UL (Ultra Light) hiking is a style that reduces weight by simplifying equipment, reducing the burden on the body, and enjoys hiking and mountain climbing. Interest has increased recently and is becoming a part of the culture.
I am one of the people who enjoys UL hiking as light as possible, and are the ones who are enjoying the equipment. I was given the opportunity to test the DURSTON backpack, the Wapta 30,
This is highly recommended for people who want to aim for UL but want to carry it comfortably, or for people who suffer shoulder pain from long periods of action. It wasn't just a lightweight backpack, but it was a highly complete and comfortable backpack that was designed to be easy to use in every detail and has convenient features.
table of contents
- Main features of DURSTON Wapta 30
- Detailed review
- The use of "ALUULA Graflyte™" fabric makes it lightweight yet highly durable
- 30L+α capacity that can be used for staying in a tent or on a day trip
- Frameless yet can be carried by back loads
- Mesh pads on the back ensure breathability
- Front and side pockets with more capacity than you think
- Hip belt pocket and bottom pocket that can be accessed without removing the backpack
- Long streamers, V-shaped straps, and daisy chains provide excellent expansion
- Shoulder pocket that can hold a 750ml plastic bottle
- Summary: Every UL style is different! Your journey to find the best solution for you is never over
Main features of DURSTON Wapta 30
The Wapta 30 is made from a new material called "ALUULA Graflyte™" and is a backpack that is lightweight at 520g, with a size M, yet highly waterproof, durable, and wear-resistant.
The hip belt allows you to distribute loads to your lower back, making it a frameless backpack that can be carried stably. A mesh pad is heat-welded on the back, ensuring breathability to reduce discomfort caused by sweat.
The main compartment has a capacity of approximately 30L (M: 30L, L: 32L), and a total of approximately 15L including side pockets and front pockets. The Y-shaped top strap and daisy chain improve expandability, and with lighter equipment, the capacity can be used to accommodate long-term tent stays.
It has mesh pockets on the shoulder strap that allow you to access while carrying it on your back, hip belt pockets, and side pockets in the bottom pocket, making it designed to keep you moving without having to put your backpack down.
Favorite points
- The use of "ALUULA Graflyte™" fabric makes it lightweight yet highly durable
- 30L+α capacity for both tent stays and day trips
- Frameless and lightweight yet lightweight, it can be carried by lower back loads (hip belt is removable)
- Mesh pads on the back ensure breathability
- Front and side pockets with more capacity than you think
- Hip belt pocket and bottom pocket that can be accessed without removing the backpack
- Highly expandable
- Shoulder pocket that can hold a 750ml plastic bottle
- Dizzy chains that can be used conveniently depending on your ideas
Interesting points
- Shoulder pads are slightly thin, and if you get too carried away and make them too heavy, you may be concerned about damage to your shoulders.
- I wanted the daisy chain to have small individual holes and a size that could pass through the carabiner.
Main Specifications and ratings
| Item name | Durston Wapta30 |
|---|---|
| capacity |
|
| weight |
|
| material |
|
| Recommended load | 12kg |
| Long back size |
|
| Ladies model | none |
| Frame | none |
| Main Access | Roll top type |
| Hydrography Sleeve | none |
| Rain cover | none |
| function |
|
| Outdoor Gearzine Review | |
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ |
| Stability | ★★★★★ |
| Storageability | ★★★★☆ |
| Breathable back | ★★★★☆ |
| Functionality | ★★★★☆ |
| Durability | ★★★★★ |
| Extensibility | ★★★★★ |
| weight | ★★★★★ |
Detailed review
The use of "ALUULA Graflyte™" fabric makes it lightweight yet highly durable
The fabrics and materials used in outdoor backpacks, such as Cordura nylon, lobic nylon, DCF, ECOPAK, and Ultra fabrics, are constantly evolving.
The fabric used in this Wapta30
It's a name you're not familiar with, but that's probably the case. the Wapta30 was the first time this fabric was used in a backpack
ALUULA Graflyte™ is a fabric made by fusing a durable waterproof film with extremely durable UHMWPE fibers (a material called "ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene," also known as "Dyneema," and is also used in DCF, DCH, and Ultra fabrics). Not only is it ultra-lightweight, waterproof, durable, and wear-resistant, but also has new, unprecedented properties, such as laser-dried holes in the fabric and recyclable.
It's a little bit more detailed, but specifically, the ultra-lightweight, high-durability material "Ultra 200X", which is now being adopted by UL garage brands, weighs 133 gsm, while the ALUULA Graflyte™ thick fabric "V-98", weighs almost the same strength, weighs 98 gsm, making it even lighter. Of course, the Ultra 200X is definitely a very good fabric, and since it cannot be simply compared strength or characteristics, it is impossible to say in a short-sighted way that it is better than the Ultra 200X.
The secret to making this lightness possible is that the most surprising feature of the ALUULA Graflyte™ is that the adhesives normally needed to make fabrics (of course used in DCF and Ultra fabrics) do not need to be used by adopting a unique fusion process. This prevents the weight of the fabric from increasing and prevents the fabric from degrading over time, which allows for long-term waterproofing and durability.
When you touch it, it has a thick and firm feel. Not only is it durable, it is sewn with thick, durable thread, and the back of the seams are seamed to make it waterproof. The external side pockets, front pockets, and bottom pockets are made of the same material as the main compartment, so there is less risk of them getting worn out, and there is also a hip belt with plenty of padding. Nevertheless, the weight is 30 liters and is kept at 495g (actual measurements for the L size) which is surprising (according to the homepage, the M size is 520g and the L size is 540g).
The back of the seams are firmly seamed
Tagui's frameless backpacks, commonly known as UL (ultra light), often weigh less than 1kg. Furthermore, while all recommended load capacity are often set to less than 10kg, the Wapta30 has a frameless structure that is light at 500g, but the load capacity is set to the normal allowable range of up to 12kg. Moreover, this is a value that gives you the extra weight that doesn't put strain on your shoulders and waist, and when I tried carrying it on my back, it feels so comfortable that it feels so comfortable that it feels like it's not impossible to carry it even if it's over 12kg (according to the official website, it is possible to carry a load that is heavier than 12kg in a short period of time).
When I actually put about 16kg of luggage in my backpack and carried it, I found that it was a borderline that would make it comfortable to carry around 12kg. It seems unlikely that it is possible to operate with equipment exceeding 15kg, but the shoulder pads are thin, so even if you can get through it for a short period of time, the damage to your shoulder will likely increase if you spend a long time. If you are planning to have equipment that exceeds 12kg, you should choose a backpack that is more sturdy than the frame.
30L+α capacity that can be used for staying in a tent or on a day trip
By simplifying the equipment, Wapta30 can be used to accommodate tents
The Wapta30 has a capacity of 30L in size M and 32L in size L, and has a capacity of about 15L in size combined with side pockets and front pockets, so if you make full use of it, it will have a capacity of about 45L. With this size, you can use it for a long time by narrowing down your equipment.
The shoulder pockets, hip belt pockets, and bottom pockets on the side pockets are designed with the intention of long distance hiking, which allows you to walk for long distances in a day, making it a design that allows you to walk for long periods of time with your backpack on your back.
If you narrow down the side compression, you can use it on day trips.
The 30L capacity is a slightly larger backpack for a day trip, but by using side compression, you can prevent your luggage from moving inside the backpack even when there are fewer luggages, allowing you to carry it stably.
The dual strap closure side compression is easy to adjust with one action, and the buckle is removable, making it easy to use
It is said that it is not desirable to use it in conjunction with a large-capacity backpack, which is used when staying in a tent, because the area is different to the small backpack for day trips, but by tightly squeezing the side compression of the Wapta30, it was possible to carry it comfortably even on a day trip.
I was able to use it without any problems even on day trips, but what caught my eye was that for hikers who are not UL oriented, the capacity of the Wapta30 may seem a bit unhealthy. It may seem small when used in a tent, and even for day trips, it may be large for short hiking.
Frameless yet can be carried by back loads
As mentioned above, most UL backpacks weigh less than 1kg. (It also depends on whether or not there is a frame and the capacity)
There are many frameless backpacks like the Wapta30 that go below 500g, but most of them are not suitable for carrying under the back load, and most of them are made simple enough to prevent the backpack from flapping while you are on the move. Meanwhile, the Wapta30 is one of the few backpacks that can be carried by lower back loads.
This backpack can be carried with the low back loads that are common in mountain climbing backpacks, and is designed to allow you to carry heavy equipment stably for a long time. On the other hand, backpacks designed for UL hiking, which keep the base weight excluding food and fuel below 5kg is lighter, so they can be carried by shoulder load rather than waist load, and by simplifying the waist belt, they are even lighter.
When you actually carry a UL backpack that you carry with your shoulders, it can cause some pain in your shoulders, even though there are individual differences. If the base weight is 5kg, the pack weight including food and fuel would be 8-10kg. In winter, or when you can't replenish water, it can become a little heavier. If you carry a backpack that is roughly 10kg for a long time, your shoulders will start to hurt. Packing can reduce the burden slightly, but there are limits to this as well.
By making equipment simpler, you can make it lighter, but if your shoulders get hurt after long periods of action, you won't be able to enjoy hiking. Although the Wapta30 is a lightweight backpack, it does not sacrifice comfort, and can distribute the load to your lower back, making it comfortable to carry even during long periods of time.
Removable hip belt if not needed
Considering the risks that people want to try a UL backpack but are reluctant to be unable to carry it due to lower back loads, or the style they carry on with their shoulders doesn't suit them, I'm sure there are many people who are not able to decide to buy a UL backpack.
The Wapta30 can be removed if not needed, so you can carry it on your shoulders alone. If your shoulders hurt or if you don't have the right style to carry with just your shoulders, you can just use a hip belt. You can significantly lower the hurdle to trying a UL backpack.
By removing the hip belt, you can expect to be reduced by approximately 100g, and the Wapta30 is attractive for those who want to make it lighter than before. The backpack weighs approximately 400g (actual measurement of size L) with the hip belt removed.
About the size
You can choose from two sizes for the length of the back: M and L. The recommended back length is 41-48cm for the M size and 47-55cm for the L size, so I chose the L size based on the size on the official page. I'm a regular figure and not very wide shoulders, but it fits perfectly and without any problems.
It's also comfortable to carry
The Wapta30 does not have a road lifter that is often installed in mountain climbing backpacks. (The road lifter is used to pull the top of the backpack towards your body.)
However, when you carry it on your back, it does not cause the top to flutter, so you can carry it on your back with confidence. I actually carried the Wapta30 for a long time, but I was able to carry it with the back load, and the S-shaped shoulder strap fits firmly on my shoulder, making it comfortable to carry.
The shoulder strap cushion is thin, so if you move around for a long time with heavy pack weights, you may feel a little strain on your shoulders, but as you can carry it with lower back loads, the burden was not so stressful.
Mesh pads on the back ensure breathability
UL backpacks are made lighter by simplifying them to the extreme, so some backpacks are designed with the premise of losing comfort. The best example is the back pad.
Backpacks make the back that comes into contact with your body the most stuffiness when you carry it. Many backpacks for mountain climbing are made of highly breathable materials and mesh, which helps to remove sweat from the parts that come into contact with your body and reduces discomfort, but many models have even abandoned this, and can cause discomfort due to sweat and stuffiness on your back while you are on the move.
The Wapta30 has a mesh pad that reduces discomfort during sweating. Although the discomfort of sweat on my back does not go away, it was a big difference between not being able to do so.
Front and side pockets with more capacity than you think
The front and side pockets on the outside of the main compartment are more spacious than they look, which was quite convenient.
First, the left and right side pockets are capacity that can hold two bottles. I tried changing the size of the bottle and was able to put in a 1L bottle and a 750ml bottle.
There is a cord on the top of the pocket, so pulling the cord also prevents it from falling.
The front pocket material is ALUULA Graflyte™, just like the main body. The material itself is not stretchy, but it has a gusset so it is easy to store and the pockets are also large. There are three holes at the bottom of the pocket for draining, and it is designed so that even if wet tools are pushed in or if we get hit by the rain due to bad weather, the water won't stop.
Large front pocket. There are three holes for draining water, and it is designed to prevent bad weather.
The front pocket has a large capacity, and it can hold a set of pegs, ground sheets, etc. in a double wall tent. In winter, when you're wearing a lot of clothing, you can also put some clothes you've taken off when it gets hot.
There is a gusset so there is more space than you think
The front pocket has a large capacity, and it can hold a set of pegs, ground sheets, etc. in a double wall tent. You can put some clothes you've taken off when it gets hot during winter when you're wearing a lot of wear.
Hip belt pocket and bottom pocket that can be accessed without removing the backpack
Hip belt pocket (left) Bottom pocket (right)
You can see that the Wapta30 is designed with the aim of continuing to act. The reason for this is that there are many pockets that are easy to access even when carrying them on your back, and in addition to the shoulder pockets, there are hip belt pockets and bottom pockets. You can continue walking without stopping, such as using frequently used foods or rainwear, or sudden weather conditions.
Even if you don't think about walking for long periods of time, there are times when you take a break with your backpack on your back. In such cases, you can reduce the frequency of carrying your backpack by having easy access pockets everywhere.
Long streamers, V-shaped straps, and daisy chains provide excellent expansion
Long streamers can handle equipment increases or decreases
Whether you're staying in a tent or on a day trip, the most luggage will be when you leave (or just after resupply) when you have food. The Wapta30 has a roll top type, and the streamer is long, making it easier to handle the increase or decrease in luggage.
There is also a V-shaped strap on the top. The V-shaped shape allows it to be fixed with two straps, and has a higher hold power than one, allowing you to stably secure sleeping mats, stuff sacks, clothing, etc.
The V-shaped strap allows the gear to be secured stably.
There is a daisy chain located on the side of the backpack and under the front pocket, and if you use a bungee cord, you can also attach pickels, trekking poles, etc.
I often store photographic equipment such as tripods in the side pockets, so the solution that allows you to attach a separate trekking pole is quite useful. It was also possible to use it to install an Insta360 (360-degree camera), and it was convenient to use depending on your ideas.
Dizzy chains can be used for a variety of purposes depending on your ideas
Shoulder pocket that can hold a 750ml plastic bottle
The mesh pockets on the left and right shoulder straps can hold up to 750ml bottles. It has stretch, so it is difficult to fall off even when you put things in it, and the pockets when carrying it on is just right. The shoulder pockets of the Wapta30 were both exquisite in terms of capacity and position.
Personally, I found this quite convenient, but there are backpacks with mesh pockets on the shoulder straps, which have a pocket so small that they can't even fit a 500ml bottle, they are a bit large enough to hold sunglasses and small items, and some backpacks are too high when carrying a bottle with them, making them difficult to use.
A small inconvenience can lead to you stop using it, so you should be sure to check before purchasing.
Summary: Every UL style is different! Your journey to find the best solution for you is never over
UL hiking is not a competition to be light. Rather than just making it lighter and lighter, I believe that the shortest route to UL is to use your own physical strength, knowledge and experience to find a comfortable area, enjoy it, and find the most suitable solution for yourself, and find the best solution for yourself.
As a result of aiming for a UL style that exceeds your acceptability, you can no longer enjoy hiking or climbing, or enjoy UL hiking (climbing) without compromising the "comfort" that suits you, so that you don't feel any pain!
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Yosuke
People who act with just one backpack with the motto of "as light as possible" so that they don't get inconvenient.
From spring to autumn, I chase after char deep in the mountains and go fishing in the mountain stream. We walked the mountains in search of spectacular views that cannot be seen from the ground. Camping to be healed by the bonfire. Snowboarding is a floating mountain with a mountain of silver.
A freelance writer who has been enjoying the outdoors for over 20 years and enjoying the outdoors in his own way all year round. Based on my experience writing articles for more than dozens of outdoor web media, I will be sharing my own experiences and tools that I have been using.