I also recently bought a CS 40 and loaded it up with 35 lbs because I wanted to see how it would carry. I’ve probably day hiked 20 or 30 miles on local trails carrying it at that weight for training and I have found it to carry really really well. I’m actually really looking forward to carrying it when backpacking when it will be lighter. I had the same size problem with the hip belt-following their instructions mine fit but just barely. Thanks for the great video!
The load lifter and frame design is excellent on this pack… it carries weight as advertised.. good to hear your experience with the max load proved that!
Awesome review/walk through of the CS40. I was intrigued when I first saw it but it didn't make sense to me to have a frame on a pack of that size. With my frameless 40L even with a 5 day food load out I am usually under 30LBS and don't generally need a frame. If they came out with a 60L+ twin I'd be more intrigued especially for heavy winter trips. I am glad they used Ultra as it's one of my favorite materials, but why not just go the extra step and seam seal it as a company? Have you considered seam sealing it yourself? I've did that with my one ecopak 40L, it's not too hard to do. I know you enjoy trail running and have the Kumo from Gossamer Gear, but OV's Skyline running pack is really nice, I have that and love it. I already told you about my experience with the Shadowlight pack and how it let me down which was a shame because it carried so well. I think you got one of the later releases which by then they fixed that problem. OV did honor their warranty and gave me store credit for the failed pack which I used to get the Skyline. I'd love to see what you got packed away, it's quite impressive to fit the Bear Canister and other gear into the 40L. Another awesome video!
Great post and information.. thanks! I have a lot of experience as a kayak instructor with dry gear and “water proof” gear. Seam sealing wouldnt last very long on a pack so I am just as happy to use a simple pack liner. Long run it will be more reliable. I like the GG fast pack but the Skyline is also well designed but more expensive so i was happy with the price point vs actually use time of the GG fastpack.. if I was using it a lot more.. the skyline would be in my sites. I will eventually do an updated load out for 2024 once I have some stuff dialed
@@juanbackpacks You do so many awesome things! And right on with the pack liner, it's probably the better idea anyway. I didn't realize the seam treatments wore off. I used a liquid treatment, like two years ago, it's probably gone, I'll have to remember to always use a pack liner just in case. Sure wouldn't be fun to have a wet quilt on trail!
I had the same experience re. bear canister. It just doesn't work any way I could conjure up, and definitely not tied on the top. I used a different pack (shadow lite, I think) even though I like this one better for other uses. Weight was not an issue. I also thought the hip belt pockets are a little too far back and awkward to access for me.
Good points. Given the weight of bear cans its really not a good weight distribution strategy to put them on top. The shadow light is a great pack. I really like mine.
I love my G420 and will keep it. I’m a huge fan of the shelter pocket. There’s a lot to unpack with your question. I’m going to file this away so I can make a video about it.
@juanbackpacks I've also been eyeballing the Mariposa. I'm interested in how the new one is better and if the double side pocket can fit a one liter with a filter on top without effecting the top pocket. One more thing what do you think of black diamonds new pack the beta? I have the g420 and need something bigger for the jmt...
I wish I could give you an answer regarding the new Mariposa but I don’t really know for sure. It depends on the distance between the pockets. GG has always been good about answering my questions in the past using the form on their website.. I would recommend that. I saw a few videos on the BD backpack…. I don’t have any experience but it is a quality company so I can’t imaging it’s not a decent pack.
Thanks Juan! Great video- I’m definitely considering this pack in the future
I also recently bought a CS 40 and loaded it up with 35 lbs because I wanted to see how it would carry. I’ve probably day hiked 20 or 30 miles on local trails carrying it at that weight for training and I have found it to carry really really well. I’m actually really looking forward to carrying it when backpacking when it will be lighter. I had the same size problem with the hip belt-following their instructions mine fit but just barely. Thanks for the great video!
The load lifter and frame design is excellent on this pack… it carries weight as advertised.. good to hear your experience with the max load proved that!
Looks solid. Looking forward to your impressions.
Probably after I do my big summer trip, I’ll do an actually review video.
Awesome review/walk through of the CS40. I was intrigued when I first saw it but it didn't make sense to me to have a frame on a pack of that size. With my frameless 40L even with a 5 day food load out I am usually under 30LBS and don't generally need a frame. If they came out with a 60L+ twin I'd be more intrigued especially for heavy winter trips.
I am glad they used Ultra as it's one of my favorite materials, but why not just go the extra step and seam seal it as a company? Have you considered seam sealing it yourself? I've did that with my one ecopak 40L, it's not too hard to do.
I know you enjoy trail running and have the Kumo from Gossamer Gear, but OV's Skyline running pack is really nice, I have that and love it.
I already told you about my experience with the Shadowlight pack and how it let me down which was a shame because it carried so well. I think you got one of the later releases which by then they fixed that problem. OV did honor their warranty and gave me store credit for the failed pack which I used to get the Skyline.
I'd love to see what you got packed away, it's quite impressive to fit the Bear Canister and other gear into the 40L.
Another awesome video!
Great post and information.. thanks! I have a lot of experience as a kayak instructor with dry gear and “water proof” gear. Seam sealing wouldnt last very long on a pack so I am just as happy to use a simple pack liner. Long run it will be more reliable. I like the GG fast pack but the Skyline is also well designed but more expensive so i was happy with the price point vs actually use time of the GG fastpack.. if I was using it a lot more.. the skyline would be in my sites.
I will eventually do an updated load out for 2024 once I have some stuff dialed
@@juanbackpacks You do so many awesome things! And right on with the pack liner, it's probably the better idea anyway. I didn't realize the seam treatments wore off. I used a liquid treatment, like two years ago, it's probably gone, I'll have to remember to always use a pack liner just in case. Sure wouldn't be fun to have a wet quilt on trail!
I had the same experience re. bear canister. It just doesn't work any way I could conjure up, and definitely not tied on the top. I used a different pack (shadow lite, I think) even though I like this one better for other uses. Weight was not an issue. I also thought the hip belt pockets are a little too far back and awkward to access for me.
Good points. Given the weight of bear cans its really not a good weight distribution strategy to put them on top. The shadow light is a great pack. I really like mine.
How do you compare it to the g420?
I love my G420 and will keep it. I’m a huge fan of the shelter pocket. There’s a lot to unpack with your question. I’m going to file this away so I can make a video about it.
@juanbackpacks yes, the one fits so nice in it and I love how you I can put my half foam mattress where the sit pad used to go...
@juanbackpacks I've also been eyeballing the Mariposa. I'm interested in how the new one is better and if the double side pocket can fit a one liter with a filter on top without effecting the top pocket. One more thing what do you think of black diamonds new pack the beta? I have the g420 and need something bigger for the jmt...
I wish I could give you an answer regarding the new Mariposa but I don’t really know for sure. It depends on the distance between the pockets. GG has always been good about answering my questions in the past using the form on their website.. I would recommend that. I saw a few videos on the BD backpack…. I don’t have any experience but it is a quality company so I can’t imaging it’s not a decent pack.
I'm sure 55L is coming soon
I would love to see a 60L.. :)