This winter, I’ve been in a position to check the Swift X Ultralight Backpack from Six Moon Designs to see the way it performs as a part of my setup throughout multi-day adventures and day hikes. Designed for hikers and thru-hikers who worth each ounce saved, the Swift X Ultralight Backpack blends streamlined design with strong sturdiness, making it a compelling selection for many who wish to journey gentle with out sacrificing performance.
One small function I actually preferred: The Y-strap on the prime can clip to the bag at attachment factors each behind the mesh pocket and on prime of it. This allows you to maintain the mesh pocket absolutely accessible, or provides you a solution to safe something contained in the mesh pocket by securing the highest.
Six Moon Designs Swift X Ultralight Backpack At a Look
MSRP: Ranging from $350.00 (relies on harness and materials selections)
Weight: Roughly 27 oz (765 g) in a frameless setup with pack bag and shoulder straps; as much as 40 oz (1.1 kg) with further configurations
Capability: Whole quantity of 56 liters (41L primary physique, 10L extension collar, 5L exterior pockets)
Supplies: Accessible in Liteskin LS21 (grey), Extremely 200 X (black), or X-Pac VX21 (blue, black, coyote brown), all recognized for his or her sturdiness and waterproof properties
Meant Use
The Swift X is designed for backpackers and thru-hikers who prioritize a light-weight but sturdy pack whereas in search of a pack with options akin to load lifters and an inside body. Its customizable options cater to people in search of a tailor-made match and performance, making it appropriate for each quick in a single day journeys and prolonged thru-hikes.
Whereas this pack suits completely into an ultralight setup, it could possibly accommodate weights as much as an marketed 35 kilos (however can possible carry extra) with ease, making it an inexpensive selection for these not in search of the ultralight life-style.
The pack comes with an built-in, comfy hip belt with giant, built-in pockets.
Circumstances of Assessment
This evaluation relies on experiences throughout winter hikes and backpacking journeys in Colorado, the place the Swift X was subjected to chilly temperatures, snow, and ranging path situations. I carried all the things in it from a tent and quilt to my skis and snowshoes strapped to the surface.
Options
A standout of the Swift X, to me, is the sheer quantity of enjoyable options SMD has managed to condense into a comparatively light-weight pack.
Customizable Harness System: Customers can select between commonplace shoulder straps, a vest-style harness, or S-curve straps, permitting for personalised consolation and weight distribution.
Particularly, S-curve straps have a tendency to suit a lot better on girls, and I actually prioritize discovering a bag with this harness kind. For those who’ve by no means used a pack with something however commonplace shoulder straps and expertise any shoulder, neck, or again ache whereas mountaineering, give an S-curve strap a attempt.
Adjustable Torso Size: The pack gives an adjustable torso size, accommodating varied physique sizes and guaranteeing a correct match. Directions include the pack, making this straightforward to do at dwelling.
The pack additionally comes with two telephone pockets on the shoulder straps that, for the FIRST TIME I’VE EVER SEEN, are the fitting dimension, form, and placement on the strap to truly be helpful!!
Roll-Prime Closure with Y-Strap: The roll-top design, complemented by a Y-strap, permits for safe compression and the flexibility to hold further gear on prime. The Y-strap, particularly, is necessary to me because it lets me comfortably carry a BearVault or my tent on the highest of the pack with none slipping and sliding.
Storage Choices: Options a big entrance mesh pocket and aspect pockets, offering ample house for quick-access gadgets and equipment group. There’s additionally a small pocket in opposition to the again contained in the pack, letting you separate out the percentages and ends that you really want quick access to (e.g., glasses case, toiletries, first support equipment, spoon…).
Non-compulsory Body Keep: An non-compulsory Delrin keep might be added for enhanced load help, growing the pack’s versatility for carrying heavier masses. The pack additionally comes with load lifters, permitting the again of the pack to curve in opposition to your physique naturally.
Sturdy Supplies: Constructed from both Liteskin or X-Pac materials, each providing wonderful sturdiness and water resistance, appropriate for harsh climate situations. Whereas I hesitate to ever say a pack is definitely waterproof and would all the time recommend a liner of some variety, this pack is waterproof sufficient to resist a light-weight mist with out regarding me.
Utilization
Within the area, the Swift X impressed me with its stability of light-weight design and strong performance. It excelled in packability and offered fast, quick access to gear, which was important on fast-paced winter hikes. Adjusting the harness and hip belt ensured a safe, comfy match, even on steep ascents.
Regardless of the minimalist design, the pack supplied sufficient storage for multi-day journeys and didn’t require me to provide a ton of thought to packing to make my gear match.
I used to be in a position to load this pack up with my conventional winter equipment and strap my snowshoes and ice axe to the surface with little or no bother.
Six Moon Designs Swift X Execs
Extremely Customizable and Match Me Nicely: With a number of harness choices — together with conventional shoulder, vest, and S-Curve — and adjustable torso lengths plus detachable hip belts, you possibly can tailor the match exactly to your physique, guaranteeing optimum consolation and stability on the path. The hipbelt might be very giant but in addition cinch a lot tighter than hip belts on different manufacturers, which I do know is a matter for some hikers.
Sturdy & Climate-Resistant: Constructed from premium supplies like Liteskin LS21 or X-Pac VX21, this backpack stands as much as rugged, moist situations. Strengthened stress factors and a waterproof construct guarantee reliability, even in harsh backcountry climate. I’m not calling it waterproof … fairly.
The roll prime can clip collectively on the prime or connect to clips down by the water bottle pockets, relying on the look you’re going for.
Environment friendly Group: Considerate design options, together with deep inside pockets, exterior stretch pockets, and strategic attachment factors, maintain necessities like water bottles, maps, and snacks inside straightforward attain while not having to unload all the pack.
Simple to Tighten Hipbelt: The hipbelt adjusts rapidly and securely, successfully transferring load to your hips. This minimizes undesirable motion and enhances stability, decreasing shoulder and again pressure on uneven terrain. As a substitute of pulling out to tighten, you pull it in. It looks like such a small factor, nevertheless it permits me to tighten the belt with one hand as an alternative of needing each.
It’s straightforward to tighten the hipbelt with one hand!
Many Insertion Factors for the Sternum Strap: A number of attachment choices for the sternum strap permit for fine-tuning the pack’s suspension system, decreasing sway and bounce for a safer and comfy journey throughout dynamic actions. This additionally helps the pack match higher for hikers with breasts, as you’ve gotten many choices of the place that sternum strap goes to fall in your physique.
Six Moon Designs Swift X Cons
Worth Level: At round $350, the Swift X is a premium funding. Its superior options and sturdiness come at a value that will not swimsuit each price range, particularly for these new to backpacking. Whereas it is a great pack, I’d advocate newcomers begin elsewhere (cheaper) to get an concept of what they need from a pack and the remainder of their gear earlier than committing to this expense.
Heavy for an Ultralight Setup: Regardless of its environment friendly design, you could discover the Swift X barely heavier than different minimalist packs. The strong supplies and added options, whereas helpful for sturdiness and performance, could improve total weight for these in search of absolutely the lightest load.
Would I Advocate This Pack?
Completely. For backpackers and thru-hikers who prioritize light-weight gear with out sacrificing sturdiness or performance, the Swift X Ultralight Backpack is a standout selection. Its customizable match and environment friendly design make it preferrred for each quick, minimalist journeys and longer backcountry adventures, particularly in demanding winter situations.
This pack is splendidly comfy and sensible.
I wouldn’t essentially name it ultralight, however Six Moon Designs does a beautiful job mixing a surplus of options right into a pack that would in no world be referred to as heavy.
For those who learn my evaluation of the Gossamer Gear Mariposa, I mentioned that it was an ideal pack if solely it had been constructed out of fabric that held up higher in dangerous climate. The Swift X is that pack, and I might strongly advocate it for any thru-hiker on the lookout for a cushty, well-fitting, highly-featured pack with an inside body and cargo lifters.
Store the Six Moon Designs Swift X
Comparable Merchandise
Gossamer Gear Mariposa
MSRP: $379
Capability: 42 Liters
Weight: 1.8 lbs (29 oz)
Zpacks Arc Blast
MSRP: $349
Capability: 45 Liters
Weight: 1.0 lb (16 oz)
The Six Moon Designs Swift X Ultralight Backpack was donated for the aim of evaluation.
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