Black Diamond Betalight 45 Backpack Review: BD's answer to fast-pack style with cutting-edge lightweight materials and smart details.
written by Yasushi Hisatomi
OGZ Membership Recruiting members
Ultralight-style hiking is about walking longer, faster, and more easily by keeping your load as light as possible with minimal equipment. This activity used to be supported by a few small cottage brands (manufacturers producing cutting-edge, niche products on a small scale) and enthusiasts, but with the growing interest in long trails and thru-hikes, Gradually gaining popularity. Nowadays, manufacturers all over the world, large and small, are making products that match this, and it is becoming more and more widespread.
The Betalight 45 we're introducing today is an ultra-light backpack made by Black Diamond (BD) , a company that globally produces products for aggressive mountain activities such as climbing, ski mountaineering, and mountain running When I saw this for the first time, I was not surprised by the sharp specs and the way it was cut, as if it were going head-on into the realm of ultra-lightweight backpacks, which had been the territory of small-scale backpack manufacturers. I couldn't. It is now available not only at some core stores or mail order, but also at mountain specialty stores across the country, so not only ultra-lightweight style enthusiasts, but also outdoor enthusiasts who have been wary of such radical styles up until now. I'm sure it must have been exciting.
BD's official PV says it's ``Black Diamond's answer to the fast pack style.'' I was able to try out a sample of this ultra-lightweight backpack, so I'd like to share with you my review after walking on the trail several times. To do.
table of contents
- Main features of Black Diamond Betalight 45
- Main specifications and evaluation
- Detailed review
- Weight and durability: The body material uses cutting-edge "Ultra Fabric" to achieve both lightness and strength.
- Carrying comfort and stability: Carefully crafted and comfortable back panel with excellent fit and breathability
- Storage and ease of use: Smart storage that remains above-standard ease of use even when stripped down to the bare minimum.
- Summary: A revolutionary backpack that opens the door to the "cutting edge of ultralight backpacks" for everyone.
Main features of Black Diamond Betalight 45
The Black Diamond Betalite 45 is an ultralight backpack designed for minimalists who want to travel long hiking routes as light and fast as possible. The body material is "Ultra 200", which is extremely lightweight but boasts excellent durability and high waterproofness, and weighs 890g when fully equipped. Furthermore, this weight can be reduced to a minimum of 521g by removing parts such as the belt and frame, meeting the needs of a wide range of minimalists. The back has two aluminum stays that provide high load stability, and the mesh back, shoulder, and hipbelt pads provide both appropriate cushioning and breathability, making it comfortable to carry even for long periods of time. . It also features running vest-inspired shoulder straps with excellent fit and storage, as well as large stretch mesh front pockets, side stretch pockets, and waist belt pockets for quick access to your belongings while on the move. . Betalight Satellite Bag designed specifically for this pack for even more storage and convenience. Masu.
Favorite points
- Lightweight, tear-resistant and durable body material
- Highly waterproof construction with waterproof fabric, seam tape, and roll-top opening
- Shoulder straps for convenient storage and a great fit
- Comfortable to carry with excellent breathability and fit
- Large capacity front and side stretch pockets
- Customizability to minimize weight thanks to numerous removable parts
- Expandability for more convenient use in combination with a satellite bag (sold separately)
Points of interest
- The load lifter straps on the shoulders tend to loosen during movement.
- It has a sense of stability against vertical loads, but it is somewhat weak against lateral vibration and the pack tends to shake under heavy loads.
- Side stretch pockets are not made of Ultra 200 material which can easily wear out
Main specifications and evaluation
| Item name | Black Diamond Beta Light 45 |
|---|---|
| capacity | Approximately 45 liters (main storage 43L, side pockets: 1L each side, other front pockets) |
| Actual weight |
|
| material |
|
| Model for women | None (unisex) |
| Size (back length / waist) |
|
| back panel | 2 aluminum stays (30 liter model does not have one), back frame pad (removable) |
| Recommended maximum load capacity | Approximately 18 kilograms (40 pounds) |
| hydration sleeve | ◯ |
| main access | Roll top type (with top strap) |
| rain cover | Unnecessary |
| pocket attachment |
|
| evaluation | |
| Amenity | ★★★★☆ |
| Stability | ★★★☆☆ |
| Storage ability | ★★★★☆ |
| Functionality (ease of use) | ★★★★☆ |
| durability | ★★★★★ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ |
| Extensibility (customizability) | ★★★★★ |
Detailed review
Weight and durability: The body material uses cutting-edge "Ultra Fabric" to achieve both lightness and strength.
In recent years, Challenge Sailcloth's ultra-lightweight fabric ``Ultra 200'' has been attracting a lot of attention as a material often used in sharp, lightweight backpacks. This high-quality material, previously only seen in relatively small-batch garage manufacturer models, is used liberally in the Betalight, which is what is noteworthy. Let's start by talking about this material.
For those unfamiliar, Ultra fabric is a woven fabric containing UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, also known as Dyneema) with a laminate backing, making it extremely lightweight and waterproof with extremely high abrasion and UV resistance properties. Textiles with. It has several times the strength and abrasion resistance compared to Cordura nylon, and has more durability per weight than DCF (Dyneema Composite Fabric), which has been synonymous with lightweight and highly durable fabrics. It is said.
Also, Ultra fabrics come in 100, 200, 400, and 800 depending on the thickness of the fabric (from thinnest), but this pack uses Ultra 200 of standard thickness for the main body and Ultra 400 for the bottom part, which is subject to heavy wear. It is also worth noting that it is used. Recently, many ultra-lightweight brands are using Ultra 100, but by using 200 fabric, BD has chosen a good balance between durability and weight rather than excessively lightweight. .
By the way, the manufacturer's description says "Ultra 200," but strictly speaking, they use a version that has been updated since the fabric's earliest days, with thicker laminate and X-lattice reinforcement on the lining (in some places. It seems that it is sometimes written as "Ultra 200X"). Although this version is slightly heavier than the first version, the tear strength, rigidity, and durability of the fabric are higher.
The texture of the fabric feels more supple (fabric-like) than the stiff stiffness of DCF. However, it also has a moderate amount of stiffness, making it easy to stand up on its own as a backpack, making it easy to pack. There is a clear difference between this and the previous Ultra 200 backpack "Durston Kakwa 40" that I have, and Betalight's Ultra 200 fabric is better in terms of ease of handling.
The lining is laminated with recycled RUV™ film, making the fabric highly waterproof, and the pack also has fully taped seams (pictured above). . The interior of the main storage compartment is safe even in bad weather as it has extremely high water resistance that almost prevents rain from entering unless submerged.
In this way, this backpack is actually kept from being extremely light by giving consideration to protection and durability that will not break even when handled roughly, without relying entirely on "lightness." However, the weight of 45 liters and 890g is light enough that you won't notice it when you hold it, and it will definitely get you excited. It's so light that it can be called a daypack. What's more, it has a sturdy frame on the back that can withstand approximately 18kg of luggage, and the fabric is extremely strong, so comfort and durability are never sacrificed. You can feel the care taken to ensure that anyone can use it with peace of mind and experience the benefits of ``lightness''.
Carrying comfort and stability: Carefully crafted and comfortable back panel with excellent fit and breathability
When prioritizing the lightness of a backpack, one of the trade-offs that tends to be neglected is the comfort of carrying it on the back, but this carefully developed ultra-light pack never fails to make a difference in that respect because it is light. It shows the careful attention to detail and craftsmanship that goes beyond just giving up on comfort.
Back panel with two flat aluminum frames and built-in foam padding
The back panel, shoulder belt, and hip belt are made using the know-how cultivated through the company's running packs such as the "Distance" series of backpacks for speed hikes. Constructed with highly breathable mesh that quickly disperses sweat and thin, well-fitting foam, you can spend long periods of time comfortably without sweat accumulating. The careful craftsmanship is something that garage brands can't quite imitate, and that's one of the things I'm very satisfied with this time.
Shoulder strap for comfort and convenience during speedy movements
The shoulder straps are a running vest style harness rather than a mountaineering backpack. Lightly padded and highly ventilated, the straps have two height-adjustable sternum straps for a secure fit, prevent shaking while running, and provide easy access to various pockets. This can be said to be the optimal configuration for fast packing. On the other hand, for people who just want to walk around leisurely, something softer and thicker with more cushioning may be more comfortable.
Frame structure with high vertical load stability
The internal structure of the back panel consists of an EVA foam frame pad and two aluminum stays. As a result, the back becomes flat regardless of the shape of the baggage, and the weight of the baggage is properly transmitted to the hipbelt, achieving a load capacity of approximately 18 kg, which can be said to be strong enough to withstand the load. However, to be honest, this frame (and the connecting structure of the hipbelt) is not very strong against lateral shake (rotational shake), and if possible, it would be better if the hipbelt had a structure that could pull the entire bottom of the pack towards the waist and fix it. I feel like it's stable.
Furthermore, the 45 liter model is equipped with a load lifter strap on the shoulder opening, which allows you to pull the center of gravity closer to your back, and prevents shaking while walking to maintain a stable carrying comfort. When I actually walked, I was carrying about 13 kg on my back, but I didn't feel any strain on my shoulders, the weight was firmly placed on my hips, and I felt like I was being pulled backwards and downwards by the weight. None.
However, although there were no complaints about the structure of the pack, unfortunately the lightweight ladder lock parts used in the load lifter did not work well. Even if you tighten the straps tightly and start walking, the tension will be completely gone before you know it, and you will have to tighten them again and again. I think it would probably never loosen if the tension was in one direction all the time, but as you walk and your body sways up and down and left and right, it gradually loosens up. It's not a part that can be easily replaced, which is a shame since the overall design is solid ( though you can try replacing it with third-party parts like this
Highly customizable with the ability to remove parts to further reduce weight
The basic feature of this model is that it is made with cutting-edge ultra-light materials, yet is also friendly for beginners, but this does not mean that it cannot be used in a full-fledged ultra-light style. A clear example of this is that the weight of this pack can be significantly reduced by removing major parts. By removing the foam pad, two internal aluminum stays, hipbelt, compression strap, and other straps, you can reduce the weight to a minimum of 521g. Personally, I don't want to go that far because I don't want to lose comfort, but even if you remove the aluminum stay, it still has a load capacity of 12kg. It's not at all unrealistic to go for a serious ultra-light style.
Storage and ease of use: Smart storage that remains above-standard ease of use even when stripped down to the bare minimum.
main storage
The roll-top main storage is highly waterproof to prevent rain and dirt from entering, and its capacity can be easily compressed and expanded depending on the amount of luggage.
A hydration sleeve is provided on the back side (not omitted), and there is also a hole in the center for the tube to exit (see photo below). The shoulder strap has rubber to secure tubes, etc., and is convenient enough for people who use hydration for hydration.
External storage pockets for easy access while on the go
Designed with fast-packing in mind, the Betalight has convenient storage that eliminates waste and makes it easy to access while on the move.
For example, there is a huge mesh pocket on the front that looks clean but has a lot of stretch, and can easily fit bulky clothing such as rain gear or cold weather gear, or even flip-flops to wear at the tent site (lower). photograph).
The side pockets are also quite large and easy to use, following the trends of the past few years. It can easily fit a Nalgene bottle and a 500ml plastic bottle (see photo below). However, the fact that the material of this side stretch pocket, which protrudes the most, is not Ultra 200 is a bit disturbing. It would have been nice to have it for chafing
There are also removable Dynex® compression straps on the upper sides, allowing you to securely secure long items such as trekking poles, tent poles, and tripods.
The shoulder strap has a smart storage area inherited from the company's "Distance Series" (bottom left in the photo below). The stretch mesh pocket on the left chest is the perfect size to hold a vertically sized soft flask. Although it is not impossible to store a 500ml plastic bottle in terms of capacity, I do not recommend it because the strap will bulge out too much and you will be concerned about it hitting you. The right chest has a mesh pocket with a zipper that makes it easy to store your smartphone, and an open pocket on the front that can store small items such as gel, so you can usually store anything you want to access quickly while you're on the go. can do.
Although simple, the shoulder strap can be used in a variety of ways, with three types of storage to suit different purposes. As shown in the photo below, even if you put your smartphone in the open stretch pocket on the right, it won't fall out easily, so if you do this, you can access your smartphone without stress even when you want to check the map immediately. It was very easy to use (photo below).
The removable hipbelt has three-dimensional pockets on the left and right that are easy to operate with zippers (see photo below). It's not particularly large, but it's large enough to hold small items, and it's also big enough to fit my large 6.7-inch smartphone (if you remove the smartphone cover), so it wasn't too small. .
The bottom has the same removable Dynex® compression strap as the side one (pictured below). Although it looks simple at first glance, it is an excellent product that has three functions in one: ``pack compression'', ``storage of bulky items such as mattresses'', and ``loop for securing trekking poles and axes''.
Even smarter storage with a satellite bag (sold separately)
Although it has plenty of well-thought-out storage space for an ultra-light pack, it can't be helped that it has some inconveniences as a typical mountaineering backpack, such as the lack of rain cover storage. However, the existence of the separately sold "Betalight Satellite Bag" not only eliminates this inconvenience, but also quickly transforms it into a convenient backpack.
Basically, it is a simple pouch, with a sleeve on the back that can be used as a waist pouch, and loops for attaching straps in various places, which can be used as an additional pocket on a backpack, a sacoche on the shoulder, etc. Allows for portability. The contents are quite simple; when you open the zipper, there is a large space that can fit a 500ml plastic bottle, and a simple partition.
The backpack has a loop on the front to which this sub-bag can be attached, so it can also be used like a rain cover. It can also be used like a front pack by attaching it to the empty loop on the sternum strap on the front.
Summary: A revolutionary backpack that opens the door to the "cutting edge of ultralight backpacks" for everyone.
The Betalight 45 backpack uses top-class lightweight and durable materials, which until now have been considered difficult for large manufacturers to use due to material procurement issues, while also offering a stylish design, comfortable carrying comfort, and convenient features. It was a backpack with attractive storage. It is an ideal option to open the door to a new world for many hikers who have not been able to try authentic UL style until now. Needless to say, this pack is sure to appeal to all hikers who want to travel light and fast (i.e. fastpacking and speed hiking enthusiasts).
Despite these many benefits, I personally feel that the fixation and stability around the hipbelt (ideally a hipbelt structure that pulls the entire pack from both sides) and the fixation for load lifters are unsatisfactory. This may leave some dissatisfaction for those who place importance on a structure where even a lightweight pack can carry the weight stably on the waist and not shake easily (I haven't tried it with a 30 liter pack, so I'm not sure, but it's a bit dissatisfied with the larger 45 liter pack. (Capacity may also be a factor.)
Regarding the capacity, if you are carrying this backpack, you should also have other lightweight items with you, and in that case, 45 liters is more than enough for a one-night stay in a tent. If you plan on staying in a mountain hut or planning a one-night route, a 30-liter pack is sufficient. This 45 liter will be useful for thru-hiking or traversing for 3 nights or more, or for overnight climbing with a rope when the equipment is bulky. If you've ever thought you had to sacrifice comfort and convenience for an ultralight backpack, now's the time to give it a try.
