Black Diamond Beta Light 45 Ultralight Backpack - First Impressions
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 เม.ย. 2024
- A big brand is stepping into the world of ultralight backpacking. These are my first impressions of the Black Diamond Beta Light 45 backpack.
Check it out here: geni.us/iHHa
Check out what is in the pack here - My Fast & Light Backpacking Gear: • Almost Ultralight - Re...
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Thanks for this. Can't wait for you to put it through its paces.
Nice review - I agree I wish more backpacks offered the running vest style harness!
I'm 100% sold on that style of strap system, but they are a challenge for most companies to offer at a reasonable price. Next to impossible for a cottage company. Look at Nashville packs, I think they are one of, if not the only cottage company to offer that kind of harness - and they are quite expensive. Pure running vests at Decathlon go for 80-100$ US, and their gear is usually dirt cheap. Running packs and vests typically range from 100-200$ US using standard fabrics and those are manufactured oversees. Add in some premium fabrics and it's easy to see why this pack retails for 400$ US. Not many people are willing to shell out that kind of money. Curious how well this pack will do.
@@KaneDoesOutdoors great points. Until the market shows they'll pay premium for them they will probably remain in limited supply. I'd pay though. Those straps from Nashville Packs look awesome!
will be good to see how it runs on future trips
Have you ever used the Kakwa 40? Looks like there are some differences in the small details but from a distance this pack looks extremely similar at a much higher price.
I 100% agree that the Kakwa is the direct competitor. Being in Canada, the Kakwa doesn't work out to being much cheaper though, probably around 50$ or 70$ less than the BD pack with shipping and duties since it comes from Kaviso.
I haven't used the Kakwa since the hip belt isn't removable. For lower volume packs that's a must for me. If I was going to go for a higher volume pack with load hauling capability, it would be the Kakwa 55. Dan just started offering it in UltraGrid as a cheaper alternative to Ultra200. 220$ US is a bargain.
@@KaneDoesOutdoors The Kakwa 40 should wind up at least $100 less for Canadians because it's $250 + $35 shipping + 5% GST + 7% tariff (rarely enforced) for an all in price of $305-$325 (versus $420). But the Kakwa 55 (that ships from Canada) is probably the closer comparison because the internal volume is 46 vs 43L for the BD (the Kakwa 40 is 36L). The Kakwa 55 in Ultra 200X winds up about $130 less, but that's just a byproduct of selling direct to the customer and not my focus to compete on price. I think the main advantage of the Kakwa is the load carrying due to the much more substantial frame and other features like dual strap/reverse pull hipbelt.
it's great to see BD making Ultralight packs - it probably grows the market for everyone. The BD pack looks great if someone wants vest straps. Also nice fabrics, good shape. Some head scratchers for me are not using Ultra 200X on the side pockets (why use less durable fabric on one of the highest wear spots?) and that you have to unclip the top strap every time to open the front pocket.
@durstongear Great input Dan. 100% agree that when the bigger brand pushes that style of product it will trickle down to retail and potentially lead to a more informed market.
For the duties, I get nailed every time something comes in from the US. The must have me on file.
@durstongear Good point, the side pockets are shredded on my old Jam… but they still work.
This is the pack I am most interested in this year. I am really glad you got a hold of one and I am really looking forward to a review after you have a chance to thoroughly test it. I personally like a phone pocket on one shoulder strap and water bottle pocket on the other. I have pretty good shoulder mobility so I would probably put bear spray in the water bottle pocket and pull Smart water bottles from the side pockets. That's what generally works for me on most packs.
I’m guessing they polled a bunch of people on what their preference would be for the strap pockets. I’m really starting to like having the soft bottles there so maybe bear spray in a side pocket like you said…
@@KaneDoesOutdoors I think you are correct that they polled people on their preference. I do have to admit though, that my packs with a water bottle pocket on both sides of the shoulder strap can usually still accommodate a phone in one of those pockets, so that is probably the more versatile set up at the end of the day.
I got this as my first UL backpack. You are right that if you carry heavy weight say over 30lbs, conventional backpacks --like Osprey backpacks that I use-- is more comfortable at this point; hope this will improve as I get more used to this backpack. Apart from that, I think the backpack has distinctive smell. That said, overall, I am satisfied with the product.
Interesting design choice limiting the front pocket accessibility by adding a non-stretch panel, But I guess you have to put the Black diamond logo somewhere hey! 😂 The main benefit I see with big brands getting into UL fabrics is warranty. Looking forward to the rest of your review! 👍
Check out the various backpacks made by Superior Wilderness Designs (SWD). They use conventional straps, but the hip belt attachment system is fantastic, and also allows for torso length adjustment. I have their Long Haul 50 rugged in Ultra 400.
You missed the two obvious flaws.
1) The waist belt pockets stick out like duck bills, they chafe the inside of your arms as you walk, show stopper. You’ll have to remove the waist belt.
2) the non-stretch material at the top of the large back pocket prevent you from reaching into the pocket when the main compartment is full.
This pack was not thoroughly tested by experienced thru-hikers (thousands plus miles) before it was released.
The price is ridiculous, a Pa’lante Desert pack for almost half the cost is simpler, lighter and basically as comfortable.
No need to exaggerate. 336$ is not close to half of 400$ and that’s for the palante in gridstop. In ultra it’s 378$.
Time will tell for the other two comments. I don’t think you can make claims like that without real life testing. Potentially? Yes. Certainty? No. This is clearly labeled as first impressions.
@@KaneDoesOutdoorsI don’t know where you’re getting your Palante prices. On their website, ultraweave is $270, gridstop $240. And as an owner of a Palante Desert pack, which is a true tested pack for long distance backpacking, don’t know it until you try it.
You have this pack?
@ Hello, yes I just logged 100 miles with a Medium on the pacific crest trail. I found about a dozen things wrong with it, will leave a review on the BD website. I’d is comfortable to carry is the plus, but the waist belt had to come off at the start with those pockets haha.
@chuckburr517 I’ve only done a short trip with it - and yes there are some changes I’d like to see in a v2. The hip belt pockets are definitely an odd shape. Configured differently they could have a larger capacity and lower profile. Not a big deal for me since I typically don’t use the hipbelt. The non stretch panel on the front pocket is the biggest head scratcher, plus some other details.
I actually bought this pack few weeks ago, but still not get a chance to go out to test it. This pack includes some interesting design.😃
Looking forward to a field tested review!
Very useful.
Dan Durston said on Reddit that he designed that material color with MLD and open sourced the color. He did not expect a big brand company to pick it up. I like the pack, just not sure it is worth the $$ over something like the Kakwa.
With that being said, I am enamored with running style vests (have not got one but thinking about it) and curious what you think after a few mile with it.
I 100% hear what you’re saying - the price will main sticking point for most people. The Kakwa 40 is a bargain for people in the US. For international customers not so much. One of the things you’re paying for in a big brand is global distribution, but also cuts to distributors and retailers who absorb inventory costs. If everything was direct to consumer smaller independent stores would all shut down. I think they are an important resource to support.
looks like a great pack but it's way too expensive especially when you can get similar packs or even fully custom ones with similar materials and specs for much less money.
It's not cheap, but I don't agree that those with similar spec are "much less money". The Ultra ULA OHM is 360$, US but the main pack body is smaller on the OHM (35L vs the BD 43), it's not seam sealed and doesn't have a running vest harness. Outdoor vitals CS40 is 360$ US, normal straps. Same goes for SWD. The Durston Kakwa 40 is hard to beat price wise and for a lot of people is a great option. In Canada not so much since it's still shipped from Kaviso and you get hit hard on the conversion and duties. As an example the X-mid 1 solid sells for 270$ US but the grand total was around 490$ CAD for me when all was said an done. One of the things you're paying for with a big brand like BD is global distribution, the ability to get it in person at a store, or purchase online with free shipping. I always get nailed on shipping fees and duties from cottage companies.
Where are you finding an Ultra pack for less? Much less a custom one. It actually seems like a pretty good value to me. My Arc zip was almost $600 with all the extras.
@@KaneDoesOutdoors Yeah same problem here from Europe. It's still super expensive. But for example I can have a similar pack like a Palante Joey for less than 300€ shipped and all taxes. And for a framed pack like yours made by atelier longue distance, a french cottage company can make a way better pack than this BD pack with vest straps, a belt a frame and ultra for still way less.
@@dcl97 In france we have atelier longue distance, full custom and less than what BD is asking for. The arc zip is way too expensive imo. We also have brands like bonfus that are cheaper and I personally use palante packs that are also way cheaper even if you choose ultra 200x fabric like on the BD pack
Merci pour l'info - I"ll look them up!
Nice pack. I'm intrigued by vest straps but with that pack volume I think I'd want them with a little more padding. Gossamer Gear is doing this with the fast Kumo but that pack didn't work out for me. For this money you are in custom backpack territory :)
I feel like you'd like the new mountain smith zerk
Ya it’s a sweet pack but hard to get in Canada. My buddy has the older one ( th-cam.com/video/Ak1LrtbObtk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=isBDO0nklyJXLciI ) and really likes it - he’s using it on his gdt thru this year. @justinoutdoors used it on the gdt as well.
Thanks for the initial thoughts. Would be interested to see your current sub 10-12 lb set up that you'd use with this pack - looked back and couldn't see one recently. Cheers ✌🏽
My gear will pretty much be in line with this video for 2024 th-cam.com/video/Ak1LrtbObtk/w-d-xo.htmlsi=isBDO0nklyJXLciI
Using the 1p x-mid solid though. I just prefer the dw design. I will be putting up a full video sometime this spring. Core baseweight is around 9 pounds, add in bear spray, camera gear, ursack etc and it’s around 12.
@@KaneDoesOutdoors Brilliant - much appreciated!
I think that the fabric on the rear mesh pocket is for the clip. If you load out that pocket the mesh will tear to shreds at the clip. Their way distributes the pressure through the width of the pocket.😮
Ya I think you're right. The pocket is huge and would just balloon out if it didn't have the top panel of non-stretch material with the clip.
This is like the dream pack for me, Kakwa 40 style with better straps, much bigger front pocket and back padding. Shame about the price but will pick one up for sure when it goes on sale at some point.
That's a fact - there will be sales.
FWIW, we are updating our packs with a larger front pocket. The Kakwa 55 has that now (which is about the same internal volume as the BD pack) and the 40L will have it soon. The Kakwa also has a back pad.
@durstongear is the kakwa 40 going to be offered in an ultragrid version like the 55?
@@KaneDoesOutdoors Yeah. The next batch is UltraGrid in the Kakwa 40. Then we'll have both versions again in that. The plan is to offer both fabrics.
That’s a great approach.
Thoughts on whether this is bear canister compatible inside the pack? Looking for a new pack - this could be a contender, but I haven't found any information about bear canisters. I plan to fit a Bearikade in my pack vertically. Thanks for another great review, Kane!
Fits a BV500 vertically with a ton of space. Not sure how the dimensions of a Bearikade compare, but the BV500 is pretty big.
@@KaneDoesOutdoors thanks, that's help. The bearikade's diameter is only 0.3 inches bigger, so essentially the same
lol i also still have that golite jam pack (bought when golite still the king of ul pack years ago).. still sad seeing what happened to golite company
They should have stuck with their base market.
Hello sir! I have this pack and have a review of it on my channel . This is a great pack!
How well do you think that mesh is gonna hold up if you put an ice axe without any tip cover?
It's a very simple pack, which I like, but perhaps too simple. I for one like how Ultimate Direction does their vest pockets.
Good question… it doesn’t have a great ice axe carry.
The UD 40 has a very good vest but the rest is all over the place. Stitches were blowing where the vest joins the pack after one weekend.
@@KaneDoesOutdoors I have the older (green) fastpack 35. No sign of wear so far. Most comfortable vest pack I've used so far and I actually prefer the pockets design on mine (compared to the current one) as it has a zipper pocket on the left like this Black Diamond has. I hike with a Peak Design capture clip attached right above it so I can still use that pocket with the zipper design.
If you’re in Canada check out the MEC version, less than half the price!
I just go the MEC UL40 and will be testing it as well. It's pretty hard to put the MEC version up directly against the BD pack, but yes for a lot of people the MEC pack is a bargain and would get the job done.
I have an Osprey Exos 38 that without the brain weighs exactly 1kg, this BD backpack with its 890g is 200% the price. 110g is not worth the price difference LOL and I bet a leg the Osprey is more comfortable 🙂
I don't doubt it. Like I said, I used the Golite Jam for over 10 years and had a ton of adventures with it. It retailed for 100$ back in the day and weighs under 500g with all the extras cut off.. It's bare bones and works fine.
Things evolve though, and it's interesting to see what can be done with the new fabrics and design.
Roll tops that close at the top instead of the sides take up space and doesn’t aid with compression. That front pocket is made of a material that simply isn’t durable and looks like it doesn’t have much room because of how tight it’s sewn to the pack. UL’ers don’t use bladders. The side compression is virtually non-existent. Like the jogging straps, but guarantee it’s a one-size fits all which is very problematic. Good to know BD is trying, but the design could be improved.
I run all my packs without the side roll top straps. For a UL loadout I don't find compression necessary, but that's just preference. Same goes for side compression.
The front pocket is enormous. It's not too tight at all. In terms of durability I would like to see slightly tougher material, but BD does make a lot of running packs and mountain bags so I'm assuming they have an idea of the lifespan. It would be interesting to see how it holds up on a thru-hike.
You are paying for 200g that isn’t needed. Is that fabric as durable as hmpe? It costs the same. 2x the MEC UL40L. Meh.
I just got the mec UL40 - at 189$ it’s definitely a bargain. Hard to compare the fabrics and build though.
My understanding is that ultra 200 is very durable, most people say more durable than hmpe dyneema.
Yea, right!! Ultralighter.👎