The Durston Gear Kakwa 55 Backpack is an ultralight, inner body pack that weighs just below 2 kilos with a complete quantity of 55L plus extra exterior storage. It has a sewn-on hipbelt, load lifters, an aluminum tubular body, massive hipbelt pockets, and a extremely configurable hip belt that gives wonderful weight switch to the hips with average hundreds. The Kakwa 55 is made with Extremely 200 which is a water-proof material that’s significantly extra sturdy than DCF (Dyneema Composite Materials) and is an efficient selection should you hike in sandy or rocky terrain that’s extremely abrasive when it is available in contact with backpack bottoms.
Specs at a Look
- Weight (producer): 28 to 31.1 ounces, relying on dimension (795g-855 g)
- Weight Precise: 28.8 oz in a dimension medium
- Supplies: Extremely 200D, Heavy-duty polyester mesh (Entrance Pocket), YKK AquaGuard Zippers
- Gender: Unisex, with S-shaped shoulder straps so comfy for most girls
- Pockets: 8 with 2 aspect pockets (one with a pocket), 2 hipbelt pockets, 2 shoulder strap pockets, and a entrance mesh pocket.
- Coloration: Grey
- Sort: Inside Body (3-sided, aluminum wishbone-shaped tubing )
- Hydration suitable: Sure (hydration port solely)
- Seam-taped: No
- Sizing: A number of fastened size torso ranges from 15″-22″; hipbelt lengths are tied to torso lengths (28″-40″)
- Bear Canister Compatibility: BV500 matches into the extension collar, however solely vertically beneath the highest of the body; BV475 matches horizontally within the higher a part of the primary compartment beneath the body, however solely vertically beneath it; BV450 matches horizontally within the backside of the primary compartment.
- Inside Quantity: 51-57L relying on sizing
- Exterior Quantity: 15L
- Most Advisable Load (SectionHiker): 35-40 lbs
- For full specs, see the product web page at Durston Gear
Backpack Storage and Group
The Kakwa 55 is a traditional ultralight pack rolltop pack with a entrance mesh stretch pocket and aspect bottle pockets, shoulder strap pockets, and hip belt pocket, permitting you to entry the necessities you want through the day with out having to cease and open up the primary compartment to retrieve them. The pack comes with one tier of aspect compression cords and a Y-strap to safe gear to the highest of the pack and has small webbing loops sewn into the seams if you wish to add skinny cordage to the outside to haul bulkier objects.
Closed Storage
The principle pack bag is a single compartment and holds roughly 55 liters, relying on dimension (the scale small is 51 liters, the scale medium is 54 liters, and the scale massive is 57 liters). This measurement contains the primary compartment with two rolls of the extension collar above the body. Durston Gear claims that there’s a further 15L of cupboard space within the exterior open pockets as nicely. Most mainstream backpack corporations (Osprey, Gregory, Deuter, and many others.) measure the closed storage in a different way, solely together with closed storage as much as the highest of the body and never the open storage in any respect. That stated, there may be numerous closed cupboard space within the Kakwa 55 and lots for multi-day journeys with light-weight gear.
The Kakwa’s fundamental pack bag has quick-release buckles that connect to themselves on high of the pack within the model of a dry bag. There are not any extra buckles and webbing on the perimeters to which you’ll be able to join the roll high. I can’t say I’m a fan of roll-top packs constructed like this as a result of they get hung up simply off-trail when bushwhacking or when winter climbing on trails in deep snow the place your pack is in common contact with the upper branches of bushes. I’ve used the Kakwa 55 on a number of such hikes and its roll-top closure will get persistently snagged within the vegetation overhead: it’s very irritating. Should you don’t hike off-trail or in deep snow, nonetheless, it’s unlikely to be an issue. Most backpackers and hikers don’t do both of these items in my expertise, though I do each loads.
The within of the pack is unadorned, apart from a pocket to carry the aluminum body in place, which is secured closed with a velcro flap. (There is no such thing as a hydration pocket or place to hold a reservoir though there’s a hydration port on the appropriate aspect of the pack.) Along with the body, there’s a skinny foam pad, additionally saved in that pocket to cushion your again. Sadly, the pad doesn’t actually present sufficient cushioning from laborious objects and you’ll really feel a bear canister poking you within the again whereas carrying the pack. The principle pack bag additionally tends to barrel when stuffed tight. You would possibly profit by placing a couple of segments of Zlite Sol foam padding up towards the body pocket for extra consolation.
Open Storage
The shoulder pockets on the Kakwa 55 are manufactured from a stretchy, Lycra-like mesh with a cordlock and shock wire closure on high. They’re a really handy and accessible method to carry bear spray, cellphone/digital camera, satellite tv for pc messenger, sun shades, or 16-20 oz water bottles (one-liter bottles are too tall or extensive for these pockets). They’re actually fairly useful.
Nonetheless, should you desire to make use of your individual accent pockets, you possibly can with out having to chop those that include the pack off as a result of they’re daisy chains operating alongside the surface of the shoulder straps to connect them to. For instance, I desire utilizing the a lot bigger Hyperlite Mountain Gear Shoulder Strap Pocket once I need waterproof storage or the Gossamer Gear Shoulder Strap Pocket and each are simply hooked up to the Kakwa’s shoulder straps, protecting the Lycra pockets that the pack comes with.
The aspect pockets are asymmetrical, with the right-hand aspect pocket lower at a diagonal to facilitate simple water bottle entry, and the left-hand pocket taller and lower straight throughout. They match two Smartwater bottles and even two 32 oz Nalgene bottles, though the match is significantly tighter with the latter.
Each pockets are cylindrical, with a half-circle of material sewn as the underside of the pocket, degree with the underside of the pack in order that they contact the bottom once you put the pack down. I’m unsure that’s such a good suggestion, given the quantity of abrasion that may ensue, however Extremely 200 is a lot extra abrasion-resistant than DCF or Robic Nylon, that it won’t matter that a lot (time will inform.) Maybe extra problematic is that aspect pockets should not have drain holes, one thing that Greg Pehrson additionally famous in his evaluate of the Kakwa 40, the place water can leak into the pack seams. We propose that you simply use a pack liner everytime you pack up the Kakwa 40 or 55 in a wet local weather. You must do this with any rolltop backpack, anyway.
Each aspect pockets and the entrance mesh pocket have non-adjustable and non-replaceable elastic that’s captured inside a channel of Extremely material. The capturing of the elastic implies that pocket rigidity is completely set; the person can’t tighten or loosen the pockets relying on their contents, which may generally be helpful when you must do an extended water carry with tall smooth bottles.
The taller left-hand pocket is constructed with a double layer of fabric and has a vertical outer zip making a small pocket. That outer pocket turns into troublesome to make use of should you overstuff the internal bottle pocket, nonetheless, as a result of they share the identical quantity. It’s not a foul design thought however I discovered it a bit problematic to open after which shut whereas carrying the pack. For instance, it could be an excellent pocket to make use of to stash one thing like a pockets that you simply need to retailer securely however have easy accessibility to when touring or on the town. However for snacks or further gloves, my choice is to make use of the hipbelt pockets or the stretch pockets on the shoulder straps.
The mesh pocket on the entrance is a heavy-duty polyester low-stretch mesh that’s pleated on the backside. This implies it might probably increase to carry a Jettboil, a water filter, or moist rain fly/tent however is just not droopy when empty. I usually carry layers in a pocket like this as a substitute of stopping to pack them away after a layer change.
The hipbelt pockets are 6” lengthy x 3” tall x 1.5”-2” extensive and shut with a YKK AquaGuard waterproof zipper operating excessive. The zippers open from entrance to again and may be simply opened and closed with one hand. I principally use these pockets to carry snacks, a compass, or a rolled-up map.
Backpack Body and Suspension
The body and suspension of the Kakwa 55 pack embrace the next parts: a wishbone-shaped inner body tube that’s extensive on high however narrows earlier than terminating between the hipbelt wings, a skinny inner foam pad, a sewn-on hipbelt with a forward-pull adjustment, S-shaped shoulder straps, and cargo lifters.
The body is a hole aluminum tube bent in an inverted U form which wish-bones (narrows) when it reaches the small of the again ending on both aspect of the hipbelt aspect wings. It’s held in place by two sleeves on both sides of the interior body pocket. There’s actually no level in eradicating it to save lots of weight (4 oz) as a result of it’s the rationale why this backpack has such an excellent load switch to the hipbelt.
Total, the hipbelt actually works nicely on this pack. It has a single middle buckle, with two unbiased wings and is tightened by pulling the hipbelt straps ahead, known as a Sherer Cinch (first launched by Kelty and designed by Michael Cecot-Sherer, founding father of TheTentlab.) The webbing is sewn onto both wing in a sideways V form to permit for conical tightening (i.e. wider on the backside, narrower on the high) however both sides adjusts with a single pull and there’s a simply single middle buckle to shut. That is a lot less complicated and quicker to make use of than packs that requires closing two buckles.
In contrast to extra modular ultralight packs, the hip belt is sewn to the again of the pack on the level the place the body terminates, offering optimum load switch to the hips. It doesn’t get any higher or extra environment friendly than this. It’s my understanding that Durston Gear tweaked the sizing of the hipbelt barely between the Kakwa 40 and the newer Kakwa 55 and clarified the sizing parameters in order that it’s simpler to get an excellent match. The one draw back of the sewn-on hipbelt design is the size of the hipbelt is tied to torso size which is certain to overlook some portion of potential customers, like people who find themselves very quick and really spherical.
The shoulder straps are S-shaped, which is healthier for folks with extra developed chests/breasts than J-shaped straps as a result of they curve across the chest as a substitute of operating immediately over it and urgent towards it. There’s a bar-tacked daisy chain operating down the middle of every strap, which continues behind the built-in stretch pockets, that are hooked up on the high and backside solely. The sternum strap hooks to the daisy chains behind the pockets.
The load lifters are hooked up to a set level on the shoulder straps, and to the again panel alongside the highest of the body. This makes them very efficient for repositioning the angle of the pack bag and pulling it nearer to your torso and hips. Load lifters are nearly a must have on framed packs over 50-60L.
Exterior Attachments and Compression
Exterior attachments and compression on the Kakwa 55 are fairly easy, consisting of a single tier of static wire and lineloc tensioner on both aspect of the pack, and a Y-shaped strap of webbing that goes excessive of the pack. There are additionally a couple of small loops of grosgrain by way of which extra attachment factors may be rigged up.
The aspect compression wire is fairly low utility and is greatest used to carry lengthy objects towards the aspect of the pack, like a Tenkara rod or trekking poles to maintain them from falling out the aspect pockets. You too can tie issues to it like moist socks to dry. Sadly, there’s no method to change the angle of the wire so it drops down not up since there are not any anchor factors on the aspect reverse the lineloc tensioner to connect the knotted finish of the wire. As well as, the issue with a wire like that is that it’s very skinny and tends to freeze up in chilly climate. It’s additionally very troublesome to strap cumbersome objects like snowshoes to the perimeters of the pack, that are greatest strapped beneath the highest Y strap.
There are two tiny grosgrain loops on the base of the entrance mesh pocket and alongside different seams which have sufficient room to run a really skinny wire by way of. Sadly, these loops are so small {that a} gated buckle received’t match by way of them: should you might, you may simply rig up webbing straps all throughout the outside of the pack. If I had a vote, that may be an enhancement that may make a giant distinction within the pack’s utility.
The truth is, the one efficient method to connect cumbersome gear like snowshoes, a foam sleeping pad, or a bear canister to the Kakwa 55 is to strap it to the highest of the pack utilizing the Y-strap.
Water Resistance
The Kakwa 55 is made with Extremely 200 which is a extremely sturdy waterproof material. Nonetheless, due to the complexity of the seams across the body meeting, the Kakwa is just not seam taped or seam sealed. This implies it’s vital to make use of a water-proof liner–a observe that’s a good suggestion with most any backpack that’s not a legit drybag–within the rain or when packrafting, to maintain your gear dry.
Comparable Extremely Backpacks
Advice
The Durston Gear Kakwa 55 is a streamlined ultralight-type backpack that’s optimized for thru-hiking and backpacking in three-season climate once you don’t should strap a lot cumbersome or specialised gear on the outside of the pack. Whereas it doesn’t actually have a lot in the way in which of compression or exterior attachment factors, the Kakwa has loads of exterior open pockets so you possibly can carry your entire daytime necessities with out stopping to open the pack. The place this pack actually shines, is within the body and suspension system which does an exceptionally tremendous job of transferring the load to your hips. We’ve examined some limitations with the pack above, however on the entire, it actually is kind of a easy and chic pack to make use of should you’re searching for a sturdy light-weight pack made with Extremely 200 material.
Disclosure: Durston Gear donated a backpack for this evaluate.
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