r/Ultralight

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The original was posted on /r/Ultralight by /u/atribecalledjake on 2023-08-01 06:04:14.

Don't have many, but pics:

Having now put a reasonable number of nights on this pack, I thought I'd review it. Nobody else has done a proper review of the Hybrid on here, so I feel like its a worthwhile exercise.

I purchased the M/L 45L version of this pack in February and have used it for a total of 25 nights. Not a great deal of time compared to a thru hiker or whatever, but long enough to know whether or not I like it. u/Nunatak16 was very helpful with my questions leading up to the purchase regarding sizing and whether it was an appropriate pack for my use case. The 45L has an internal capacity of around 38L once a can has been installed and is constructed of Ultragrid, Gridstop, Robic and the bottom area of the pack is Ultra TX. It weighs 1070 grams. I also ordered a hip belt pocket, a bottle pocket and at a later time I ordered two shoulder pockets. All add-ons are expertly constructed, as is the pack. The shoulder pockets are some of the best I've used. No stretchy fabrics and they just open and close, one handed, two handed, you name it.

I purchased the pack with the intention of spending a lot of time in the Sierra this year, and then the rain and snow came, so the usage in the Sierra has been limited to 6 nights/7 days, but I have some more trips booked for next month. The rest of the time it has been in Joshua Tree NP and the Angeles and San Bernardino National Forests.

I chose the Hybrid because I wanted a pack that could be used for heavier loads with or without a bear can, that would last for a long time (no laminated fabrics here) while being lighter than a traditional pack. In the winter it can comfortably carry warmer, bulkier clothes, in the peak summer where water is sparse it can haul water, and of course, it can carry a large bear can. My hiking and backpacking partner has type 1 diabetes, so her food and/or insulin being messed around with is an absolute non-negotiable, so even down here in the ANF and SBNF, I carry the can and we share it. No messing about with Ursacks or tree hangs.

Prior to the Hybrid being available, I had ordered a stock pack but cancelled my order within a few minutes - I am very indecisive. The pack's designer asked me why I cancelled and I told them that I purchased a Bears Ears. The designer was very skeptical of carrying a bear can on the hip belt and that low down, but not me. I am totally sold on carrying a can on one's hip belt. The design of the harness, combined with the floating hipbelt means I completely forget that it's there, my center of gravity still feels very natural and its just as comfy as carrying the pack without the bear can.

The weight transfer of the pack is very good. This was my first framed, hip belted, load lifting pack, so I did have to ask Jan for some advice on optimising the fit. Initially I was pretty underwhelmed by the comfort level, but after receiving his response and taking his advice... man.... this pack fits like a dream. The shoulder straps are thick and cushy, the hip belt too, and the stays and 1/8" inch foam pad in the back of pack stop you from feeling the contents of the pack entirely.

I think I have two favorite things about this pack: the front pocket is HUGE. I only really put my quilt, clothing, sleeping pad and pillow inside of the pack. I put almost everything else on the outside in the large mesh pocket. I do still have to take the pack off to gain access to the contents of the outside pocket but that's no big deal.

My second favourite thing is how much you don't have to baby this pack. Once the can is out, the bottom of the pack and the hip belt are susceptible to abrasion and damage and getting knocked about but you wouldn't know it from looking at my pack. It still looks borderline new and to be honest, I treat it like shit.

Oh - the bottle holster. I initially did not like this at all, in fact I hated it. Until I moved it further around the hip belt and closer to my back. It was much better then and its now one of my favourite things about the pack. I've used it with a 1L Smartwater bottle with a sports cap and also with a Platypus Quickdraw attached to the bottle - no issues at all - it doesn't get in the way and I do not accidentally strike it with my elbow.

But it can't all be sunshine and rainbows, right? Well, no. Honestly, I should've just bought a framed Bears Ears. I don't envisage myself using the pack without a bear can very frequently, if ever, and if I'm not carrying a bear can, I can probably just use my Cutaway. With that said, its nice to still have the flexibility of not carrying a can and having a 45L pack. One thing to note is that the can carrying harness is the same on both packs, but the framed Bears Ears has a dedicated curve for the bear can, whereas the Hybrid has some fabric that needs to be folded into the pack. It seems incredibly resilient but this is a potential failure point that does not exist on a standard framed Bears Ears - emphasis on the potential - because it seems as though it'll be totally fine.