for loaded comfort, not gram-counting.
Osprey Exos 38 Review
The Osprey Exos 38 is a feature-rich lightweight pack with standout AirSpeed ventilation, best suited for dialed-in 1–3 night trips under 25 lbs.
Gregory Baltoro 75 Review
A deep-dive review of the Gregory Baltoro 75, Gregory's flagship heavy-hauler with FreeFloat A3 suspension, AirCushion back panel, and 75L of storage for serious backcountry loads.
ULA Equipment Circuit Review
A deep-dive review of the ULA Equipment Circuit 68L pack — a thru-hiker staple built around bomber Robic nylon, a smart suspension, and outstanding fit customization.
Osprey Aether 70 Review
The Osprey Aether 70 is a fully-featured, 70L heavy-hauler built for traditional backpackers who prioritize comfort and fit under substantial loads.
Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 Review
The Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60 is a 60L ultralight internal-frame pack beloved by thru-hikers for its comfort, pocket organization, and sub-2lb weight.
Osprey Kestrel 48 Review
A feature-rich, rugged mid-weight pack for weekend backpackers and heavy-duty day hikers who want Osprey quality without the premium price tag.
Osprey Talon 44 Review
A feature-rich, adjustable-fit framed pack at ~2 lb 15 oz — a practical sweet spot for lightweight weekend trips and technical day hikes.
Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor 40-60 Review
The Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor 40-60 is a lightweight framed pack with a unique horizontal gusset system that expands volume from 40L to 60L — a genuine one-quiver option for most backpackers.
Nylofume Pack Liner Review
The Nylofume Pack Liner is a 26g nylon film bag that offers genuine waterproof protection and surprising durability — the best value rain defense for any ultralight pack.
Osprey Exos 48 Review
A deep-dive review of the Osprey Exos 48 backpack — covering AirSpeed ventilation, fit, load range, and who it's really built for.
REI Co-op Flash 55 Pack Review
A lightweight, highly modular 53–57L internal-frame pack that punches above its $229 price tag — with honest trade-offs around durability and load capacity.
Durston Gear Kakwa 55 Review
The Durston Kakwa 55 is a sub-2-lb ultralight pack that doesn't compromise on load carrying, durability, or pocket design — a rare combination at its $260 price point.
Osprey Atmos AG 65 Review
An in-depth review of the Osprey Atmos AG 65 backpack — a comfort-first, feature-rich pack best suited for multi-day trips with loads up to 40 lbs.
Osprey Exos 58 Review (Large)
The Osprey Exos 58 is a feature-rich lightweight pack for thru-hikers and multi-day backpackers who don't want to sacrifice comfort for weight savings.