35 new this week, from hikers and from around the web.
Hiked the Foothills Trail with the Kakwa 55 at a 12–13 lb base weight and it hurt their upper back relentlessly, possibly a sizing problem. Switched to a frameless LiteAF 35 that was far more comfortable on several long trails.
“I don’t know if I bought it small or too big or whatever but it just hurt my upper back relentlessly”
Owns both the Kakwa and the Wapta and has switched to the Wapta for 3–4 day mountain trips in Norway at a 5.5 kg base weight and up to 9 kg total. Much prefers it to the Kakwa at those loads and thinks it is one of the frameless packs that carries the most weight comfortably, keeping the Kakwa for trips with kids and winter.
“My last 3-4 day trips in the mountains here in Norway I have gone over to the Wapta. Base weight is around 5,5 kg”
Bought a Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra instead of going frameless: its frame is just thin carbon rods and the pack is lighter than many frameless packs.
Once their base weight reached 8 lb, found the Kakwa 40 uncomfortable and too large, oddly more comfortable with heavier loads, and moved to a frameless Pa'lante V2 they love.
“I went frameless when my base weight got down to 8 lb and I found my Kakwa 40 to be uncomfortable and too large for my needs. I weirdly found the pack more comfortable when loaded with more weight”
Runs a Durston fan community and says so; carries a bear can in the Kakwa 55 on most trips and finds it so comfortable they sometimes forget it is there. Has not loaded it past 32–33 lb, but says it does great at those weights.
“I can say that it’s quite comfortable carrying a bear can in the Kakwa 55 - I bring one on most trips and sometimes even keep it in the pack for day hikes unless I’m really cruising for speed.”
Really wants to love the Wapta with their dialled-in kit, but both times they took it out they had terrible pain in their trapezius muscles by the second day.
Has used the 70 L Arc Haul for three years without ever hearing the frame squeak, and says it carries like a dream.
Calls the Kakwa 40 their favourite pack so far, but once the load approaches 28–30 lb they can't stand it for more than 5–6 miles, so they advise heavier packers to get a stiffer, more padded pack first.
“My Kakwa 40 is my favorite pack I’ve had. Big fan. But as soon as I start approaching 28-30lbs I can’t stand it for more than 5-6 miles.”
Bought the Arc Haul 50L about a month ago and has had it out a couple of times without any squeaking. Found the fit much easier to dial in than the Osprey Eja it replaced, which always seemed to shift.
“I just got the Arc Haul 50L about a month ago. Have had it out a couple times and it never squeaks. I wasn’t aware how annoying the squeaking was until I switched packs.”
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