Article by Markus Zinkl
Wapta 30 UL Backpack ($280.00)
Introduction
With regards to ultralight backpacking, discovering the proper stability between weight, sturdiness, and performance is usually a problem. The Durston Gear Wapta 30 ultralight backpack guarantees to ship on all fronts, boasting superior supplies and considerate design options. On this overview, I’ll share my experiences with the Wapta 30, highlighting its technical specs, standout options, and the way it carried out on the path. Whether or not you’re a seasoned backpacker or new to ultralight gear, this overview will assist you decide if the Wapta 30 is the precise pack in your adventures.
The Durston Gear Wapta 30 has been a standout in my ultralight backpacking gear package since I acquired itand most not too long ago was my pack for a trek within the Dolomites.
Technical Specs
Weight:
Full Pack: 16.9 oz (M), 17.9 oz (L) / 480 g (M), 505 g (L)
Minimal Weight: 12.8 oz / 365 g (M), 13.3 oz / 380 g (L)
Minimal Weight (with out hipbelt): 13.9 oz / 395 g (M)
Detachable Gadgets:
Supplies:
Sizing:
Beneficial Torso Size: Medium: 16″ – 19″ (41 – 48 cm), Giant: 18.5″ – 21.5″ (47 – 55 cm)
Pack Top: 17.5″ / 44 cm (M), 20″ / 51 cm (L)
Hipbelt Min & Max Circumference: S/M: 28″ – 48″ (71 – 123 cm), M/L: 32″ – 52″ (81 – 133 cm)
Hipbelt Beneficial Hip Dimension: S/M: 29″ – 38″ (76 – 96 cm), M/L: 33″ – 42″ (86 – 106 cm)
Prime Circumference: 35″ (89 cm)
Backside Circumference: 29″ (74 cm)
Unrolled Top: 30″ (76 cm) / 32″ (81 cm)
Inside Quantity: 30L / 32L
Exterior Quantity: 16L
Official Options
ALUULA Graflyte™: The one composite material with 100% UHMWPE fibers for the face material, providing superior sturdiness and waterproofing.
Waterproof: Major compartment is waterproof with seam taping and warmth bonding.
Sturdy Backside Pocket: Makes use of ALUULA Graflyte™ for enhanced sturdiness.
Superior Shaping: Ergonomic S-shaped shoulder straps and 3D-shaped hipbelt for consolation.
Airmesh Air flow: Twin air mesh strips on the backpanel for padding, grip, and air flow.
Detachable Hipbelt: Saves over 100g for quick and light-weight journeys.
Superior Facet Compression: Laser lower daisy chain system for versatile attachment.
Hipbelt Pockets: Giant pockets for simple entry to telephones and different gadgets.
Shoulder Strap Pockets: Helpful storage for small gadgets.
Easy V Prime Strap: Safe and straightforward to regulate for storing gadgets on high.
Efficiency
The Wapta 30 is the primary pack made with ALUULA materials. ALUULA’s proprietary course of fuses a sturdy waterproof movie to robust UHMWPE fibers, creating ALUULA Graflyte™. It is a composite pack material, with a 100% UHMWPE woven face, achieves decrease weights whereas sustaining glorious sturdiness. The model used right here weighs simply 98 g/m² (2.9 oz/yd) and provides increased tear energy and abrasion resistance than comparable materials, making the ALUULA pack each lighter and stronger.
ALUULA Graflyte™ additionally boasts long-term waterproofness, stain resistance, UV resistance, full recyclability and no PFAS, low water absorption, edge stability, and warmth bondability. Not less than these are the claims, so let’s have a look at how the pack did in my testing.The fabric jogs my memory of Extremely 100, providing an analogous really feel and claims even increased sturdiness.
The quite a few attachment factors and roomy, simply accessible aspect pockets are extremely handy. It’s very simple to succeed in for my water bottles within the aspect pockets and they’re large enough to retailer two 1L bottles in there.
They may also be cinched down, to safe smaller gadgets in there.
To keep away from water within the aspect pockets there are drainage holes in either side pocket.
The pack carries very comfortably, because of the ergonomic S-shaped shoulder straps that distribute weight evenly throughout my shoulders. With a full pack and 4 days of meals I carried round 20 lbs on my newest journey in South Tyrol. I by no means had any discomfort and the pack carries nice for a frameless pack.
The hipbelt is comfortably padded and 3D-shaped, nevertheless I by no means use a hipbelt. It’s nice to have the choice of 1, in case you want it.
I discovered that the chest strap may benefit from a little bit of stretch for added consolation throughout prolonged use. I’d have favored to have a little bit of stretch webbing band the place it attaches on the left aspect.
The general high quality of the Wapta 30 is extraordinarily excessive, with flawless seams and good particulars like branded buckles that add a pleasant contact. The one factor I discovered worrying are the seamtapes on the within. Extra on that later.
Adjusting the shoulder straps requires a little bit of effort because of the skinny webbing bands, however they maintain extremely properly because of the excessive friction, making certain a safe match.
One enchancment I’d counsel is the addition of magnets or snap buttons to shut the rolltop extra securely. This might improve the benefit of use when rolling the highest. To safe the roll-top there’s a Y-strap, which is narrower than most different UL packs would have. I didn’t have any issues maintaining the rolltop safe, nevertheless it tends to twist a bit simpler than a wider strap would.
I actually like the 2 manner adjustment of this strap, which can also be used for the aspect compression straps. This lets you solely cinch down one aspect as wanted and it conforms completely in case you retailer one thing on high, like a further piece of clothes or some other gear.
The minimalistic and stretchy shoulder strap pockets present ample storage for small gadgets like telephones, headphones, sun shades, suncream, and small water bottles, and are simple to shut with a drawstring.
I did encounter a difficulty with the seam tape on the alternative aspect of the shoulder straps getting free, probably because of using too thick tape. Dan from Durston Gear is conscious of this and will resolve it with warmth bonded seams all collectively. To deal with this, I changed the seam tape with 30mm Extremely TNT PSA tape, which holds up nice and conforms higher alongside the seams. This thinner and extra pliable tape has confirmed to be a more sensible choice, enhancing the general sturdiness of the pack.
Attributable to my expertise I can’t verify the waterproofness of this pack. I’d all the time suggest a packliner for that reason. In my possibility there are not any actual waterproof UL packs on the market, solely extremely water-proof ones.
The Wapta 30 could be very sturdy, dealing with rocks and tough surfaces properly. I’ve calmly scraped it and put it down on rocks with none noticeable put on.
That is additionally the explanation DurstonGear opted for a Graflite™ backside pocket. I actually like backside pockets, that are often out of a stretch mesh, on UL packs primarily to retailer snacks and trash. At first I used to be frightened that the non-stretch pocket would maintain all the pieces in place, however my worries had been unwarranted.
Additionally the principle entrance pocket is made out of Graflite™ material. It’s large enough to retailer all the pieces I would want. Additionally with out the stretch a mesh material would supply.
The again panel does a wonderful job with air flow, and the fabric doesn’t retain a lot moisture, which can also be true for the shoulder strap padding. This characteristic is especially helpful throughout scorching and humid situations, maintaining me snug all through my hikes.
Conclusion
General, the Durston Gear Wapta 30 is a high-quality, sturdy, and cozy ultralight backpack that excels in numerous situations. It’s a fantastic selection for these searching for a dependable and well-designed pack for his or her adventures. Whether or not you’re tackling rugged trails or embarking on a quick and light-weight journey, the Wapta 30 delivers distinctive efficiency and comfort.
6 Comparisons
Final Course – Fastpack 20 (RTR Evaluation)
The Fastpack 20 is an efficient instance when options include a weight penalty. In my overview I point out it to be a bit overbuilt. It has operating vest fashion shoulder straps, however solely works effective for me for a couple of hours. For lengthy days on the path, it’s the Wapta for me.
Gossamer Gear – Quick Kumo 36 (RTR Evaluation)
The GG Quick Kumo has an analogous degree of consolation and fits higher for longer stretches of operating. which is okay with the Wapta 30, however not its sturdy go well with. Whereas the storage choices on the shoulder straps are comparable, the pocket on the Quick Kumo permit for a bit extra gear group. General the Wapta is far more rugged than the Quick Kumo. The Robic Nylon material is way more liable to aberration and tearing than the Graflite™ material.
Dandee Packs – The Normal (RTR Evaluation)
In case you learn my overview of the Dandee Packs-The Normal, you already know that it’s my favourite pack so far. The Dandee carries a bit nearer to the physique making it extra snug when totally loaded. It’s out of DFC material, which isn’t as sturdy because the Graflite™ material. For extra rugged treks I’d go together with the Wapta, for simpler terrain for the Dandee.
Volpi Out of doors Gear – Fastpack 30 (RTR Evaluation)
The Volpi Fastpack 30 just isn’t as snug because the Wapta 30. The Wapta 30 has a better match to the physique, and the shoulder straps conform higher to my shoulders. The Extremely™ 100 and Graflite™ material are comparable in really feel, however the Wapta 30 edges Volpis Pack when it comes to sturdiness. Because of the higher consolation I’d go together with the Wapta 30.
Out of doors Vitals – Skyline 30 (RTR Evaluation)
The Skyline 30 is without doubt one of the most characteristic packed fastpacks on the market, whereas nonetheless maintaining the burden in verify. It’s principally the higher model of the UD Fastpack. Nonetheless, I discover the consolation and sturdiness of the Wapta 30 superior. Nonetheless in case you are planning on operating the vast majority of your fastpacking journeys, the Skyline 30 is value a glance.
Black Diamond – Betalight
Whereas the Betalight has all the pieces on paper and is definitely fairly just like the Wapta 30, it lacks in execution. It’s made out of Extremely material, 30 liter capability, has a detachable hip belt and has an analogous UL pack roll high design. I discovered the shoulder straps a bit too minimalistic and uncomfortable after a full day. The capability of the principle compartment is in my view truly greater than 30l, if I examine it to different packs. The structure of the shoulder strap pockets is bizarre. On the left aspect, there may be supposed to suit a 500 ml mushy flask, which barely does. On the precise aspect the zippered pocket does not actually match a cellphone. In case you cram it in there, it uncomfortable stands out into my ribs. It’s nice to see {that a} large producer truly makes use of a novel ultralight material. It’s simply not fairly there but, with most small cottage manufacturers, that are used to this design for years.
The Wapta 30 obtainable a Durston Gear: HERE
Our different Durston Gear evaluations:
Durston Gear Iceline Trekking Poles Evaluation
Durston Gear X-Mid Professional 1 Ultralight Tent – What has Modified? 2024 Replace Evaluation
Markus Zinkl: I’m 33 years previous and stay in a small village in Bavaria, Germany. I began mountain climbing and backpacking 5-6 years in the past. Coming from path operating and with mild and quick in thoughts, I began mountain climbing and quick packing with ultralight gear. Over time I attempted and examined plenty of gear, all the time searching for weight financial savings. Though nonetheless attempting to remain out of the ultralight rabbit gap. I spend most of my days off from work on the path, with at the very least one 2-3 week thru-hike. Among the many extra well-known trails I’ve hiked over the previous few years are the GR221, WHR (Walker’s Haute Route), TMB (Tour du Mont Blanc), TC (Tour du Cervin-Matterhorn) and By way of Alpina Switzerland. As you in all probability discover by now, I’m at house within the mountains. So if I’m not operating or thru-hiking an extended path, I’m in all probability someplace within the Alps testing some shorter trails.
The merchandise which can be the idea of this take a look at had been supplied to us freed from cost by Durston Gear. The opinions offered are our personal.
We welcome feedback and questions within the feedback part.
