About 2000 miles into my PCT yo-yo I was ready to try a new pack. The Zpacks Arc Haul I’d carried since the beginning had served me well, but having sent home my winter layers I was ready for something smaller and lighter. I looked at a few different options before settling on Superior Wilderness Design’s (SWD) Superior 30. It was the simplicity of the pack that appealed to me. No frame, no hip belt, no chest strap. Perfect.
Design:
The 30L Frameless Pack reminds me of those JanSport backpacks that were ever so popular in grade school. At first glance it hardly fits the typical appearance of a serious backcountry pack, I was often mistaken as a day hiker. Constructed of lightweight, durable and water proof 4.8oz VX07 X-Pac material, its top loading roll top design keeps things simple. One feature I enjoyed was the addition of drawcords to the external water bottle pockets and upper side pockets, allowing you to adjust the size of the opening. In addition, the V shaped top closing strap comes standard, which makes for a convenient and secure spot to stow your bear can. Finally, the massive outer mesh pocket gives you ample space to store all those items you may need to grab on the fly.
Options:
SWD offers a large variety of customizable options for their packs, and if there’s something you’re looking for that isn’t offered on their website, they can make it happen. These are the add-ons I went with:
- No frame, hip belt, chest strap or load lifters
- Waterproof roll top zippered pocket
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- Perfect for small flat items you need quick access to
- Two lycra shoulder strap pockets
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- Perfect for phone, snacks and sunglasses
- Removable back pad
- Two external upper side pockets
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- Perfect for headlamp and other miscellaneous objects you need quick access to
Durability:
This is a pack you can rely on. After over 3000 miles of punishment my pack is still in terrific shape, so much so that I’m bringing it down to Patagonia for another 1700 miles. Its simple design leaves less chances for component failure, and increases my confidence in its continued performance.
Comfort:
This pack is not for someone who hasn’t fully embraced the ultralight philosophy. If overburdened, your shoulders are going to feel it because it’s lacking a hip belt to transfer weight to your hips. If your base weight is more than 12lbs, you’re probably going to want to order it with the hip belt. That said, I found it perfectly comfortable with my setup so long as I didn’t overdo my food carries. The shoulder straps are well padded, and the addition of a back pad keeps things riding smoothly. I was a bit anxious about ditching the hip belt, but soon found I could never go back to using one. Having my hips free gave me a more natural stride, increased balance and improved all around comfort.
Customer Service:
When I made the choice to switch to a SWD pack mid-hike, I wasn’t sure if it was even an option due to the two-month lead time required for their custom packs. Just for the hell of it, I shot them an email explaining who I was and what I was doing in hopes they could help me out. Less than an hour later I had my response. It turned out they had what I wanted in stock, and could get it in the mail the next day for me. Their prompt response, excellent product and superb support made me a lifelong customer.
What I Liked:
- Lightweight and compact
- Simple durable design
- Drawstrings to adjust the opening of the water bottle side pockets and upper side pockets
- Large outer mesh pocket
- Lycra pocket attached to the outside of water bottle pocket (perfect for storing trash)
- Incredible customer service
- Price point
What I Didn’t Like:
- Seams aren’t water proof (I discovered this the hard way…)
- That’s it…I honestly loved everything else
Specs:
- Weight: 16 ounces
- Capacity: 38L total (30L internal/8L external)
- Carrying capacity: 18 – 20lbs
- Material: 4.8oz VX07 X-Pac material
How I Packed:
Here’s the quick and dirty on how I fit everything in such a small pack:
In the main compartment I packed everything horizontally starting with:
- Food bag
- Clothing bag
- Quilt/sleeping pad bag
- Tent
In the outer mesh pocket I packed:
- Tent poles
- Ditty bag
- Sawyer Squeeze
- Puffy when not worn
In the upper side pockets I packed:
- Headlamp
- Snacks
- Miscellaneous items
In the roll top zippered pocket I packed:
- Knife
- Chapstick
- Wallet
- Pen
Conclusion:
If you’re looking for a simple durable ultralight pack, look no further. SWD produces a solid product backed by incredible customer service at a price point that’s hard to beat. They may be new to the game, but they’re absolutely crushing it. I encourage you to poke around on their website to see for yourself. Whether you want the same pack I rock, or a 50L framed pack with a hip belt for those longer hauls, they can make it happen.
Cheers!