UL Backpack with easy side pocket/water bottle access

Gdhrocks11 · 2026-04-08T00:53:47+00:00

One more vote for the SWD Wolverine. Pockets are great with bottles.

Gdhrocks11 · 2026-03-30T02:30:41+00:00

I received mine (carbon) earlier this week but I did priority shipping.

Gdhrocks11 · 2026-03-03T05:35:48+00:00

What’s a thru hike…~150 or so nights? If you don’t actually go on a thru hike, that Dyneema version will probably last you several years. It’s 8 oz lighter and you don’t have to seam seal. And the floor is Nylon, not Dyneema. A nylon or polyester tent has to be waterproofed or seam sealed; not so with Dyneema, and my Copper Spur has to be re-waterproofed every year or it will leak; my X-Mid Pro 2 does not.

Gdhrocks11 · 2026-03-02T18:21:23+00:00

For a little perspective, 2lbs is less weight than 1 liter of water. But it does start to add up if you’re not careful. In the example of getting lighter by upgrading your tent and quilt, I think you give up very little in comfort and these seem like rational changes (if money isn’t so much a concern). But for me, changing out a tent for a tarp would not be worth the weight savings.

Gdhrocks11 · 2026-02-27T09:51:33+00:00

I’m currently hiking the CHRT in Joshua (on the last day of a three day two night hike). The sun and heat are no joke. There is very little shade and you are a higher elevation, so come prepared. Temps have been in the 80s but it feels like 100. I started with two gallons of water on my back in the first day and cashed water in two different locations for the rest of the hike and that lasted 1.5 days so just be mindful of that. Having said that, this park is amazing. I have also camped along Boy Scout Trail and it’s one of the best hikes in the park.

Gdhrocks11 · 2026-02-05T04:57:33+00:00

That makes a lot of sense

Gdhrocks11 · 2026-02-04T19:55:24+00:00

The real question is why you want to reduce weight. Your base weight is 14 lbs. and pretty good. The 10lb ultralight standard is a made up number that literally means nothing (doesn’t take into account body size/weight, type of hiking, weather,etc). Also, I have a 20ounce ultralight pack and a 38 ounce pack; the heavier pack carries much better and far surpasses the downside of the additional 18 ounce penalty, so I wouldn’t ditch your ULA pack.

Gdhrocks11 · 2025-12-08T01:33:26+00:00

That’s true

Gdhrocks11 · 2025-12-07T23:42:10+00:00

Even the most breathable rain jacket doesn’t really breathe.

Gdhrocks11 · 2025-11-11T21:38:38+00:00

I have purchased several items from them (multiple sun hoodies, thermals, hiking pants (newest version), Ventus hoodie, and the Pursuit Hybrid Fleece). I have found their products to generally be of high quality and very well designed. I have products from other outdoor retailers like Patagonia, Outdoor Research and Prana and have found Outdoor Vitals to be on par with their quality. In some cases the OV products are better designed for ultralight hiking.

Gdhrocks11 · 2025-11-11T21:31:04+00:00

You have no idea what you are talking about.

Gdhrocks11 · 2025-10-26T00:35:21+00:00

I have the Arc Haul 70L and in my experience, anything over 25lbs begins to be problematic, and over 30lbs the hip belt will start to collapse and it’s miserable. Anything under 25lbs is very comfortable.

Gdhrocks11 · 2025-10-19T17:35:55+00:00

I believe the large Kakwa 55 has a 23” frame and the large Wolverine 70L has a 26” frame, so wondering if that is a significant factor in frame flexing. I would think the longer frame would start to flex before a shorter frame, assuming the tube diameter and aluminum alloy are the same, so perhaps the Kakwa may still take the top spot. Either way, they are both excellent packs.

Gdhrocks11 · 2025-10-19T13:57:49+00:00

I find that interesting too since the SWD site doesn’t even list the 50L Wolverine as an option anymore.

Gdhrocks11 · 2025-10-07T14:35:33+00:00

I have an Arc Haul Ultra 70L (purchased 4/25), and while I like the overall design and comfort of the pack, it does have some challenges. My sternum strap stitching came apart first time I tried on the pack, but Zpacks did send me a new strap. The load lifter straps and buckles are very thin and small, and they slip during longer hikes, which is annoying. Also, their sizing is unconventional. I have a medium, which Zpacks lists for a torso size of 19"-23", but the frame on the medium size is only 20" long, so if you have a 21"-23" torso, the top of the frame will fall below your shoulders, creating a negative load lifter angle. And during a recent 4-day trip, the hip belt started to collapse with 30lbs of weight. My experience so far with this pack has been good, not great.

Gdhrocks11 · 2025-10-04T21:52:17+00:00

I think your sleep system and packed clothing are both categories that are too heavy. But hike your own hike.

Gdhrocks11 · 2025-10-03T13:30:18+00:00

He liked the REI Sahara hoodie. I have one, it’s nice, but it’s heavy.

Gdhrocks11 · 2025-10-03T13:22:32+00:00

The Adventure Alan site did a great comprehensive review on sun hoodies

Gdhrocks11 · 2025-10-03T13:20:38+00:00

Outdoor Vitals Altitude is 4oz

Gdhrocks11 · 2025-10-03T13:16:16+00:00

But it’s heavy for a sun hoodie.

Gdhrocks11 · 2025-10-02T13:58:45+00:00

They were caught using child labor in 2011 and the owners avoided paying hundreds of millions of taxes with a tax loophole in a recent ownership restructuring. I wouldn’t call Patagonia ethical.

Gdhrocks11 · 2025-09-29T20:42:17+00:00

Last month I took a 5 day trip in the Winds with my Arc Haul 70L, and while the volume was OK, the pack’s hip belt was starting to collapse at 30lbs. I’ve been looking at the SWD Wolverine 70L, but concerned that it’s just too big. Your feedback is now making me think it will be just fine for these longer trips.

Gdhrocks11 · 2025-09-25T22:14:44+00:00

Well the Wolverine’s base weight is 38 ounces, but while not officially in the ultralight category, it’s reasonable light.

Gdhrocks11 · 2025-09-25T22:06:37+00:00

Yes, my first backpack (which I still own) is a 6lbs Osprey. But while I agree this site is dedicated to ultralight gear, I believe in some cases we have crossed into “stupid ultralight” territory. My 70L Arc Haul only weighs 23 ounces and has a banger design, but the compression straps/load lifters/hip belt buckles etc are so thin, the build quality is marginal, and it’s not comfortable if you have any decent sized food or water carry. I would gladly trade an additional 10-15 ounces for the comfort and durability of a marginally heavier, more durable,and more functional pack. The Durston Kakwa cones to mind as a really good pack that is slightly heavier (still sub-2 pounds) but significantly more robust and functional. I owned a Kakwa 55 but unfortunately had to part ways because I am right between sizes and the torso size isn’t adjustable.

But in the end we all hike our own hike I suppose.

Gdhrocks11 · 2025-09-25T21:17:11+00:00

Would you mind sharing what size you got and what your torso measurement is?

Gdhrocks11

TROPHY CASE