Enjoyed the review. Got the new Kakwa 55, the upgrades are great, love the pack and it’s load carrying capabilities. The Kakwa has loops for the bungie cord as well that you didn’t mention. You just have to get the bungie cord. I have mine set up on the front pouch for drying stuff and looped on the bottom to hold a chair or pad, there’s also loops for side straps too. If you buy an extra sternum strap you can attach it to the side compression straps and clip your bag top down to the sides instead of looped up top and it gives you a little more storage space. Also, for anyone who hasn’t heard of it, I just ran into the back ventilation frame not long ago that works great for air flow and it’s super light. It’s called the Vaucluse Ultralight Ventilation Backpack Frame.
Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed the review. The Kakwa does look great and I do love the way it carries heavier loads so well. Thanks for mentioning about the loops for bungie cords, I did forget to mention that. The back ventilation frame sounds really interesting. I'll check that out. Thanks again for watching and commenting.
I love these types of videos. I always learn so much. Plus it’s interesting to see what features different people prefer and don’t prefer. Thanks for sharing!
I have a Kakwa 40 and the frame shaping gives it an incredible 'ride' so to speak. It's an effortless carry in comparison to my granite gear, lowe alpine and OMM backpacks. The comments about the mesh and lack of key ring are completely valid. I use this for day hikes and backpacking purely due to its comfort - it's light which doesn't hurt at all, but it's a more comfortable carry than some of my lighter packs. The side pocket with the very steep slope makes getting bottles from that pocket a doddle but can be annoying if you have to scramble and a bottle falls out. No idea if there's a fix for that. The other thing to consider is that there's nowhere to stow trekking poles as standard. It's easy enough to add a bungee but it's something to think about.
Totally agree with everything you've said here mate. Comfort-wise it is superb, carries so well. The lack of key ring can be overcome by adding your own. Wild Sky Gear do some stick on ones, that attach the DCF/Ultra fabric. I've done that on my Waymark Embr pack and it works really well. Thanks so much for watching and commenting mate.
Hi. Great video. I have the Mo. Just thought I'd mention that the sleeve pocket at the base of the pad is great for your sit pad. Easy access and a little extra protection when putting the bag down.
Thanks for your video, super cool comparison, however, you're not mentioning the difference in the materials, which I think is quite key. The Kakwa comes in 2 materials and the one you're showcasing seems to be the one in Ultra 200, a significantly superior fabric to the EPX 200 of the MO. I think this is worth mentioning. Thanks!
Yep great point mate. I don't know why I didn't talk about the fabric differences, which is important. I was struggling with this video a bit because it was a really hot sunny day and my cameras were overheating...so was I come to think of it. 😂 Thanks for pointing it out though. Glad you enjoyed it otherwise.
Appreciated the detail you went in to! I decided to go with the kakwa 40 mainly because I preferred the styling, cost, and minimal straps/bungee. I would have preferred to wait until after the 2024 update which has a larger front pocket, but it’s not out until autumn.
Thanks for commenting mate. I hope you found the video useful. You won't be sorry about the Kakwa. It's a great bag and carries really well. The lack of front pocket space isn't a massive issue tbh. Enjoy your new backpack.
Congratulations for the excellent presentation. This was one of the best product comparisons on UA-cam I've ever seen. I'm hesitating between Kakwa 55 and MO50 or MO60. The presentation made it easier for me to decide, but I'll wait a little longer, because first I have to optimize the other things.
Ahhhh, thank you so much, that's very kind of you. So glad you enjoyed it and found it useful. Makes doing it so worthwhile. May ask what you are thinking of going for?
@@trickofthetrail I'm looking for a backpack that can carry up to 5-7 days of food and 5-6L of water + space for 1p tent, 2 trekking poles, clothing and sleeping equipment for -5 °C environments. Except for the water, everything should fit in a backpack for air travel. But I wanted to buy a sleeping bag or quilt first, because then I can test the space required on my 40+10 backpack. A lot fits in this backpack, but I don't want to play Tetris anymore because it takes a lot of time and minutes are miles. Best regards G.
Hey Daniel. Glad you enjoyed the video mate. Yeah I've noticed he's sorted the front pocket out and added some more loops for the side compression. Hopefully he'll add that to the 40 litre version too at some point.
Hi thanks for this comparison. I have an atom pack atom+. You mention about the front pocket material which you can swap out for the mesh on the atom. You can also customise the atom. I have one pocket taller for my tent and one shorter for water. I’m not a fan of the Atoms hip belt pockets and swapped them for some by Wild Sky Gear. I would not get the shoulder pouches on the atom too because you can get more versatility using other detachable shoulder pouches. Atom pack did add the side compression clips on my atom+ since they do not come as standard in it. But I don’t like the up and over style which you seem to like. The frame in the atom+ is similar to on the Durston. You can also ask for more daisy-chain on the shoulder straps on the custom atoms. I suppose it’s each to their own. I have got a pre-order for a Durston Wapta 30 for my shorter/warmer trips. Both companies have great personalised customer service.
Hey, thanks for watching and the info on the Atom+. I'm with you on the shoulder pockets. I have the Waymark Embr, which has a detachable pocket and I find it much more flexible. I don't need one on both sides. Yeah, I can see why some people prefer the side clipping, as apposed to the dry bag style clipping system. Personal preference, but nice that you get both on this pack so you can do it either way. I hope you enjoy your Wapta 30. It looks like a great pack and I agree, both companies are awesome. Thanks for stopping by and commenting mate. Really appreciate it.
Really helpful review, thanks for taking the time to do this. It would of been nice to see you wear each one just to get an idea of the size when carrying.
Thanks very much, I'm glad you enjoyed it and found it useful. Also thanks for the feedback. I had actually planned to wear the backpacks, but tbh I was struggling so much with the cameras overheating as it was a boiling hot day, that I'd had enough. 😂 Although you can see me wearing the Atom Pack on my review video of the MO. Thanks so much again for watching.
@@trickofthetrail Thats understandable. I personally find it hard to visualise the size of packs - seeing someone wear it makes it much clearer to me (maybe im just odd!). I was surprised and disheartened to see your relatively low subscriber count (no offense). I have subbed and hope you keep at it!
@@sliiiimjimAwww, thanks so much. That really does mean a lot. I have to say I am finding subscribers hard to come by, which is really frustrating when I see other channels grow much faster. However I enjoy the filming and editing, so don't plan on quitting and have another couple of backpack reviews in the pipeline. Re wearing the backpack, you are not odd and I totally agree, which is why I did it on my review of The Mo EP50. If you want to see me wearing the Durston Kakwa, you might want to watch the following video, where I take it out on a wild camp: ua-cam.com/video/pA06TNNz18M/v-deo.html
I think a bungee cord around the Kackwa would help out with side storage. Very detailed comparison interesting to see how same load fits into both bags.
That is a good suggestion Mr Taylor. The problem is that wrapping the bungee around the pack would make it sit against your back when carrying. This could potentially be irritating. I also feel at this price point, whilst people do mod their packs, it's not something that should need to be added. Having said that, it's not a feature that everyone will want. So horses for courses and all that. Thanks for watching and commenting matie.
Excellent job, I bought an Atom recently but sent it back, I didn’t feel comfortable with it and I didn’t like the volume I prefer to carry everything inside rather than in the bulky pockets personal preference, I’ve ordered a Kakwa 55 just waiting on the delivery fingers crossed it’s as good as the x-mid
Hey, thanks so much. Sorry you didn't get on with the Atom Pack. I actually ended up selling mine. I loved the pack, but it just wasn't comfortable for me. I think you'll much prefer the Kakwa and especially with the extra volume the 55 litre version brings. I carried 17kg in the Kakwa 40 recently and it handled it very well. Enjoy!
Kakwa arrived last week and literally the day after went hiking and camping on the isle of arran just mega comfortable and so light, i have been using arcteryx bora 63 which is proper pack comfortable and durable but the kakwa surpassed it in every way
@@dmac4097 Ah awesome. Great to heat that worked out for you mate. I was mega impressed with the comfort of the Kakwa 40. It's nice when you finally find a pack that ticks all the boxes. Enjoy it mate! I've just got the Wayfair Embr, so am looking forward to seeing how that goes. Will do a first impressions of it soon.
Thanks Twiggy. It's hard to know if I waffle on a bit too much, but I like to go in depth as possible. Hopefully people will find it useful. Ha ha. Yeah, it's my mum's garden. Much nicer than mine.
Great concise overview Mark.. they look great bags but probably bit too much. I ended going fir the 3FUL Quidian pro, absolutely love it so far.. feels way bigger than its 40+16 l volume, had a few trips with it abd it holds up well for a price of £80 .
Thanks Paul, glad you enjoyed it. They are great packs, but rather expensive. I've heard good things about the 3FUL packs and great value for money. I've just spotted your wild camping kit video pop up on my feed, so will check that out when I get a chance. 👍
With the Atom - if you are not using the side-clips for the roll-top I would simply cut them off and seal the cut ends with a lighter! This will save you both faff and weight, and be far less annoying! Regarding the roll-top itself: I much prefer to clip and then roll - that way you don't have that huge loop to get caught on low branches etc, especially if you are clambering over/under blow-downs. It also looks much neater!
Thanks mate. No I've not experienced any delamination issues on the Kakwa. I've tried other ultra packs since and not had any issues with those either. I know people have reported issues with it, but it's not something I have experienced myself.
Nice comparison between the two mate. Shows really well how the different volumes quoted by manufacturers can be a bit misleading. Personally I prefer the Ultra material used on the Kakwa to the EPX that the Mo uses. Interested to know which you found most comfortable to hike with when loaded up?
Thanks matie. It is really annoying the manufacturers can't come up with some kind of standards when it comes to the volumes. I should have talked about the different materials. I had planned to, but it was mega hot outside and I was having all sorts of overheating issues with my cameras...and with me. 😂 So I totally forgot. I agree though, I prefer the Ultra, although not a deal breaker for me. Regarding carrying comfort when loaded out. The Kakwa wins it hands down for me. I carried 17kg at the weekend and whilst that was pushing its limits, I still found it relatively comfortable. I think The Mo would have struggled.
One tip I noticed Tom use on the Mo is when not incompression mode, he clipped those long "dangling" straps to each other across the front. Not sure if that impedes use of the front pocket.
I think about buying the Kakwa but i am also missing the missing shockcords on the back and sides of the pack. But isn t it possible to add this shockcords? Or why don t you talk about it?
Hi mate. Yeah I think you can on the newer versions, but the version I was comparing doesn't have loops in the appropriate place. It only has loops at the bottom of the front pocket. You might be able to do something with this version of the pack to get around it, but I wanted to do a comparison of how they come from the manufacturer. Thanks so much for watching and commenting.
Interesting that you say the Durston carries heavier loads better. (in comments). I was wondering if the lumber pad on the atom sits in the small of the back and helps or if its not really padded enough to make any difference? Also the Durston looks flat n smooth is it more sweaty? I've heard the atom sits off abit so adding more air flow.. Anyway your video is great, I hadn't really considered the Kakwa because of the above
Thanks Paul, glad you found it useful. Yes, I was surprised that the Durston carried heavier loads. I guess this may depend on the person, but from multiple tests, it is definitely the better of the two. Yes, the Durston is more sweaty IMO. It's not a massive issue for me, but I have found sweat patches on the Durston and not so much on the Atom Pack. I'm not a very sweaty person, so it wouldn't put me off buying the pack, but the Atom Pack can sit further away from you pack. You also have the ability to bend the frame, so can adjust it accordingly. The Kakwa is definitely worth a look. My biggest two gripes are the hip belts, I just don't like the way they wrap around the hips and the lone compression cord at the top. I feel a couple of cords would be better. Thanks so much for watching and commenting.
I have the Kakwa, it does get sweaty. It also holds a a heavy load well. Check out the Vaucluse Ultralight Ventilation Backpack Frame. Got one not long ago and it works great for ventilation/sweating and it’s only a little over 3oz.
@@trickofthetrail with the hip belts... I wonder on the possibility of buying an after market hip pockets and fitting then over the existing ones. hence you end up with floating pockets as with the mo. On the attachment points, I know there are more points on the 2024 to add cord/shockcord and make it more useful. Seen a few mod videos on that already.. Have ordered the Kakwa 55 which is arriving in next few days... as well as the uk customs bill. :)
@@ipedros7 Yeah, it would be interesting to see if adding your own pockets on top of the Kakwa ones would work. I guess it could be an option. 🤷 Yeah, I know Durston has addressed some of the attachment point issues with the newer versions. So that's great that they can now be modded. I'm sure you'll love your Kakwa 55, they are cracking backpacks. 👍
I have a Mo40 custom which has the stretchy mesh front pocket like the Kakwa. Gave it some funky colors. It holds my total weight of just under 24lbs which includes food and 2L of water with, I think a great hip belt.
Great reviews and comparison. +1 for Atompacks for me :) Bit pity that many ppl focus on just these 2-3 most popular brands of UL backpacks, when there is Superior Wilderness Desings with their Long Haul 50 also in Ultra :)
Thanks very much mate. Yep, I know what you're saying. I would love to try out the Long Haul. I have a mate that has one and it looks like a fab pack. However I have recently purchased a Waymark Embr, so will be doing a first look video of that soon. Thanks so much for watching and commenting.
I considered that one...I honestly think it's too expensive and I don't say that often...waterproof fabric, but if you want to "seamsealed" it's extra $75 and by the time you add the things you'd like, you're over $500.
Good review of these fairly similar backpacks. Not sure if you mentioned what materials these packs were made of? Also, is either pack waterproof? One last question, what is the weights of each of these?
Thanks very much. No, annoyingly I neglected to mention the fabrics. It was quite hot outside and my cameras kept overheating, so it was a bit of a challenging video. The Atom Pack body is made of Ecopak EPX200 and the Durston Kakwa is made of Ultra 200 Fabric. I think the Ultra 200 is better than the EPX200, but it's not a deal breaker for me. They are both good materials. The material on both are water proof, but they aren't seam sealed, so the bags can't be classed as waterproof. They will withstand some rain, but it's best to use a liner for the stuff you need to keep dry. Hope that helps. Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Sorry the delayed reply.
Ah okay, I'm not aware of that Canada import duty claim back. Good tip. And yes, Valley and Peak do currently stock Durston Gear. When I made this video the only choice was to import it. Thanks so much for watching and commenting mate.
I hated the detachable pockets on my Zpacks, they slid off and flopped around. In fact one of things I now look for in a pack is one with sewn on pockets. But I never seen an Atom packs.
Hey Jeff, thanks for watching and commenting. I'm shocked to hear that the Zpacks pockets kept sliding off, doesn't sound like a good design. The pockets on the Atom Packs don't have that issue as they are held on by clips. I also have removable pockets on my Waymark Embr and have had no issues with those either. Atom Packs are worth checking out if you haven't already. They make awesome backpacks!
I won’t go into how because it was obvious to me that the shortcomings of the Kakwa can be easily adapted to by anyone whose ever been on a backpacking expedition. I should also note some philosophical differences between me and the reviewer. I see no need for a stuff sack if you’re only going to put one item in it. Stuff sacks are for aggregating certain related items such as medical supplies, food, or cooking equipment. Sleeping bags and all the other single items that were in their own sacks can be stuffed in the pack sans sacks for a modest savings in weight with no loss of utility. Also, unlike the reviewer, I would never ever keep my keys or my money in my pack. Those items along with my knife and phone always remain attached to, or buttoned in my pants/shorts. There is a small, but significant contingent who’ve been separated from their packs who have, or would have been even more severely inconvenienced had they not kept those items on their person.
Firstly, thanks for watching and taking the time commenting. I would like to point out that the purpose of this video is to compare the two backpacks as they come "out of the box". Of course either backpack can be modified by anyone who has been on a backpacking expedition, but the purpose here is to show the features of both packs and put forward my pros and cons. Viewers can then make up their mind if either backpacks suites their needs and can be modified if needed. Regarding the stuff sacks. The reason I put my sleeping bag in its sack is to provide an extra layer of protection to it. I had previously packed the bag without the sack, but I personally prefer the piece of mind that the extra layer of protection the sack provides and am willing to take the hit on the added weight. This also goes for the sleeping pad. This is personal preference and understand the pros of leaving the sack at home and get why people do that. I take your point about the keys and I sometimes do leave them in a zippered trouser or coat pocket, but this isn't always possible, especially in the summer when I am wearing shorts without zippered pockets. Plus the car keys can be a bit bulky due to the fob, so prefer not to hike with them in my pocket. If the scenario arises where I am going to be separated from my pack, for example checking it in on a flight or storing it away in a Refugio, I would always take things like this out of the pack and keep them on me. However keeping the keys in the pack whilst out hiking feels a much safer and convenient option for me. Thanks again for watching and happy trails.
You are fortunate to be be blessed with the presence of mind that allows you to remember to move your keys and other important items around when the need arises. I too desire the peace of mind afforded by an extra layer of protection for items such as my sleeping bag. However I achieve it with a tough plastic pack liner purchased from garage grown gear which protects everything and is a lighter solution. Happy trails to you as well. necessar
You know, with different backpacks you would normally pack them differently. I'm sure if you started with the Kakwa you would have had a hard time finding space in the Mo. Also, you should be comparing the Kakwa 55 to the MO 50. It was quite frustrating to watch you struggle to pack the Kakwa when there were plenty of places to fit you items.
If you look at the specs, the Kakwa 40 (in the large size) has a total capacity of 51L, while the Mo EP50 has a total capacity of 55L. Therefore, it’s entirely reasonable to compare them. On the other hand, the Kakwa 55 has a total capacity of 64L (in the large size), making it a less fair comparison. While I would love the luxury of being able to buy any backpack I want and spend time comparing them, I unfortunately don't have that option. My goal was simply to create a video comparing the features and carry comfort of these two bags, hoping it would be helpful to some. I apologise if it didn't meet your expectations and caused such frustration. P.S. Thanks for the tip on how to pack a backpack.
Thanks for the feedback, I hadn't noticed that as an issue. I do tend to do that, probably because I have a stammer, so I do to take a lot of breaths in between sentences. I'll see what I can do to dial it out of the sound though. Thanks for watching.
Enjoyed the review. Got the new Kakwa 55, the upgrades are great, love the pack and it’s load carrying capabilities. The Kakwa has loops for the bungie cord as well that you didn’t mention. You just have to get the bungie cord. I have mine set up on the front pouch for drying stuff and looped on the bottom to hold a chair or pad, there’s also loops for side straps too. If you buy an extra sternum strap you can attach it to the side compression straps and clip your bag top down to the sides instead of looped up top and it gives you a little more storage space. Also, for anyone who hasn’t heard of it, I just ran into the back ventilation frame not long ago that works great for air flow and it’s super light. It’s called the Vaucluse Ultralight Ventilation Backpack Frame.
Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed the review. The Kakwa does look great and I do love the way it carries heavier loads so well. Thanks for mentioning about the loops for bungie cords, I did forget to mention that.
The back ventilation frame sounds really interesting. I'll check that out.
Thanks again for watching and commenting.
Have you had a chance to use the ventilation frame yet?? I’m curious about that
I love these types of videos. I always learn so much. Plus it’s interesting to see what features different people prefer and don’t prefer. Thanks for sharing!
Awesome, really glad you enjoyed it Shan and found it useful. It really does mean a lot to hear it's of use.
I have a Kakwa 40 and the frame shaping gives it an incredible 'ride' so to speak. It's an effortless carry in comparison to my granite gear, lowe alpine and OMM backpacks. The comments about the mesh and lack of key ring are completely valid. I use this for day hikes and backpacking purely due to its comfort - it's light which doesn't hurt at all, but it's a more comfortable carry than some of my lighter packs. The side pocket with the very steep slope makes getting bottles from that pocket a doddle but can be annoying if you have to scramble and a bottle falls out. No idea if there's a fix for that. The other thing to consider is that there's nowhere to stow trekking poles as standard. It's easy enough to add a bungee but it's something to think about.
Totally agree with everything you've said here mate. Comfort-wise it is superb, carries so well. The lack of key ring can be overcome by adding your own. Wild Sky Gear do some stick on ones, that attach the DCF/Ultra fabric. I've done that on my Waymark Embr pack and it works really well.
Thanks so much for watching and commenting mate.
Hi. Great video.
I have the Mo. Just thought I'd mention that the sleeve pocket at the base of the pad is great for your sit pad. Easy access and a little extra protection when putting the bag down.
Hey, thanks very much. That's a great tip there. I've not even thought of doing that. 👍🏻
Thanks for your video, super cool comparison, however, you're not mentioning the difference in the materials, which I think is quite key. The Kakwa comes in 2 materials and the one you're showcasing seems to be the one in Ultra 200, a significantly superior fabric to the EPX 200 of the MO. I think this is worth mentioning. Thanks!
Yep great point mate. I don't know why I didn't talk about the fabric differences, which is important. I was struggling with this video a bit because it was a really hot sunny day and my cameras were overheating...so was I come to think of it. 😂 Thanks for pointing it out though. Glad you enjoyed it otherwise.
Appreciated the detail you went in to! I decided to go with the kakwa 40 mainly because I preferred the styling, cost, and minimal straps/bungee. I would have preferred to wait until after the 2024 update which has a larger front pocket, but it’s not out until autumn.
Thanks for commenting mate. I hope you found the video useful. You won't be sorry about the Kakwa. It's a great bag and carries really well. The lack of front pocket space isn't a massive issue tbh. Enjoy your new backpack.
Congratulations for the excellent presentation. This was one of the best product comparisons on UA-cam I've ever seen. I'm hesitating between Kakwa 55 and MO50 or MO60. The presentation made it easier for me to decide, but I'll wait a little longer, because first I have to optimize the other things.
Ahhhh, thank you so much, that's very kind of you. So glad you enjoyed it and found it useful. Makes doing it so worthwhile.
May ask what you are thinking of going for?
@@trickofthetrail I'm looking for a backpack that can carry up to 5-7 days of food and 5-6L of water + space for 1p tent, 2 trekking poles, clothing and sleeping equipment for -5 °C environments. Except for the water, everything should fit in a backpack for air travel. But I wanted to buy a sleeping bag or quilt first, because then I can test the space required on my 40+10 backpack. A lot fits in this backpack, but I don't want to play Tetris anymore because it takes a lot of time and minutes are miles. Best regards G.
Great review based on real world use.Dan has improved side compression and front pocket volume on latest Kakwa 55.Thanks for making this video👍
Hey Daniel. Glad you enjoyed the video mate. Yeah I've noticed he's sorted the front pocket out and added some more loops for the side compression. Hopefully he'll add that to the 40 litre version too at some point.
Hi thanks for this comparison.
I have an atom pack atom+. You mention about the front pocket material which you can swap out for the mesh on the atom. You can also customise the atom. I have one pocket taller for my tent and one shorter for water.
I’m not a fan of the Atoms hip belt pockets and swapped them for some by Wild Sky Gear.
I would not get the shoulder pouches on the atom too because you can get more versatility using other detachable shoulder pouches.
Atom pack did add the side compression clips on my atom+ since they do not come as standard in it. But I don’t like the up and over style which you seem to like. The frame in the atom+ is similar to on the Durston. You can also ask for more daisy-chain on the shoulder straps on the custom atoms.
I suppose it’s each to their own. I have got a pre-order for a Durston Wapta 30 for my shorter/warmer trips.
Both companies have great personalised customer service.
Hey, thanks for watching and the info on the Atom+.
I'm with you on the shoulder pockets. I have the Waymark Embr, which has a detachable pocket and I find it much more flexible. I don't need one on both sides.
Yeah, I can see why some people prefer the side clipping, as apposed to the dry bag style clipping system. Personal preference, but nice that you get both on this pack so you can do it either way.
I hope you enjoy your Wapta 30. It looks like a great pack and I agree, both companies are awesome.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting mate. Really appreciate it.
Also the Mo internal frame can be molded (bent) into shape to make the way it sits on your back more comfortable.
Yes indeed. I go through that on my Atom Packs The Mo review video. Thanks so much for watching and commenting mate. Much appreciated.
Really helpful review, thanks for taking the time to do this. It would of been nice to see you wear each one just to get an idea of the size when carrying.
Thanks very much, I'm glad you enjoyed it and found it useful. Also thanks for the feedback. I had actually planned to wear the backpacks, but tbh I was struggling so much with the cameras overheating as it was a boiling hot day, that I'd had enough. 😂
Although you can see me wearing the Atom Pack on my review video of the MO.
Thanks so much again for watching.
@@trickofthetrail Thats understandable. I personally find it hard to visualise the size of packs - seeing someone wear it makes it much clearer to me (maybe im just odd!). I was surprised and disheartened to see your relatively low subscriber count (no offense). I have subbed and hope you keep at it!
@@sliiiimjimAwww, thanks so much. That really does mean a lot. I have to say I am finding subscribers hard to come by, which is really frustrating when I see other channels grow much faster. However I enjoy the filming and editing, so don't plan on quitting and have another couple of backpack reviews in the pipeline.
Re wearing the backpack, you are not odd and I totally agree, which is why I did it on my review of The Mo EP50. If you want to see me wearing the Durston Kakwa, you might want to watch the following video, where I take it out on a wild camp: ua-cam.com/video/pA06TNNz18M/v-deo.html
I think a bungee cord around the Kackwa would help out with side storage. Very detailed comparison interesting to see how same load fits into both bags.
That is a good suggestion Mr Taylor. The problem is that wrapping the bungee around the pack would make it sit against your back when carrying. This could potentially be irritating. I also feel at this price point, whilst people do mod their packs, it's not something that should need to be added. Having said that, it's not a feature that everyone will want. So horses for courses and all that.
Thanks for watching and commenting matie.
There are loops for the bungie on the Kakwa. You just have to get some cord and loop it yourself.
Excellent job, I bought an Atom recently but sent it back, I didn’t feel comfortable with it and I didn’t like the volume I prefer to carry everything inside rather than in the bulky pockets personal preference, I’ve ordered a Kakwa 55 just waiting on the delivery fingers crossed it’s as good as the x-mid
Hey, thanks so much.
Sorry you didn't get on with the Atom Pack. I actually ended up selling mine. I loved the pack, but it just wasn't comfortable for me. I think you'll much prefer the Kakwa and especially with the extra volume the 55 litre version brings. I carried 17kg in the Kakwa 40 recently and it handled it very well. Enjoy!
Kakwa arrived last week and literally the day after went hiking and camping on the isle of arran just mega comfortable and so light, i have been using arcteryx bora 63 which is proper pack comfortable and durable but the kakwa surpassed it in every way
@@dmac4097 Ah awesome. Great to heat that worked out for you mate. I was mega impressed with the comfort of the Kakwa 40. It's nice when you finally find a pack that ticks all the boxes. Enjoy it mate!
I've just got the Wayfair Embr, so am looking forward to seeing how that goes. Will do a first impressions of it soon.
Very detailed information on these packs Mark 👍 You'll soon be getting offers from these companies. Like the garden you're in. Great background 🙂
Thanks Twiggy. It's hard to know if I waffle on a bit too much, but I like to go in depth as possible. Hopefully people will find it useful.
Ha ha. Yeah, it's my mum's garden. Much nicer than mine.
Great video, thank you! I hope to see you with a Kawka 55!
So glad you enjoyed it. Thanks so much for watching and commenting.
Great video, Thanks. You have cemented my notion to get The Mo.
Hello mate. Glad you found the video useful. The Mo is a great pack and you'll love it.
Thanks so much for leaving a comment. 👍
Great concise overview Mark.. they look great bags but probably bit too much. I ended going fir the 3FUL Quidian pro, absolutely love it so far.. feels way bigger than its 40+16 l volume, had a few trips with it abd it holds up well for a price of £80 .
Thanks Paul, glad you enjoyed it. They are great packs, but rather expensive. I've heard good things about the 3FUL packs and great value for money. I've just spotted your wild camping kit video pop up on my feed, so will check that out when I get a chance. 👍
With the Atom - if you are not using the side-clips for the roll-top I would simply cut them off and seal the cut ends with a lighter! This will save you both faff and weight, and be far less annoying!
Regarding the roll-top itself: I much prefer to clip and then roll - that way you don't have that huge loop to get caught on low branches etc, especially if you are clambering over/under blow-downs. It also looks much neater!
Some good tips there mate.
Thanks so much for watching and commenting.
Great video. Which fabric do you prefer? Did you have any delamination issues with the ultraweave on the kwaka?
Thanks mate. No I've not experienced any delamination issues on the Kakwa. I've tried other ultra packs since and not had any issues with those either. I know people have reported issues with it, but it's not something I have experienced myself.
Nice comparison between the two mate. Shows really well how the different volumes quoted by manufacturers can be a bit misleading. Personally I prefer the Ultra material used on the Kakwa to the EPX that the Mo uses.
Interested to know which you found most comfortable to hike with when loaded up?
Thanks matie. It is really annoying the manufacturers can't come up with some kind of standards when it comes to the volumes.
I should have talked about the different materials. I had planned to, but it was mega hot outside and I was having all sorts of overheating issues with my cameras...and with me. 😂 So I totally forgot. I agree though, I prefer the Ultra, although not a deal breaker for me.
Regarding carrying comfort when loaded out. The Kakwa wins it hands down for me. I carried 17kg at the weekend and whilst that was pushing its limits, I still found it relatively comfortable. I think The Mo would have struggled.
One tip I noticed Tom use on the Mo is when not incompression mode, he clipped those long "dangling" straps to each other across the front. Not sure if that impedes use of the front pocket.
Ah yes, I've seen him do that. Good tip.
Thanks for watching and commenting mate.
great comparison cheers bro
Thanks very much mate. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for dropping a comment.
Was looking at both packs that’s helped thanks
Ah awesome, glad that's helped mate. You decided what you're going for?
I think about buying the Kakwa but i am also missing the missing shockcords on the back and sides of the pack.
But isn t it possible to add this shockcords? Or why don t you talk about it?
Hi mate. Yeah I think you can on the newer versions, but the version I was comparing doesn't have loops in the appropriate place. It only has loops at the bottom of the front pocket.
You might be able to do something with this version of the pack to get around it, but I wanted to do a comparison of how they come from the manufacturer.
Thanks so much for watching and commenting.
Interesting that you say the Durston carries heavier loads better. (in comments). I was wondering if the lumber pad on the atom sits in the small of the back and helps or if its not really padded enough to make any difference? Also the Durston looks flat n smooth is it more sweaty? I've heard the atom sits off abit so adding more air flow..
Anyway your video is great, I hadn't really considered the Kakwa because of the above
Thanks Paul, glad you found it useful.
Yes, I was surprised that the Durston carried heavier loads. I guess this may depend on the person, but from multiple tests, it is definitely the better of the two.
Yes, the Durston is more sweaty IMO. It's not a massive issue for me, but I have found sweat patches on the Durston and not so much on the Atom Pack. I'm not a very sweaty person, so it wouldn't put me off buying the pack, but the Atom Pack can sit further away from you pack. You also have the ability to bend the frame, so can adjust it accordingly.
The Kakwa is definitely worth a look. My biggest two gripes are the hip belts, I just don't like the way they wrap around the hips and the lone compression cord at the top. I feel a couple of cords would be better.
Thanks so much for watching and commenting.
I have the Kakwa, it does get sweaty. It also holds a a heavy load well. Check out the Vaucluse Ultralight Ventilation Backpack Frame. Got one not long ago and it works great for ventilation/sweating and it’s only a little over 3oz.
@@trickofthetrail with the hip belts... I wonder on the possibility of buying an after market hip pockets and fitting then over the existing ones. hence you end up with floating pockets as with the mo.
On the attachment points, I know there are more points on the 2024 to add cord/shockcord and make it more useful. Seen a few mod videos on that already.. Have ordered the Kakwa 55 which is arriving in next few days... as well as the uk customs bill. :)
@@ipedros7 Yeah, it would be interesting to see if adding your own pockets on top of the Kakwa ones would work. I guess it could be an option. 🤷
Yeah, I know Durston has addressed some of the attachment point issues with the newer versions. So that's great that they can now be modded.
I'm sure you'll love your Kakwa 55, they are cracking backpacks. 👍
@@trickofthetrail let me know if you get to try the mo pockets on the kakwa and how it fares.. cheers
I have a Mo40 custom which has the stretchy mesh front pocket like the Kakwa. Gave it some funky colors. It holds my total weight of just under 24lbs which includes food and 2L of water with, I think a great hip belt.
Hey Mark. Yeah I actually watched your video of the MO40. Looks very cool indeed. Nice colour scheme. Glad to hear you're enjoying it mate.
Great reviews and comparison. +1 for Atompacks for me :)
Bit pity that many ppl focus on just these 2-3 most popular brands of UL backpacks, when there is Superior Wilderness Desings with their Long Haul 50 also in Ultra :)
Thanks very much mate.
Yep, I know what you're saying. I would love to try out the Long Haul. I have a mate that has one and it looks like a fab pack. However I have recently purchased a Waymark Embr, so will be doing a first look video of that soon.
Thanks so much for watching and commenting.
I considered that one...I honestly think it's too expensive and I don't say that often...waterproof fabric, but if you want to "seamsealed" it's extra $75 and by the time you add the things you'd like, you're over $500.
Good review of these fairly similar backpacks. Not sure if you mentioned what materials these packs were made of? Also, is either pack waterproof? One last question, what is the weights of each of these?
Thanks very much. No, annoyingly I neglected to mention the fabrics. It was quite hot outside and my cameras kept overheating, so it was a bit of a challenging video.
The Atom Pack body is made of Ecopak EPX200 and the Durston Kakwa is made of Ultra 200 Fabric. I think the Ultra 200 is better than the EPX200, but it's not a deal breaker for me. They are both good materials.
The material on both are water proof, but they aren't seam sealed, so the bags can't be classed as waterproof. They will withstand some rain, but it's best to use a liner for the stuff you need to keep dry.
Hope that helps. Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Sorry the delayed reply.
Atom packs are some of the best looking products
Yeah, they really do produce some excellent gear.
If the kakwa is shipped from Canada then you can claim back your import duties. And Valley and Peak in England supply Durston gear. Tents, backpacks.
Ah okay, I'm not aware of that Canada import duty claim back. Good tip. And yes, Valley and Peak do currently stock Durston Gear. When I made this video the only choice was to import it.
Thanks so much for watching and commenting mate.
I hated the detachable pockets on my Zpacks, they slid off and flopped around. In fact one of things I now look for in a pack is one with sewn on pockets. But I never seen an Atom packs.
Hey Jeff, thanks for watching and commenting. I'm shocked to hear that the Zpacks pockets kept sliding off, doesn't sound like a good design. The pockets on the Atom Packs don't have that issue as they are held on by clips. I also have removable pockets on my Waymark Embr and have had no issues with those either.
Atom Packs are worth checking out if you haven't already. They make awesome backpacks!
I won’t go into how because it was obvious to me that the shortcomings of the Kakwa can be easily adapted to by anyone whose ever been on a backpacking expedition. I should also note some philosophical differences between me and the reviewer. I see no need for a stuff sack if you’re only going to put one item in it. Stuff sacks are for aggregating certain related items such as medical supplies, food, or cooking equipment. Sleeping bags and all the other single items that were in their own sacks can be stuffed in the pack sans sacks for a modest savings in weight with no loss of utility. Also, unlike the reviewer, I would never ever keep my keys or my money in my pack. Those items along with my knife and phone always remain attached to, or buttoned in my pants/shorts. There is a small, but significant contingent who’ve been separated from their packs who have, or would have been even more severely inconvenienced had they not kept those items on their person.
Firstly, thanks for watching and taking the time commenting.
I would like to point out that the purpose of this video is to compare the two backpacks as they come "out of the box". Of course either backpack can be modified by anyone who has been on a backpacking expedition, but the purpose here is to show the features of both packs and put forward my pros and cons. Viewers can then make up their mind if either backpacks suites their needs and can be modified if needed.
Regarding the stuff sacks. The reason I put my sleeping bag in its sack is to provide an extra layer of protection to it. I had previously packed the bag without the sack, but I personally prefer the piece of mind that the extra layer of protection the sack provides and am willing to take the hit on the added weight. This also goes for the sleeping pad. This is personal preference and understand the pros of leaving the sack at home and get why people do that.
I take your point about the keys and I sometimes do leave them in a zippered trouser or coat pocket, but this isn't always possible, especially in the summer when I am wearing shorts without zippered pockets. Plus the car keys can be a bit bulky due to the fob, so prefer not to hike with them in my pocket. If the scenario arises where I am going to be separated from my pack, for example checking it in on a flight or storing it away in a Refugio, I would always take things like this out of the pack and keep them on me. However keeping the keys in the pack whilst out hiking feels a much safer and convenient option for me.
Thanks again for watching and happy trails.
You are fortunate to be be blessed with the presence of mind that allows you to remember to move your keys and other important items around when the need arises.
I too desire the peace of mind afforded by an extra layer of protection for items such as my sleeping bag. However I achieve it with a tough plastic pack liner purchased from garage grown gear which protects everything and is a lighter solution.
Happy trails to you as well.
necessar
You know, with different backpacks you would normally pack them differently. I'm sure if you started with the Kakwa you would have had a hard time finding space in the Mo. Also, you should be comparing the Kakwa 55 to the MO 50. It was quite frustrating to watch you struggle to pack the Kakwa when there were plenty of places to fit you items.
If you look at the specs, the Kakwa 40 (in the large size) has a total capacity of 51L, while the Mo EP50 has a total capacity of 55L. Therefore, it’s entirely reasonable to compare them. On the other hand, the Kakwa 55 has a total capacity of 64L (in the large size), making it a less fair comparison.
While I would love the luxury of being able to buy any backpack I want and spend time comparing them, I unfortunately don't have that option. My goal was simply to create a video comparing the features and carry comfort of these two bags, hoping it would be helpful to some. I apologise if it didn't meet your expectations and caused such frustration.
P.S. Thanks for the tip on how to pack a backpack.
Put me right off both of these 😂 Good video though
Oooops sorry, 😬that was quite my intention. 😂 Glad you enjoyed the video though mate.
Forgot the smell test.
Ah damn! I knew I forgot something! I'll make sure it's in the next one!
the worst thing about the Mo is waiting for it to be built :)
Ha ha. Yeah, the wait is painful isn't it?
Perhaps move your microphone, as lots of sucking air through teeth sounds, slightly distracting, perhaps its just my over sensitive hearing!
Thanks for the feedback, I hadn't noticed that as an issue. I do tend to do that, probably because I have a stammer, so I do to take a lot of breaths in between sentences. I'll see what I can do to dial it out of the sound though.
Thanks for watching.
let humans be human lmao
This man prob spent hours preparing this extremely informative video and this is your response?