PEAK ULTRALIGHT DESIGN or OVERPRICED? Outdoor Vitals CS40 Backpack Review

[@GearPriority]

CHECK IT OUT HERE ➡ geni.us/OV-CS40 PACKWIZARD COMPARISON: bit.ly/3PPYzD6

[@clarkgray4109]

Review the Durston Kakwa soon!

[@Cdubb89]

Get your hands on a Kakwa 55. Great pack. Thank you for the info and putting these videos together 🤙🏼

[@billb5732]

I'm glad you tested at 40 lbs. It represents a water carry, helping a partner, or skis/packraft, etc. Any old pack can carry 25 lbs with no problem; the differentiation begins above 30-35. Still, there are better packs for less. Like most OV stuff, it's more fashion than function.

[@GearPriority]

What aspects of the function didn't you like when using the pack?

[@billb5732]

@@GearPriority Heh. Fair question. :) OTOH, isn't that why we rely on good reviewers? But I have used other OV stuff, which was what I referred to. You will see the review.

[@_crane_7475]

I've been waiting for a more in-depth review of this pack from you. Great video. Thanks Justin! Grab a Kakwa and let us know what you think. I just got one for myself and finished a 30 mile trek on the AT. It performed well with 25lbs, and could probably handle 40 easily.

[@jamesbramlett5407]

I got one this spring, a 44L variant and agree with Crane, absolutely love it. It feels SOOO good on the back with that internal structure. It has everything I need/want and nothing I don't. I'm kinda over folks dogging on UL packs being just a dry bag with straps, because all the engineering going into these is where the money comes into play. The Kakwa is so doggone light, strong and comfy. I thought the hip belt pockets were too tiny, but then I found that I really enjoy their size. I thought the hip belt was too wimpy, but I love the simplicity of the dual/opposing straps. It's a perfect pack for many, and I'd love to see what Justin thinks too. This OV pack looks to be similar, just heavier...prob due to the beefy hip belt and pockets.

[@Uncle_Fred]

I prefer a beefier hipbelt for comfort. Six Moons has some great packs for this. Look forward to the kakwa review.

[@artallen2860]

One short coming of this pack is top straps. The closure strap buckle up and over, which is not as water tight has bucking down the sides. The single back to front strap just isn’t as secure as a Y-strap. Other than these two short comings, my wife really likes the fit and feel of this pack, due to it’s adjustable.

[@GearPriority]

I prefer role tops that don't buckle down the sides. It's personal preference though. I don't rely on the fabric of my pack to provide waterproofing (the CS40 isn't seam sealed).

[@helpfulcommenter]

Beautiful fall foliage makes the white pack look fantastic. Nice setup Justin

[@waxler2]

I’d prefer aluminum stays and weight penalty for the ability to really customize the fit. How easy it to clean/remove stains? Thinking I’ll wait for darker colors.

[@millerhoo]

I need to buy you a kakwa 40 so you can compare the two.

[@helpfulcommenter]

“Brigham and Tayson” no shade to those boys but those are the most Mormon names I’ve ever heard lol. Can you fit golden plates in the pack?

[@ruivermelho2582]

Waiting desperately for the Winter gear video for this year, what would be the best choice of "snow pants" to hike?

[@ericm9406]

hello Justin, I just sold my Duplex, I plan to buy a single-wall tent, I'm hesitating between an Xmid pro 1 or an altaplex, knowing that I hike alone. I hesitate to take an Xmid pro 2 for more comfort. Which model do you think would be the most appropriate? thank you in advance. Sincerely.

[@nicolaslefebvre-cloutier1312]

Really cool pack but the shadowlight is still rocking my world !

[@Andy-Mesa]

"A little less expensive" = over $100 cheaper. Not to mention the Kakwa has more features and a higher carrying capacity.

[@GearPriority]

Thanks for dissecting the nuance of the adjectives I use in my videos. You're doing the world a great service.

[@Andy-Mesa]

@@GearPriority sorry Justin, but I'm not the only one that has mentioned this. I do enjoy your videos or I wouldn't keep watching them, and if I didn't care I wouldn't spend the time giving you what I find to be constructive feedback. Opinions are subjective, and I won't fault you for that. I understand you're putting out a ton of reviews to grow your channel and get the clicks and views. I respect the hustle. But I feel it's perfectly valid to call you out when you use superlatives like "lightest" or "best" or when you use suspicious wording like "a little less expensive" or "much more expensive" when the prices don't actually reflect that. It makes *you* look bad and I think it's worth noting.

[@PrybarCommando]

Why outdoor vitals gear? Out of all the companies doing ultralight packs- both mainstream and cottage. Why are you doing a pack from a company known for their incredible, unending marketing? What’s in it for you?

[@chase-mode]

It was free, as disclosed in the description. So, that’s what’s in it for him, a free pack.

[@GearPriority]

The pack was free but there was no promise of a review or content about it. I receive lots of free gear that I never review or talk about because it wouldn't be of value to my audience. What's in it for me? 1. I enjoy helping people be more confident and comfortable on their outdoor adventures. 2. I enjoy creating content. 3. I get money from affiliate sales and KZbin ad revenue that allows me to put food on the table and keep doing #1 and #2. That's not including all of the other aspects I enjoy like getting to talk about gear, getting outside on adventures, etc.

[@PrybarCommando]

⁠​⁠@@GearPrioritythe honest, Canadian plain speaking reviewer shtick gets muddled when you work with professional marketers- which is what outdoor vitals is. Here’s what the people want Justin- take the gear out on hikes, review in maybe one or two different conditions. make outdoor content, so you can provide food on the table or something, do it that way. Right now you’re employed as subversive marketing. I don’t care if you get free gear or whatever, just actually use the gear.

[@GearPriority]

I used this pack on multiple trips over the last summer. That's why you are seeing my review video on the pack now instead of 4 months ago when it was released. I have no loyalties to Outdoor Vitals so I am not sure where you are getting that I am employed by them for subversive marketing.

[@mikew3137]

Very odd language around the price comparison $399 is not "Much more expensive" than $368, even if you consider all of the addons to meet the functionality. Also, $250 is not "a little bit less expensive" than $368. $250 is massively less expensive that $368! Really it comes down to which one is more comfortable and can meet the needs for your trips.

[@GearPriority]

The Arc Haul doesn't come with hip belts. It ends up being 460 when you add hip belts. It's close to $100 difference as you go from the Kakwa to the CS40 to the Arc Haul.

[@Andy-Mesa]

@@GearPriority With that logic you'd have to add the cost of shoulder strap pockets to the CS40 to match the functionality of the Kakwa, making it much more expensive than the $100 price difference it already is.

[@theamirkeren]

I love your videos but I feel like your latest gear reviews have been very biased. There's the good and the "bad" but somehow the bad is also not so bad 😅 I would much rather get a more honest unbiased review

[@GearPriority]

Did you see my Osprey Exos review? haha. Generally, when you see as much gear as I do, it's easy to spot the gear that is likely not going to be good. I really only test gear I know I am not going to like if the product is popular (Osprey Exos). It is a lot of effort to test, plan, and film a review video and if the product is just plain bad, not a lot of people are going to be interested in that product anyways. For example, I have used the Outdoor Vitals Fortius tent and it is not for me. But I am not going to make a review on it - not many people are interested in it anyways as it is one of Outdoor Vitals least popular products. Also, all gear reviews are biased, that is why they are more useful than the spec and feature lists you get on a manufacturers website. For some people, they may hate the CS40, but I don't find many issues with it. I don't have any loyalties to brands and will trash a product if I think it warrants it - if they don't like it, then they should think about making better products.

[@theamirkeren]

@@GearPriority Thanks for the detailed reply! It makes sense to review the things you like, and it's good to know that going forward when I'm seeing your awesome future videos! 😁

[@playnationtoday]

Purple pants

[@funnybeingme]

To be honest, quite an overpriced pack.The Durston Kakwa is considerably much less expensive (not a little less expensive like you mentioned). I don't find a reason to get this over the Durston Kakwa.

[@UnluckyCanadian]

How much does Outdoor Vitals pay to shill their alibaba gear?

[@helpfulcommenter]

I don’t think their new gear is like that but their earliest stuff for sure was

[@backpackingcapebreton]

I’d be concerned about losing my water bottle and whatever else I have in that really shallow side pocket if I was bushwhacking or something.

[@GearPriority]

I haven't had any problems with bushwacking or bending over. I've also had a couple slips and falls while walking on snow without spikes and 1L smartwater bottles stayed in place.