My gear is light but bulky, so I need a large pack. Maybe theyll reissue the Starlite Backpack next! GOSSAMER-GEAR: Take 15% Off all Gossamer Gear Backpacks, Tents, Tarps, Trekking Poles and Accessories with Coupon Code "SECTIONHIKER22". There are so many accessible pockets; my only problem is finding enough stuff to fill them with. These are solid faced for durability but lack waterproof zippers, which is somewhat incongruous with the waterproof fabric used elsewhere on the pack. It almost feels like an extremely large running vest, which is great for moving quickly and covering serious mileage. (Checkout our Pro Tip on pack pockets were big fans). I eventually figured out how to use it after the locking mechanism was explained to me.and I stopped losing water bottles. Wonderful packdesign, quality of materials and craftmanship. The vest harness has significant benefits. But no more than you usually would; maybe just in a different area. Click to enable/disable Google reCaptcha. 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. 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. The Swift X shoulder straps are S-shaped (on the Regular Flight Shoulder Yoke), so theyll be comfortable for women as well as men. *If you find that you are between size measurements, we recommend going with the smaller size so that you have room for adjusting the hip belt with out zeroing out the padded section. Philip Werner February 14, 2022 Backpack Reviews, Ultralight Backpacking Gear Reviews. I like having things up front. The exterior pockets add a lot of quick access storage solutions. And 2) it gives you a lot more accessible storage. 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. This eases the weight load on long climbs and allows me to move quickly and even run when my pack is lighter. Alan Dixon and AdventureAlan.com, 2000-2021 | All Rights Reserved. The stay bends and ends at the waist, in a way that transfers the majority of your weight onto your hips. I kind of liked the can inside so it was in the middle of my back instead of up by my head so my center of gravity was lower. 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. There may be some breathability problems in warmer weather. A webbing ice ax loop is provided at the base of the Swift X to carry a walking ax although youll need to rig up your own shaft holder to keep it in place. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. They were even easy to reach while wearing (something I cantsay about my Hyperlite Mountain Gear pack). And this pack is very very affordable! It carries great and is absolutely loaded with features. 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 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. Turn your iPhone or Android phone into the best GPS out there! New Customer Discount. Removable Delrin Stay:This pack uses a Delrin Hoop Stay suspension system, which is fully removable as well. The large front stretch mesh pocket is very handy for storing items you want during the day, like a water filter, rain gear, added layers, and food. Copyright 2007-2022, SectionHiker.com and Fells Press LLC. - James. Size comes in right between the HMG 2400 and 3400 with just a little more weight (but lower price). Save big on Exos/Eja, Atmos/Aura, and Stratos/Sirrus Backpacks. The harness can be adjusted to fit just about any torso length and if you just dont like the vest, they also sell traditional shoulder straps that you can switch out. Now my total weight on this pack was only around 25 pounds. VX21 is a robust fabric by Dimension Polyant. The Swift X also comes with two interior pockets: a removable hydration pocket-sized for a two-liter hydration bottle or reservoir and a zippered pocket at the bottom of the extension collar which is well sized to hold a wallet, passport, and other valuables. Many movingpieces:In all honesty, it took me a while to wrap my head around how this whole pack system worked. The Shoulder Yoke has two open pockets on the shoulder straps that are sized for gel packs or energy bars but are too small for a Smartphone (I have an iPhone X) or an inReach Explorer+. Price comfort, features, all really good. The ends of the hoop rest on the base of the hip belt, transferring the weight to the hip belt. This site uses cookies to provide you the best experience. I certainly enjoyed using it this summer when I revisited the Mahoosuc Range along a very rugged section of the Appalachian Trail in Maine. 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. 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. We need 2 cookies to store this setting. Customizability: If I havent already beat this point to death, theres a way to make this pack fit your needs as long as you are a somewhat lightweight backpacker. Have you ever experienced that? Though fancier ultralight packs may be lighter and more durable due to different fabric choices, the Swift V is an excellent option. Six Moon Designs offers two shoulder strap designs: the Flight Shoulder Yoke and the Flight Vest Yoke. And there are all these pockets and compartments on the vest, but if you put anything too large in there, it will push into your chest. Thats one of the reasons I like Granites gear Blaz60 or Crown2 for bear can carries. The Minimalist V2 offers several adjustable straps and tensioners to ensure a stable, comfortable fit. Or, a backpacker who is unsure of how using an ultralight pack will feel. Thanks Philip. That said you can hack around the cord configuration provided by running your own cords through the plastic loops sewn into the perimeter seams. No duplication of photos, maps, or text without permission. Theres enough room to bring extra creature comforts for an overnight trip or to carry everything I need for a multi-day/week thru-hike. I know about 2 dozen former Starlite owners whod buy it in an instant. Im just used to it. And I know how ridiculous that sounds but youve got to try it. SMD makes some nice product. 1) it allows you to move weight forward for a more balance load. Added their 10+ pound pack to mine. Check out this video by Six Moon Designs if you are unsure which harness will suit you best. Most versatile pack with both shoulder strap & vest harness options, durable, proven design 10 years in production. Do you like the looks of this pack? Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. A little while back Six Moon Design asked me if I would be interested in reviewing one of their packs. Topo Athletic MTN Racer 2 Trail-Running Shoes. The hip belt has size options and is removable. And Im not talking expensive add-ons that drive the pack price way over the initial tag. Vest pockets are very well thought out." With all the customization, buckles, drawcords, and fasteners I had a bit of trouble my first couple trips getting my system dialed in. My name is Katie (Gallon Smash) Kommer. 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. The Six Moon Designs Swift V Pack was donated for purpose of review. Plus, when Im climbing a hill, I find my hands often wander to the big areas that offer grip across my chest. Not me. You feel your pack is resting too much on your shoulders, so you hike it up a bit and then just crank hard on your hip belt. Have not used on an outing yet but have been packing it and even wore uphill hiking on treadmill with some gear. Thanks for calling out the shoulder strap issue. And Six Moon suggests no more than a 12 pound base-weight. External pockets: My only issue is finding enough stuff to fill all the pockets with. Remember to follow me on Instagram and subscribe to my YouTube channel. I returned a new Hyperlight 3400 I bought in the Spring to REI, which I found substantially less comfortable than the SwiftX when packed with a full load. And to be honest, I wasnt that excited about it because Ive seen their packs, and I just dont think they look very good. While you can technically remove the fiberglass frame and the hip belt to save weight, I think youd be better off just buying a much lighter weight frameless pack to begin with rather than lobotomizing the Swift X to fill a function its ill-suited for. The minimalist truly adjusts perfectly for me. Shocked to see so many people still drinking the cuben juice. Thanks again. Had lots of extra gear/weight as I had three kids along. The shorter right pocket is great for holding water bottles. Furthermore, the torso height is fully adjustable so whenever something feels off, theres a way to fix it. All and all, this pack really surprised me. Finally, this post expresses my own independent opinion. Now at 35+ lb, minimalist still comfy. I recently completed the John Muir Trail, and am already hungering to find my way back to my truest, stinkiest self. Your email address will not be published. Just the right amount of frame. 36oz | 50L | $270 The side water bottle pockets can hold 2 x one-liter bottles each and are reachable when wearing the backpack. Brief excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Alan Dixon and AdventureAlan.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Compressibility:I like running down hills, especially on the final day of a backpacking trip. 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. Maybe fashioning up a 550 cord harness with loops for the strap to go through would work. Just the right amount of frame. So you have greater access to all your stuff without needing to stop and take your pack off making you more efficient on the trail. Compressibility:The roll-top design is popular amongst thru-hiking packs because of how compressible it is. Best Satellite Communicator | Zoleo vs inReach, Bivy Stick 2022, Patagonia National Park Trek Guide to a New World Class Trek, Trek Guide to Cerro Castillo in Patagonia, The Southern Sierra High Route (better than the John Muir Trail), A Very Different High Route Escalante Overland Route. Carried this weight easily. I chose the vest harness because I love the locked-in feeling of shoulder straps that expand across my chest. Your email address will not be published. I am never under an obligation to write a review about any product. Gaia GPS Navigation App:Save 20%. I prefer packs that use multiple tiers of webbing instead of a single cord because its easier to create multiple zones of compression and attach and remove bulkier items like snowshoes from the pack sides. For a long trip, I had to put a BV500 inside the HMG3400 vertically because it just wouldnt fit horizontally. The main compartment is 40L with a 9L extension collar. The canister also fits vertically if desired. Except maybe the pack volume. I bought the original Minimalist a couple years ago and loved that pack. The pack is adjustable to a number of torso sizes, the hipbelt comes in a number of sizes and designs, as do the shoulder straps, and there is obviously a vest harness with tons of pockets and storage. The straps are awesome as well, having that 3rd point of connection really makes a huge difference on how the pack carries. I recommend this pack for lightweight backpackers and thru-hikers who have their eyes on weight and price. So you do sacrifice a few ounces, but for a pack thats well under $250 with tax, its an amazing budget option. 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. As mentioned previously there is a Y-strap that runs over the top of the strap to secure bulky items on top, but it works best when the main pack back is stuffed full so you have a proper shelf to rest gear on before strapping it down. Disclosure: Six Moon Designs donated a backpack for this review. Both pockets are covered with the same dense stretch mesh used on the front and side pockets. Free Shipping and Returns. Its nowhere near as strong, lightweight, or water-resistant as something like Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF). It incorporates a top lid and has two additional large external gusseted pockets as well as a front stasher pocket with a pleated gusset. But none of them have felt as good as the Six Moons Designs Minimalist V2 Ultralight Hiking Backpack. I used the SwiftX for two weeks of backpacking Summer 2020, and love the vest harness. The Minimalist is the only ultralight, frame-less pack on the market with an adjustable torso length. At just over two pounds (with all features being used) it competes with many lightweight backpacks and offers a much lower price. Rear Pocket Short Side Pocket Tall Side Pocket Stretchy Top Lid pocket (narrower on the V2 to help keep things more secure) Zippered Top Lid pocket Large Shoulder Strap Pockets to keep things close at hand Removable Hip Belt. I absolutely love it. Im most interested the Seek Outside Flight One but Im open to evaluating any in the 50-55L range with a good solution. How to Stop Your Superfeet Insoles from Squeaking, BearVault New Canister Sizes: BV425 & BV475, Gossamer Gear Silverback 65 Backpack Review, 10 Most Durable Lightweight Backpacks of 2022, Outdoor Research Ferrosi Thru-Gaiter Review, Hiking Mt Lincoln and Mt Lafayette in July, Nitecore 10000 mAh USB Power Bank (5.9 oz), Feathered Friends Flicker 40 Quilt Sleeping Bag, Volume: 45L total (36L main compartment; 4L extension collar; 3L front mesh pocket; 1L x 2 side pockets), Weight: 36 oz or 37 oz depending on shoulder straps, Hip Belt Sizing: 24-32, 33-39, or 40-50. Highly recommend. Love the Versa Flow water filter you recommend. Also, this makes it a great extra pack to have in your closet for friends in town. 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 upgrades and revisions really makes this an amazing pack!! Six Moons calls this a minimal contact system because the frame only comes in contact with your spine, allowing the sides of your shirt to dry more quickly because theyre not in contact with the pack bag. 15% Off New Customer Discount with Coupon Code SECTIONHIKER15. Because of this, I recommend testing it out for an overnight or two before embarking on a longer trip. Who knows. Both harness styles offer additional pockets for electronics, snacks, or other necessities.2 large asymmetric side pockets. Because of this, I dont recommend this for backpackers who like to toss around or sit on their packs. All Rights Reserved. And all the external pockets have been reconstructed for the V2, featuring larger, more secure designs. Required fields are marked *. The same is true of the hip belt. Are you willing to try the vest harness? For product reviews: unless otherwise noted, products are purchased with my own funds. Use it for a shelter, dont consider it for a pack folks! This allows the Minimalist to provide unbridled comfort. But I had to see if it could take more traditional loads, so I maxed it out at about 40 pounds. While the Swift X has a few quirks which I discuss above, its quite a comfortable and easy pack to use for extended day hikes, overnights, and multi-day backpacking with a recommended max load of 25-30 pounds. If you need to carry a larger canister like the Garcia shown above, the canister does fit sideways into the extension collar, which can be closed around it or left open and held in place with the Y-strap. Subscribe to get special offers, free giveaways, and once-in-a-lifetime deals. Also, the straps on the harness and full of both open and zippered pockets. I wish one of these companies would make a better strap for holding on to the bear canisters. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. The Six Moon Designs Swift X Backpack is the only pack in this guide to offer a vest harness. So, its definitely not a traditional pack, but thats one of the cool things about this pack: lightweight and ultralight packs are not known for their comfort, but this pack is more comfortable than any of my traditional packs by far. Check to enable permanent hiding of message bar and refuse all cookies if you do not opt in. Ive gone on a handful of overnights and one multi-day trip in order to test how the pack feels with varying weight loads. And, the Delrin Hoop Stay (suspension system) is removable. Shop our wide selection now! The Six Moon Designs 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. 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. I am fairly large chested, but because the rest of my frame is small, it works for me, but I can see that it would be really uncomfortable for someone with a large chest and back. You can check these in your browser security settings. Conversely, climbing uphill with a three-day load (~25-30 pounds) was completely manageable and even comfortable. I loaded up a HMG3400 in a store and then strapped on a Garcia bear can to the top that had some weight similar to it being loaded with food. I felt like I could leave the hip belt a little looser and still barely feel any weight on my shoulders. Info is hard to come by & I suspect a lot of people would be interested. Thanks for your support! The taller left pocket is perfect for carrying an ultralight tarp, tent, or tall hydration bladder. Carried a bear can with 24 meal portions in it (6 x 4). With a nearly empty pack, it hugs my body well enough to run back down the trail. Highly recommend. The chest straps and hip belt are full of pockets, and the design of the pack is extremely well-thought-out. Itd be great if you could dedicate a write-up on that topic. Hi! This post contains affiliate links. But they intrigued me with their unique vest harness system, something Ive never really seen in a backpacking pack. If carrying over 30 pounds the Hyperlight or my other large pack, a Deuter 50 + 15 are likely more comfortable. Leave me a comment let me know what intrigues you or concerns you about this pack. Price:Six Moon Designs gear consistently offers very competitive prices. Almost to a fault, for instance, I couldnt figure out why the hip belt has four straps instead of just two, but apparently it is to help with articulation and forming to each individuals hips. I tested out the more traditional version Shoulder Yoke instead of the running style Vest Yoke, which Ive tried in the past and found uncomfortable. The Swift X is an adjustable length backpack, meaning that you can resize the torso length to fit your personal dimensions. The Six Moon Designs Swift X is a lightweight 45L backpack that weighs 36 oz. We may request cookies to be set on your device. These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features. When my load is light, it easily compresses down to the size of a day-pack. I wonder if putting some grip tape (sand paper with adhesive on the back like used on a skate board deck) around the bear canister would hold it in place better and weigh less than wider straps that still might not hold a bear can in place. One large side pocket that was perfect for my chair, a smaller pocket on the opposite side that fit two smartwater bottles comfortably. Now at 35+ lb, Minimalist still comfy. Alan Dixon and AdventureAlan.com, 2000-2021 | All Rights Reserved. This is a fairly lightweight pack coming in at just 2 pounds, 6.5 ounces on my home scale. If having a barrel chest, or big stomach, I can see where the vest harness might be a problem, but I find the vest harness far more comfortable than traditional pack straps. About 25 lbs loaded. The accessible pocket situation is truly phenomenal. Youngest child decided they liked hiking (not backpacking). horizontal load)? Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website. With a removable hip belt and three different shoulder strap/harness options, theres a way to tailor this pack exactly to your liking. For hikers who dont like to take breaks and prefer to snack, use their phone, or apply chapstick on the go you will be in pocket heaven. Traditional BackpackingPros and Cons of Ultralight Backpacking , This Trend Could Revolutionize Sleeping Bags. I found the Swift X quite comfortable to use myself. The top lid can be used to secure larger bear canisters too large to fit in the main compartment. I prefer roll tops where the ends can be buckled along the sides of the pack so you get better top compression. OSPREY-PACKS: Backpacking Pack Sale! Its also made with XPac (a Liteskin model is also available), a highly durable, lightweight, and waterproof fabric thats a lower cost than Dyneema DCF in many respects. Using the Delrin Hoop Stay and hip belt together increases your load carrying capacity by approximately 10 lbs*. I chose the vest harness option, which hugs my chest like a running vest. It is made using 3 layers of 210 denier fabric making it not only waterproof but very abrasion-resistant. I anticipate more packs using harnesses like these in the future. Could you share what other (in addition to Granite Gear) packs accommodate bear canisters better than others (top lid or other, i.e. Like, I tried to put a water bottle in the vest pocket, but it was just uncomfortable. You can also change some of your preferences. But if you can get your load out that small, you will love the feel, the features, if not the look of this pack. Please make a rain cover for it. 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. We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. So this pack may not be full-featured with pockets, zippers and compartments everywhere but its certainly not minimal. But thankfully those days of heavy loads are over due to other new gear, and great advice from you and others. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. CAMPSAVER.COM: Free Shipping and Free Returns on Purchases of $49 or more. At just over two pounds its likely to not be quite light enough for someone really wanting to whittle down the ounces. But I still rent or borrow bear cans, so I cant modify them. The pack has hydration ports located behind the right and left shoulder straps, but keeper straps are not provided on the shoulder straps, which would be useful to keep it positioned. Ive have owned A LOT of packs over theyears: Gregory, Arctyex, REI, Dueter, Osprey, Gosomer Gear, Hyperlight Mountain Gear, Lowe Alpine . The Swift X Backpack is also the most versatile pack in this guide. Your email address will not be published. While it is sufficient for securing taller items like an umbrella against the side of the pack, its really not that great from a compression standpoint. It looks like six moons updated everything on this pack except their now tired shoulder straPs. So I thought, Ok. When configured as frame-less, the highest recommended base weight is 8lbs / 3.5k and maximum weight not exceeding 25lbs / 11k. Vest harness:Probably my personal favorite feature. While Id like to see the shoulder strap pockets enlarged, I dont consider their current size a showstopper unless youre wedded to carrying electronics or other personal items on your shoulder straps. Thats laughableDCF packs are basically an expensive rental. I've used this pack a few times now, some just around the neighborhood with a heavier load (around 25lbs), and some for day hiking (15-20lbs), and I absolutely love it. Not the strongest material:This pack is so affordable because of the Robic Nylon 100D material. The Minimalist V2 still has the perfect amount of space for all your gear and a lightweight suspension that adds just enough support but now with larger, more secure stash pockets. Thats really what you need. The Six Moon Designs Swift X is 45L backpack which is a good size for lightweight backpacking or thru-hiking if you carry a low volume load. This design feature makes carrying heavy loads more comfortable and reduces pack sag. 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. When I leaned sideways it slipped out and I had to catch it. Ive been testing the Swift V over the last few months in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah. Versatility/Customization:I really like how the torso height and chest strap height are customizable and adjustable. And the vest for the backpack is the best i tested yet:) On a week outing in the North Cascades my friends with Osprey and Gossamer Gear packs all complained of pain on the top of their shoulders after several days. While VX21 is waterproof the packs themselves are not water tight.