Highlights of the Summer 2013 Outdoor Retailer Trade Show: Lightweight Backpacks

By Will Rietveld and Janet Reichl

Note to readers: My complete coverage of the summer 2013 OR Show, exclusive of shelters and backpacks, is at www.gossamergear.com (click on Blog, then Buzz).

As with shelters, backpacks from the larger manufacturers continue to get lighter as newer, lighter, and stronger fabrics and other materials are incorporated. In this article I summarize the lightest ones suitable for lightweight backpacking.

Several years ago a “lightweight” internal frame backpack was anything with 50 to 60 liters of volume weighing less than 4 pounds; now we define it as anything under 3 pounds. And more and more packs are approaching 2 pounds.

Note: Weights provided are manufacturer weights; accuracy can vary, I did not weigh the packs. All packs will be available in spring 2013 unless stated otherwise.

 

The South Col OutDry 70 and BMG 105 are Mountain Hardwear’s First Waterproof Backpacks to Hit the Market

At the winter 2013 OR show Mountain Hardwear announced that they will be introducing a new line of waterproof backpacks with an OutDry membrane bonded to the interior of the pack. The South Col 70 liter pack will be the first arrival in spring 2013. Only the main compartment is waterproof; the top and front pockets are not. The weight is 3 pounds 14 ounces for the South Col and 4 pounds 11 ounces (both a bit heavy) for the BMG, however they are nicely designed full-featured packs. The membrane adds only about 2 ounces to the weight of the pack. MSRPs are $300 for the South Col and $360 for the BMG. Obviously these packs are outside our weight limit; the primary significance here is the waterproof technology.

Salomon Synapse Flow 45 AW Has Dynamic Shoulder Straps and Integrated Rain Cover
The Flow 45 is the largest of Salomon’s new “Adventure Hike” line of backpacks, which feature connected shoulder straps that expand and contract with your movements and an integrated rain cover. The AW means “All Weather”. Features include a U-frame, free-motion shoulder straps, zippered top pocket, mesh side and front pockets, airmesh hipbelt with pockets, trekking pole stowage, and integrated rain cover. The Flow 45 weighs 1 pound 15.4 ounces and costs $160. The Flow 30 weighs 1 pound 13.6 ounces and costs $145.

Granite Gear Introduces the Redesigned Virga 2 Frameless Backpack
The popular Granite Gear Virga is back as the redesigned Virga 2, and at 19 ounces its 2 ounces lighter than its predecessor. Volume ranges from 50 to 58 liters depending on torso size (Short, Regular, Long). Features include a padded hipbelt, large stretch nylon side and front pockets, a rolltop closure, and internal hydration sleeve. MSRP is $140.

The Frameless Mountainsmith Haze 50 LTR is Well-Designed and Under 2 pounds
At 1 pound 15 ounces the frameless Haze 50 is well designed with two handy vertical front pockets; MSRP is $130.

REI Flash 45 Internal Frame Backpack Weighs Just Over 2-Pounds and Costs Only $129
I’m really excited about this one! The Flash 45 has a lightweight aluminum and Delrin frame that is solidly anchored to the hipbelt, weighs 2 pounds 2 ounces, is full-featured, and value priced at $129. The volume is just right for a backpacker at the upper end of UL or lower end of LW, carrying a load of 20-25 pounds. A larger version is the Flash 62 which weighs 2 pounds 14 ounces and costs $189. And at the lower end are the Flash 18 and 22 day packs. The Flash 22 has outside mesh pockets and a top lid, while the Flash 18 doesn’t.

Redesigned Osprey Exos Packs are Lighter and Better
The new Exos packs lose the old orange and while colors which were getting a bit tiresome. The new packs are much sleeker. A 38 liter size will be added (2 pounds 2 ounces, $160), along with a 48 liter model (formerly 46 liters) @ 2 pounds 5 ounces and $190, and a 58 liter model @ 2 pounds 6 ounces and $220. The Exos packs have been favorites with LW backpackers, and the new versions should prove to be even more popular. With a capable full-featured 2+ pound internal frame pack like the Exos, why would anyone want to carry a 4+ pound backpack?

Klymit Introduces Two Lightweight Backpacks: The Motion 35 and 60
Klymit, the innovative sleeping pad people, is introducing two backpacks that utilize their Air Frame inflatable framesheet. The Motion 35 (1 pound 8 ounces, $150) is a panel loader with a zippered front pocket, two side pockets, and three compression straps per side. The Motion 60 (2 pounds 13 ounces, $180) is a top loader with both an Air Frame and tubular aluminum frame, attached top lid with pocket, two side pockets and zippered front pocket, four compression straps per side, and hipbelt pockets. They are made of a Cuben Fiber/ripstop nylon laminate, which may change in the production model. Both packs have a well padded hipbelt with four tightening straps to wrap the hipbelt around your hips.

Vargo Outdoors UL Titanium External Frame Backpack
Vargo Outdoors is reviving the external frame backpack with their innovative titanium pack. It’s a work in progress, with a target weight of 2 pounds and MSRP of $300. It will be available with either a Cuben Fiber or nylon bag with a 35 liter volume. Features include a solidly supportive lumbar pad, pack bag and hipbelt pockets, and top and side compression straps. Entry is via a zippered top opening.

GEAR REVIEW: Elemental Horizons Aduro SL Backpack

By Will Rietveld

The Aduro SL is next in a series of backpacks from a new small company called Elemental Horizons. I reviewed the 59 Liter Aquilo (ideally sized for lightweight backpacking), for Backpacking Light Magazine, and gave it a rare Highly Recommended rating. Next in line was the 48 Liter Kalais (for the lower end of lightweight backpacking, or ultralight backpacking for long intervals between resupplies), which I reviewed on this site. And now I have the privilege to review the 42 Liter Aduro SL, suitable for ultralight backpacking and as a multi-purpose day pack.

Unlike the top-loading Aquilo and Kalais, the new Aduro SL is a front loader, meaning it has a zipper across the top for access. The volume of the Aduro SL is 2556 cubic inches (42 liters), and it costs $215.

 Specifications and Features

Manufacturer and Model	Elemental Horizons Aduro SL
Sizes	S/M, M/L
Volume	2556 cu in (42 L)
Weight	Size M/L tested. Without Air Frame mfr wt 20.5 oz, measured wt 20.45; with Air Frame mfr wt 23.7 oz, measured wt 24.25
Materials	70 denier urethane-coated ripstop nylon (blue), 210d Dyneema-X (black) in high wear areas, 30 denier silnylon on the inner panels and front pocket baffles, and spacer mesh in the backpanel, shoulder straps, and hipbelt
Features	Panel-loading via top water-resistant zipper, large front pocket with water-resistant zipper, front cord lattice, 2 compression straps each side, 2 Dyneema X side pockets, interior framesheet pocket, load lifters, padded hipbelt with stabilizers, sternum strap, haul loop, ice axe loop
MSRP	$215
Options	Air Beam ($45, 3.8 oz), hipbelt pockets ($15/$18, 0.9/1.4 oz), hydration sleeve ($24, 1.2 oz)

Description

The photos below provide several views of the Aduro fully packed.

Suspension – A unique feature of the Aduro is a full height pocket on the inside of the backpanel to accommodate a Klymit Air Beam Framesheet (sold separately), or other framesheet. The Air Beam is pumped up with the provided bulb to make it very firm and vertically rigid, so it acts as a frame for the pack.

Fontpanel View – The Aduro SL has a large front pocket with a full height water-resistant zipper on the side. Overlaid on the front pocket is a rigid cord lattice for attaching items to the front of the pack. 

Backpanel View – The backpanel is padded with spacer mesh, as is the inside of the 2.25- inch wide shoulder straps and 4-inch wide non-removable hipbelt. The hipbelt is a center pull design that operates very smoothly and really snugs the pack to your hips.

Side View – Each side of the pack has two compression straps, with the lower one having a Y-shape. The depth of the front pocket is shown in this photo. Also each side has a large side pocket made of durable Dyneema-X fabric. Each is large enough to hold much more than a water bottle. A water bottle needs to be tucked in as shown to keep it from falling out.

Top View – A water-resistant Uretek zipper, with two sliders, curves over the top of the pack and half way down each side. The upper compression straps must be released to fully open the zipper.

 

Field Testing and Assessment

I tested the Aduro with loads ranging from 10 to 30 pounds while snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, day hiking, and a multi-day ski trip to a backcountry cabin, for a total of 31 days of use.

Carrying the Aduro on an all-day snowshoeing trip.

Overall, I found the Aduro to be very versatile, performing equally well as a snow sports pack, day hiking pack, and multi-day backpack. On one trip I carried my backcountry skis on the sides of the loaded pack A-frame style with the tips tied together, while I climbed on snowshoes 800 feet up to a favorite skiing area. I slid the skis under the compression straps on each side; the system worked perfectly.

I racked up a lot of miles on the pack by doing a morning day hike up a nearby mountain, where I climbed 1500 feet in 2.5 miles to the top then jogged back. Each day I tested a different frame option and pack weight, from 15 to 30 pounds. The frame options I tested were: none, the Klymit Air Beam inflated to different levels, a corrugated plastic framesheet, a single layer of stiff closed cell foam, and a folded closed cell foam pad – each one tightly confined in the backpanel sleeve.

My primary finding is the Aduro carries much better with a frame of some kind confined in the backpanel sleeve, than it does without a frame. I carried a 30 pound load without a frame and found the weight uncomfortably concentrated on my lower back. With a frame, the pack effectively transferred weight to my hips, with very little weight carried on my shoulders. I typically located the hipbelt on top of my hips and tightened the hipbelt very tight so it would not slide down. Doing that, the pack carried comfortably and I was able to release the sternum strap, which is a good indicator that a pack is transferring weight.

Close-up view of the hipbelt and lumbar area. The wide wrap-around hipbelt combined with the center pull hipbelt tightening system are key design elements that allow the Aduro SL to comfortably carry a load.

Although the Air Beam framesheet performed well, it did not perform any better than the other framesheet options listed above. The closed cell foam pad was a folded Gossamer Gear Nightlight pad, and the corrugated plastic framesheet was bent in an S-shape to fit the contours of my backside. The rigid closed cell foam was some I had laying around and is similar to the framesheet in the GoLite Jam pack.

One thing I noticed about the Air Beam is it slowly loses pressure, so it needs to be pumped hard again every few days. I did not notice any effect of Air Beam air pressure on how the pack carried; as long as it was pumped fairly firm and the pack was fully extended, it felt the same.

Overall, the Air Beam is an innovative departure from a conventional contoured tubular aluminum frame (like those in the Aquilo and Kalais), but it is not necessarily any better.  My personal preference (call me old fashioned) is for the contoured aluminum frame because it can be shaped to exactly fit the contour of my backside, and it holds that shape no matter how full the pack is. And it doesn’t need to be re-inflated.

Making a framesheet from corrugated plastic is easy and cheap. Corrugated plastic is available from office supply stores, and a 24-inch long x about 10-inch wide piece fits the pocket perfectly. Simply cut it to size, have someone put it against your back and kink it at the top of your shoulders and near the bottom, and slide it into the sleeve. A stiff closed cell foam framesheet works even better; I cut a piece from an old sleeping pad. Its important that the framesheet use fits tightly, vertically and horizontally, in the pack’s backpanel sleeve.

Accessing the interior of the panel-loading Aduro SL is about the same effort as a conventional top-loading pack: open the zipper and reach in if your item is near the top, or if your item is near the bottom, release the top compression straps and unzip it entry entirely. For loading, it helps to lay the pack on the ground with the front pocket facing up and load it while closing the zipper from each side.

Not everyone likes a panel-loader, but it’s that feature that makes the Aduro so versatile. It has enough volume to carry a typical ultralight backpacking gear kit plus food, water, and fuel for up to six days. The same pack is ideal for snow sports because it’s quite durable and snow-proof on the outside. Ditto for day hiking and it will shed a shower quite well without a pack cover (but water will eventually leak through the seams).

How lightweight is the Aduro? Well, at 20.5 ounces without the Air Beam, it is about 5 ounces heavier than the Gossamer Gear Kumo pack, and has 350 cubic inches more volume. The Kumo has only a 1-inch wide waist strap, while the Aduro has a 4-inch wide wrap-around hipbelt. Consider that extra 5 ounces to be all comfort.

Overall, the Aduro is sized for ultralight backpacking, but it’s not the lightest pack available for that purpose. Elemental Horizons designs packs for comfort and load carrying capacity first, and for light weight second. If you place your priorities on comfort, load carrying capacity, durability, and lightweight in that order, then the Aduro is your pack. It’s lightweight and capable, and very well made.

GEAR REVIEW: Gossamer Gear Kumo Superlight Backpack

By Will Rietveld

I recently had the opportunity to test the new Gossamer Gear Kumo Superlight backpack. The Kumo is a smaller volume frameless backpack suitable for ultralight backpacking. Although it has a different name, the Kumo is exactly the same basic design, dimensions, and volume as their Murmur Hyperlight backpack. The difference is the Kumo is more ruggedly built and has more features, and consequently can comfortably carry heavier loads and is more durable.

 The Kumo at work on a recent backpacking trip. Its available in two sizes (Medium and Large), weighs 14.3 ounces (size Medium), has 2200 cubic inches of volume, and costs $165.

Description

Since the Kumo is the same size (dimensions and volume) as the Murmur, the choice boils down to extra durability and features (Kumo) versus minimum weight and features (Murmur). The specific differences are as follows (Kumo versus Murmur):

• Shoulder straps have more padding (almost twice as thick)
• Fabric is all 140 denier Dyneema (except the backpanel and bottom)
• Pack bottom, lower front pocket, and upper shoulder strap fabric is 210 denier ripstop
• The hipbelt is wider (1.5” versus 0.75”)
• Internal hydration sleeve
• The top cover has a zippered pocket
• Stronger and longer ice axe loop and haul loop
• Wider sternum strap (0.75” versus 0.5”)
• Recommended maximum carry weight is 25 pounds (versus 15 pounds)
• Cost is $165 versus $140
• The Kumo weighs 5.2 ounces more than the Murmur, based on Gossamer Gear data for size Medium

This should help clarify the differences between the two packs, but it will be a difficult purchase decision because both packs have a lot of appeal. The following photo gallery highlights the features of the Kumo.

 Frontpanel. The Kumo has a large mesh front pocket with an angled top for easier entry. The mesh is lightweight but quite durable, and the lower part of the pocket is made of durable 210 denier double ripstop mylon. The pack comes with a lightweight elastic cord compression/attachment system (not shown)

 

Backpanel. The backpanel has Gossamer Gear’s traditional sleeping pad sleeve that allows a closed cell foam sleeping pad to be inserted for backpanel padding, and used as a sit pad during rest stops. A SitLight pad (shown) is included.

 Side. The sides of the Kumo are all Dyneema Gridstop versus silnylon on the Murmur. Both packs have Dyneema side pockets. A water bottle in a side pocket is reachable and replacable with the pack on.

Top. The new “Over the Top” closure system has a zippered pocket, which is a handy place for a map or guidebook. It’s held down by two cordlock buckles.

 Shoulder Straps. By my measurement, the shoulder straps are 3.25 inches wide and 0.25 inches thick, with the padding sewn in – no more socks in the shoulder straps for padding.

 Front Pocket. The front pocket is made of a lightweight yet durable mesh. The lower part of the pocket is 210 denier ripstop nylon.

 Hipbelt. The hipbelt on the Kumo is a substantial 1.5 inches wide and is removable. Two hipbelt lengths are included.

Field Testing

I carried the Kumo on seven trips with loads ranging from 13.5 to 25.5 pounds, which represents typical ultralight backpacking loads for trips ranging from 2 to 8 days. As expected, the Kumo is most comfortable with lighter loads, but it handled heavier loads surprisingly well. For carrying a 25.5 pound load I tightened the hipbelt snugly over the top of my hips and found the Kumo transferred weight to my hips quite well. With the sternum strap disconnected, the pack stuck to my back. Nevertheless, 25 pounds should be considered a maximum weight for this pack, and it should be the occasional heavier load rather than a common occurrence. Normally a framed pack or one with removable stays (like the Gossamer Gear Gorilla) should be used for loads over 20 pounds.

Assessment

Whether you choose the Kumo or the Murmur depends on how much weight you carry and what you value most. The Kumo’s stronger construction, extra durability, and extra features are functional for the most part.

• Most importantly, the Kumo’s wider hipbelt and thicker shoulder straps allows it to carry heavier loads more comfortably than the Murmur.
• The mesh in the front pocket and pad sleeve is durable and stretchy, just the right balance of lightweight and durability.
• The zippered pocket on the top flap is very handy for storing a map or small clothing items.
• The internal hydration sleeve is useful as a sleeping pad sleeve (I prefer to put a hydration flask in a side pocket for easier access and easier monitoring of the fluid level.
• I really like Gossamer Gear’s new Over the Top cover. It easily adjusts to pack volume and helps a lot to shed rain.

 Pack Compression. Instead of using the included bungee system for pack compression I opted for a zig-zag drawcord and cordlock system.

All of Gossamer Gear’s backpacks have an external bungie system for pack compression, i.e. to reduce pack volume for smaller loads, and also to attach items to the outside of the pack (like a jacket). It’s handy for the latter, and it does effectively reduce pack volume if you compress the pack before loading it. However, my personal preference is for three lightweight webbing compression straps on each side of the pack for simple and effective pack volume adjustment. A bungie system should be an accessory for attaching things to the outside of the pack, rather than relying on it for pack compression. I don’t consider the Kumo’s bungie compression system to be a major flaw because it can easily be replaced with a drawcord compression as shown in the photos above.

An option I would like to see in the Kumo is Gossamer Gear’s removable stay. It only adds 3.4 ounces, and users of this pack are more likely to use it when carrying loads in the 20-25 pound range. Actually, from pack testing I have done, I found that its beneficial to use the stay for loads over 15 pounds. It helps to maintain the pack torso length, contours the backpanel to the user’s back, and helps to transfer weight to the hips.

Overall, for hikers who want a frameless backpack with more durability and features, the Kumo is right on target; it’s a perfect balance and still keeps weight down to 14 ounces.

If you want a smaller volume pack for ultralight backpacking, and carry heavier loads (more than 20 pounds) fairly often, the Kumo is a good choice. It’s built to last.

GEAR REVIEW: Gossamer Gear 2012 Gorilla Backpack

By Will Rietveld

Gossamer Gorilla pack on a 6-day mostly off-trail backpacking trip in the Weminuche Wilderness in southwest Colorado.

I was very impressed with the original Gorilla pack when I reviewed it for Backpacking Light Magazine in 2009, and it earned a Highly Recommended rating. Very few pieces of gear merit the coveted Highly Recommended rating. So how does the updated 2012 Gorilla compare with the original, and does it still deserve an outstanding rating?

At 3000 cubic inches (49 L), the Gorilla is sized for the lightweight backpacker who carries loads in the 20-30 pound range, or an ultralight backpacker for a longer trip without resupply. The Gorilla is the answer to the question: “If I were to buy just one backpack, which one should I get?” Its volume and features allow this one pack to be used for both ultralight and lightweight backpacking.

However, if you are consistently an ultralight backpacker, with a base weight under 10 pounds and total pack weight under 20 pounds, you should be looking at Gossamer Gear’s Murmur or Kumo packs for the appropriate volume needed and lower pack weight.

Description

Gossamer Gear now uses its proprietary 140 denier Dyneema Gridstop fabric throughout its backpack line. This fabric is ideal for a lightweight backpack because it’s the perfect balance of light weight, durability, and longevity. Some other pack fabrics are lighter – like silnylon and Cuben Fiber – but they don’t have a lot of durability and longevity, and Cuben Fiber is expensive. Actually the proprietary 140 denier Dyneema Gridstop is expensive too, almost as much as Cuben Fiber, but Gossamer Gear uses it because it’s the ideal pack fabric.

The following photo gallery shows the design and features of the 2012 Gorilla pack.

Frontpanel View. The updated 2012 Gossamer Gear Gorilla pack has 3000 cubic inches of volume, weighs 25 ounces (size Medium), and costs $225. The pack comes complete with removable hipbelt (4 sizes available) with two attached pockets, a bungie compression system, removable contoured stay, backpanel pad, and removable sternum strap. The large stretch nylon front pocket expands to hold a lot of gear.

Backpanel View. The backpanel has Gossamer Gear’s traditional sleeping pad sleeve which will hold a closed cell foam pad or slightly aired inflatable pad. A SitLight pad is included (not shown), which can be easily removed to use as a sit pad on breaks. The hipbelt is about 1 inch wider than the previous Gorilla and now has attached pockets which are very roomy and open across the top and part way down the buckle side for easy access. The shoulder straps are a fully-padded and 3.75 inches wide. Another nice feature is the new EZClip™ sternum strap attachment, which makes the height adjustment very easy.

Top Cover. The Gorilla is a top loader. The old drawcord and top strap design is replaced by a new OTT™ (Over-The-Top) closure system that is held down with two lightweight drawcord buckles. The top flap sheds rain and also has an integrated zippered top pocket.

Removable stay. A U-shaped contoured tubular aluminum stay slides into sleeves on the inside of the pack’s backpanel. The final production pack has a 1.5-inch wide Velcro hold-down patch at the center of the stay. The stay can be bent to match the curvature of the user’s back.

Testing Results

I tested the Gorilla on two backpacking trips and four day hikes with loads ranging from 16 to 31 pounds. From a previous load testing project, I found that a removable stay is beneficial for loads greater than 15 pounds, so I left the stay in during all of my testing of the Gorilla.

As expected, I found the Gorilla very comfortable to carry with loads in the 16 to 22 pound range. Above that, the pack has increasing torso collapse, so it does not completely transfer weight to the hips. At 31 pounds (the heaviest load I tested), I estimate that 25% of the weight was on my shoulders. This is not unusual since a removable stay is merely a pack stiffener and not a structural frame.  For carrying heavier loads, the Gorilla’s wide hipbelt and especially wide shoulder straps really help for distributing the weight.

One modification I made to the Gorilla is the addition of lightweight drawcord compression straps in place of the pack’s bungee compression system. While some hikers like an external bungee system for attaching things (like a jacket) to the outside of a pack, I prefer conventional compression straps, ideally three on each side. A bungee system does not compress the pack as well for smaller loads, and can block access to the front pocket. My preference is for three compression straps per side for effective pack volume reduction, and offering a bungee system as an accessory.

Overall Impressions

On the plus side I really like the 140 denier Dyneema Gridstop fabric, wider shoulder straps, Over the Top cover with zippered pocket, wider hipbelt with pockets, contoured stay, easy sternum strap adjustment (or removal), and easier hipbelt removal. These are some substantial improvements, while adding only about 1 ounce of additional weight (by my measurement).

On the minus side I have one main issue: as discussed under the last photo, I personally prefer three webbing compression straps on each side of the pack for more effective pack volume adjustment. A bungie attachment system can be a nice accessory for attaching things to the outside of the pack, but I don’t particularly like a bungee system for pack compression. This is a issue of personal preference, and Gossamer Gear apparently likes bungee systems. Pack owners who want compression straps can easily remove the bungee system and replace it with three compression drawcords on each side (as shown above), or by zig-zagging a single cord on each side and securing it with a single cordlock at the top.

Finally, it is time to go a step further and design a removable stay system that transfers that better transfers weight to the hipbelt. In the present design the stay simply floats in sleeves attached to the backpanel and acts as a pack stiffener, not a frame. Since many lightweight backpackers nowadays use a lightweight inflatable pad instead of a closed cell foam pad, they don’t have the CCF pad to assist with weight transfer in the current pack design. The stay developed by Gossamer Gear is an excellent design, but it would transfer weight much better if it were more solidly anchored to the shoulder straps at the top and to the hipbelt at the bottom. Such a design can be kept lightweight, transfer weight more effectively, and retain the benefits of a removable stay.

Overall, the 2012 Gorilla is a superb pack for carrying lightweight moderate volume loads in the 15 to 25 pound range, and occasionally higher. It is truly a single lightweight backpack that can do it all, eliminating the need to own multiple packs. The 2012 upgrade incorporates some substantial improvements over the original, with only a minimal increase in weight, which is remarkable. The issues discussed above also apply to the original Gorilla, but overall the new Gorilla is better than ever and still merits an outstanding rating.

GEAR REVIEW: Elemental Horizons Kalais Backpack

By Will Rietveld

The new Kalais pack is a smaller version of Elemental Horizons’ Aquilo pack, which received the coveted Highly Recommended rating from Backpacking Light Magazine (subscription required). The Kalais at 2920 cubic inches (size Medium) is about 600 cubic inches smaller than the 3587 cubic inch Aquilo. The frame and suspension system are the same but the feature sets differ in order to downsize and lighten the Kalais, and tailor it to its intended user.

The new Elemental Horizons Kalais (manufacturer photo and specifications) has 2920 cubic inches of total volume (size Medium) and weighs 26 ounces. Cost is $190.

Description

As the following photo gallery shows, the Kalais is a traditional design. It’s constructed of 210 denier Dyneema ripstop in high wear areas, 70 denier coated ripstop nylon in the body, and spacer mesh for padding.

Frontpanel view: The front has a gusseted Dyneema and mesh pocket that provides the perfect place to carry a wet shelter or rainwear. The pack’s top compression strap connects to the top of the pocket. There is a very lightweight bungie attachment system on the front of the pocket.

 Backpanel view: The backpanel, shoulder straps, and removable wide hipbelt are all padded with spacer mesh. The shoulder straps are 2.25 inches wide and have load lifters at the top. The hipbelt is removable; three sizes are available.

Sidepanel view: Each side of the pack has a durable mesh pocket and three compression straps.

 Top view: The Kalais has a large extension collar with a rolltop closure and top compression strap.

Inside the pack, there is a large sleeping pad sleeve to use a partially inflated sleeping pad (or closed cell foam pad) to provide additional pack rigidity to facilitate weight transfer. It can also accommodate a hydration bladder (two hose ports are provided).

Elemental Horizons offers the Kalais in three unisex sizes with a choice of three hipbelt sizes. Options include a removable curved aluminum stay, sit pad, hipbelt pockets, and sidepanel mounted hydration sleeve with zippered storage pocket (0.8 ounce).

Assessment

The short answer is the Kalais is one of the best backpacks I have ever tested, and I have tested a lot of packs. As with the Aquilo, Elemental Horizons got (almost) everything right the first time, and the Kalais is another winner.

The volume of the Kalais at 2920 cubic inches is in the “sweet zone” of 2500-3000 cubic inches preferred by many lightweight backpackers. It has a bit too much volume for ultralight backpacking, but if you consistently carry over 20 pounds, and rarely carry over 30-35 pounds, this is the pack for you. For that type of use, the 26 ounce pack weight beats most every comparable pack in its category, except the Gossamer Gear Gorilla and Six Moon Designs Swift. The weight of the size Large pack I tested is 31 ounces with the optional stay.

The Kalais will function well for ultralight backpacking because the combination of its internal pad sleeve and three compression straps on each side will provide all the volume reduction and compression capability you will ever need. However, its 26 ounce weight is overkill for carrying sub-20 pound loads that a 12 ounce frameless pack will carry almost as well.

I tested the Kalais on several hikes carrying loads of 16, 25, 25, 32, and 35 pounds, all with the tubular frame inserted, and the heavier loads (25 to 35 pounds) with a partially inflated Klymit X-Lite pad in the internal pad sleeve. Basically I tested the Kalais with heavier and heavier loads to determine its limits.

With a 16 pound load I hardly noticed the pack was there. In a previous project I found that a removable stay significantly improves weight transfer and carry comfort for loads over 15 pounds.

The Kalais carried a 25 pound load surprisingly well. I noticed the weight, but the pack transferred all of the weight to my hips. It was at this point that I discovered that the Kalais’ four-pull hipbelt tightening system makes a big difference for carrying heavier loads. By separately tightening the upper and lower pulls, the top and bottom of the hipbelt can be tightened separately, which conforms the hipbelt to the hips and prevents it form slipping under heavy loads.

I further tested the Kalais with a 35 pound load, the maximum recommended comfortable weight, and found the same result – the hipbelt did not slip, and the pack still transferred all of the weight to my hips.

The four-pull hipbelt tightening system on the Kalais is remarkable, it allows you to tighten the top and bottom of the wide hipbelt separately, conforming the hipbelt around the hipbone, allowing the pack to comfortably carry heavier loads, with total weight transfer, and not slipping off the hips.

Elemental Horizons uses a removable contoured aluminum stay that is similar to the one used by Gossamer Gear and Six Moon Designs, but its integration into the pack is much better. Rather than a simple straight sleeve on the inside of the backpanel, the stay is more solidly anchored at the top and bottom of the pack, so it transfers weight to the hipbelt better, as my testing results indicate.

The Kalais is not as robust a pack as many sub-3 pound packs targeted to lightweight backpackers from other manufacturers, but it does fill an important niche. For backpackers who consistently carry loads between 20 and 30 pounds, the Kalais is an excellent choice; it’s 0.5 to 1 pound lighter than many other lightweight internal frame packs and does the job just as well, if not better.

What’s not to like? Three things:

1. The shoulder straps are a bit narrow at 2.25 inches, especially if you use the Kalais as a frameless backpack. For me, the narrow shoulder straps were not a problem when carrying the pack with the frame in because the pack effectively transferred all of the weight to the hips, so the shoulder straps mainly provided stabilization.
2. Water bottles fall out of the side pockets when you bend over. This could be fixed by making the pockets wider at the bottom so they don’t pop out.

The four pull straps on the size Medium hipbelt I tested are a bit short. On my 35 inch waist, the straps are 3-4 inches long, just long enough to grab and pull. If I were wearing the hipbelt over a jacket they would be too short.

A full water bottle inserted in a side pocket readily falls out when you bend over, unless you press the neck of the bottle into the back corner of the pocket as shown.

Quite likely Elemental Horizons will address these issues, and if so I will add an update to this article.

Overall, Elemental Horizons simply gets (most) everything right to create a remarkable smaller volume removable frame backpack for lightweight backpackers. It’s well designed and constructed, durable, fits well, comfortably carries a sizeable load, and its volume adjustment capability is outstanding. In response to the question of: “if I were to purchase only one pack, which one would serve most of my needs?”, the Kalais would be one of only a few packs I would recommend.

Addendum May 29, 2012
In response to my review comments, Elemental Horizons has corrected the problem with water bottles falling out of the side pockets by widening the bottom of the pockets so the bottles now sit deeper in the pockets, as shown in the following photo.

 With the bottom of the side pocket widened, a water bottle fits much deeper and is more secure, also the pocket volume increases a bit. Compare this to the previous photos above. Note that the standard pack color is red, not purple as shown

Elemental Horizons will try to accommodate custom color and feature requests; email Matthew Lagas-Rivera at matthew@elementalhorizons.com with your requests. I am very impressed with the quality of his designs and construction, and attention to detail.

Overall, the Kalais, while quite lightweight, is not the very lightest 3000 cubic inch backpack available, but (in my opinion) it has the best balance of lightweight, fit, features, comfort, and weight carrying ability of all the packs I have tested to date.
 

A Therapy for Plantar fasciitis Worth Considering

By Will Rietveld and Janet Reichl

A common hiking affliction is Plantar fasciitis, heel pain that can be difficult to remedy. For some people, it takes months of therapy to get rid of Plantar fasciitis, and one can miss out on a lot of hiking in the meantime.  My wife Janet, who is an Occupational Therapist, recently helped me overcome Plantar fasciitis in my left foot in an amazingly short period of time.

According to Janet, the trigger points for Plantar fasciitis can be in your foot or your calf (she learned the latter from a triathlete friend). I found the latter hard to understand since it’s away from my foot, but that turned out to be exactly the case for me. I searched for a “knot” (sore spot), in my calf, and lo and behold I had a good one in both calves which I didn’t know I had.

Use a rolling muscle massager, like the Tiger Tail shown, on trigger points in the foot or calf to relieve Plantar fasciitis.

The therapy is to roll the spot every day with any type of roller – a foot roller, a muscle massager as shown above, or a rolling pin. You should roll the sore area in your foot too. Yes it hurts, but the goal is to roll the spot to work the knot out. Let the pain be your guide to how hard to roll it; you want to be at the threshold of too much pain. For me, the knot (and the Plantar fasciitis) disappeared in only a week. Massaging out the “knot” relieved the pain.

This treatment may not work for everyone, but it worked for me, and there’s no harm in trying it.

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Make a Hooded Tyvek Rain Jacket and Chaps for Under $10

By Will Rietveld, Gossamer Gear Trail Ambassador

A high-end air permeable Gore-Tex or eVent waterproof-breathable jacket costs $350 or more, and it’s not ultralight; the lightest one is the Montane Spektr at 8 ounces. A polyurethane laminate rain jacket costs $150-$200 and is lightweight (down to about 6 ounces) and durable but not very breathable. Propore jackets are cheap but not very durable. In this article I will describe how to make a hooded Tyvek jacket plus chaps for under ten dollars, in a few minutes using a pair of scissors.

The finished Tyvek hooded rain jacket is extra long and weighs just 5.25 ounces. The chaps weigh 2.6 ounces. You may get some comments about the white color (like “where did you park your space ship?”), but it is actually quite functional because it stays cooler compared to a dark color.

Tyvek is a spunbonded olefin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olefin_fiber) nonwoven fabric that is made up of millions of polyethylene fibers. “Disposable” Tyvek clothing”, made of type 1443R soft Tyvek is cheap, waterproof, somewhat breathable, lightweight, and highly resistant to tears and punctures. The fabric weight is about the same as silnylon (1.3 ounces per square yard).

You can use an available Tyvek lab coat as a rain jacket or windshirt, but it has snaps on the front closure and no hood, which make it less than ideal. So, the only way to get a hooded jacket with a front zipper is to purchase Tyvek coveralls and cut them off below the zipper.

The ideal Tyvek coveralls are DuPont “white disposable coveralls with hood”, style number TY127SWH. These are made of soft 1443R Tyvek without extra coatings, so it’s lighter weight and more breathable. Disposable ProShield Tyvek (and similar Tyvek from other companies) coveralls have a smooth coating on the outside, which makes it look like DriDucks fabric, and it weighs a little more. The challenge is purchasing a single coverall or two; most cleaning supply stores sell them by the case of 25. The easiest way to purchase a single coverall is from Home Depot, but they are the slightly heavier ones with a smooth outside coating.

Sizing is important; to get a jacket and chaps with long enough sleeves and legs, and enough room to layer over other clothing, you need to use coveralls that are two sizes larger than your normal size. I normally wear a size Large, so I get a 2XL Tyvek coverall. The larger size also provides extra length so the jacket and chaps overlap. If you only want to make a jacket you can go with your normal size or one size larger; note that the sleeves run a little short for a taller person.

The tailoring is so simple that anyone (including me!) can do it. Here’s the stepwise process:

1. Lay the coveralls out flat on a table, front side up.
2. Make a mark about 2 inches below the bottom of the zipper.
3. Use a pin or other sharp object to puncture the coveralls all the way through to the backside.
4. Carefully turn the coverall over and mark the exit point on the backside seam.
5. Put the coveralls on and make a mark on one side about 4-5 inches below your waist.
6. Take the coveralls off, fold them over, and mark the other side so the two sides are even.
7. Draw a smooth concave curve from the center point to side marks on both sides of the coveralls (see photo below, four places total). This will give you a dropped front and tail for the jacket, and raised sides for the chaps.
8. Use a sharp scissors to cut on the line all the way around. No hemming is needed since Tyvek does not unravel.
9. To make the chaps, cut two pieces of lightweight flat braided cord 30 inches long, then sew the middle of each cord under the folded top edge of each leg of the chaps.

After making marks on the coverall for the bottom and sides as described above, draw a smooth line and cut on the line with scissors. This yields a tall jacket and a pair of chaps. My wife added tie cords at the top of the chaps to tie them to belt loops, and a couple of pleats on the backside to make them fit better. 

Note that since the front zipper does not separate at the bottom, the rain jacket needs to be put on as a pullover. To make the garments completely waterproof, coat the seams with Roo Glue or diluted silicone. If you wish, you can add a storm flap over the front zipper.

My Tyvek rain jacket made from the Home Depot Tyvek coveralls weighs 4.25 ounces, and the chaps weigh 2.6 ounces. A rain jacket made from the lightest soft Tyvek (style number TY127SWH) in size XL weighs 3.15 ounces. Although you get a pair of chaps from this project, my personal preference is to purchase a pair of Tyvek pants, which I will discuss in a future blog article. You can also wear very lightweight nylon rain pants, like the new Montbell Versalite Pant which weighs only 4 ounces.

You are probably wondering how waterproof and how breathable a Tyvek rainsuit is. I wore the jacket in the shower at home with 30 pounds of water pressure and it only leaked a little through the front zipper. As far as breathability, check out the following graph; I just happen to have that data from a previous project on waterproof-breathable jackets.

Comparative jacket breathability in terms of accumulated humidity inside the jacket during a sustained 2.25 mile steady uphill hike and reverse downhill hike. Jackets were completely zipped up throughout the hike. Note that the Tyvek jacket and DriDucks jacket perform about the same; they both reach 100% humidity inside after about 35 minutes and stay steamed up. The lightweight Marmot Essence Jacket (polyurethane laminate) performed slightly better, about the same as a traditional Gore-Tex jacket (Montbell Thunderhead Jacket). The more breathable eVent Montane Spektr Smock (lowest curve) was clearly more breathable than all of the other jackets.

Overall, a Tyvek rain jacket is very easy to make, very inexpensive, and very durable. Its breathability is about the same as DriDucks, and not that different from Gore-Tex, which is actually not very breathable. The white color actually makes a lot of sense since it will be cooler to wear in the summertime. Happy hiking!

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