Is My Most Expensive Backpack Worth the Money? Chicken Tramper's New Ultralight Pack!

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

What, if anything, would YOU change on this backpack?

[@bryanmclean6898]

I’d probably get modular, removable vest style straps. Also the pack body could be like a semi circle shape, like if you had a cylinder then Cutaway half of it. That would then make this pack worth $400.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Nice! That might work well with a cannister.

[@dannyfox1449]

Color

[@bertman4]

The hipbelt daisy chain is a nice feature. I wish more cottage companies did that.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Agreed! :)

[@MarkGoesHiking]

Nice looking pack. Good review bro!

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Thanks man, I appreciate it!

[@Oldsparkey]

I had several packs , Zpacks and Six Moons designs being two of the 5 that I donated to a hiking club. The one I keep and use as an UL pack is the Chicken Tramper 25 liter day pack. Mine is the long version with a modified. I got it a long time ago before they moved to the new shop. Checking their web site , it appears they do not make it anymore , which is a shame.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I really like their stuff!

[@chickentramperultralightgear]

We will make it again! We're slowly revamping all our gear and right now that one is experiencing some design changes that should improve it while keeping everything you love.

[@BackcountryExposure]

Woof! $400 is crazy town for that!

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

But it includes SHIPPING hahaha. Yeah I actually asked Austin about that. Basically materials and craftsmanship over price. It'd have to be my "forever" pack for that price though. :)

[@RC-qf3mp]

Plenty of $400 packs on the market that are NOT custom build.

[@wayofthehike]

Looks like the pack is already sold out on their site. Bummer! You can’t even order a custom one at this point. Great review - love the pack.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Wow, that was fast haha. Well, they're a cottage company and probably need to sell in phases to not get too far behind. They'll be back! :)

[@Archer21344]

I think they release a limited number of packs on the first of each month.

[@SeniorHiker77]

I think you covered just about everything.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Thanks Senior!

[@markswishereatsstuff2500]

This year I'm going to give my new Hyperlite Waypoint 35 a go. At 23oz, should feel good. Will have a CTUG smart bottle sleeve attached, of course.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Nice! It seems weird to have the best water bottle sleeve - but CTUG's is!

[@flutingaround]

Have you looked at the new Outdoor Vitals pack?

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Nope. Not yet.... ;)

[@earnieburfitt7791]

Great review and as I am in the new pack market… I was leaning toward the Durston Kakwa 55. Is the CT $180 better?

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

That's a tough call. I have both and love both. The CT is more adaptable because it doesn't build in as many extra features. But those cost even more if you want them for the CT. The Kakwa is not custom-made for your body measurements so the fit will often not be perfect. The feature list is also pretty different as far as materials go. So....if you like the Kakwa's exact features, materials, and the fit turns out to work for you, then the CT isn't objectively worth more. But that's a big if that only you can answer!

[@dannyfox1449]

What do you think about HMG or zpacks? or GG?

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I've only carried an HMG once and it felt pretty good but I like load lifters. They seem pretty epxensive for what they are, but I know they're popular. I am not impressed with Zpacks - I had their Arc Blast and did not like the way the ventilation made the pack feel (I have a buddy who basically made his useless because using it gave him headaches). They were NOT easy to work with once I decided to return it either and their whiny advertising going after better gear companies is super annoying. As far as GG - do you mean Gossamer Gear or Granite Gear? I tried the Gossamer Gear Mariposa and liked it but not enough to replace the other packs I had. If you mean t Granite Gear, I loved the features on the Drop 60 version of the Crown 60 but it didn't carry heavier loads well enough for me to keep.

[@dannyfox1449]

@@BackcountryPilgrim thank you

[@jakeva9802]

You can get a custom ula xpac for 50 bucks less.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

My custom pack is a Circuit and TBH I wouldn't pick either as the winner in quality. However, to your point, by the time you cumstomize it with these options and pay for shipping I think the difference is negligible.

[@brettsellers2899]

Which pack maker would you pick for quality?

[@tomprevost2477]

There is always another pack company I've never heard of.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Haha, no doubt. :) These guys have actually been around a fair amount of time but they stopped making packs for a few years.

[@RC-qf3mp]

What’s disappointing about the pack is that it doesn’t come with a rap video. Just sayin.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

I think it's an add on you can only get with a special coupon.

[@RC-qf3mp]

@@BackcountryPilgrim you could combine your love of gear with your talent for rap by making rap video informercial/gear reviews of items such as malt liquor (which has the highest electrolyte content?), holsters (stand my ground, b!tch), and AR-15 straps. Diversify bro.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

@@RC-qf3mp The hiking-rap niche really could use more content....

[@dannyfox1449]

I like this pack but it's not so sexy.

[@BackcountryPilgrim]

Um.... hahaha. Maybe if it was in red???

[@dannyfox1449]

@@BackcountryPilgrim no