Have you ever needed to design the pack of your desires? With the LiteAF Curve Frameless Ultralight Backpack, you are able to do simply that. The world is your oyster so far as what options and colours your pack can have, all whereas staying ultralight.
I’m the kind of one who might spend hours drooling over customization device and debating the infinite choices. If that sounds such as you too, you’ll love making this pack your personal.
LiteAF EcoPak Curve Frameless At-a-Look
MSRP: Beginning at $255
Capability: 35L (out there in 20, 30, 35, & 40L) + 15L of exterior pockets
Weight: 15-20.1oz
Supplies: EcoPak EPLX200 physique with UltraStretch Mesh entrance pocket
Weight Restrict: Designed to comfortably carry round 20 lbs
Supposed Use
That is an ultralight frameless backpack with virtually limitless customization choices. It’s finest for people who already pack gentle and know precisely what options they’re searching for in a pack. It’s standard amongst ultralight via hikers and people who need tremendous enjoyable and funky shade choices.
LiteAF additionally gives a framed model of this pack if a frameless pack isn’t for you.
Circumstance of Evaluate
I examined this backpack on a number of brief weekend backpacking journeys for a complete of round seven days of mountain climbing. I took it out in various situations together with warmth and a few rain. On common, I used to be carrying about 15-20 kilos. On one journey, I carried 6 liters of water, which can have put the pack weight a bit over the really useful 20-pound restrict for a cushty carry.
LiteAF EcoPak Curve Frameless Options
Lots of the options listed under are non-compulsory add-ons and are marked as such.
Backside Pocket (Elective): Everybody loves backside pocket, and I favored this one lots. It has a big open aspect, and the opposite finish is closed with a smaller opening in a single nook. It’s made with lycra mesh — versus the UltraStretch mesh on the entrance pocket.
Shoulder Strap Pockets (Elective): These are additionally made with lycra and are non-compulsory on both aspect. I like utilizing these for a bandana or an additional snack, however they’re designed to suit a 700mL water bottle.
Higher Aspect Pockets (Elective): I wasn’t positive if I’d discover these helpful, however I really favored them so much. I used one pocket for stakes and one other for my first help equipment. Solely one thing small and comparatively flat will slot in these pockets. Further pockets are all the time good to have — they assist maintain the muddle down in the principle compartment and the mesh pocket.
Sit Pad and Sleeve (Elective): I particularly requested this function, and I find it irresistible. Not solely does the pad present further consolation in your again, but it surely’s so helpful for breaks. The design is nice. The sit pad slides out and in of the sleeve simply and is the right thickness for consolation. That is in all probability my favourite function of the pack.
High Y Strap (1/2″ webbing and buckle) & high buckle roll high closure with 2 KAMsnaps: The Y-Strap is nice in the event you ever want to hold one thing on the highest of your pack like a bear can or a water bladder. It can securely maintain it in place. The KAMsnaps are an ideal closure as nicely — I a lot choose these to the velcro that some packs use.
Decrease V Loop with Twin Lineloc 3 Adjusters: It is a nice, easy-to-use function for all foam pad customers. It can be simply eliminated in the event you don’t want it.
Attachment Choices for Hip Belt or Fanny Pack: As soon as once more, there are such a lot of choices right here. I attempted the pack with a detachable padded hip belt and with a fanny pack because the hip belt, each of which have been graciously included with the pack for this assessment.
I choose to make use of a hip belt in most eventualities, however going with out is an possibility. In any case, the padded hip belt was very comfy. I used to be shocked by how a lot I favored the hooked up fanny pack as nicely. It was lots comfy, and definitely worth the slight ache of getting to observe it swinging once you took the pack on and off.
Seam-Taped/EcoPak: The EcoPak EPLX200 used with this pack has so many benefits. It’s waterproof and sturdy, comprised of recycled supplies, and recyclable. I’m an enormous fan of this material.
UltraStretch Mesh Entrance Pocket: The UltraStretch mesh is a particularly sturdy materials, and the entrance pocket is sort of giant and provides plenty of further area to the pack. The UltraStetch isn’t fairly as stretchy as lycra, so it does require some shoving to get issues in.
Daisy Chain on Shoulder Straps: This lets you connect something you wish to your shoulder straps. It’s excellent for an inReach or equipment like a telephone pouch.
Customizability
What makes the LiteAF Curve stand out is how one can design it to be the pack of your desires. It might probably have any function you need, and none that you just don’t. Don’t neglect all of the enjoyable patterns and colours, both. My pack was simply black (so no worries for people who don’t need one thing loud), however in the event you take a look at the LiteAF website, there are such a lot of shade choices.
All the pack function choices are nice too, and I attempted out nearly all of them. My pack had a backside pocket, ice axe loop, one shoulder strap pocket, sit pad sleeves and a sit pad, and two higher aspect pockets. It was really superior to have the ability to design one thing excellent for my wants, like with the ability to select one shoulder strap pocket on the best aspect.
Consolation
The three-inch S-shaped shoulder straps on this pack are extraordinarily comfy, even after an extended day on path. Having the sit pad in opposition to my again additionally gave me some further cushion. I’ve used a LiteAF pack with out the sit pad earlier than and located that to be lots comfy as nicely.
Every hip belt possibility I attempted was completely comfy as nicely. I carried 6L of water whereas utilizing this pack within the desert, together with a 2L bladder strapped to the highest of my pack, and it nonetheless carried like a dream.
Capability
At 35L in the principle physique, this pack felt bigger than anticipated. I solely ever carried three days of meals however felt like I might simply add one other couple days’ value if wanted. I used to be additionally capable of match a BearVault BV450 within the pack with no points. A BV500 would possible match inside as nicely, however is also strapped to the highest if it was a decent match.
Sturdiness
The EcoPak materials provides me confidence within the sturdiness of this pack. I haven’t put the pack by means of a complete season but, but it surely did spend time within the Utah desert with loads of sand, which might trigger put on and tear rapidly. To date, there have been no indicators of wear and tear in any respect.
The UltraStretch mesh can also be extraordinarily sturdy, so I’ve no worries about it tearing. My solely concern with the UltraMesh is that it retains the form of what’s held in it and looks like it might stretch out over time. Whereas extraordinarily sturdy, it’s not as stretchy as different meshes, like lycra.
The underside pocket can also be surprisingly sturdy for lycra mesh and holds up very well. I’ve one other LiteAF pack with the identical backside pocket, and it has no harm after over a season of use.
Design
A variety of thought has clearly gone into designing all the normal and customized options included on this pack. It’s a easy design type that has been adopted by many pack corporations these days, however for my part, this one is completed excellent.
The aspect pockets are completely sized for 2 Smartwater bottles, with a cinch twine to maintain them in place. In addition they have a drain gap so any spilled water or filth can escape.
The shoulder straps have a number of sizing choices, are properly formed, and are so comfy. The craftsmanship of the pack is completed nicely right down to every button and strap. Each small element of this pack is intentional and thought by means of. By studying by means of the positioning and product info, you may simply inform how nicely thought by means of these packs are.
Execs
- Customizability: The sky is the restrict! It’s nice to get precisely what you need with out compromise, and this pack delivers simply that.
- Waterproofing & Sturdiness: Having a completely seam-sealed and waterproof pack is a big perk. It lets you go lighter with out a rain cowl whereas easing your thoughts within the rain. It’s additionally fabricated from extraordinarily sturdy supplies whereas nonetheless being an ultralight pack.
- Spacious: For a 35L pack, there’s plenty of room in the principle compartment! With the big mesh pocket too, there’s a lot room for all of your gear and nice group choices.
- Recyclable: Not solely is the EcoPak EPLX200 comprised of 100% recycled supplies, it’s recyclable itself after use! That’s an enormous win in my e-book, as each little factor we are able to do to make a distinction within the atmosphere helps.
Cons
- Dear: $255 is a superb worth for probably the most primary model of this pack. Nevertheless, when you begin including options and customized colours, the value can simply creep up on you. For one thing made-to-order it’s cheap pricing, however it isn’t a funds choice to create your dream pack.
- Lead Time: As with every customized pack, there’s a lead time after you order. This gained’t work for an upcoming journey except you intend forward or get fortunate and discover one among their choices on the shelf that may be just right for you.
Total
I’d extremely suggest this pack to any hiker who is ready for a frameless ultralight pack. Whereas it may be dear, I’d completely say it’s definitely worth the nice design and craftsmanship, high quality supplies and sturdiness, and infinite customization choices. A pack that has every little thing you need and nothing you don’t speaks for itself.
Store the LiteAF Curve 35 Frameless Pack
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SWD Superior Frameless
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- MSRP: $221.58
Gossamer Gear G4-20 Ultralight Backpack
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The LiteAF Curve was donated for goal of assessment
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