First impressions, initial review and a day hike with the new Durston Kakwa 55l. Is it a winner?

[@jfifield20]

Thanks for the review. Glad you are liking the 55L so far.

[@Beardedbackpacker]

Thanks! So far it’s a great pack!

[@jeffhartman5166]

Great review. Mine just arrived today. I can’t wait to take it out this weekend!

[@Beardedbackpacker]

It’s pretty awesome. You’ll love it I think

[@ChrisHufnagel_Polymath]

Received my Kakwa 55L (large) yesterday. My other pack is an osprey aether 85L, which is a beast, so this is a great weight reduction. I agree it fits on the hips confortably and hip belt cinches down nicely. I put my Inreach on top of the bag, using the carabineer on the y-strap. Looking forward to testing to it more this season.

[@Beardedbackpacker]

Definitely a huge weight savings! Awesome!

[@unchein]

Great review. Loved hearing DIIV in the intro!

[@Beardedbackpacker]

Thanks!!

[@daven.7685]

I really appreciate this review. I have been looking at this pack since it was announced. I am really interested to see/hear of people’s actual trail experiences over time. Several PCTers are carrying this one this year, so it will be interesting to see how it performs over the long haul. And, looking forward to your food video!

[@Beardedbackpacker]

It’s coming I promise lol. Just initial looks, this seems like a very durable pack. I’ll for sure be testing it this year!

[@daven.7685]

@@Beardedbackpacker Kenny, if I remember correctly, you have, or have had the ULA Circuit, another pack I am looking at. Can you tell me how you find the man internal capacity of the Circuit compares to the Kakwa? On paper, the Circuit’s main compartment looks smaller than the Kakwa, but the Kakwa has the v-shaped taper. Also, how differently do they feel when it comes to how you gear carries on your back? Do you find any appreciable differences in balance, etc.?

[@Beardedbackpacker]

@@daven.7685 I had the circuit in the past. I think technically they have almost identical capacity between all the pockets, however, if you filled the Kakwa to the absolute top, it would be a little taller. The mesh pocket on the front of the ULA packs are bigger and hold more stuff. The ULA packs also have a little bit thicker padded shoulder straps. The Kakwa is a bit more durable in the ultra fabric vs the ULA, and weighs about a pound less. For me, the question would be how often would you be carrying over 30lbs. If I knew I would be over that weight more often, then I may lean toward the ULA with the extra padding. At that weight, the Kakwa is fine and plenty comfortable, but I would give the edge to the ULA. If you would be usually lower than that weight, except for the odd longer food or water carry, than the Kakwa would be perfect! I’ve loved it on every trip I have taken so far!

[@daven.7685]

@@Beardedbackpacker Thank you, Kenny, for this very helpful reply. The info about the straps and weight bearing capacity was something I needed to hear, since I will be starting to section hike the PCT from Campo in October and the water carries are going to be long at that time of year, and I am at about a 13 lbs. base weight right now. Much appreciated!

[@prisonerofthehighway1059]

Awesome review man. Can’t wait to see the overnight video.

[@Beardedbackpacker]

Thanks!! The pack carries so well.

[@envman67]

I just bought a 4OL for $199. It will be here tomorrow. I can’t wait to try it out.

[@Beardedbackpacker]

They are great packs. Still loving mine!

[@MTtroutfisher406]

I’ve had a lot of Dana Design packs and HMG’s, the Kakwa 55 is by far the most comfortable pack I’ve used. The pocket down to the left is great, the waist pockets with one handed closure are awesome, and the load lifters work well. How do you like the Frogg Togg rain jacket?

[@rungavagairun]

With a 20oz water bottle, I can loop that bungie over the top. It stops the bottle from riding up when it's empty. I'm not sure the bungie is long enough to loop around a bottle larger than that.

[@Beardedbackpacker]

I had no issue with the 24oz smart water bottle trying to come out, even when empty. Just my experience so far.

[@el3ctros]

Have an Osprey Exos pro 55 coming but thinking I should have gotten this instead, the mesh back on the exos kinda sold me with rei 20% off. This seems more durable and I love the water bottle pockets. I already have the durston 2p tent.

[@Beardedbackpacker]

Osprey makes solid packs. The pro line is intriguing. And their warranty is good so if you do tear it up at least they will fix it!

[@Alex.n.outdoor]

great video, thanks for this description and detailed feedback. one question what size bag did you take and your size, thanks in advance.

[@Beardedbackpacker]

@@Alex.n.outdoor I did the medium. They have instructions on the site for measuring your torso. It’s not so much by overall height. But I am 6’2” for reference.

[@sherrilockwood4378]

Both of my bear canisters fit great! The Bare Boxer, and the Garcia Bear Resistant large container.

[@Beardedbackpacker]

Awesome!

[@lu_jonathan]

Thanks for this review! does it stand up by itself without leaning on anything?

[@Beardedbackpacker]

That would really depend on how you pack it I think with this pack.

[@Muhlenburger]

I'm loving my Kakwa 55. Concerning the Y-strap, I see that you have a lot of strap hanging down on that left shoulder near the load lifter strap. Did you notice that it has two adjustment buckles, one on the front of the pack and one on the left shoulder? I found it easy to strap in my Garcia bear can when the pack was fully loaded.

[@Beardedbackpacker]

I didn’t notice this until my last trip with it. It is much larger than I thought!

[@Muhlenburger]

@@Beardedbackpacker , excellent! Like you, this pack is really comfortable with a 25 lb load, and I think it’s going to be just fine with loads a little over 30lbs. With the Garcia can and 7 days of food and fuel I’m going to be right at or just under 30lbs, and that suits me just fine! Just a few years ago I was carrying 40 + for a week long trip. In my youth, 50+, and this Kakwa 55 feels like a daypack in comparison, lol!

[@alexlee3771]

Can you compare this to the size of the 3400 Junction by HMG as far as overall packability? And can you wear a hat backwards with the Kakwa 55 with the load lifters cinched up??

[@Beardedbackpacker]

I can answer both of those actually lol. The pack will hit your hat if it’s backwards depending how full it is, at least it did on me. As far as comparing to the HMG pack, this one actually has a bit more space in it, but not by much. Hope that helps!

[@silverbane5008]

I keep wanting to order this backpack (from europe), but im worried it does not have enough volume to accomodate more shoulder season gear. Especially, my s2s spark iv bag, which is huge even in compression bag. Do you think this bag can fit that, a durston x-mid, an x-therm, a mirrorless camera + 1 week worth of food? I wish there was some way to squish the sleeping bag further but it just doesn't happen

[@agilegold]

Ummm........that shelter looks familiar! Is this Three Lakes trail?

[@Beardedbackpacker]

That’s it!

[@samsmith8870]

Finally, a video on the 55l! Do you have any trouble swinging your arms? Also next video, could you show what it looks like on a person, how much it compresses, etc?

[@Beardedbackpacker]

No trouble swinging my arms. I’ll try and record some shots with the pack on in the next video.

[@samsmith8870]

@@Beardedbackpacker I'm sold! You might want to get about 10,000 more subscribers if you want free dyneema tents lol. BTW this is what he told me about the current wait time for the US "We have them in stock (except for the large size of the 55L version). Delivery is about 1 week for the 40L (ships from USA) or 1.5 - 2 weeks (55L, ships from Canada)."

[@chrisnigul]

Would you say the shoulder straps are thinner than they are on Hyperlite bags or about the same(Southwest series)?

[@jasonjackson7293]

Would you chose this pack or the Ultra Circuit? Down to these two choices for my next pack. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[@texmexia49]

Thanks for a great review! I have this pack and I really like it overall, but I’m wondering if it’s going to absorb water in a rainstorm as the back of the pack gets pretty wet when I sweat. FYI, I use a BV 475 and it does fit horizontally.👌

[@Beardedbackpacker]

In theory, the ultra 200 fabric will behave similar to dcf and should repel water very well.

[@texmexia49]

@@Beardedbackpacker yes that’s why I’m kind of surprised that it retained moisture from my back sweat, yuck.

[@kerry1383]

@@Beardedbackpacker There's nothing theoretical about the fact that the fabric itself is waterproof and holds no water. Ultra repels water 100%.

[@ddff5242]

It can be waterproof and also absorb water. Silnylon is the poster child for this.

[@kerry1383]

@@ddff5242 I find it funny that most folks revert to strawman arguments to prove a point that never existed in the first place.

[@mikepfau2240]

Nice video. Thanks for the good review. You mentioned the Adventure Hiking Trail. Is that the one in Indiana?

[@Beardedbackpacker]

Yes it is, in corydon IN. Here is the video I did there… kzbin.info/www/bejne/qofbkpiui7mIf8U

[@mikepfau2240]

@@Beardedbackpacker Thanks for the link. I’ll check it out. It’s a nice trail. I’ve hiked it a few times.

[@Beardedbackpacker]

@@mikepfau2240 it was a very wet experience for us lol. But lots of fun.

[@matbulldis691]

Thanks for doing a review on this pack. How did the big front pocket compare to some of your other packs? Can you stuff a decent amount of things in it? Does it seem smaller than any other packs you have? Also, is the top y strap still too short to put a bear can in top when the pack is full? You mentioned this problem with the 40 but wasn’t sure if the 55 had that carried over. Thanks again.

[@Beardedbackpacker]

The front pocket is pretty good size. I was able to shove everything in it that I would shove in my flash 55 front pocket. Seems to me to be the same size as the ones on the HMG packs, but a little smaller than the ones on my ULA Circuit or the Gossamer Gear G4-20. As for the Y strap, I don’t have a bear can, but I’d still think it is too short if the pack is fully loaded. But there Kakwa 55 is big enough to fit a bear can down in horizontally. Hope that answers your questions!

[@Muhlenburger]

@@Beardedbackpacker I've just got my Kakwa 55 and have used it on an overnighter. The Y-strap easily accommodates my Garcia bear canister when the pack is fully loaded. By fully loaded I mean that it's loaded as much as you can get in it and still have enough left to get it rolled up.

[@Beardedbackpacker]

@@Muhlenburger good to know! I know that’s a concern for a lot of people.

[@Xerute]

So torn between Kakwa 55 and ULA OHM. Leaning towards ULA right now.

[@Beardedbackpacker]

You can’t go wrong with either, although the frame in this is more similar to the circuit than the ohm. This will carry a bit more weight.

[@Xerute]

@@Beardedbackpacker I have about a 12 pound bw without a bag. Mainly looking at the OHM just because it is made in America.

[@Beardedbackpacker]

@@Xerute they are both great packs for sure!

[@michiganman4624]

That pack is very similar to the Shadowlight from Outdoor Vitals. Cost?

[@Beardedbackpacker]

Ironically I just got one of those for my girlfriend at the same time I got this 😂. I’ll have a video on that one soon as well! The Durston pack was $260. Which is a steal for a pack made from ultra 200 fabric!

[@BackcountryTreks]

The shoulder sleeve pockets suck. As the bottle empties/lightens it wants to constantly pop out. I’ve replaced mine with one that actually works from GGG. Great pack other than that! 🍻

[@ThousandHobbies]

Great vid. ⛺👍 check this out Pajak XC3 😂

[@Beardedbackpacker]

Thanks!

[@ddff5242]

55+19 = 74 liters...

[@AngryWombat8]

looks too small on you