The flex capacitor is hands down my all time favorite pack, and this is hands down the best review of it. The only thing I would add is that the rear of the pack has four small loops designed to hold the water bladder pouch externally if one so desires (I have had cause to do this a time or two when packing water up to a summit camp devoid of any water sources). Thank you Pilgrim.
How's the durability? I got this pack and find the shoulder strap attachment points from all sides just ridiculous. I have seen much better on a cheap day packs..
NOTE: All of my comments and replies were deleted during the channel update on January 11th, 2020. Up to that date, every video comment had received a personal reply from me. To save time, I will not post a duplicate unless requested. Thanks!
Btw the new Version has adjustable shoulder straps (so you can adjust to your torso length) and 2 medium sized front mesh pockets now which i really like. It got a bit heavier tho and i still feel like the side pockets and the top lid pocket are way too small. Other than that, super comfy backpack that carries weight very well and still offers an agile movement because of the Y frame.
10:40 - had the same issue with the back pads and shoulder straps on the 2021(?) version. Had the correct (size S/M for a 18" torso) and it behaves exactly the same. Perhaps it will soften over time, who knows but it feels uncomfortable. With correct size the bottle holders are even closer to your face. A 50 cl/16 oz bottle is right under your chin. Thanks for an honest review!
I'm by no means an ultralight backpacker, with that being said, I'm more of a traditional backpacker, ( osprey atmos 65) but occasionally I would like to go light and this is the perfect pack for me... Price, weight and build quality/functionality. I just purchased one for $142... Can't wait to try it out!
I almost didn't buy this bag based on this video showing the fit on the shoulder straps. I guess everyone fits differently even with a similar torso length. I have a 18.5" torso and ordered a M/L (2019 60-75L version). The 60-75 isn't available in S/M and REI doesn't stock it, so I took a chance on it and ordered online. Out of the box, I had a similar situation where there was a gap above my shoulders. It wasn't as bad as this video, but it was disappointing to see and I thought it would be a lost cause. Then I loaded the bag up with my normal gear (about 35lb with a bear can, water, 1week of food) and viola, the fit was perfect! The shoulder straps meet the bag about 1/2" below the top of my shoulders so is a very ideal fit for me. Lesson for me was, try it out, everyone fits differently. Now small things I notice in the video, the load lifters are far too tight, exacerbating the gap above the shoulders. You can tell because there is barely any distance between the load lifter buckle and the shoulder strap. That also makes the top of the bag lean towards the back of the head big time. My guess is if you had released the load lifters, the shoulder straps would have relaxed lower and fit better. Anyhow thanks for the review, it was helpful for me and there were a few things you covered that weren't in other reviews.
Thanks for the comments! Releasing load lifters does not change the distance between the hip belt and should strap attachment points, so while the pack might lean so far back that the shoulder gap closed a bit, the pack fit would be farther off. Glad it worked out for you though!
@@BackcountryPilgrim This pack would actually fit you perfectly if you loosened off the 2 top shoulder straps. When packing for transport they always tighten all them. Notice you left side is as tight as it gets and the end of the strap is past your chest strap so there is like 9 inches you could loosen it off. Your right side is only loosened off 3 or 4 inches, just above the chest strap that still could be loosened off lots more. Those top straps should be loosened all the way off and the last to adjust only to bring the top of the pack wieght closer to the body. After adjusting lower shoulder straps to get the hip belt in the sweet spot. Even during a hike(without removing pack), from the sweet spot ill loosen them off little for more wieght on hip for awhile, then tighten them a bit for awhile for more wieght on shoulders. If you look on the manufactures sizing chart for torso is S/M 16"-19"(39L-56L) and M/L 18"-21"(42L-60L). So both you and Dominic Tenorio would fit in both sizes as there is lots of adjustments can be made with the straps.
@@BackcountryPilgrim I definitely am with you on the sweaty back being a deal breaker, and I definitely don't need crazy features. I wanted a lightweight, comfortable pack. Sounds like the Optic might be the way to go. Exos doesn't have hip pockets which is a major disappointment!
The Natron all of Doug’s answers were deleted. What pack did he say was sweaty back? I’m also looking at those packs. Like the optic mesh back but the capacitor can carry a lot of weight so I’m thinking at lighter weight maybe more comfortable? Just not sure about no front pocket
The flex capacitor is hands down my all time favorite pack, and this is hands down the best review of it. The only thing I would add is that the rear of the pack has four small loops designed to hold the water bladder pouch externally if one so desires (I have had cause to do this a time or two when packing water up to a summit camp devoid of any water sources). Thank you Pilgrim.
Thank you so much! It's a seriously cool pack. Thanks for the heads up on the loops I did not know that!
How's the durability? I got this pack and find the shoulder strap attachment points from all sides just ridiculous. I have seen much better on a cheap day packs..
It actually did not fit me all that well so I didn't end up keeping it.
never had shoulder straps rip away? it s just one line of stiching sewn to a very thin material from all sides..
NOTE: All of my comments and replies were deleted during the channel update on January 11th, 2020. Up to that date, every video comment had received a personal reply from me. To save time, I will not post a duplicate unless requested. Thanks!
Thanks. Your reviews helped me a lot when looking into packs.
Good to hear! The new version of this pack looks very cool!
Btw the new Version has adjustable shoulder straps (so you can adjust to your torso length) and 2 medium sized front mesh pockets now which i really like. It got a bit heavier tho and i still feel like the side pockets and the top lid pocket are way too small. Other than that, super comfy backpack that carries weight very well and still offers an agile movement because of the Y frame.
Good to hear! I like SD but they don't seem to get much recognition in the hiking community.
10:40 - had the same issue with the back pads and shoulder straps on the 2021(?) version. Had the correct (size S/M for a 18" torso) and it behaves exactly the same. Perhaps it will soften over time, who knows but it feels uncomfortable.
With correct size the bottle holders are even closer to your face. A 50 cl/16 oz bottle is right under your chin.
Thanks for an honest review!
Actually I believe correct fitment would yield a slightly lower water bottle placement as the straps are currently sitting to high on his shoulders.
I'm by no means an ultralight backpacker, with that being said, I'm more of a traditional backpacker, ( osprey atmos 65) but occasionally I would like to go light and this is the perfect pack for me... Price, weight and build quality/functionality. I just purchased one for $142... Can't wait to try it out!
It's a super cool pack for sure. The compressibility / expansion is wild! Twice the pack for the weight. :) I'm an atmos guy too!
A simple method for removing and installing the frame of this backpack.
The key movement: th-cam.com/video/i6O3esf9WF0/w-d-xo.html
Nice! I like the use of the spoon. :)
I almost didn't buy this bag based on this video showing the fit on the shoulder straps. I guess everyone fits differently even with a similar torso length.
I have a 18.5" torso and ordered a M/L (2019 60-75L version). The 60-75 isn't available in S/M and REI doesn't stock it, so I took a chance on it and ordered online. Out of the box, I had a similar situation where there was a gap above my shoulders. It wasn't as bad as this video, but it was disappointing to see and I thought it would be a lost cause. Then I loaded the bag up with my normal gear (about 35lb with a bear can, water, 1week of food) and viola, the fit was perfect! The shoulder straps meet the bag about 1/2" below the top of my shoulders so is a very ideal fit for me. Lesson for me was, try it out, everyone fits differently.
Now small things I notice in the video, the load lifters are far too tight, exacerbating the gap above the shoulders. You can tell because there is barely any distance between the load lifter buckle and the shoulder strap. That also makes the top of the bag lean towards the back of the head big time. My guess is if you had released the load lifters, the shoulder straps would have relaxed lower and fit better.
Anyhow thanks for the review, it was helpful for me and there were a few things you covered that weren't in other reviews.
Thanks for the comments! Releasing load lifters does not change the distance between the hip belt and should strap attachment points, so while the pack might lean so far back that the shoulder gap closed a bit, the pack fit would be farther off. Glad it worked out for you though!
Taking notes 📝
You mentioned the M/L was too big, curious what is your torso length?
19". It seems to be the cut off point for several manufacturers.
@@BackcountryPilgrim Mine is 18", just ordered the S/M so I should be ok. Thanks!
@@BackcountryPilgrim This pack would actually fit you perfectly if you loosened off the 2 top shoulder straps. When packing for transport they always tighten all them. Notice you left side is as tight as it gets and the end of the strap is past your chest strap so there is like 9 inches you could loosen it off. Your right side is only loosened off 3 or 4 inches, just above the chest strap that still could be loosened off lots more. Those top straps should be loosened all the way off and the last to adjust only to bring the top of the pack wieght closer to the body. After adjusting lower shoulder straps to get the hip belt in the sweet spot. Even during a hike(without removing pack), from the sweet spot ill loosen them off little for more wieght on hip for awhile, then tighten them a bit for awhile for more wieght on shoulders. If you look on the manufactures sizing chart for torso is S/M 16"-19"(39L-56L) and M/L 18"-21"(42L-60L). So both you and Dominic Tenorio would fit in both sizes as there is lots of adjustments can be made with the straps.
Shane Szigli are you talking about loosing the load lifters? That may lower the pack onto his shoulders but also move the weight away from him back.
Interestingly enough, I was cross shopping the Gregory Optic, Flex Capacitor, and the Massdrop Crown x60. Which did you like best?
Same man deciding between this and a Gregory optic
@@BackcountryPilgrim I definitely am with you on the sweaty back being a deal breaker, and I definitely don't need crazy features. I wanted a lightweight, comfortable pack. Sounds like the Optic might be the way to go. Exos doesn't have hip pockets which is a major disappointment!
The Natron all of Doug’s answers were deleted. What pack did he say was sweaty back? I’m also looking at those packs. Like the optic mesh back but the capacitor can carry a lot of weight so I’m thinking at lighter weight maybe more comfortable? Just not sure about no front pocket
Rick P. What did you decide on?
why noone almost talks how ridiculous shoukder strap attachemt are
i have 20l day packs with much stronger stiching on shoukder straps
I never got to take this pack out because it didn't fit so I did not notice but that's an issue for sure.