Durston Kakwa 40

The Durston Kakwa 40 is an ultralight backpack with exceptional mechanical durability.

It is characterized by its staple load capacity, ergonomics and material. It weighs less than 900 g.

In its weight category, it stands out with a high load capacity of up to 20 kg. The backpack is capable of this load capacity thanks to its well thought-out internal frame, balance straps, ergonomically shaped shoulder straps and a waist belt that fits perfectly thanks to a good tightening system.

What is Ultra 200X?

The core of the fabric are woven UHMWPE fibers which are several times stronger and more abrasion resistant than traditional nylon pack fabrics. The Ultra 200X material is laminated with an eco-friendly adhesive to a film to create a waterproof fabric, while UltraGrid uses a PU coating for waterproofing.

Simply using a tough fabric is not enough if the pack has weak points in the stitching or supporting materials. That's why the Kakwa 55 is fully double stitched with heavyweight thread by the same factory that builds packs for Arcteryx, and uses stronger folded seams. We’ve also used the same tough fabrics for the hipbelt pockets and side pockets so these exposed areas also have maximum durability. The front pocket is generally less exposed to the brush, but still we’ve sourced a durable knit mesh for this pocket that is much tougher than typical lycra mesh.

Load carrying

The load carrying and comfort of the Kakwa 40 is unprecedented for a pack weighing under 1 kg.

Other packs in this niche commonly sacrifice comfort and load transfer by omitting load lifters, possessing only vertical frame components (no horizontal structure), and relying on rudimentary shoulder strap and hipbelt designs.

The Kakwa 40 is a stark contrast to this. It uses an inverted U shaped frame built of hollow aluminum that is a more efficient use of structural weight than the commonly flat frame stays, and provides a rigid core with both vertical and horizontal structure.

This frame connects directly to the hipbelt for optimal load transfer and directly to the load lifters, which are rare on packs this light yet essential for shifting more of the weight off your shoulders. A robust structure is nothing without an ergonomic connection to your body, which is why the shoulder straps have a carefully developed S shape to contour around your upper body, while the hipbelt uses a dual strap design to cup your hips and with reverse pull leverage for easy tightening. The result is a pack that comfortably and effectively manages loads up to 20 kg.

Efficeint access

With an ultralight pack, efficient access to your gear while on the move is a hallmark of good pack design. For this, the Kakwa 40 has four types of pockets to optimize on-the-go access to a wide range of your gear so you can keep covering miles instead of digging through your pack.

That starts with the hipbelt pockets, where a large shape easily accommodates numerous medium sized items such as snacks, sunscreen, and headlamps. That storage is augmented by dual top opening shoulder strap pockets which provide an optimized place for your phone for quick photos and navigation. These shoulder strap pockets also work excellently for bear spray and provide a safe place for fragile items like sunglasses.

Additionally there is the innovative QuickPocket which consists of an easily reached hidden compartment in the side pocket where you can stow items that are too large to be quickly accessed on other packs, such as hats, mitts, large cameras and plus sized phones. Finally, a mesh style front pocket quickly swallows the largest items like jackets and cookwear so you can hike all day without opening your pack.

Collectively, the Kakwa’s suite of pockets is carefully thought out and refined to enable rapid and efficient access to everything you need on the move.

Features

• Ultra 200X Fabric
• Hollow Aluminum Frame
• Load Lifters
• Ergonomic Shoulder Straps
• Dual Strap + Reverse Pull Hipbelt
• Y Top Strap
• Attachments
• Hipbelt Pockets
• Shoulder Strap Pockets
• QuickPocket
• Hydration Compatible
• Durable Mesh

How to choose a backpack size?

Have the length of your spine measured from the level of the iliac crest (the top of the bone on the side of your back) to the C7 vertebra at the base of your neck. This is the top of the first protruding vertebra when the head is tilted.

• Length 37 - 45 cm = size S
• Length 42 - 50 cm = size M
• Length 47 - 55 cm = size L

If you measure your back length, choose the larger size. For example, for a back length of 48 cm, choose size L.