For those interested in more detailed info re/ the Durston Kakwa 40, check out this great data-driven review by Ryan Jordan at Backpacking Light: ruclips.net/video/_ti00wJN2pA/видео.html
cool vid ! this may be the first vid I have seen of someone actually loading their Kakwa 40 pack with actual gear. Most all videos about the Kakwa are only about the features and specs. I have just purchased my Kakwa 40 med , and waiting it's arrival. I am moving out of a 50 liter and was needing to see this type of detailed video review . thanks, see ya on trail 😊
Hey, thanks for the comment. I hesitated to include the whole packing segment simply because it's probably boring to some folks, but as a backpacker it's important. And especially for those of us coming from a larger pack. I wavered between the 40 and 55 for awhile before buying, but I'm confident I made the right choice with the 40. I think you should have little problem coming down from a 50, especially since the size M has an internal volume of 41 liters. Add that to the 15 liters of the external pockets, and you're probably not going to notice a huge difference other than maybe just needing to adjust where you put a few things. Enjoy your new pack!
@@lovedogsontheloose So many gear revies are just choreographed copy cat marketing mumbo jumbo. As product consumers look for RUclips as a guide we want real life reviews not promotional marketing sales. Videos as yours provide common sense info and give a real life prospective of what and how gear is actually used. thanks, see ya on trail 😊
@@lovedogsontheloose I also really appreciated seeing you actually pack all of your gear because it helped me get a better sense of how my gear would fit as I switch packs. :)
Get a riggers belt with a d ring. Then use an elastic style leash one side clipped to the dogs harness/pack the other side clipped to the d ring. It’s the best version I’ve found for hiking with two large dogs. Additionally I love the dog tie put by rough wear combine that with a cable style metal cord that the dogs carry and it makes a great and safe in camp tie out solution. Trekking poles are a definite upgrade. They help me hike and give me something to create reach and space in case some one else’s or a wild animal takes too much interest in my dogs.
Hey! Thanks for the comment. I've got a RAM dog trainer's belt that's basically a rigger's belt with a D-ring that I used in combination with this pack this season, and I clipped the dogs' leashes to that. Not sure I will keep that as part of my kit in the future, but it worked. While I'm not personally a fan of most Ruffwear gear for my current dogs, the bundle of red climbing rope that I show in this video at 29:00 is actually the Ruffwear Knot-a-Hitch, modified for my use. Ditching my trekking poles after almost a decade was an upgrade for me personally. Much easier for me to hike without them, especially when the dogs are leashed to me. Depending on where I'm backpacking, I carry bear spray or dog spray for situations like you mention. In my experience, waving any kind of large stick(s) at wildlife and especially other dogs tends to make the situation unnecessarily worse. My own dogs are actually reactive to strangers' trekking poles and will go from friendly to reactive the second someone raises their poles too quickly around them. It's something I actively work to avoid when we're on more popular trails with a lot of people. Anyway, results may certainly vary. Every dog--and every hiker--is different! Again, thanks for watching and for the comment! I appreciate it!
Great video. That's a cool trick with the stickers on the Nalgene. Polartec Alpha material is really awesome. Love it with the Senchi Designs Wren. I like the multiple use with the crossband. The shower mod sounds cool. The pack looks nice. The pockets look handy.
Yeah, the first time I put that Nalgene in my pack and tried to pull it out, it slipped right out of my hands. The no-slip bathtub stickers help a lot. Senchi Designs does have some really great Alpha Wool stuff, and there are a couple of others companies out there making stuff out of that fabric, too. It's pretty fragile worn as an outer layer, but the warmth to weight ratio can't be beat. Pretty happy with the Kakwa 40 so far. Those pockets are tight (literally), but I'm going to try to stuff some more things in there, I think. Thanks so much for watching!
Great video! Dan probably didn’t do a curve for airflow because it reduces the integrity of the frame when approaching the max load capacity of the pack. This pack really is the best at weight vs load capacity, where else would you get a useful + bombproof 26-28 ounce pack that legit carries 45 pounds? Dan is a genius, can’t wait for more gear designs from him.
I agree. Just off trail after six days of using the X-Mid Pro 2 and the Kakwa 40 for the first time in a wilderness backpacking scenario. Both performed superbly. Yes, my back got a little sweatier than it did with the Z-Packs Arc Haul, but the Kakwa was so much more comfortable to wear.
Awesome! I'm excited to get mine out on the trail soon. Checked out your channel (and subbed) and saw that you did Wheeler not long ago. Was planning to do the East Fork Red River approach this week but saw at the last minute that the trail was closed due to downed trees. Planning to try again in a couple of weeks.
An updated review after using the durston kakwa compared to your experience with the arc haul would be awesome. I would love to know how they compare based on carry ability/overall carry comfort. I have a back injury and need the best weight transfer I can get.
The first few minutes of this video might be helpful to you (linked below). I can only speak to my own personal experience, but overall it's still the most comfortable pack I've worn as far as shifting weight to my hips and carrying weight properly. That said, everyone is different, and especially with a back injury... I don't know. If you could somehow get your hands on one before buying, that would be ideal, though I realize perhaps not possible. That's a tough one. ruclips.net/video/J34Kbg3AiAg/видео.html
I’ve been eyeing this pack and the Out Door Vitals Ultra CS400 I believe the name is, can’t really find a video or someone who can compare the two packs for a through hike. Great video enjoyed your insight.
Yeah, I actually just watched a video about the CS40 yesterday. It looks very similar to the Kakwa 40. Still pretty new, but it's surprising that somebody hasn't done a comparison yet. Just looking at specs, I think it may come down to personal preference with regard to the details. Biggest difference I notice is that the CS40 has Carbon Fiber stays vs the Kakwa 40's hollow aluminum stays for the frame. Kind of looks like the zippers on the hip belt pockets of the CS40 aren't waterproof (?) and they are on the Kakwa. I don't know. Would make a really interesting comparison, for sure.
@@lovedogsontheloose Thanks for the response and feedback and yes I agree with your assessment, they look very similar with a few different style or material deferences choices. Looking at PCT and really trying to dial in Pack, currently have the HMG. Let me know how your pack “Kakwa 40 is doing after some miles and hikes are under its belt. Again thanks for the info and response hope you have great day.
@@expatadventureturkey9324I'll link below a video I did after about 115 miles with it this past summer. The first few minutes touch on the Kakwa 40. I just re-watched it and I mention that I might be willing to go back to Zpacks Arc Haul, but thinking about it now... I probably wouldn't. Just a personal thing, but I had a heck of a time with the torso fit on the Zpacks. The Kakwa 40 actually fit quite comfortably in the torso and honestly is probably the most comfortable pack I've worn to date, despite the minor things I mention in the video linked below. I do feel like I'm still searching for "the perfect pack," but the Kakwa is closest to it so far, for me personally. Hope this helps a little. ruclips.net/video/J34Kbg3AiAg/видео.htmlfeature=shared
Hey, thanks for watching. I used the Sea to Summit Ultra-sil Nano poncho for that particular trip. However, I did not have a great experience with it due to wind blowing it all over the place. You can check out my gear followup video from this trip here, if you like: amzn.to/4dSWWPY
Hey, thanks for posting this. I'm also switching from an Arc Haul to a Kakwa, size small, and eventually to an Xmid pro 2 when I'm able to afford it. This offers good insight into the load capacity and carry. I also prefer carrying my tent externally on the bottom of the pack and will be adding cordage to the lash points like you have. From the specs and info on the Durston website I also gathered that you can fit a lot more in this pack than one might think, due to the design. Your detailed review and packing experiment helps confirm this. After the massive, near bottomless, Mary Poppins mesh pocket on the Arc Haul, I already gathered there will be some adjusting to the smaller mesh pocket on the Kakwa...I look forward to hearing whether or not the Durston mesh stretches and has more give after awhile. I think I"ll be adding some mesh side pockets to the Kakwa like the add-on ones for the Arc Haul since I really like having easy access to a bunch of things without opening my pack. Anyway, thank you for sharing this video. Happy hiking!
Not to say it's impossible, but you may run into difficulties when trying to add side upper mesh pockets due to the placement (and comparative lack) of attachment loops on the Kakwa 40. There are three attachment loops on the front of the pack and they basically border the mesh pocket. Without re-watching my video, I don't recall if I showed where they are. There's one at the top of the front mesh pocket, one in the middle, and one at the bottom on each side. However, there are only two attachment loops on the back and they don't line up with the ones on the front. There is one on the back side where the side cordage begins, but it is higher than the ones on the front. And then there's one at the very bottom on the back side. Hope this helps. I've added another mod to mine and plan to do a video about that. I'll do a better job of showing where the attachment loops are when I do that video. Will try to do it this afternoon.
Just re-watched that part of my video and I totally skimmed over exactly where the attachment loops are. Sorry about that. When I do my video this afternoon about my second mod, I'll make a point to show exactly where all of the loops are.
@@lovedogsontheloose Thanks for the new video pointing out the attachment loop placements in more detail. Great idea about ordering and adding the side compression buckles if you need more room inside the pack. I'll keep that in mind if I should need to do the same. It's helpful that you included the source that you ordered additional, compatible buckles from. I may end up adding some of my own attachment loops to make them hang symmetrically if I find that I need/want to add on the upper mesh pockets like on the Arc Haul. Thanks again! I'm glad I found your channel. We seem to have a similar sensibility generally with what we bring out on trail, or the volume of items anyway, and how we like carrying it.
Hi. Enjoyed the summary. Not sure I understood the switch from Z to Durston (other than a great design and getting hit in the back of the head with the cross bar) …. I suffer from buying too much gear, a common affliction if hikers I suspect😂
Hi! Thanks for watching, and no worries; I'm not sure I actually said in this video why I switched. I sold the Zpacks Arc Haul because it no longer fit me well and was not comfortable. My suspicion was that it suffered what they call "torso collapse," but I can't really say for sure. It just wasn't comfortable anymore, so I sold it.
The weight closer to yiur back should make the gear feel lighter..I found having it closer and more on the hip is better ergonomics for us girls especially ❤ A simple tie loop thru the “small” size tag easily holds my water bladder in place, it’s just an option if you really need a bladder.
Thanks for watching and for commenting! Yeah, there's a pretty standard guide for packing that's taught/recommended, and it's different for internal vs external framed packs, men vs women, generally based on where your center of gravity is in your body and the structural integrity of the specific pack used. Honestly, I think it's a very individualized thing. For me personally, especially given that I'm usually carrying quite a bit of extra water for my dogs, I strive for a balance between comfort, convenience, and necessity. All of that said, the Kakwa 40 carried the weight of my gear better than any other pack I've used. And especially for being a sub-2lb pack, it's pretty impressive. Good to know about the size tag and water bladder option for those who use water bladders with this pack! It's all about figuring out what works best and enables us to keep getting out there! Happy trails!
I couldn’t gear all the gear from my Zpacks Arc Haul into my Kakwa 40 so bought the Kakwa 55. I got the first gen so miss not having the bigger mesh pocket on the back.
I eye'd the Kakwa 55 (first gen at the time) for quite awhile, trying to decide between that and the 40. Only reason I went with the 40 is because I figured if everything didn't fit, I'd be inclined to leave something at home, which wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing in my case. 😂 I did think the front mesh pocket was a bit tight on the Kakwa 40.
@@lovedogsontheloose- i put my tent inside so that took up a lot more room. I like how you put yours on the outside if it can be secured enough to not come off without me noticing m.
@@rvator51 I ended up using an s-biner to hold it in place and that worked like a charm. Hopefully this link will start right where I show it: ruclips.net/video/J34Kbg3AiAg/видео.htmlfeature=shared&t=78
I'm guessing it weighed in at around 28 pounds with that 3 liters of water. I should be well under the 45 pound load capacity, even with my food bag and all of those Salted Nut Rolls. ;-)
@@SueSmith-cj8lw For sure. When I first started backpacking I used an Osprey that weighed in at 4+ pounds empty. Backpacking gear has come a long way since then. Of course, *everything* we used in the Army was heavy (but also extremely durable and made to carry very heavy loads), so I'm lovin' life being able to choose what gear I wear/carry now. :)
Good video cheers. I have the exact zpacks pack, so it's nice to see a comparison cheers! It does look to have more features though I'm not sure it's worth the extra weight? But I guess if it's more comfortable on your hips its well worth the weight. Anyway great video! 👍🙂
Yeah, definitely more comfortable for me and the weight I typically carry (for a sub 2lb pack), but the Z-packs worked well for me for a few years. I'll be curious to see how many years I can get out of the Kakwa 40. Thanks for watching!
I see you mentioned bringing your Durston tent poles. Can you clarify which Durston tent uses tent poles? It was my understanding that they all use trekking poles. I ask because I'm looking for a free standing tent and would love to get a Durston.
Hi! The Durston X-Mid tents are indeed all trekking pole tents; however for those who don’t use trekking poles there is a set of two adjustable poles that you can purchase and use where the trekking poles would go. Sorry for not being clearer about that in this video. I’ve got a couple of other videos that take a closer look at the poles as well as the X-Mid Pro 2 tent. Let me know if you have any questions about either one.
@@fastneataverage No problem! Z-packs and a few other companies also make a set of poles that replace the trekking poles in these trekking pole tents, but the Durston Z-flick poles are adjustable, making it much easier to pitch in uneven terrain. Here's a video I did about the Durston Z-flick poles, in case you're interested: ruclips.net/video/slZrlI4HKn0/видео.html. And another video where I show some detail of the poles here: ruclips.net/video/XvD806prGXk/видео.html . Hope it helps.
@lovedogsontheloose I'm a 5 foot 9 and a half male, 155 lbs but my Torso is between 17 and 17.5 inches so I ordered the Small size in the Kakwa 40...I also had the same problem with a diff pack 60L (size Medium) and the Frame hitting me in the back of head. Is your torso length similar to mine? Great video btw.
Nice video, it gave me a lot of ideas. While your packing is great from a use point of view, it seems unbalanced as far as ideal weight distribution. 3 litters so far back must feel like 5, close up. What is the name of the company where your bought that neat silicone crossband? How many days of food does that bag setup let you carry?
Thanks. Glad you got some ideas from it. Yeah, sometimes backpacking isn't ideal, particularly when you backpack with two large dogs. :) I sometimes carry 6-8 liters of water to ensure they have enough to drink on dry stretches of trail. You do what you gotta do if you love doing it enough. That said, the weight actually carried really well, which is one real asset of the Durston Kakwa pack. I was actually pretty impressed with how well it carried. And I much prefer having the ease of access to that water bag when I need it. When I'm out without the dogs, I don't need it. Re/ the food bag: it's the Large (16x19) from Hilltop Packs, and of course it depends on how much one eats (I eat quite a lot of snacks :), but I had 7 days of food in it on my last trip, plus a few extra things like tuna packets for the dogs, and I easily could have fit more in it. Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Just now realized I forgot to answer your first question about the silicone crossband. Sorry. They're made by Litesmith. www.litesmith.com/cross-bands/
Just found you channel and debating the same switch for the pct next year Ordered the 40 last year. Only problem I’m having is when the hip belt is pulled all the way tight I wish it was a little smaller. I’m only 5 feet Maybe if I add padding to the inside of hip belt I can get it tighter Any regrets on not getting the larger volume pack? I purchased mine right before he came out with a bigger size. Zpack worked good on the AT but training with heavier load hurts my shoulder
I think it depends on how much you’re packing. Personally, I don’t regret going with the 40 because it prevents me from taking too much. I’m a photographer, so I do have some extra gear that ends up barely fitting. My drone sits at the very top of my pack, and I’ve added the side closure hack that really enables me to do that. You can find a video about that side closure hack on my channel as well, if you haven’t already. I’m really happy with that hack. I’m not maxing out the weight capability of this pack, just the space capability. So it works. As for the belt issue you’re experiencing, I haven’t experienced it myself, so not sure I have any good advice about that. But it does seem like adding some padding might help.
Site location is pretty much everything, I think. That said, I just returned from a six day backpacking trip on The Colorado Trail and of the six days, I only had condensation one morning and it wasn't even enough to warrant wiping off with my shammy. That night I was camped down in the trees, right next to a river. The other nights were mostly above tree line, yet still next to a lake or a pond, a few nights of decent rain, and no condensation. That's also with three heavy-breathing beings inside (myself and two large dogs). The peak vents actually help quite a lot, and I think the vestibules are large enough to keep air flowing inside more than one might think. Honestly, I was impressed. Far less condensation than I experienced in the Zpacks DupleXL when I used it last season in similar conditions. Fwiw.
@@lovedogsontheloose Actually I was referring to the backpack and a sweaty back since there no ventilation construction you know from normal backpacks. Can you say something about this issue? But thanks anyway a lot for your answer! The Durston tent is also very interesting!
@@grueneauen Oh-sorry! This is what I get for responding to comments on my phone without looking closer. Sheesh. Yeah. That backpack gets sweaty. No way around it. I didn’t find myself really noticing until I removed it for breaks and such. The trade off is this, though, I think: the Durston is a solid pack that’s not going to suffer any torso collapse at all, even if repeatedly carrying awkward or heavier weight in it. For me, it was actually more comfortable than the Arc Haul- it keeps the weight on the hips really nicely. So yeah, I definitely miss the ventilation of the arc, but at this point the comfort and stability make it worth a little sweat for me personally.
@@lovedogsontheloose Thank you so much! Well, I was actually tempted to rather pick the Arc Zip Ultra since more room and the Zip feature (and the ventilation) instead of the Kakwa. But I am really glad to hear your thoughts about it. Someone else said the Arc makes wired noises too while hiking. So maybe that’s really not the best choice. 😬
@@grueneauen I honestly can't say anything bad about the Arc Haul-- and the Zip was the first ultralight pack I ever bought. It made grabbing specific items out of my pack so easy. That said, I ended up selling it because the torso collapsed and it became really uncomfortable. It served me well for a few years, though, and I loved the ventilation. I don't remember any noise, but I also had the very first iteration that I *think* has since been discontinued. Anyway, for the price and durability, I'm really happy with the Kakwa 40 and it will definitely be my primary pack for the next few years or however long it lasts. We shall see... Good luck making your decision. It's all such a personal thing. Do you have the ability to get your hands on either pack to try on before buying?
It’s the Sea to Summit Ultra-sil nylon poncho. After my most recent 111 miles on trail in the Colorado Rockies, though, I wouldn’t recommend it. It was an enormous pain in high wind, which was pretty much every time it rained. And during a hail storm while trying to set up my tent, it kept blowing up in my face. I suppose a person could fashion some kind of belt for it, but I’ve definitely shifted back to the jacket camp. I’m planning to do a video soon about what new gear purchases I made this season were good and what ones were not so good. That particular poncho falls into the latter category for me, unfortunately.
@@lovedogsontheloose much appreciated reply! Thank you for sharing your insights. Those are definitely something to consider. I'll be looking forward to the gear purchase video :)
@@fabianofearth5044 I've published a followup video about what gear worked on my CT finish and what gear didn't: ruclips.net/video/J34Kbg3AiAg/видео.html. Short story: I bought a Montbell Versatile rain jacket and love it. It's comfortable, lightweight (5.8oz for a size medium) with pit zips and a good hood with a sort-of partially structured bill. Hope that helps.
@@fabianofearth5044 My personal experience with the poncho was horrible. I laugh about it now, but it was just a huge pain in wind and rain. I had really high hopes, but it did not work out for me.
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For those interested in more detailed info re/ the Durston Kakwa 40, check out this great data-driven review by Ryan Jordan at Backpacking Light: ruclips.net/video/_ti00wJN2pA/видео.html
I watched this awhile back as well and found it to be infinitely insightful.
Considering the 60L arc haul's main compartment only offers 47L of storage, I can see how easy it was to get your gear into the Durston.
cool vid ! this may be the first vid I have seen of someone actually loading their Kakwa 40 pack with actual gear. Most all videos about the Kakwa are only about the features and specs. I have just purchased my Kakwa 40 med , and waiting it's arrival. I am moving out of a 50 liter and was needing to see this type of detailed video review . thanks, see ya on trail 😊
Hey, thanks for the comment. I hesitated to include the whole packing segment simply because it's probably boring to some folks, but as a backpacker it's important. And especially for those of us coming from a larger pack. I wavered between the 40 and 55 for awhile before buying, but I'm confident I made the right choice with the 40. I think you should have little problem coming down from a 50, especially since the size M has an internal volume of 41 liters. Add that to the 15 liters of the external pockets, and you're probably not going to notice a huge difference other than maybe just needing to adjust where you put a few things. Enjoy your new pack!
@@lovedogsontheloose So many gear revies are just choreographed copy cat marketing mumbo jumbo. As product consumers look for RUclips as a guide we want real life reviews not promotional marketing sales. Videos as yours provide common sense info and give a real life prospective of what and how gear is actually used. thanks, see ya on trail 😊
@@thomashall7315 Thank you so much for the feedback!
@@lovedogsontheloose I also really appreciated seeing you actually pack all of your gear because it helped me get a better sense of how my gear would fit as I switch packs. :)
Get a riggers belt with a d ring. Then use an elastic style leash one side clipped to the dogs harness/pack the other side clipped to the d ring. It’s the best version I’ve found for hiking with two large dogs. Additionally I love the dog tie put by rough wear combine that with a cable style metal cord that the dogs carry and it makes a great and safe in camp tie out solution. Trekking poles are a definite upgrade. They help me hike and give me something to create reach and space in case some one else’s or a wild animal takes too much interest in my dogs.
Hey! Thanks for the comment. I've got a RAM dog trainer's belt that's basically a rigger's belt with a D-ring that I used in combination with this pack this season, and I clipped the dogs' leashes to that. Not sure I will keep that as part of my kit in the future, but it worked. While I'm not personally a fan of most Ruffwear gear for my current dogs, the bundle of red climbing rope that I show in this video at 29:00 is actually the Ruffwear Knot-a-Hitch, modified for my use. Ditching my trekking poles after almost a decade was an upgrade for me personally. Much easier for me to hike without them, especially when the dogs are leashed to me. Depending on where I'm backpacking, I carry bear spray or dog spray for situations like you mention. In my experience, waving any kind of large stick(s) at wildlife and especially other dogs tends to make the situation unnecessarily worse. My own dogs are actually reactive to strangers' trekking poles and will go from friendly to reactive the second someone raises their poles too quickly around them. It's something I actively work to avoid when we're on more popular trails with a lot of people. Anyway, results may certainly vary. Every dog--and every hiker--is different! Again, thanks for watching and for the comment! I appreciate it!
Great video. That's a cool trick with the stickers on the Nalgene.
Polartec Alpha material is really awesome. Love it with the Senchi Designs Wren.
I like the multiple use with the crossband. The shower mod sounds cool.
The pack looks nice. The pockets look handy.
Yeah, the first time I put that Nalgene in my pack and tried to pull it out, it slipped right out of my hands. The no-slip bathtub stickers help a lot. Senchi Designs does have some really great Alpha Wool stuff, and there are a couple of others companies out there making stuff out of that fabric, too. It's pretty fragile worn as an outer layer, but the warmth to weight ratio can't be beat. Pretty happy with the Kakwa 40 so far. Those pockets are tight (literally), but I'm going to try to stuff some more things in there, I think. Thanks so much for watching!
Great video! Dan probably didn’t do a curve for airflow because it reduces the integrity of the frame when approaching the max load capacity of the pack. This pack really is the best at weight vs load capacity, where else would you get a useful + bombproof 26-28 ounce pack that legit carries 45 pounds? Dan is a genius, can’t wait for more gear designs from him.
I agree. Just off trail after six days of using the X-Mid Pro 2 and the Kakwa 40 for the first time in a wilderness backpacking scenario. Both performed superbly. Yes, my back got a little sweatier than it did with the Z-Packs Arc Haul, but the Kakwa was so much more comfortable to wear.
I LOVE mine! Have taken it out on a few trips so far and it has been great. It is just such a good looking pack too!❤
Awesome! I'm excited to get mine out on the trail soon. Checked out your channel (and subbed) and saw that you did Wheeler not long ago. Was planning to do the East Fork Red River approach this week but saw at the last minute that the trail was closed due to downed trees. Planning to try again in a couple of weeks.
An updated review after using the durston kakwa compared to your experience with the arc haul would be awesome. I would love to know how they compare based on carry ability/overall carry comfort. I have a back injury and need the best weight transfer I can get.
The first few minutes of this video might be helpful to you (linked below). I can only speak to my own personal experience, but overall it's still the most comfortable pack I've worn as far as shifting weight to my hips and carrying weight properly. That said, everyone is different, and especially with a back injury... I don't know. If you could somehow get your hands on one before buying, that would be ideal, though I realize perhaps not possible. That's a tough one.
ruclips.net/video/J34Kbg3AiAg/видео.html
I’ve been eyeing this pack and the Out Door Vitals Ultra CS400 I believe the name is, can’t really find a video or someone who can compare the two packs for a through hike. Great video enjoyed your insight.
Yeah, I actually just watched a video about the CS40 yesterday. It looks very similar to the Kakwa 40. Still pretty new, but it's surprising that somebody hasn't done a comparison yet. Just looking at specs, I think it may come down to personal preference with regard to the details. Biggest difference I notice is that the CS40 has Carbon Fiber stays vs the Kakwa 40's hollow aluminum stays for the frame. Kind of looks like the zippers on the hip belt pockets of the CS40 aren't waterproof (?) and they are on the Kakwa. I don't know. Would make a really interesting comparison, for sure.
@@lovedogsontheloose Thanks for the response and feedback and yes I agree with your assessment, they look very similar with a few different style or material deferences choices. Looking at PCT and really trying to dial in Pack, currently have the HMG. Let me know how your pack “Kakwa 40 is doing after some miles and hikes are under its belt. Again thanks for the info and response hope you have great day.
@@expatadventureturkey9324I'll link below a video I did after about 115 miles with it this past summer. The first few minutes touch on the Kakwa 40. I just re-watched it and I mention that I might be willing to go back to Zpacks Arc Haul, but thinking about it now... I probably wouldn't. Just a personal thing, but I had a heck of a time with the torso fit on the Zpacks. The Kakwa 40 actually fit quite comfortably in the torso and honestly is probably the most comfortable pack I've worn to date, despite the minor things I mention in the video linked below. I do feel like I'm still searching for "the perfect pack," but the Kakwa is closest to it so far, for me personally. Hope this helps a little.
ruclips.net/video/J34Kbg3AiAg/видео.htmlfeature=shared
Thanks for the subscribe, btw. I appreciate it.@@expatadventureturkey9324
Thanks for sharing. Which backpacking poncho are you using?
Hey, thanks for watching. I used the Sea to Summit Ultra-sil Nano poncho for that particular trip. However, I did not have a great experience with it due to wind blowing it all over the place. You can check out my gear followup video from this trip here, if you like: amzn.to/4dSWWPY
Hey, thanks for posting this. I'm also switching from an Arc Haul to a Kakwa, size small, and eventually to an Xmid pro 2 when I'm able to afford it. This offers good insight into the load capacity and carry. I also prefer carrying my tent externally on the bottom of the pack and will be adding cordage to the lash points like you have. From the specs and info on the Durston website I also gathered that you can fit a lot more in this pack than one might think, due to the design. Your detailed review and packing experiment helps confirm this. After the massive, near bottomless, Mary Poppins mesh pocket on the Arc Haul, I already gathered there will be some adjusting to the smaller mesh pocket on the Kakwa...I look forward to hearing whether or not the Durston mesh stretches and has more give after awhile. I think I"ll be adding some mesh side pockets to the Kakwa like the add-on ones for the Arc Haul since I really like having easy access to a bunch of things without opening my pack. Anyway, thank you for sharing this video. Happy hiking!
Not to say it's impossible, but you may run into difficulties when trying to add side upper mesh pockets due to the placement (and comparative lack) of attachment loops on the Kakwa 40. There are three attachment loops on the front of the pack and they basically border the mesh pocket. Without re-watching my video, I don't recall if I showed where they are. There's one at the top of the front mesh pocket, one in the middle, and one at the bottom on each side. However, there are only two attachment loops on the back and they don't line up with the ones on the front. There is one on the back side where the side cordage begins, but it is higher than the ones on the front. And then there's one at the very bottom on the back side. Hope this helps. I've added another mod to mine and plan to do a video about that. I'll do a better job of showing where the attachment loops are when I do that video. Will try to do it this afternoon.
Just re-watched that part of my video and I totally skimmed over exactly where the attachment loops are. Sorry about that. When I do my video this afternoon about my second mod, I'll make a point to show exactly where all of the loops are.
@@lovedogsontheloose Thanks for the new video pointing out the attachment loop placements in more detail. Great idea about ordering and adding the side compression buckles if you need more room inside the pack. I'll keep that in mind if I should need to do the same. It's helpful that you included the source that you ordered additional, compatible buckles from. I may end up adding some of my own attachment loops to make them hang symmetrically if I find that I need/want to add on the upper mesh pockets like on the Arc Haul. Thanks again! I'm glad I found your channel. We seem to have a similar sensibility generally with what we bring out on trail, or the volume of items anyway, and how we like carrying it.
@@nicolereneepeters5682 Thanks so much for the feedback, Nicole, and for watching! Much appreciated!
Really helpful to see the pack on you, especially how the shoulder straps fit on a woman. Thanks
You're quite welcome. I'm glad it was helpful!
Hi. Enjoyed the summary. Not sure I understood the switch from Z to Durston (other than a great design and getting hit in the back of the head with the cross bar) …. I suffer from buying too much gear, a common affliction if hikers I suspect😂
Hi! Thanks for watching, and no worries; I'm not sure I actually said in this video why I switched. I sold the Zpacks Arc Haul because it no longer fit me well and was not comfortable. My suspicion was that it suffered what they call "torso collapse," but I can't really say for sure. It just wasn't comfortable anymore, so I sold it.
Very helpful and inspirational. Thank you from Germany. (I envy your Durston 2p pro, haha! Will try to get one in october with the next release.)
Thank you for watching! So glad it was helpful!
The weight closer to yiur back should make the gear feel lighter..I found having it closer and more on the hip is better ergonomics for us girls especially ❤ A simple tie loop thru the “small” size tag easily holds my water bladder in place, it’s just an option if you really need a bladder.
Thanks for watching and for commenting!
Yeah, there's a pretty standard guide for packing that's taught/recommended, and it's different for internal vs external framed packs, men vs women, generally based on where your center of gravity is in your body and the structural integrity of the specific pack used. Honestly, I think it's a very individualized thing. For me personally, especially given that I'm usually carrying quite a bit of extra water for my dogs, I strive for a balance between comfort, convenience, and necessity. All of that said, the Kakwa 40 carried the weight of my gear better than any other pack I've used. And especially for being a sub-2lb pack, it's pretty impressive.
Good to know about the size tag and water bladder option for those who use water bladders with this pack!
It's all about figuring out what works best and enables us to keep getting out there! Happy trails!
I couldn’t gear all the gear from my Zpacks Arc Haul into my Kakwa 40 so bought the Kakwa 55. I got the first gen so miss not having the bigger mesh pocket on the back.
I eye'd the Kakwa 55 (first gen at the time) for quite awhile, trying to decide between that and the 40. Only reason I went with the 40 is because I figured if everything didn't fit, I'd be inclined to leave something at home, which wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing in my case. 😂 I did think the front mesh pocket was a bit tight on the Kakwa 40.
@@lovedogsontheloose- i put my tent inside so that took up a lot more room. I like how you put yours on the outside if it can be secured enough to not come off without me noticing m.
@@rvator51 I ended up using an s-biner to hold it in place and that worked like a charm. Hopefully this link will start right where I show it: ruclips.net/video/J34Kbg3AiAg/видео.htmlfeature=shared&t=78
Looked pretty light actully when you swung it on your back. Does anyone bring GORP anymore on packing trips? Love that stuff. Great vid.
I'm guessing it weighed in at around 28 pounds with that 3 liters of water. I should be well under the 45 pound load capacity, even with my food bag and all of those Salted Nut Rolls. ;-)
@@lovedogsontheloose that's good. The material of the pack is thin but strong, a lot better than those huge packs with heavy external frame.
@@SueSmith-cj8lw For sure. When I first started backpacking I used an Osprey that weighed in at 4+ pounds empty. Backpacking gear has come a long way since then. Of course, *everything* we used in the Army was heavy (but also extremely durable and made to carry very heavy loads), so I'm lovin' life being able to choose what gear I wear/carry now. :)
Forgot to answer your question about GORP: yes! People still bring it! Lots of creative versions of it these days!
@@lovedogsontheloose thanks, I could live off three handfuls of the original recipe a day 😆
Good video cheers. I have the exact zpacks pack, so it's nice to see a comparison cheers! It does look to have more features though I'm not sure it's worth the extra weight? But I guess if it's more comfortable on your hips its well worth the weight.
Anyway great video! 👍🙂
Yeah, definitely more comfortable for me and the weight I typically carry (for a sub 2lb pack), but the Z-packs worked well for me for a few years. I'll be curious to see how many years I can get out of the Kakwa 40. Thanks for watching!
I love my Kakwa 55!!
I see you mentioned bringing your Durston tent poles. Can you clarify which Durston tent uses tent poles? It was my understanding that they all use trekking poles. I ask because I'm looking for a free standing tent and would love to get a Durston.
Hi! The Durston X-Mid tents are indeed all trekking pole tents; however for those who don’t use trekking poles there is a set of two adjustable poles that you can purchase and use where the trekking poles would go. Sorry for not being clearer about that in this video. I’ve got a couple of other videos that take a closer look at the poles as well as the X-Mid Pro 2 tent. Let me know if you have any questions about either one.
@@lovedogsontheloose that is great news, I’ll
look into those poles, thank you so much!
@@fastneataverage No problem! Z-packs and a few other companies also make a set of poles that replace the trekking poles in these trekking pole tents, but the Durston Z-flick poles are adjustable, making it much easier to pitch in uneven terrain. Here's a video I did about the Durston Z-flick poles, in case you're interested: ruclips.net/video/slZrlI4HKn0/видео.html. And another video where I show some detail of the poles here: ruclips.net/video/XvD806prGXk/видео.html . Hope it helps.
@@lovedogsontheloose super helpful. Thank you so much!
@lovedogsontheloose I'm a 5 foot 9 and a half male, 155 lbs but my Torso is between 17 and 17.5 inches so I ordered the Small size in the Kakwa 40...I also had the same problem with a diff pack 60L (size Medium) and the Frame hitting me in the back of head. Is your torso length similar to mine? Great video btw.
I’m a 17.5” torso and got the small. It’s working really well for me so far.
I might give up on my hiking poles too I have 4 huskies strapped to me at times oof
Oof! I can barely do it with two dogs leashed to my waist! Mad props to you!
Nice video, it gave me a lot of ideas. While your packing is great from a use point of view, it seems unbalanced as far as ideal weight distribution. 3 litters so far back must feel like 5, close up. What is the name of the company where your bought that neat silicone crossband?
How many days of food does that bag setup let you carry?
Thanks. Glad you got some ideas from it. Yeah, sometimes backpacking isn't ideal, particularly when you backpack with two large dogs. :) I sometimes carry 6-8 liters of water to ensure they have enough to drink on dry stretches of trail. You do what you gotta do if you love doing it enough. That said, the weight actually carried really well, which is one real asset of the Durston Kakwa pack. I was actually pretty impressed with how well it carried. And I much prefer having the ease of access to that water bag when I need it. When I'm out without the dogs, I don't need it.
Re/ the food bag: it's the Large (16x19) from Hilltop Packs, and of course it depends on how much one eats (I eat quite a lot of snacks :), but I had 7 days of food in it on my last trip, plus a few extra things like tuna packets for the dogs, and I easily could have fit more in it. Hope that helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Just now realized I forgot to answer your first question about the silicone crossband. Sorry. They're made by Litesmith. www.litesmith.com/cross-bands/
Just found you channel and debating the same switch for the pct next year Ordered the 40 last year. Only problem I’m having is when the hip belt is pulled all the way tight I wish it was a little smaller. I’m only 5 feet Maybe if I add padding to the inside of hip belt I can get it tighter Any regrets on not getting the larger volume pack? I purchased mine right before he came out with a bigger size. Zpack worked good on the AT but training with heavier load hurts my shoulder
I think it depends on how much you’re packing. Personally, I don’t regret going with the 40 because it prevents me from taking too much. I’m a photographer, so I do have some extra gear that ends up barely fitting. My drone sits at the very top of my pack, and I’ve added the side closure hack that really enables me to do that. You can find a video about that side closure hack on my channel as well, if you haven’t already. I’m really happy with that hack. I’m not maxing out the weight capability of this pack, just the space capability. So it works.
As for the belt issue you’re experiencing, I haven’t experienced it myself, so not sure I have any good advice about that. But it does seem like adding some padding might help.
I might also recommend reaching out to Dan Durston. He has been extremely responsive.
I think it's fairly priced for the quality
Agreed. One of the best packs on the market right now and priced under the competition.
I am a little bit concerned when it comes to ventilation too with the Durston. How is your experience a little later after publishing this clip?
Site location is pretty much everything, I think. That said, I just returned from a six day backpacking trip on The Colorado Trail and of the six days, I only had condensation one morning and it wasn't even enough to warrant wiping off with my shammy. That night I was camped down in the trees, right next to a river. The other nights were mostly above tree line, yet still next to a lake or a pond, a few nights of decent rain, and no condensation. That's also with three heavy-breathing beings inside (myself and two large dogs). The peak vents actually help quite a lot, and I think the vestibules are large enough to keep air flowing inside more than one might think. Honestly, I was impressed. Far less condensation than I experienced in the Zpacks DupleXL when I used it last season in similar conditions. Fwiw.
@@lovedogsontheloose Actually I was referring to the backpack and a sweaty back since there no ventilation construction you know from normal backpacks. Can you say something about this issue? But thanks anyway a lot for your answer! The Durston tent is also very interesting!
@@grueneauen Oh-sorry! This is what I get for responding to comments on my phone without looking closer. Sheesh. Yeah. That backpack gets sweaty. No way around it. I didn’t find myself really noticing until I removed it for breaks and such. The trade off is this, though, I think: the Durston is a solid pack that’s not going to suffer any torso collapse at all, even if repeatedly carrying awkward or heavier weight in it. For me, it was actually more comfortable than the Arc Haul- it keeps the weight on the hips really nicely. So yeah, I definitely miss the ventilation of the arc, but at this point the comfort and stability make it worth a little sweat for me personally.
@@lovedogsontheloose Thank you so much! Well, I was actually tempted to rather pick the Arc Zip Ultra since more room and the Zip feature (and the ventilation) instead of the Kakwa. But I am really glad to hear your thoughts about it. Someone else said the Arc makes wired noises too while hiking. So maybe that’s really not the best choice. 😬
@@grueneauen I honestly can't say anything bad about the Arc Haul-- and the Zip was the first ultralight pack I ever bought. It made grabbing specific items out of my pack so easy. That said, I ended up selling it because the torso collapsed and it became really uncomfortable. It served me well for a few years, though, and I loved the ventilation. I don't remember any noise, but I also had the very first iteration that I *think* has since been discontinued. Anyway, for the price and durability, I'm really happy with the Kakwa 40 and it will definitely be my primary pack for the next few years or however long it lasts. We shall see... Good luck making your decision. It's all such a personal thing. Do you have the ability to get your hands on either pack to try on before buying?
might I ask, what poncho are you using?
It’s the Sea to Summit Ultra-sil nylon poncho. After my most recent 111 miles on trail in the Colorado Rockies, though, I wouldn’t recommend it. It was an enormous pain in high wind, which was pretty much every time it rained. And during a hail storm while trying to set up my tent, it kept blowing up in my face. I suppose a person could fashion some kind of belt for it, but I’ve definitely shifted back to the jacket camp.
I’m planning to do a video soon about what new gear purchases I made this season were good and what ones were not so good. That particular poncho falls into the latter category for me, unfortunately.
@@lovedogsontheloose much appreciated reply! Thank you for sharing your insights. Those are definitely something to consider. I'll be looking forward to the gear purchase video :)
one month later, has your opinion changed? if not, what jacket do you wear or recommend? @@lovedogsontheloose
@@fabianofearth5044 I've published a followup video about what gear worked on my CT finish and what gear didn't: ruclips.net/video/J34Kbg3AiAg/видео.html.
Short story: I bought a Montbell Versatile rain jacket and love it. It's comfortable, lightweight (5.8oz for a size medium) with pit zips and a good hood with a sort-of partially structured bill. Hope that helps.
@@fabianofearth5044 My personal experience with the poncho was horrible. I laugh about it now, but it was just a huge pain in wind and rain. I had really high hopes, but it did not work out for me.