Durston Kakwa 40 Review

The Durston Kakwa 40 Pack attempts to solve one key problem suffered by most ultralight packs in this weight range: how to maintain load-carrying comfort across both light and heavy loads?

In this review, we measure the Kakwa 40's load-carrying performance, discuss our observations of EPL Ultra 200 fabrics vs. DCH150, and more.

** See the full review: **

https://backpackinglight.com/durston-...

** How we measure the load-carrying capacity of a backpack: **

https://backpackinglight.com/00179-2/...

** Outline: **

0:00 - Introduction to the Durston Kakwa 40 Pack
1:31 - Kakwa backpack suspension overview
9:14 - How much weight can the Kakwa 40 carry comfortably?
12:39 - What (torso) size should I get?
17:12 - Performance of EPL (Ultra) 200 in the Kakwa 40
23:21 - Q&A
23:37 - EPL Ultra 200 vs. DCH150?
25:11 - Does the Kakwa 40 hip belt collapse under heavy loads?
26:42 - Can you carry a bear canister in the Kakwa 40?
28:32 - Is the Kakwa frame so stiff that it causes discomfort over long days?
30:35 - Can the hip belt pocket and side pocket zippers be operated with one hand while wearing the pack?
32:08 - Can you access a water bottle in the side pocket while wearing the pack?
32:56 - What's the maximum recommended torso length for each size pack?
34:16 - Is the Durston Kakwa 40 waterproof?
34:32 - Does the Kakwa 40 absorb much water weight?
35:18 - What's the best strategy for keeping your pack and gear dry in a pack like the Kakwa 40?
36:06 - How do you carry large volumes of water in the Kakwa 40?
37:12 - How effective is the double-webbing-single-buckle hip belt strap?
38:01 - What hurts when you carry a lot of weight in a Kakwa 40?
38:26 - How much weight can you save by removing the internal frame and foam sheet from the Durston Kakwa 40?
39:03 - How durable is the rear pocket mesh for bushwhacking?
39:14 - The problem with the Kakwa 40 in heavy rain is...
40:13 - Will the Durston Kakwa 40 fit a large woman with wide hips?
41:28 - How to make the Durston Kakwa a more capable pack for just a few more ounces...
42:13 - Does the hip belt slip down when the pack is loaded to its weight capacity?
43:02 - Delamination issues with EPL Ultra 200
44:51 - Final thoughts
45:36 - How much gear will the Kakwa 40 actually hold for such a small pack?
46:35 - Is the Durston Gear Kakwa 40 comfortable?

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