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When Black Diamond announced the Beta Light 45 backpack earlier this year, I was intrigued by its unique appearance and impressive stats. Black Diamond kindly provided the Beta Light 45 backpack and the Beta Light Pack Sattelite Bag for my upcoming TGO Challenge, a two-week coast-to-coast crossing of Scotland.

The Beta Light 45 and Beta Light Pack Sattelite Bag feature a sleek, modern design with clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic. The Sattelite Bag, a modular 4L waist pack, perfectly complements the Beta Light 45, adding practicality and versatility. Black Diamond's Beta Light 45 and Beta Light 30 backpacks are their response to the "ultralight backpacking revolution." Known primarily for their running and climbing equipment, Black Diamond's foray into ultralight backpacks is a strong debut.

Specifications and Build

The medium variant of the Beta Light 45 that I tested weighs a commendable 894g. It features a running-vest-style suspension harness borrowed from Black Diamond's distance running series packs and vests. The bag is constructed from 'Ultra 200,' a specially woven and laminated polyester blend known for its high strength-to-weight ratio and excellent tear resistance. Originally designed as a high-end sailcloth, 'Ultra 200' ensures the bag is lightweight, exceptionally durable, and waterproof, thanks to its tape-sealed design and roll-top closure.

The pack has a removable hip belt with two ample pockets and a water bladder pocket. It's supported by a frame comprising two removable aluminium rods and a foam pad that sits close to your back, adding cushioning and support. This versatility allows you to tailor the pack to the task, whether a long-distance hike or a weekend camping trip.

The Beta Light Pack Sattelite Companion Bag

The Beta Light Pack Sattelite companion bag is versatile. While it can function as a standalone waist bag, its potential is realised with either Beta Light pack. The Sattelite Bag can be attached to the front of the pack, just above the large mesh opening, or threaded through the sternum straps to create a chest pod. Alternatively, it can be used with the waist straps as a bum bag. The Sattelite Bag also features two elasticated, silicon-lined loops for storing trekking poles.

During my TGO Challenge, I found the Sattelite bag incredibly useful. I used it as a chest pod and on the back, above the large mesh pocket. It provided convenient extra storage on the front, holding my battery pack, which I trickle-charged with a solar panel.

It was nice to unclip the Sattelite bag from the main bag and keep all my necessary items with me when we went to town, the pub or did some washing. I switched out the attachment clip the Sattelite bag comes with for simple carabiners, which I found more straightforward.

One setup I have yet to try is attaching the Sattelite pack to the removable hip belt, creating a fast, light bum bag with additional storage for quick summit bagging missions

The Beta Light 45 Backpack

The traditionally shaped Beta Light 45 has not tried to reinvent the wheel. It features two large water bottle holders that are cleverly angled for easy access, even when the pack is on. The upward-slanting pockets effectively secure the bottles, ensuring they're easy to grab yet stay in place.

The pack's front mesh pocket is vast, easily accommodating my wet weather gear, baby wipes, and the occasional bottle of whisky. However, the top band of the mesh pocket is made of solid, non-stretch material that works with the pack's upper compression strap. This setup keeps the pack compressed and streamlined but requires unbuckling the top compression strap whenever accessing the mesh pocket, which can be inconvenient.

Compression straps on each side of the pack are burly and can be cinched tight without fear of damaging the pack. Black Diamond was clearly unwilling to cut corners to reduce the pack's weight.

Two tensionable lashing straps at the rear of the pack are perfect for attaching a closed-cell foam pad or tent. I also used them to lash my tent to the bottom when it was damp, as I didn't want to store my wet tent in my dry, waterproof bag. This versatility is a welcome feature.

The vest-style harness has been designed with breathability in mind over padding and provides a comfortable fit. The upper shoulder straps are thin perforated foam, and the lower straps are primarily made from mesh. This design allows maximum airflow, keeping you cool and comfortable during strenuous hikes.

The left shoulder strap has a deep mesh pocket that can easily accommodate a solid or soft water bottle or phone. The right shoulder pocket is smaller and has a zip, for storing valuables or smaller phones. Though I would prefer two large mesh pockets, the zipped pocket was an excellent place to store my sunglasses. There is also a smaller mesh pocket on the right strap for storing discarded snack wrappers.

A daisy chain runs down each shoulder strap to attach the two movable sternum straps, one made of solid nylon and the other elasticated to eliminate bounce. The daisy chain has several adjustment points, which are worth tailoring correctly. Without the padding of a standard pack, the shoulder straps can be uncomfortable if the sternum straps are positioned incorrectly.

I'm a fan of roll-top closures on backpacks; the added security gives me confidence that my gear is safe. When the bag was full (we had a long food carry), the roll-top closure was perfect, but as I ate through the supplies, the roll-top became less neat and taut. I would have liked the addition of side buckles like on Gossamer Gear’s G4-20, but this is a personal preference.

Conclusion

The Beta Light 45 is a true workhorse. It's a rugged, durable bag that shields your gear from the harshest elements of the trail and the worst the weather can throw at you. Its sleek design and thoughtful features make it an ideal companion for fast and light missions, overnight trips, and climbing and mountaineering expeditions. The Sattelite companion bag is a valuable addition, particularly for photographers and filmmakers seeking additional storage and versatility.

The Beta Light 45 is great for overnight summit bagging trips and three—to four-day trips. However, if you have a heavier base weight, it may not be suitable for week-long backpacking trips, especially when carrying a lot of food. While breathable and comfortable for lighter loads, the minimalist padding and vest-style harness might need more support for extended periods. Despite these limitations, the Beta Light 45 remains an exceptional choice for shorter, lighter excursions and will see plenty of use in the future.

Andy Neil
Andy has been a keen long-distance hiker and wild camping enthusiast since he completed the Cleveland Way in 2015. Since then, he has walked thousands of trail miles all over the UK and is an active member of the Wild Camping UK community, being an admin of the largest wild camping community on Facebook. He strongly advocates for responsible wild camping and believes it is important to leave no trace when camping in the wilderness. He joined the UOG team in 2021 and works as a website developer and content creator. Read more from Andy Neil