Great review! As a backpacker / thru-hiker for nearly 50 years, it’s great to see your through take on the pack by subtle differences and the voice of experience with other packs. The same with your tent reviews, I was on the fence with a couple tents and ultimately it was your review that sealed the deal. Keep up the great work!
Very informative, Steve! Lots of good points. Pockets, flat bottom, holds a bear can. This seems like a very good backpack. Very deep look at this pack. Good job!
Great review Steve! I am liking this pack from SMD. I picked up the minimalist last year and have been really happy! Being from the PNW I love supporting these guys. Thanks !
Tuba Solo the Hiker I am seriously looking at this pack. When looking online it offers option of Xpac and Liteskin fabrics, do you know the difference? You have a great day too!
@@texmexia49 Xpac tends to be higher durability but just note that the Xpac on this pack is rather thin but ultimately will be more durable in the long run than the Liteskin. I'm a weekend warrior so I don't put enough miles on my packs to show excessive wear but I would think if you were to go on a full long distance thruhike (PCT, CDT, AT) you would notice the difference. For the record, all of my other packs are Xpac (ULA/thicker stuff) and I've been very happy with it. If I ever get another Swift X it will be the Xpac variant. But that's just me.
Tuba Solo the Hiker I put in about 50 -70 miles a month on average and at least one thru hike a year with really no bushwhacking unless I have made an error. I like the grey color better, but it still sounds like the Xpac might be the better option for me. Any difference in water resistance between the two?
@@texmexia49 I would think that if there is no bush whacking and you're not the type that flings their packs across the camp ground when they get to camp (never understood why people abuse their gear) then you will do well with the Liteskin. Just be careful where you place it (not to puncture it on a rock or root or tree branch) and don't scrap it super hard on narrow rock sections and it should last for a good long while. Also, I will agree that the gray is absolutely gorgeous in real life. I really do like that pack a lot.
Nice one, great review man. Was impressed to see a featureset like the Minimalist but as a rolltop. It looks a heck of a lot cooler to... gotta look cool out on the trail, it's he whole point :-p haha!! cheers
Great stuff there, Steve. I’m liking that pack, I’m looking for another one to use in an abusive way like bush whacking kind of activity. I’m not sure if this is tough enough.. but it looks very functional. I like the side pocket with easy access on the water bottle.
I would imagine yes, but once the hip belt is tightened around your waist the geometry of the pocket could change so that its putting stress on your phone. Just something to consider you know? Truth be told, I've given up on trying keep my cell phone in any hip belt pocket and now I just keep it in the front pocket of my hiking/backpacking shorts.
@@TubaSolotheHiker thanks. I currently have an osprey 65 atmos and an iPhone will BARELY fit in it but it takes a lot of effort to get in and out. I’m wanting to get some lighter gear. Thanks for posting these reviews! Excellent content!!
@@TubaSolotheHiker ULA apparently says the angled bottom shifts the load in toward your hips more. which, makes sense. i too love a flat bottom(on a pack haha) but would love to see if theres actually a weight shift with the angled bottoms...
Thank you for a great review, I'm in market for a pack. I need to know max load I can carry? Hiking out in the Desert with about 10L of water + gear. Thx Bud..
At 10L you're looking at 22lbs before you even add a piece of gear. If you anticipate that being your norm then I don't think this pack is the right one for you to be honest. I would encourage you to look for a pack with a solid frame that is designed to carry heavy loads. Sure it will be heavier initially but the weights you are alluding to are in a totally different class. You'll have a much more comfortable carry with a heavier pack designed for carrying heavy loads IMHO. Best wishes on the pack search.
Yeah. I hear you. I sweat no matter the backpack. I used to use an Osprey pack with ventilation, sweat like crazy in that thing. I sweat like crazy in my Zpacks Arc Haul. Since it seems like I sweat no matter what pack I use I just started to use what was most comfortable. As of late it’s been ULA for me. Take care.
Great review! As a backpacker / thru-hiker for nearly 50 years, it’s great to see your through take on the pack by subtle differences and the voice of experience with other packs. The same with your tent reviews, I was on the fence with a couple tents and ultimately it was your review that sealed the deal. Keep up the great work!
Thank you for the kind words! Glad to be able to help. Happy adventuring!
I really appreciated your video! I’m wanting one of these and they are sold out!! Ugh. Thanks so much!
From one big guy to another: Great review!
Thank you for the kind words Josh! Happy adventuring.
Great idea with the shock cord. Socks and shirts will dry much faster outside the pocket.
I just updated my new Swift V with the cord.😉
Excellent. Happy adventuring Christian.
Good video.
@@pedro1970maya Thank you!
Very informative, Steve! Lots of good points. Pockets, flat bottom, holds a bear can. This seems like a very good backpack. Very deep look at this pack. Good job!
Thank you Matt! Bruh! If its not winter the next time we get out I'll be bringing this pack again.
Very useful review Tuba. I enjoyed watching it. Thank you.
Thank you sir!
Good stuff Steve. Easily my favorite pack in the arsenal right now!
I'm super eager to see the x-pac version to be honest. Really, I love this pack!
Great review Steve! I am liking this pack from SMD. I picked up the minimalist last year and have been really happy! Being from the PNW I love supporting these guys. Thanks !
Thank you Dave!
Thanks!
New version came out a couple days ago.
Likely I'll get one
Yeah man those new colors are awesome. Highly recommended pack. Not just because I'm an ambassador this year. I actually really really like it a lot.
I just pulled the trigger on the x-pac version with the vest option. I can't wait to get out there and use it!
Hey Jeremy! Great to hear from you again. You'll love it. Its a great pack!
Thanks for the review really thinking about getting this pack for the colorado trail!
Great review, you told me everything I needed to know. Good job!
Glad I could help. Have a great day!
Tuba Solo the Hiker I am seriously looking at this pack. When looking online it offers option of Xpac and Liteskin fabrics, do you know the difference? You have a great day too!
@@texmexia49 Xpac tends to be higher durability but just note that the Xpac on this pack is rather thin but ultimately will be more durable in the long run than the Liteskin. I'm a weekend warrior so I don't put enough miles on my packs to show excessive wear but I would think if you were to go on a full long distance thruhike (PCT, CDT, AT) you would notice the difference. For the record, all of my other packs are Xpac (ULA/thicker stuff) and I've been very happy with it. If I ever get another Swift X it will be the Xpac variant. But that's just me.
Tuba Solo the Hiker I put in about 50 -70 miles a month on average and at least one thru hike a year with really no bushwhacking unless I have made an error. I like the grey color better, but it still sounds like the Xpac might be the better option for me. Any difference in water resistance between the two?
@@texmexia49 I would think that if there is no bush whacking and you're not the type that flings their packs across the camp ground when they get to camp (never understood why people abuse their gear) then you will do well with the Liteskin. Just be careful where you place it (not to puncture it on a rock or root or tree branch) and don't scrap it super hard on narrow rock sections and it should last for a good long while. Also, I will agree that the gray is absolutely gorgeous in real life. I really do like that pack a lot.
Excellent review
Thank you!
Nice one, great review man. Was impressed to see a featureset like the Minimalist but as a rolltop. It looks a heck of a lot cooler to... gotta look cool out on the trail, it's he whole point :-p haha!! cheers
Great stuff there, Steve. I’m liking that pack, I’m looking for another one to use in an abusive way like bush whacking kind of activity. I’m not sure if this is tough enough.. but it looks very functional. I like the side pocket with easy access on the water bottle.
Yeah this one is strictly for trail use. I'd think bushwhacking would eat this pack alive.
You can get the pack in different materials to suit your style of uses. :)
Ok nice review, will consider this backpack when I'm in the market for a new pack.👌👍
Thank you! Yeah I'm really surprised at how well this pack has worked out for me so far.
@@TubaSolotheHiker Do you recommend this backpack or is there one that is objectively better? sorry, i dont have much time to do research.
Will a regular sized iPhone fit in the hip belt pockets? Thanks for the excellent review!
I would imagine yes, but once the hip belt is tightened around your waist the geometry of the pocket could change so that its putting stress on your phone. Just something to consider you know?
Truth be told, I've given up on trying keep my cell phone in any hip belt pocket and now I just keep it in the front pocket of my hiking/backpacking shorts.
@@TubaSolotheHiker thanks. I currently have an osprey 65 atmos and an iPhone will BARELY fit in it but it takes a lot of effort to get in and out. I’m wanting to get some lighter gear. Thanks for posting these reviews! Excellent content!!
Shots fired at ULA @6:34.
Different strokes for different folks.
LOL!..oh man..don't let ULA know. I do love my Catalyst and Circuit but yeah that whole flat bottom thing is such a bummer.
@@TubaSolotheHiker ULA apparently says the angled bottom shifts the load in toward your hips more. which, makes sense. i too love a flat bottom(on a pack haha) but would love to see if theres actually a weight shift with the angled bottoms...
Stephen? Is there air flow across the back on this pack? Do you know the fabric? Did i miss that?
Thank you for a great review, I'm in market for a pack. I need to know max load I can carry? Hiking out in the Desert with about 10L of water + gear. Thx Bud..
At 10L you're looking at 22lbs before you even add a piece of gear. If you anticipate that being your norm then I don't think this pack is the right one for you to be honest. I would encourage you to look for a pack with a solid frame that is designed to carry heavy loads. Sure it will be heavier initially but the weights you are alluding to are in a totally different class. You'll have a much more comfortable carry with a heavier pack designed for carrying heavy loads IMHO. Best wishes on the pack search.
Nice overview & review! Will the Y strap on top hold a bear can?
Yes it will!
Yes sir! Check out the video at 1:30.
Thanks! I guess I missed it
I'm confused about how the frame works?
It’s just a simple hoop frame that flexes to contour to your back but also gives the pack some rigidity.
there seems to be a lot of companies making this type of pack....and they must ride on your back, and massive sweat issue....er no thanx.
Yeah. I hear you. I sweat no matter the backpack. I used to use an Osprey pack with ventilation, sweat like crazy in that thing. I sweat like crazy in my Zpacks Arc Haul. Since it seems like I sweat no matter what pack I use I just started to use what was most comfortable. As of late it’s been ULA for me. Take care.
@@TubaSolotheHiker the osprey is a great alternative, although heaver it is worth the weight...
i wish i could buy it but is out of stock