by I’ve worn over 20 backpacking packs up to now yr, and the Out of doors Vitals CS40 Extremely ultralight backpack carries weight one of the best. And at 27 ounces, it’s additionally lighter than the Hyperlite equal.
Assist us! GearJunkie could earn a small fee from affiliate hyperlinks on this article. Be taught Extra
I’ve thru-hiked most of the hottest backpacking routes within the American West: the Continental Divide Path, Pacific Crest Path, Grand Enchantment Path, and the Colorado Path a number of occasions, to call a couple of. I solely backpack with ultralight backpacking gear.
Lighter gear is extra snug and allows you to go farther, comfortably. I’ve used tons of various variations of an important piece of ultralight gear: the backpack. I’ve used a special backpack for each thru-hike, and I’ve examined a lot of the fashionable ultralight backpacks for my day job as a gear tester.
Not one of the packs I’ve used have impressed me as a lot as the brand new Out of doors Vitals CS40 Extremely Backpack. This pack carries masses in addition to packs that weigh twice as a lot. And it blows the most well-liked ultralight backpacking packs out of the water in weight-carrying capability.
In brief: The CS40 Extremely Backpack doesn’t sacrifice weight financial savings for load carrying or sturdiness. At a mere 27 ounces, it weighs 5 ounces lower than the Hyperlite Mountain Gear 2400 Southwest. And the Extremely 200 material used on the CS40 is considerably extra sturdy than Dyneema Composite Material (DCF), as used on the HMG 2400 Southwest. Out of doors Vitals nailed it with their latest backpack. Don’t sleep on this one.
Out of doors Vitals CS40 Extremely Backpack Specs Weight 27 oz. (Medium torso and medium hipbelt)
Pack physique materials Problem UltraWeave 200, UHMWPE/high-tenacity polyester woven mix, laminated with Problem RUV movie
Inside body Carbon fiber stays
Max beneficial carry weight 35 lbs. Sam Schild
Out of doors Vitals CS40 Extremely Backpack: Overview
All the pieces You’d Count on From an Ultralight Pack: Out of doors Vitals CS40 Extremely Backpack
The CS40 Extremely Backpack has each widespread characteristic in different ultralight backpacking packs, plus extra:
Carbon fiber body
Full-suspension system: body, load lifters, padded again panel, and hip belt
40L rolltop predominant compartment
Giant stretch mesh outdoors pocket
Accessible aspect water bottle pockets that may every maintain 2 L of water
Zippered hip belt pockets
Cutouts for weight and breathability on straps and again panel
3D mesh backing on shoulder straps and hip belt for breathability
Detachable hydration bladder sleeve
All that is included in a 27-ounce package deal.
What Different Ultralight Packs Lack
Most ultralight backpacking backpacks have a body and hip belt, however they don’t work to switch the pack’s load onto your hips. Many ultralight packs sacrifice load carrying for weight financial savings.
It’s widespread for ultralight pack frames to solely prolong to the shoulder straps, leaving a niche between the straps and the load lifters. Since these load lifters aren’t linked to the body, they don’t work in addition to they may to correctly distribute weight throughout your again.
Some ultralight backpacking packs don’t even have load lifters (I’m taking a look at you, Hyperlite). That is possibly one of the best pragmatic alternative, although, since load lifters don’t do a lot if the body doesn’t prolong far sufficient up the again panel.
The CS40 Extremely has an additional 3 inches of body materials that reach above the shoulder straps to the load lifters. These further inches make the suspension system higher.
A Full Carbon Body That Carries Weight Higher
The CS40 carries masses like a standard full-framed backpacking pack whereas nonetheless being one of many lightest backpacks accessible. The important thing to this pack’s unbelievable load-carrying skills is a pair of carbon fiber body struts that reach the complete size of the again panel, from the hip belt to the load lifters.
Once you loosen the load lifters, you possibly can really feel the load of the pack load onto the hips. Once you tighten them, you possibly can really feel the load transfer onto your shoulders, too. The load lifters really work as a result of the body extends for the whole size of the again panel.
Although Out of doors Vitals used carbon fiber to avoid wasting weight on the body, it has one other profit. Carbon fiber is a particularly stiff materials, a lot stiffer than aluminum. This implies the body doesn’t flex underneath masses like some ultralight packs, making a extra secure trip.
Although the body has a mild curve for exact load switch, the carbon fiber doesn’t bend as you progress. I can’t say the identical about different backpacks.
Ultralight Building Stronger Than DCF
In comparison with Dyneema Composite Material (DCF, previously Cuben Fiber), the Extremely 200 material used on the CS40 pack physique is stronger.
Extremely 200 is extra abrasion-resistant and has the next tear energy than the 50-denier DCF used on the long-lasting white Hyperlite 2400 Southwest. And, Extremely 200 material is barely a half-ounce heavier per yard than the 50-denier DCF that Hyperlite makes use of.
DCF has a particularly excessive strength-to-weight ratio, but it surely lacks the abrasion resistance a backpack ought to have. All of the DCF gear I’ve used develops tiny pinholes in high-wear areas after a couple of months of heavy use.
I haven’t seen the identical situation with the Extremely 200 materials used within the CS40, and don’t anticipate to anytime quickly. Extremely 200 is shortly changing into the most well-liked materials for ultralight backpacking packs — and for good cause. Although it’s barely heavier than DCF, this materials balances weight and sturdiness a lot better.
The Evolution of Ultralight: CS40 Remaining Phrase
I don’t imply to rag on Hyperlite. These packs are fashionable for a cause: they’re light-weight, waterproof, available, and revolutionary within the ultralight backpacking world. However different pack makers are catching up.
Out of doors Vitals is entering into the large leagues with its latest backpack. The CS40 Extremely Backpack reveals nice progress in ultralight backpack know-how. The total carbon body, full suspension, sturdy Extremely 200 material, and the truth that this pack weighs in at simply 27 ounces make the CS40 a severe contender within the ultralight backpacking area — one that might stand as much as problem a few of the long-time ultralight fan favorites from different manufacturers.
