Review: Mountain Hardwear Summit Rocket 30 Will an excellent attack backpack also handle fast packing?
written by Outdoor Gearzine Editorial Department
An attack pack is a tool used to carry the minimum amount of equipment required to reach the summit. It is used especially when climbing from the final camp to the summit, so it is required to be lightweight, have the minimum functionality, and be comfortable, which is a rather stoic approach. Even for ultralight (UL) hikes, there are many tools that are functional and comfortable despite being stripped down, and although the purposes are different, the requirements are very similar
Are attack backpacks suitable for UL hiking and fastpacking? Of the many available, we chose Mountain Hardwear 's Summit Rocket 30. was developed for Woolie Steck, a speed climber in the alpine world. We tested this backpack to see if it's suitable for lightweight, long-distance UL hiking.
table of contents
Summit Rocket 30 features
The Summit Rocket 30 is a lightweight attack pack developed for Woolie Steck, a specialist in alpine speed climbing, designed to ascend to the summit as quickly as a rocket, as its name suggests. Its lightweight design, stripped of all unnecessary elements, is reminiscent of a rocket. Despite its thorough weight reduction, it maintains a minimum level of comfort and essential functionality, making it a highly refined model that shows great ingenuity. Its light weight, durability, and minimal functionality make it a great choice not only for attack backpacks and alpine climbers, but also for lightweight UL hikers who are looking to hike for long periods of time.
Recommended points
- Lightweight and durable
- Moderate fit on the back and shoulders
- The bare minimum but sufficient functionality
Points that interest me
- In order to be able to run (walk) with stability, you have to significantly reduce your luggage
Item appearance
Main Specifications and ratings
| item | Specifications and ratings |
|---|---|
| Official capacity (main unit) | 30L |
| Official weight | 511g |
| Actual measured weight | 524g (including rear panel 70g and cord 24g) Minimum weight 430g |
| material |
|
| Top lid pocket | |
| Comfort | ★★★☆☆ |
| weight | ★★★★★ |
| Mobility | ★★★★☆ |
| Functionality | ★★★☆☆ |
| Storageability | ★★★☆☆ |
| comprehensive evaluation | ★★★★☆ |
Detailed review
Lightweight and durable
The first thing that strikes you when you pick it up is how light it is. Thanks to its 30L volume and sturdy construction, it feels lighter than it looks
The main material is 100 denier ripstop nylon. The inside is silicone coated, so it's not waterproof, but it should be fine in light rain
The bottom and front parts, which require durability, are made of ripstop material using HardWear X-Ply to protect against rubbing against rocks, etc., improving durability.
The lightweight materials used are not the only thing that makes the bag lighter, but rather it is clear that emphasis has also been placed on durability, as the main material is made of thick 100D thread
Moderate fit on the back and shoulders
While it is lightweight and durable, it is still comfortable to wear, though not exceptionally so. The back panel is made of a thin, but somewhat breathable cushion
In addition, a hard, corrugated plastic sheet called a hard wave frame sheet is attached to the inside, improving the stability of the back
The shoulder straps are made with the same thin cushioning as the back panel, so as long as the weight is appropriate for the backpack's capacity, you can carry it all day without any problems
The waist strap is thin and not padded, but it secures the waist area, reducing shaking and improving stability
When you have little luggage, you can tighten the straps on the sides to increase compression, which can help reduce shaking
Other innovations to improve stability include making the body smaller as you go down, which keeps the center of gravity higher
The bare minimum but sufficient functionality
There is only one pocket on the top lid, but it has a large capacity and can store everything you need while on the go, such as food and clothes for bad weather
It is also compatible with hydration packs, and there is a dedicated hole on the back. However, there is no place inside to put a hydration pack, nor is there a hook to hang it from, so you will need to be a little creative when using it. It may be safer to remove the plastic plate on the back and put it in
The front is equipped with a daisy chain (one on each side) and four rubber straps, and the lower sides are also equipped with a daisy chain (one on each side), so it could be used in a variety of ways, such as securing poles or other items
There is a hook inside the backpack, and when you hang the backpack on it, the entire backpack opens up in a balanced manner, which seems very convenient for drying it if it gets wet
The weight is an ultra-lightweight 524g, measured against the manufacturer's suggested weight of 511g. If you remove the plastic back panel (70g) and compression straps (12g x 2 = 24g), the weight can be further reduced to just under 400g
If you remove the plastic plate on the back, it can be rolled up to make it compact
Impressions of actually using it
As expected, it feels very light when you wear it. It's reassuring that the backpack itself is light. Not only is it light in weight, but it also fits well on the back and shoulders, making it even lighter than its weight suggests
Although the shoulder area has some cushioning, it is thin and fits securely. The back fits better without the plastic plate, but it feels more stable with the plastic plate inside. This is because the plastic plate is wavy, so it remains flexible in the forward and backward directions, but has more rigidity in the lateral direction, so it doesn't bend and follows your movements
The center of gravity is higher than the waist, so you'll be carrying it mostly on your shoulders. However, thanks to the high center of gravity, it's very stable when moving fast, and since it's secured with a waist strap, there's almost no lateral movement. It's more stable with more luggage than less, but because it has a compression function, it's stable to a certain extent even if it's lightly packed
One thing that concerns me is that it's not suitable for use when it's under load. As the contents get heavier, the thinness of the shoulder straps gradually damages them over time, and the straps and other parts are made of lightweight materials, so I'm concerned about their durability. A rough guideline seems to be around 10kg. It should be used as a backpack for UL hikes
Summary: Recommended for people like this
As expected, it's very simple and has the bare minimum of functionality, so you might not be surprised at how easy it is to use. However, because it's so lightweight and durable, and has a better-than-expected fit, I felt it would be perfectly suitable for someone accustomed to speed hiking or fastpacking who wants to keep their luggage to a minimum. On the other hand, beginners to fastpacking, or those who have no choice but to pack a lot of weight even for a one-night, two-day trip, might need some experience and determination
However, while backpacks for UL hikes of the same size, weight, and durability tend to be relatively expensive, the Summit Rocket 30 offers excellent value for money. Even among the many attack backpacks, this one is especially well-suited for UL hikes. It's the perfect model for hikers looking for a lightweight backpack for long hikes but are concerned about the price
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