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The Swift V is streamlined and efficient, just like the Swift X, but with a more budget-friendly price. The modular design means it easily configures to become your perfect pack for any adventure, be it a quick overnight trip or a calendar year triple crown.
Six Moon Designs says
PACK ORGANIZATION
Modeled after the 2020 Swift X, the Swift V uses the same design but is constructed out of the more cost-effective Robic™ nylon fabric.
The Swift V still has all the features and benefits so many hikers love in the Swift X. It provides ultimate functionality in a simple design. It has a single 49L roll-top main compartment with an extension collar for those resupply days. A Y-strap secures the load top and provides a convenient and easy attachment point for a bear barrel.
Intentionally designed, the Swift V gives you easy access to snacks, your phone, maps, and all those little things you need to keep close at hand. You’ll find you won’t even have the need to take the pack off until you hit camp at the end of the day.
The Swift V uses Six Moon Designs’ Fast and Light suspension system, allowing you to carry heavy loads with ease. That means you can crush those high mileage days in comfort.
The side water bottle pockets are made from 4-way stretch woven mesh. They are designed so that you can grab items easily while on the go.
Inside the main compartment, there is a zippered pocket for your wallet to keep it safe and secure and easy to access at the first sign of a burger joint.
With the Swift V, you don’t have to sacrifice quality and intentional design just because you’re on a budget.
VERSATILITY
The Swift V comes in a variety of configurations, so you can get the perfect fit for your body, and you can configure it for a variety of adventures. You can choose from a flight shoulder yoke or flight vest yoke. Each comes in 2 sizes.
The Swift V also comes with a removable hip belt available in 3 sizes.
Between the adjustable torso length, removable hip belt, harness options, and removable Delrin Hoop Stay, the Swift V can be dialed in to your exact preferences. Each configuration ultimately changes the weight of the pack.
Our Verdict
Six Moon Design's Swift V Rucksack is a new version based on the original Swift design, the focus has shifted to creating a more cost effective pack with additional options for adjustability. It is still a versatile lightweight backpack that can carry over 15kg.
In the same way as the larger Minimalist V" pack the Swift 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 Swift 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 fairly stripped back with a few outer pockets covered with Durable 4-Way Stretch material which provides excellent stretch while resisting snags and abrasion. It uses a simple roll-top closure and lightweight compression chords for load management. The shoulder straps and hip belt are well padded, comfortable and still have pockets for drinks, snacks and essentials.
- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear
Features
- Made with Robic™ Nylon
- Adjustable Torso Length because one size doesn’t fit all.
- Three Shoulder Strap Style Options – Shoulder Harness, S-Curve or Vest Harness
- Three Exterior Woven Pockets – rear pocket and two side pockets made from breathable and durable 4-way stretch material.
- Large Should Strap Pockets so you don’t have to spend all day digging in your pack.
- Removable Hip Belt
- Minimal Contact Back Panel
- Top Loading with dry bag closure.
- Two layers of material in key point to strengthen the pack and prevent holes.
- Internal Zippered Stash Pocket for your wallet and other small necessities.
- Multiple Point Cord Compression System to keep your load stabilized no matter the size.
- Single Ice Axe / Trekking Pole Attachment Point
- 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
By default, The Swift V comes with a Delrin Hoop Stay frame. Unlike many packs utilizing a similar stay, we bend our stay so that the bottom terminates at the base of your hip belt. This transfers the weight directly to your hip belt.
Other packs terminate the stay at the outer edges of the pack. Unfortunately, this significantly reduces the load transfer from the pack to the hip belt. It leads to the pack sagging as the pack load is not properly supported.
Using the Hoop Stay and Hip Belt increases your load carrying capacity by approximately 10 lbs / 4.5 kto30+ lbs. / 14 k. While you can carry additional weight, we still recommend a base weight of 12 lbs. / 5.5 kor less.
FRAME-LESS CONFIGURATION
While there are many Frame-less packs on the market these days. There are none with an Adjustable Torso Length. The Swift V allows you to adjust the torso length to adjust to both your body and the conditions you may encounter. There are times, depending on your load and trail conditions, when you may raise or lower your pack for optimal comfort.
When configured as Frame-less, you'll want to keep your base pack weight around 8 lbs. / 3.5 k and maximum weight below 25 lbs / 11 k. Comfortable weight depends significantly on the type of load carried and your conditioning.
HARNESS OPTIONS
Vest Harness
The Swift V can be configured with a Vest Harness. Six Moon Designs unique Vest Harness supports a 6-point connection between the pack and your body. This connection system offers several distinct advantages.
1. It eliminates any sway or bouncing in the pack as you walk or run. The pack is fully locked to your body.
2. It spreads the pack load across a much wider area. Instead of having all of the weight sitting on your shoulders or hips, much of it is spread across your core. This reduces or eliminates sores that can develop when too much weight is concentrated in a single area.
3. The extra pockets in the vest provide additional storage for items you want to quickly access.
VEST HARNESS HEALTH BENEFITS
Years ago when Ron Moak founded Six Moon Designs, his first pack incorporated a Vest Harness, he didn't design it so he could run or hike faster. It was designed to allow him to hike comfortably without a lot of pain. A bout of Cancer had made it difficult to hike more than a couple of hours at a time before stopping due to back pain.
Incorporating the Vest Harness in the pack provides significant additional support for the back and spine. By spreading the weight, he was able to walk more upright and longer distances without pain.
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, just that it helped Ron get back to really enjoying backpacking again.
Specifications
Weights
- Weight of pack with Shoulder Harness (Large) and hipbelt (medium): 910g
- Weight of pack with Vest Harness (Large) and hipbelt (medium): 970g
General
- Suspension: Flight Series
- 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: 2319 ci - 38 L
- Extension Collar: 366 ci - 6 L
- Exterior Pockets: 305 ci - 5 L
- Total Volume: 2990 ci - 49 L
Materials
- Pack Body: 100D Robic Nylon
- Body Contact: 3D Mesh
- Side Panels: 100D Robic Nylon
- Pockets: 4-Way Stretch
Sizing
- Please see the size guide section to see full size information
