Search Outdoors is thought for crafting gear that may face up to demanding backcountry circumstances whereas sustaining a light-weight design. Whereas the corporate’s focus is on ultralight backpack searching, it additionally caters to light-weight backpackers who want to hold hundreds within the 30-50 lb vary on distant or multi-sport journeys, similar to packrafting or wilderness fly fishing, or which have rare resupply factors. I’m usually requested by readers for suggestions of light-weight backpacks that may carry heavier hundreds, north of 30 lbs, and I level them to Search Outdoors.
- Weight: 2 Lbs 11 Ounces / 43 Ounces
- Mannequin Examined: 25″ body/giant hipbelt 3.02 lbs (48.32 oz) in Ultragrid
- Quantity: 52L (3200 c.i.) + 11L in exterior pockets
- Kind: Adjustable Torso
- Load lifters: Sure
- Pockets: Three plus most important compartment
- Hydration Suitable: Sure
- Canister compatibility: BV500 and Garcia match horizontally within the extension collar, BV 475 matches horizontally at mid-point in pack bag (all match vertically)
- Material Choices: Ultragrid or Extremely 200
- Most really useful weight: 50 lbs
- Made within the USA.
- Professionals: Adjustable torso size, PALs, abrasion-resistant supplies, movable compression straps
- Cons: Awkward Y-strap attachment to entrance mesh pocket
Backpack Capability and Group
The Flight 3 is ready up like nearly each different light-weight backpack on this planet, with a roll-top closure, a most important compartment, a entrance stretch pocket, and two facet water bottle pockets. The inside of the principle compartment holds 52L, whereas the exterior open pockets present an extra 11L of house. The entire exterior pockets are made with Ultramesh, which is an abrasion-resistant mesh that’s troublesome to tear.
The Flight is hydration appropriate, with an inside pocket or cling loop to droop a hydration bladder, a hydration port positioned between the shoulder straps, and hose keeper loops on the shoulder straps.
The highest of the principle compartment includes a rolltop closure with a stiffener, making it simpler to roll shut and sustaining its safe place when closed. Nevertheless, the buckles on the ends of the roll prime solely connect to themselves and to not the buckles alongside the pack sides, limiting the helpful quantity within the extension collar and the quantity of prime compression out there.
The 2 facet water bottle pockets have adjustable elastic cords operating alongside the highest to stop gadgets from falling out, and the pockets are angled to make it simpler to drag out and substitute bottles. The entrance mesh pocket options an elastic prime hem, serving to to maintain gadgets securely in place.
Backpack Body and Suspension
Making certain a superb match is the place many ultralight and light-weight packs compromise, and the place the Flight 3 stands out from the group. The pack options an adjustable torso size, permitting you to boost or decrease the shoulder straps to make sure a comfortable match that matches your torso size. That is very important when carrying the heavier hundreds that the pack is designed to hold. The shoulder strap yoke strikes up and down laddered straps and secures in place with velcro. When you don’t have expertise becoming a pack, it’ll assist to regulate this with somebody who does.
The body is a 360-degree aluminum loop that terminates behind the underside of the hipbelt and is troublesome to take away. It does a pleasant job of holding the again straight and driving the load into the hip belt. The body has an extra horizontal keep that stops the pack from barrelling round a bear canister or different inflexible gadgets when packed.
The shoulder straps characteristic daisy chains, making it straightforward so as to add pockets or cling technical gear, similar to a Garmin inReach. They’re well-padded, however are solely out there in a J-shape, which is extra appropriate for males than girls. The only sternum strap slides alongside webbing and is simple to regulate. The pack additionally options load lifters, one other important characteristic for carrying heavier pack weights. They’re straightforward to entry when the pack is worn and do an efficient job of tilting the pack in order that extra weight is carried by the hipbelt, slightly than your shoulders.
The hip belt is huge, that includes a lumbar pad for elevated consolation and cargo switch. It’s detachable and may accommodate totally different hip belt lengths. It additionally permits for selective tightening of the highest or backside to accommodate totally different hip shapes. The hipbelt doesn’t include pockets, however options two tiers of pouch attachment ladders, permitting you so as to add appropriate MOLLE pouches and equipment, similar to pockets, canteen carriers, or holsters (bought individually), and is appropriate with third-party equipment.
Compression and Attachment Factors
The Flight 3 comes with two tiers of compression straps which you can transfer to totally different positions on the pack relying on the kind of load it’s essential carry. Search Outdoors was one of many first backpack producers to make use of a particular gated clip (image above) for this function.
The Flight 3 has eight gear loops across the perimeter of the entrance stretch mesh pocket and eight loops that run down the again (the facet going through your again) that make every kind of attachment or compression eventualities potential, together with carrying snowshoes.
Whereas the gated clips that allow this degree of modularity are extremely useful, they’re optimized for rare use because of their barely difficult closure and gradual lack of pressure over time. The Flight makes use of one in all these clips on its Y-strap to carry the highest of the entrance stretch mesh pocket closed, a spot that’s regularly used and the place we predict a extra conventional side-release (squeeze-style) buckle could be simpler and fewer annoying.
Goal Consumer – Who’s The Flight 3 for?
When you’re a light-weight backpacker on the lookout for a pack that may deal with heavier (30+ lb) hundreds whereas weighing lower than 3 lbs, the Search Outdoors Flight 3 is tough to beat. It’s finest suited to skilled backpackers who respect modularity, can confidently regulate the pack’s torso size, and aren’t afraid to spend money on premium gear.
I examined the Ultragrid model, which is constructed from 210d recycled nylon with 200d Extremely fibers and is pretty sturdy and water resistant, however nothing particular. The Flight 3 can also be out there in Utragrid 200X, which is a water-resistant material and rather more sturdy than Ultragrid, particularly in the event you’re scraping the pack in opposition to rock usually, like in canyons, scrambling, or for bushwhacking. Provided that the value distinction is minor, I’d go along with the Ultra200x model in the event you’re exhausting on packs.
Advice
The Search Outdoors Flight 3 stands out as a light-weight backpack that doesn’t compromise on consolation or load-carrying skill. Its considerate design, sturdy supplies, customizable match, and spectacular weight capability make it probably the most versatile choices in its class. Whereas not low-cost or overloaded with options, it’s an funding in long-term consolation and reliability on the path. For hikers who demand each gentle weight and real-world efficiency, it’s one of many best decisions out there right this moment.
Disclosure: Search Outdoors donated a pack for evaluation.
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