Despite being called the Minimalist, this pack provides all the comforts of much heavier packs. Both are lightweight, abrasion-resistant laminates that absorb very little water, although the XPac is slightly more waterproof and abrasion-resistant than the LiteSkin. One large side pocket that was perfect for my chair, a smaller pocket on the opposite side that fit two smartwater bottles comfortably. Disclosure: Six Moon Designs donated a backpack for this review. 36oz | 50L | $270 I am 4'-10", 135lbs and have had a heck of a time finding a decent pack that would fit my small frame and not weigh a ton. The vest harness has hoards of pockets and distributes the weight extremely well across my hips/back/shoulders. ULA Circuit Backpack:Higher volume capacity with stronger materials. I used the SwiftX for two weeks of backpacking Summer 2020, and love the vest harness. Copyright 2007-2022, SectionHiker.com and Fells Press LLC. Also, this makes it a great extra pack to have in your closet for friends in town. The Swift X Backpack is also the most versatile pack in this guide. The same is true of the hip belt. Im one of those former Starlite owners whod buy it in an instant. As I was reading your description, one feature after another jumped out at me as Thats just like my old Starlite pack! There are so many small but important features of my old Starlite that are not available in the competition, at least not all together. This design feature makes carrying heavy loads more comfortable and reduces pack sag. Furthermore, the torso height is fully adjustable so whenever something feels off, theres a way to fix it. Added their 10+ pound pack to mine. Free Shipping and Returns. Free Shipping and Returns. This eases the weight load on long climbs and allows me to move quickly and even run when my pack is lighter. There may be some breathability problems in warmer weather. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. Large rear shove-it sleeve for quick access to gear and rainwear. But if you can get your load out that small, you will love the feel, the features, if not the look of this pack. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 1) it allows you to move weight forward for a more balance load. Once I took the time to learn my pack, however, we bonded like two long-lost friends. I am never under an obligation to write a review about any product. The vest has six points of contact with your body which increases the suspension distributing, and helps your pack stay in place even when moving quickly. Gossamer Gear Mariposa:Good for hikers carrying extra bulky items that take up space like bear cans comfortably. A few other things worth mentioning is this is a top-loader pack with no way to access the bottom without unloading everything else on top, which is pretty typical of minimalist/ultralight packs. Click on the different category headings to find out more. At just over two pounds (with all features being used) it competes with many lightweight backpacks and offers a much lower price. Most versatile pack with both shoulder strap & vest harness options, durable, proven design 10 years in production. The vest harness has significant benefits. So less leaning forward to balance a back-heavy pack. Theyre 3 wide with a rail-based sternum strap for easy, non-pinching adjustment. Many movingpieces:In all honesty, it took me a while to wrap my head around how this whole pack system worked. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. It has a large stash pocket in the middle. I probably just need to get over it, but if they could find a way to make this pack look good, I wouldnt see any reason to carry a different pack ever. Vest pockets are very well thought out. horizontal load)? And this pack is very very affordable! Both harness styles offer additional pockets for electronics, snacks, or other necessities.2 large asymmetric side pockets. Added their 10+ pound pack to mine. *The S-Curve shoulder harness is shaped to curve towards the neck and outwards around the chest to accommodate those who want more comfort in the chest area. The straps are awesome as well, having that 3rd point of connection really makes a huge difference on how the pack carries. Therefore, it is still recommended that you line your pack with a trash compactor bag and use waterproof stuff sacks to protect essential items when hiking in wet climates. The Six Moon Designs Swift X is a lightweight 45L backpack that weighs 36 oz. Use it for a shelter, dont consider it for a pack folks! This is accomplished by raising or lowering the shoulder yoke to increase or decrease the distance between the hip belt and the tops of your shoulders. This pack is called the minimalist, but I didnt really find it all that minimal. I know about 2 dozen former Starlite owners whod buy it in an instant. Like, I tried to put a water bottle in the vest pocket, but it was just uncomfortable. I recently completed the John Muir Trail, and am already hungering to find my way back to my truest, stinkiest self. At just over two pounds its likely to not be quite light enough for someone really wanting to whittle down the ounces. This is attributable to the modular nature of Six Moons product line which lets them use the same shoulder yokes and hip belts across multiple backpacks. While the Y-strap should be sufficient for carrying a bear canister on top of the main compartment, its hard to get a secure attachment without further augmentation, in part because the strap webbing is so narrow. If you make a purchase after clicking on these links, a portion of the sale helps support this site at no additional cost to you. My gear is light but bulky, so I need a large pack. Ive gone on a handful of overnights and one multi-day trip in order to test how the pack feels with varying weight loads. I have recommended this pack a few times now. The Swift X is also offered with two different shoulder strap systems, a running vest style with very wide shoulder pads, and a more traditionally sized set of shoulder straps. And I know how ridiculous that sounds but youve got to try it. When configured as frame-less, the highest recommended base weight is 8lbs / 3.5k and maximum weight not exceeding 25lbs / 11k. The Swift X shoulder straps are S-shaped (on the Regular Flight Shoulder Yoke), so theyll be comfortable for women as well as men. The side water bottle pockets can hold 2 x one-liter bottles each and are reachable when wearing the backpack. Exterior pockets:Theres no need to use accessories such as attachable shoulder straps, hip pockets, or fanny packs if you purchase this pack. A Y-strap is included, however, that drapes over the top of the roll-top and can be used to secure items on top like a foam pad. The accessible pocket situation is truly phenomenal. We recommend using a50L Pack Liner. The canister also fits vertically if desired. You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page. This allows the Minimalist to provide unbridled comfort. Itd be great if you could dedicate a write-up on that topic. Except maybe the pack volume. Save big on Exos/Eja, Atmos/Aura, and Stratos/Sirrus Backpacks. While its not the lightest pack on the market, the intersection of weight and price make it a perfect choice for lightweight backpackers who have multiple investments to make. CAMPSAVER.COM: Free Shipping and Free Returns on Purchases of $49 or more. Love the Versa Flow water filter you recommend. And its incredibly affordable at just $210 US. The top lid (floating lid) holds the can to the top of the pack and wont slip. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this sites author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Otherwise you will be prompted again when opening a new browser window or new a tab. Also, the straps on the harness and full of both open and zippered pockets. Im extremely excited to take this on the Uinta Highline Trail this summer, where Ill be carrying lots of food and water at times. Thanks for calling out the shoulder strap issue. Even the lettering took on a new modern, subtle look. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. I like just about everything else about the Swift except these shoulder strap pockets, which is something to consider if you hike in a wetter climate or prefer to attach electronics and other navigation tools to your shoulder straps for frequent access. Gaia GPS Navigation App:Save 20%. The vest/shoulder strap system has three different options. I like having things up front. Had lots of extra gear/weight as I had three kids along. Just need to add bear canister to see how that goes- BV500. With a nearly empty pack, it hugs my body well enough to run back down the trail. Carried this weight easily. Two 4-Way Stretch Pockets that hold 500ml soft bottles, Six points of suspension between the pack and user, Eliminates sway or bounce when walking or running, Transfers some of the load to your core, Helps to eliminate sores on your shoulders and hips, Helps to reduce back pain after long days on trail, Provides extra storage pockets and quick-access options, Designed to accommodate people with narrow shoulders that have a larger chest area, Weighs ~2oz less than Flight Vest Harness, Adjustable Torso Length because one size does not fit all Three Shoulder strap Style options - Shoulder Harness, S-Curve or Vest Harness Five Exterior Pocketsso you only have to unload your pack when its time to set up camp. *We recommend a base weight of 12lbs or less even when increasing load weight and using the Delrin Hoop Stay and hip belt. Or, a backpacker who is unsure of how using an ultralight pack will feel. The side pockets have an elastic cord running through the top seam that locks in place to prevent tall bottles from falling out when you bend over. We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Your email address will not be published. Maybe theyll reissue the Starlite Backpack next! The Minimalist V2 offers several adjustable straps and tensioners to ensure a stable, comfortable fit. I put a camera lens in the hip belt pocket, and the pocket seemed to push the lens Into my hip, forcing me to move it. Meanwhile, the chest pockets comfortably carry enough snacks for hours and other knick-knacks like chapstick, sunscreen, and bug spray. GOSSAMER-GEAR: Take 15% Off all Gossamer Gear Backpacks, Tents, Tarps, Trekking Poles and Accessories with Coupon Code "SECTIONHIKER22". I certainly enjoyed using it this summer when I revisited the Mahoosuc Range along a very rugged section of the Appalachian Trail in Maine. So the thing that amazes me about this harness is I felt no weight on my shoulders. If carrying over 30 pounds the Hyperlight or my other large pack, a Deuter 50 + 15 are likely more comfortable. All of the shoulder weight was transferred to my core, and even then it didnt even feel like weight; it just felt like my pack was giving me a nice hug! The Swift X is available in a grey LiteSkin LS07 or a blue XPac VX07. Check out this video by Six Moon Designs if you are unsure which harness will suit you best. Im crossing my fingers and saving up! Highly recommend. If you make a purchase after clicking on these links, a portion of the sale helps support this site at no additional cost to you. If you are still unsure, please contact us by emailing store@sixmoondesigns.com. And Im not talking expensive add-ons that drive the pack price way over the initial tag. The chest straps and hip belt are full of pockets, and the design of the pack is extremely well-thought-out. So this pack may not be full-featured with pockets, zippers and compartments everywhere but its certainly not minimal. About 25 lbs loaded. With all the customization, buckles, drawcords, and fasteners I had a bit of trouble my first couple trips getting my system dialed in. The Swift X has an adjustable length torso, two shoulder strap style options, and multiple hip belt sizes so you can dial in the personalized fit which is a rare commodity across the lightweight and ultralight backpack spectrum where fixed-length torso sizing is the norm.