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The Minimalist V2 still has the perfect amount of space for all your gear and a lightweight suspension that adds just enough support but now with larger, more secure stash pockets.
Six Moon Designs says:
Despite being called the Minimalist, this pack provides all the comforts of much heavier packs. It comes with a removable Delrin Hoop Stay Frame and hip belt for maximum load days. And because every long-distance hiker is different, it has a lot of configurations to suit your specific comforts and offers a remarkable amount of extra storage space.
The main compartment is 40L with a 9L extension collar. It incorporates a top lid and has two additional large external gusseted pockets as well as a front stasher pocket with a pleated gusset. The top lid can be used to secure larger bear canisters too large to fit in the main compartment.
The exterior pockets add a lot of quick access storage solutions. And all the external pockets have been reconstructed for the V2, featuring larger, more secure designs.
- Hip belt pockets are cavernous.
- Both harness styles offer additional pockets for electronics, snacks, or other necessities.
- 2 large asymmetric side pockets. The shorter right pocket is great for holding water bottles. The taller left pocket is perfect for carrying an ultralight tarp, tent, or tall hydration bladder.
- Large rear shove-it sleeve for quick access to gear and rainwear.
The Minimalist V2 offers several adjustable straps and tensioners to ensure a stable, comfortable fit. The Delrin Hoop Frame is designed to shift load bearing to the hip belt, reducing the strain on your shoulders and upper body.
Our Verdict
Six Moon Design's Minimalist V2 Rucksack has been updated, now coming with a much larger capacity and additional options for adjustability. It is still a versatile ultralight-style backpack that can be configured in a variety ways for long distance backpacking, lightweight backpacking, and fast and light running trips.
It can be configured as either a Frame-less or Framed pack. This is done by simply removing the flexible Delron Hoop stay. While there are many Frame-less packs on the market these days. There are none with an Adjustable Torso Length. The Minimalist allows you to adjust the torso length to adjust to both your body and conditions you're encountering. There are times, depending upon your load and trail conditions, when you may want to raise or lower your pack for optimal comfort.
The pack is constructed from High Tenacity Robic yarn which gives it great durability while preserving its light weight. The bottom is double layered to provide added protection from wear and the outer pockets are covered with Durable 4-Way Stretch material which provides excellent stretch while resisting snags and abrasion.
- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear
Features
- Adjustable Torso Length because one size does not fit all
- Three Shoulder strap Style options - Shoulder Harness, S-Curve or Vest Harness
- Five Exterior Pockets so you only have to unload your pack when its time to set up camp. (Rear Pocket, Short Side Pocket, Tall Side Pocket, Stretchy Top Lid pocket (narrower on the V2 to help keep things more secure, Zippered Top Lid pocket)
- Large Shoulder Strap Pockets to keep things close at hand
- Removable Hip Belt
- Minimal Contact Back Panel
- Top Loading with Dry Bag Closure
- Interior Zippered Stash Pocket for your wallet and other small necessities.
- Two layers of material in key point to strengthen the pack and prevent holes.
- Multiple Point Cord Compression System to keep your load stabilized no matter the size.
- Ice Axe/Trekking pole attachment points
- Dual Hydration Ports
- Sliding Sternum Straps on vest and shoulder harness types
- Delrin Hoop Stay for added support on those heavy load days.
FRAME CONFIGURATION
The Minimalist comes with a removable Delrin Hoop Stay Frame. The ends of the hoop rest on the base of the hip belt, transferring the weight to the hip belt. This design feature makes carrying heavy loads more comfortable and reduces pack sag.
Using the Delrin Hoop Stay and hip belt together increases your load carrying capacity by approximately 10 lbs*.
*We recommend a base weight of 12lbs or less even when increasing load weight and using the Delrin Hoop Stay and hip belt.
FRAME-LESS CONFIGURATION
The Minimalist is the only ultralight, frame-less pack on the market with an adjustable torso length. This allows the Minimalist to provide unbridled comfort.
When configured as frame-less, the highest recommended base weight is 8lbs / 3.5k and maximum weight not exceeding 25lbs / 11k.
HARNESS OPTIONS
Vest Harness
Six Moon Designs’ unique vest harness supports a 6-point connection between the pack and your body. There are several advantages to this system:
1. It fully locks the pack to your body, eliminating sway or bouncing when you walk or run.
2. Instead of all of the weight of the pack resting on your shoulders and hips, the vest harness transfers some of that weight to your core. This reduces and eliminates sores from developing on the shoulders and hips.
3. The vest harness comes with extra pockets, providing additional quick access storage options.
Vest Harness Health Benefits
Because the vest harness spreads the load-bearing to the core, most hikers find it reduces back pain.
Founder Ron Moak discovered this first hand. After a bout with cancer, Moak found that he could only handle a couple of hours of hiking before needing to stop due to severe back pain. A vest harness redistributed the weight he was carrying on his shoulders and hips to his core, allowing him to walk more upright. This additional support allowed him to hike longer distances with less pain.
That’s why the first pack he designed incorporated the vest harness.
If you’ve found yourself unable to backpack as easily and as long as you once did, you may want to seriously consider the vest harness. We make no claims that the vest harness is a miracle cure, but it did help Moak get back to really enjoying backpacking again. And we hope it might help you, too.
Standard Shoulder Straps
There are several reasons you might choose a Standard Should Strap Harness:
1. If you’re used to carrying a traditional backpacking pack and aren’t from the running world, you will probably be comfortable with standard shoulder straps.
2. If you are a full-chested woman or broad-chested man, you might find the vest harness constricting. In this case, the S-Curve shoulder straps could provide a better hiking experience.
3. The standard shoulder straps are easier to slip out of if you want to take an extended break without the weight of your pack
Specifications
Weight of pack with Shoulder Harness (Large) and hipbelt (medium): 1004g
Weight of pack with Vest Harness (Large) and hipbelt (medium): 1060g
General
- Suspension: Derlin Hoop
- Torso sizes: 16" - 22" | 38 - 56 cm
- Dimensions: 11"W X 7"D X 22"T
- Maximum load: 35 lb - 15.88 kg
- Base weight: 15 lb - 5.5 kg
Volume
- Body: 2441 ci - 40 L
- Extension Collar: 550 ci - 9 L
- Exterior Pockets: 610 ci - 10 L
- Total Volume: 3600 ci - 59 L
Material & Construction
- Pack Body: Nylon Robic
- Body Contact: 3D Mesh
- Side Panels: Nylon Robic
- Pockets: 4-Way Stretch
