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We're working out what we think - we'll add our view here!
Durston says:
The Kakwa 55 is our premium ultralight, multi-day pack designed from the first principles of load carrying and ergonomics to provide the greatest function, comfort and usability for an ultralight pack. Developed from Dan Durston’s attention to detail and thousands of miles of backpacking experience, the Kakwa 55 has class leading quality, load carrying, materials, and pocket design while weighing under 2 lbs (900 g).
LOAD CARRYING
The Kakwa 55 brings genuine load carrying capability into the sub 2 lbs weight class. Other packs this light generally sacrifice load carrying by omitting load lifters, using frame stays that lack horizontal structure, and relying on less ergonomic shoulder strap and hipbelt shapes. The Kakwa 55 improves this tradeoff through more efficient design and advanced materials including UHMWPE fabric and hollow aluminum tubing to provide better load carrying in an ultralight pack. The hollow aluminum tubing is a more efficient use of structural weight than the solid metal bars found in competing packs and allows us to create a rigid frame with both vertical and horizontal structure at a similar weight to competing packs with only vertical frame structure. Our frame connects directly to the hipbelt for maximum load transfer and directly to the load lifters, which are rare on packs this light yet highly functional for shifting more of the weight off your shoulders and onto the hips. A capable structure is nothing without an ergonomic connection to your body, which is why the shoulder straps have a carefully developed S shape to contour around your upper body, while the hipbelt uses a dual strap design which cups your hips and has reverse pull 2:1 leverage for easy tightening. The result is a pack that comfortably and effectively manages loads up to 45 lbs.
EFFICIENT ACCESS
Efficient access to gear is a key element of effective pack design, as it allows you to spend more time covering miles instead of digging through your pack. What is needed is not a high quantity of pockets but rather a pocket layout that has been carefully considered to provide a diverse range of storage options while remaining simple enough to be easily organized. For this, the Kakwa 55 has four types of pockets to optimize on-the-go access to your gear. First are the hipbelt pockets, which are designed to reliably operate one handed and easily accommodate small-medium sized items such as snacks, sunscreen, phones, and headlamps. That storage is augmented by dual shoulder strap pockets which provide an ideal place for your phone for quick photos and navigation. These pockets also work well for small water bottles, sunglasses, and bear spray. Additionally there is the innovative QuickPocket which consists of an easily reached zippered compartment in the sidewall of the left side pocket. This allows you to quickly access even larger items than normally possible, such as hats, mitts, and maps. Finally, a large mesh style front pocket quickly swallows the largest items like jackets, tents, and cook kits - still without opening your pack. Collectively, the Kakwa’s pockets are carefully considered so you can hike with maximum efficiency.
DURABILITY & QUALITY
In our backyard in the Canadian Rockies we often spend more time off trail than on, so durability in materials and construction is a top priority. With the Kakwa 55 we are using Ultra 200X and UltraGrid fabrics from Challenge Outdoor, where the face fabric is partly (UltraGrid) or dominantly (Ultra 200X) woven UHMWPE fibers, which are several times stronger and more abrasion resistant than traditional nylon pack fabrics. The Ultra 200X material is laminated with an eco-friendly adhesive to a film to create a waterproof fabric, while UltraGrid uses a PU coating for waterproofing. Simply using a tough main fabric is not enough if the pack has vulnerable aspects in the stitching, mesh materials, or construction. That's why the Kakwa 55 avoids common weakpoints including low durability stretch mesh, single stitching, and exposed pocket elastics. Instead, the Kakwa is double stitched with heavyweight thread and uses stronger folded seams. The Kakwa also protects the pocket elastics inside the seams while the front pocket uses a much tougher low stretch knit mesh and instead creates generous volume through shaping/pleats.
The Kakwa 55 advances what is possible with a sub 2-lbs ultralight pack, including class leading load carrying comfort, durability and efficiency. It's the ideal high capacity pack for multiday hikes from the Te Araroa to Tahoe Rim Trail.
Our Verdict
We're working out what we think about Durston's Kakwa 55 Rucksack, we'll add our comments here in due course.
- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear
Features
- Hollow Aluminum Frame: The inverted U frame provides both vertical and horizontal structure while the hollow aluminum tubing makes it lighter than flat frame stays.
- Load Lifters: Load lifters are often omitted on lightweight packs but are a key component of the Kakwa's exceptional load carrying ability.
- Ergonomic Shoulder Straps: The shoulder straps use an ergonomic S shape that fits almost everyone better than straight straps.
- Dual Strap + Reverse Pull Hipbelt: The dual strap hipbelt cups your hips while the 2:1 leverage and reverse pull make it easy to tighten.
- Y Top Strap: Y shaped top strap allows items like bear canisters and tents to be strapped on top.
- Attachments: Eight attachment points around the pack make it easy to attach a wide range of items.
- Hipbelt Pockets: Dual hipbelt pockets are standard and have a refined design that operates easily with one hand.
- Shoulder Strap Pockets: Shoulder straps pockets are standard and provide handy storage for phones, bear spray, sunglasses, and small water bottles.
- QuickPocket: Unique QuickPocket on the left side provides on-the-go access to larger items than previously possible, such as hats, mitts, and maps.
- Hydration Compatible: A hydration port enables compatibility with bladders.
- Durable Mesh: The front pocket uses a durable knit mesh that creates volume with pleats (folds) instead of using a less durable stretch mesh.
- Top Quality: Pack is assembled with the highest quality including double stitching and advanced shaping.
Specifications
Weights:
- Weight of Ultra 200X with M Torso and M/L hip belt: 904g
- Weight of UltraGrid with L Torso and M/L hip belt: 931g
Torso length:
- Small: 15 - 18 " (38 - 46 cm)
- Medium: 17 - 20 " (43 - 51 cm)
- Large: 19 - 22 " (48 - 56 cm)
Hipbelt (Min - Max Circumference):
- S/M: 28" - 45" (71 - 115 cm)
- M/L: 32" - 49" (81 - 125 cm)
Hipbelt (Recommended Hip Size):
- S/M: 29" - 38" (76 - 96 cm)
- M/L: 33" - 42" (86 - 106 cm)
Dimensions/Volume:
- Circumference (Top / Bottom) 42" (107 cm) / 35" (89 cm)
- Unrolled Height (S / M / L) 34" / 36" / 38" (85 / 90 / 95 cm)
- Internal Volume (S / M / L) 53L / 55L / 57L
- External Volume (S / M / L) 15L -
- Total Volume (S / M/ L) 68L / 70L / 72L
Material & Construction
The Kakwa is available in two fabrics: Ultra 200X and UltraGrid.
- Ultra 200X is dominantly woven UHMWPE fibers which are several times stronger and more abrasion resistant than traditional nylon pack fabrics. This material is laminated to a film backing to make the material waterproof. This pack uses the new 'X' version which adds a tougher inner film.
- UltraGrid is a nylon based pack fabric that is not as tough as it's Ultra 200X sibling, but still is a very durable pack fabric with a ripstop grid of UHMWPE fibers and a waterproof PU coating. It offers a smoother feel, tighter weave, and more affordable price.
- Front pocket mesh: Heavy duty polyester knit mesh
- Hollow Aluminum Frame
