Search Outdoors is thought for crafting gear that may stand up to demanding backcountry circumstances whereas sustaining a light-weight design. Whereas the corporate’s focus is on ultralight backpack searching, it additionally caters to light-weight backpackers who want to hold masses within the 30-50 lb vary on distant or multi-sport journeys, corresponding to packrafting or wilderness fly fishing, or which have rare resupply factors. I’m usually requested by readers for suggestions of light-weight backpacks that may carry heavier masses, north of 30 lbs, and I level them to Search Outdoors.
- Weight: 2 Lbs 11 Ounces / 43 Ounces
- Mannequin Examined: 25″ body/massive hipbelt 3.02 lbs (48.32 oz) in Ultragrid
- Quantity: 52L (3200 c.i.) + 11L in exterior pockets
- Kind: Adjustable Torso
- Load lifters: Sure
- Pockets: Three plus foremost compartment
- Hydration Appropriate: Sure
- Canister compatibility: BV500 and Garcia match horizontally within the extension collar, BV 475 matches horizontally at mid-point in pack bag (all match vertically)
- Material Choices: Ultragrid or Extremely 200
- Most beneficial weight: 50 lbs
- Made within the USA.
- Professionals: Adjustable torso size, PALs, abrasion-resistant supplies, movable compression straps
- Cons: Awkward Y-strap attachment to entrance mesh pocket
Backpack Capability and Group
The Flight 3 is about up like nearly each different light-weight backpack on the planet, with a roll-top closure, a foremost compartment, a entrance stretch pocket, and two facet water bottle pockets. The inside of the principle compartment holds 52L, whereas the exterior open pockets present a further 11L of house. All the exterior pockets are made with Ultramesh, which is an abrasion-resistant mesh that’s tough to tear.
The Flight is hydration appropriate, with an inside pocket or grasp loop to droop a hydration bladder, a hydration port positioned between the shoulder straps, and hose keeper loops on the shoulder straps.
The highest of the principle compartment incorporates a rolltop closure with a stiffener, making it simpler to roll shut and sustaining its safe place when closed. Nonetheless, the buckles on the ends of the roll high solely connect to themselves and to not the buckles alongside the pack sides, limiting the helpful quantity within the extension collar and the quantity of high compression accessible.
The 2 facet water bottle pockets have adjustable elastic cords operating alongside the highest to forestall objects from falling out, and the pockets are angled to make it simpler to tug out and substitute bottles. The entrance mesh pocket options an elastic high hem, serving to to maintain objects securely in place.
Backpack Body and Suspension
Making certain match is the place many ultralight and light-weight packs compromise, and the place the Flight 3 stands out from the gang. The pack options an adjustable torso size, permitting you to lift or decrease the shoulder straps to make sure a comfortable match that matches your torso size. That is very important when carrying the heavier masses that the pack is designed to hold. The shoulder strap yoke strikes up and down laddered straps and secures in place with velcro. In case you don’t have expertise becoming a pack, it’ll assist to regulate this with somebody who does.
The body is a 360-degree aluminum loop that terminates behind the underside of the hipbelt and is tough to take away. It does a pleasant job of holding the again straight and driving the load into the hip belt. The body has a further horizontal keep that stops the pack from barrelling round a bear canister or different inflexible objects when packed.
The shoulder straps function daisy chains, making it simple so as to add pockets or grasp technical gear, corresponding to a Garmin inReach. They’re well-padded, however are solely accessible in a J-shape, which is extra appropriate for males than girls. The only sternum strap slides alongside webbing and is straightforward to regulate. The pack additionally options load lifters, one other important function for carrying heavier pack weights. They’re simple to entry when the pack is worn and do an efficient job of tilting the pack in order that extra weight is carried by the hipbelt, somewhat than your shoulders.
The hip belt is vast, that includes a lumbar pad for elevated consolation and cargo switch. It’s detachable and might accommodate totally different hip belt lengths. It additionally permits for selective tightening of the highest or backside to accommodate totally different hip shapes. The hipbelt doesn’t include pockets, however options two tiers of pouch attachment ladders, permitting you so as to add appropriate MOLLE pouches and equipment, corresponding to pockets, canteen carriers, or holsters (bought individually), and is appropriate with third-party equipment.
Compression and Attachment Factors
The Flight 3 comes with two tiers of compression straps that you could transfer to totally different positions on the pack relying on the kind of load it’s essential carry. Search Outdoors was one of many first backpack producers to make use of a particular gated clip (image above) for this function.
The Flight 3 has eight gear loops across the perimeter of the entrance stretch mesh pocket and eight loops that run down the again (the facet dealing with your again) that make all types of attachment or compression eventualities attainable, together with carrying snowshoes.
Whereas the gated clips that allow this stage of modularity are extremely purposeful, they’re optimized for rare use as a consequence of their barely tough closure and gradual lack of stress over time. The Flight makes use of one in every of these clips on its Y-strap to carry the highest of the entrance stretch mesh pocket closed, a spot that’s often used and the place we predict a extra conventional side-release (squeeze-style) buckle can be simpler and fewer annoying.
Goal Person – Who’s The Flight 3 for?
In case you’re a light-weight backpacker on the lookout for a pack that may deal with heavier (30+ lb) masses whereas weighing lower than 3 lbs, the Search Outdoors Flight 3 is tough to beat. It’s greatest fitted to skilled backpackers who admire modularity, can confidently regulate the pack’s torso size, and aren’t afraid to put money into premium gear.
I examined the Ultragrid model, which is comprised of 210d recycled nylon with 200d Extremely fibers and is pretty sturdy and water resistant, however nothing particular. The Flight 3 can also be accessible in Utragrid 200X, which is a water-proof cloth and way more sturdy than Ultragrid, particularly for those who’re scraping the pack towards rock often, like in canyons, scrambling, or for bushwhacking. Provided that the worth distinction is minor, I’d go along with the Ultra200x model for those who’re exhausting on packs.
Suggestion
The Search Outdoors Flight 3 stands out as a light-weight backpack that doesn’t compromise on consolation or load-carrying skill. Its considerate design, sturdy supplies, customizable match, and spectacular weight capability make it one of the crucial versatile choices in its class. Whereas not low cost or overloaded with options, it’s an funding in long-term consolation and reliability on the path. For hikers who demand each gentle weight and real-world efficiency, it’s one of many most interesting selections accessible at the moment.
Disclosure: Search Outdoors donated a pack for evaluate.
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