Backside Line
Properly, the title of this fanny pack speaks for itself. The LiteAF Featherweight is a minimalist fanny pack and is likely one of the lightest choices available on the market. Light-weight fanny packs can generally be a bugger. So we examined this little beast, and it earned a spot on our information to one of the best fanny packs for offering environment friendly storage with out weighing you down. Its compact dimension retains necessities accessible and out of the way in which, making it excellent for fast hikes or path runs.
The entrance stretch pouch is a standout function, permitting for fast entry to objects like your telephone. Regardless of its skinny materials, which barely reduces sturdiness, the pack stays extremely light-weight and useful.
This pack shines for many who prioritize simplicity and comfort. LiteAF gives different straps that seamlessly combine into bigger ultralight packs with out hipbelts. Although its lack of strong sturdiness means it’s essential deal with it fastidiously, its well-thought-out design and practicality make it an incredible addition to any ultralight backpacking equipment.
How We Examined
The Featherweight was used on a number of day-long hikes across the Boise foothills in climate starting from sunny to gentle rain and snow. It was additionally hooked up to a bigger backpack on lengthy backcountry ski excursions. Focused abrasion testing on the material was carried out with 160-grit sandpaper. Weatherproofing was evaluated after a rain simulation and transient submersion.
Fast Specs
LiteAF Featherweight
Most Adjustable Light-weight Fanny Pack
CleverHiker Ranking:
4.1/5.0
Value:
$45-$55 (relying on cloth)
Measured Weight:
2.4 oz.
Capability:
1.5 L
Execs
- Ultralight
- Pairs effectively with UL packs with out hipbelts
- Extremely water resistant
- Minimalist design
- Most adjustable
Cons
- Much less sturdy than some
- Restricted capability
Consolation
The Featherweight’s standout function is the spectacular adjustability of its normal strap, which ranges from 15” to 55”. This offers a flexible match, accommodating all kinds of physique sizes. The strap is straightforward to regulate and matches snugly in opposition to the physique with out driving up throughout hikes, making certain a safe match irrespective of what number of miles you cowl. The 1” strap is sensible for a 1.5L pack, with flared webbing anchors providing some help for lighter hundreds.
Although the pack excels in adjustability and accessibility, consolation isn’t its strongest swimsuit. Its minimalist design eliminates padding to avoid wasting weight, which may trigger the skinny strap to dig into your waist when carrying heavier hundreds on longer hikes. Whereas it’s not probably the most comfort-forward possibility for prolonged treks, it’s splendid for these on the lookout for a sensible technique to preserve necessities and snacks simply accessible on the path with out added bulk.
Sturdiness
Along with the EPLX model we examined, LiteAF additionally gives the Featherweight in Dyneema and Ultra200 materials, each identified for his or her light-weight and sturdy properties. EPLX stands out for its waterproof capabilities and resistance to UV degradation, making it a stable alternative for extended outside use.
The development of the pack is clear and well-finished, with no free threads or unfinished seams. LiteAF stands behind their merchandise, and gives a one-year guarantee in addition to in-house repairs.
Whereas the Featherweight excels in ultralight design, it’s not probably the most sturdy pack on our record. Throughout our abrasion take a look at, it was the one pack that confirmed damaged threads and suffered a pinhole. The material additionally retained some staining regardless of scrubbing with cleaning soap and water.
For these prioritizing weight over rugged sturdiness, the Featherweight offers an incredible answer, however for extra sturdiness in harsh situations, take into account the Ultra200 model.
Options
The Featherweight impresses with its totally taped seams and water resistant zipper, providing glorious weatherproofing. It saved contents dry throughout each a simulated rain take a look at and transient submersion, sustaining its integrity even after sustaining a pinhole.
One other standout function is the elective removable straps, permitting you to connect the pack to a bigger backpack whereas sustaining an adjustable match. This makes the Featherweight an incredible accent for packs that lack a standard hipbelt, offering a handy storage answer with out the added bulk.
Nonetheless, it’s essential to notice that the Featherweight isn’t universally suitable with all backpacks. In the event you plan to combine it into your setup, make sure to verify compatibility together with your particular pack or plan on utilizing the usual waist belt.
The Sliqclips, whereas useful, may be tough to open and shut, particularly in chilly climate. Moreover, each strap choices lack keepers to safe extra slack, which is usually a minor inconvenience throughout lengthy hikes.
Group
Designed to be an ultralight pack that cuts again on frills to avoid wasting weight, the Featherweight gives simply sufficient group to maintain necessities accessible. It includes a important compartment with twin zipper pulls, a stretch entrance pocket, and a slim inner divider to separate your ID, financial institution playing cards, telephone, and snacks. These sensible pockets make sure that your most essential objects keep safe and straightforward to succeed in whereas mountain climbing.
Given the pack’s minimalist design and compact dimension, the group choices are useful with out extra. Nonetheless, the inner pocket is open on the high and lacks stretch, so cumbersome or heavy objects can shift into the principle compartment. The dearth of construction additionally makes it more durable to open the pack with one hand and requires two arms to shut it securely.
Regardless of these small drawbacks, the Featherweight is well-suited for ultralight hikers who prioritize simplicity and weight financial savings on lengthy trails.
Ought to You Purchase the LiteAF Featherweight?
Backpackers looking for extra storage for packs missing a waist belt ought to take into account the Featherweight. With its unbelievable weight-to-capacity ratio, it’s laborious to discover a lighter fanny pack. The attachment model is a bit area of interest and differs from different pack-compatible bum baggage, so that you’ll want to substantiate it would work together with your equipment earlier than making a purchase order. Taped seams and waterproof supplies make the Featherweight a great keep it up wet hikes or trekking into unknown situations.
If you recognize you’re powerful on gear, take into account one in every of LiteAF’s Dyneema or Ultraweave fashions somewhat than the EPLX, as we discovered this to be much less sturdy than different materials on our record. Designed with path use in thoughts, the minimalist group and outdoorsy look might not be one of the best or most inexpensive alternative for patrons looking for an on a regular basis carry or a extra informal fanny pack.
What Different Fanny Packs Ought to You Think about?
Possibly you need one thing somewhat extra sturdy? Take a look at another light-weight choices under from our fanny pack gear information:
ThruPacks Summit Bum Evaluation: Backpackers looking for further storage that simply integrates with their setup ought to take into account the Summit Bum by ThruPacks. Its padded loop accommodates straps as much as 2” broad, becoming most backpack kinds. Regardless of offering a further liter of storage, it provides minimal weight and value, making it a sensible possibility for a lot of.
Excessive Tail Designs – The Ultralight Evaluation: For ultralight hikers preferring a set waist belt, the Ultralight from Excessive Tail Designs is a best choice. It provides 1L of storage with solely 2 ounces to your base weight. Dyneema building offers sturdiness and weatherproofing, whereas Excessive Tail’s distinctive prints supply a wide range of model choices.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear Versa Evaluation: The Versa by Hyperlite Mountain Gear gives a number of snug put on choices and options, together with padding, further storage, and a 2.5L capability. Weighing simply over 4oz, it stays light-weight, however its extra options include a better price ticket, making it a premium alternative for backpackers looking for versatility.
