Kakwa 55
The updated 2025 model has larger shoulder strap pockets, larger hipbelt pockets, a more ergonomic design for the hipbelt and shoulder straps, and 1 oz reduction in weight.
The Kakwa 55 is our premium ultralight, multi-day pack designed from the first principles of load carrying and ergonomics to provide the greatest function, comfort and usability for an ultralight pack. Developed from Dan Durston’s attention to detail and thousands of miles of backpacking experience, the Kakwa 55 has class leading quality, load carrying, materials, and pocket design while weighing under 2 lbs (900 g).
LOAD CARRYING
The Kakwa 55 brings genuine load carrying capability into the sub 2 lbs weight class.
Other packs this light generally sacrifice load carrying ability by omitting load lifters, lacking horizontal structure, and relying on less ergonomic shoulder strap and hipbelt shapes.
The Kakwa 55 solves this tradeoff through more efficient design and advanced materials including UHMWPE fabric and hollow aluminum tubing. Hollow aluminum tubing is a more efficient use of structural weight than the solid metal bars found in competing packs. We use this material to create a rigid frame with both vertical and horizontal structure at the same or less weight than competing packs that only have vertical structure.
This frame connects directly to the hipbelt for maximum load transfer and directly to the load lifters, which are rare on packs this light yet highly functional for shifting more of the weight off your shoulders and onto the hips. A capable structure is nothing without an ergonomic connection to your body, which is why the shoulder straps have a carefully developed S shape to contour around your upper body, while the hipbelt uses a dual strap design which cups your hips and has reverse pull 2:1 leverage for easy tightening. The result is a pack that comfortably and effectively manages loads up to 45 lbs.
EFFICIENT ACCESS
Efficient access to your gear is a hallmark of ultralight pack design as it allows you to spend more time covering miles instead of digging through your pack.
What is needed is not a high quantity of pockets but rather a pocket layout that has been carefully considered to compliment and allow for a diverse range of storage possibilities while remaining simple enough to be easily organized.
For this, the Kakwa 55 has four types of pockets to optimize on-the-go access to your gear. First are the hipbelt pockets, which are designed to reliably operate one handed and easily accommodate medium sized items such as snacks, sunscreen, phones, and headlamps. That storage is augmented by dual top opening shoulder strap pockets which provide an ideal place for your phone for quick photos and navigation. These pockets also work well for small water bottles, sunglasses, and bear spray.
Additionally there is the innovative QuickPocket which consists of an easily reached compartment in the sidewall of the left side pocket. This allows you to stow and quickly access even larger items than normally possible, such as hats, mitts, maps and bulky snacks. Finally, a large mesh style front pocket quickly swallows the largest items like rain jackets, tents, and cook kits.
Collectively, the Kakwa’s pockets are carefully considered so you can hike with maximum efficiency.
BackpackingLight
Most Comfortable
"The Kakwa is one of the most versatile and comfortable packs I've ever used for loads exceeding 35 lbs....this pack has my favorite carry feel".
Section Hiker
10 Best Ultralight Backpacks
"The low weight is impressive for a framed pack....and it provides excellent weight transfer to the hips. The pocketing is fantastic for accessing what you need during the day without stopping."
The Trek
I Could Not Be Happier
"I’ve become a huge fan. It has smart places to put all the stuff, and carries all that stuff comfortably. I could not be happier to have it for the remaining 2,000 miles of the Eastern Continental Trail this winter."
Adventure Alan
Incredibly Well Designed
"The Kakwa has a famously excellent load carry. The whole setup is just so dang comfortable and user-friendly. It is in contention for best ultralight backpack on the market."
MATERIALS & QUALITY
In our backyard in the Canadian Rockies we often spend more time off trail than on, so durability in materials and construction is a top priority. With the Kakwa 55 we are using Ultra 200X and UltraGrid fabrics from Challenge Outdoor, where the face fabric is partly (UltraGrid) or dominantly (Ultra 200X) woven UHMWPE fibers which are several times stronger and more abrasion resistant than traditional nylon pack fabrics. The Ultra 200X material is laminated with an eco-friendly adhesive to a film to create a waterproof fabric, while UltraGrid uses a PU coating for waterproofing.
Simply using a tough main fabric is not enough if the pack has vulnerable aspects in the stitching, mesh materials, or construction. That's why the Kakwa 55 is fully double stitched with heavyweight thread and uses stronger folded seams. Pocket elastics are a common failure point, so the Kakwa uses protected elastics inside the seams rather than using exposed elastic edging. Lastly our front pocket avoids easily damaged high stretch mesh and instead uses a much tougher low stretch knit mesh while creating generous volume through shaping.
Ultra Fabrics
The Ultra 200X fabric option is dominantly woven UHMWPE fibers (more commonly known by the brand name Dyneema®) which is several times stronger and more abrasion resistant than traditional nylon pack fabrics. This material is laminated to a film backing to make the material waterproof.
The Kakwa 55 is also available in a more affordable UltraGrid version which uses a 200D nylon fabric interlaced with a UHMWPE ripstop. While not as tough as Ultra 200X, it is still quite a tough fabric.
Hollow Aluminum U Frame
The hollow aluminum inverted U frame provides vertical and horizontal structure at less weight than frame stay systems for more effective load transfer and comfort at loads up to 45 lbs / 20 kg.
Dual Strap Reverse Pull Hipbelt
This hipbelt design cups your hips, and makes tightening the belt much easier with 2:1 tightening leverage and an ergonomic direction of pull.
Shoulder Strap Pockets
These pockets provide an ideal place for your phone, bear spray, sunglasses, small water bottles and more. We attach them permanently for a more solid and user friendly connection.
Quick Pocket
The Kakwa's unique Quick Pocket is a double layer pocket that can hold tall objects inserted from the top, while a separate compartment accessed by the front zipper is easily opened wearing the pack - providing quick access to larger items like hats, mitts, and maps.
Specifications
SPECIFICATIONS
Complete Pack (oz)
Ultra 200X: 28.5 oz (S), 29.8 oz (M), 30.6 oz (L)
UltraGrid: 28.9 oz (S), 30.3 oz (M), 31.2 oz (L)
Complete Pack (g)
Ultra 200X: 810g (S), 845g (M), 870g (L)
UltraGrid: 820g (S), 860g (M), 885g (L)
Removable items
Frame (3oz / 90 g) and backpad (0.5oz / 15 g) are included but removable.
Main Fabric
Ultra 200X or UltraGrid
Front Pocket Mesh
Heavy duty polyester knit mesh
Torso Length:
Small: 15 - 18 " (38 - 46 cm)
Medium: 17 - 20 " (43 - 51 cm)
Large: 19 - 22 " (48 - 56 cm)
Hipbelt (Min - Max Circumference):
Small: 27 - 41" (69 - 104 cm)
Medium: 28 - 43" (71 - 109 cm)
Large: 29 - 45" (74 - 114 cm)
Hipbelt (Recommended Hip Size):
Small: 28 - 38" (71 - 97 cm)
Medium: 29 - 39" (74 - 99 cm)
Large: 30" - 40" (76 - 102 cm)
Circumference (Top / Bottom)
42" (107 cm) / 33" (84 cm)
Unrolled Height (S / M / L)
31.5" / 33.5" / 35.5" (80 / 85 / 90 cm)
Internal Volume (S / M / L)
43L / 46L / 49L
External Volume (S / M / L)
15L
Total Volume (S / M/ L)
58L / 61L / 64L
Features
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FAQ
Customer Reviews
Every backpack that I have owned up until now have ben Ospreys. My last one was the Exos 58 and it worked great but there were some things I didn't like and I decided I wanted to try and go "Ultra-light" with my pack. After reviewing every pack out there and watching tons of youtube videos, I decided on the Kakwa 55 and I couldn't be happier! The fit and comfort is incredible and being able to zip and unzip the hip belt pockets with one hand is amazing! While all the guys I hike with have gone the way of the smart water bottle, I still prefer the water bladder. it's so convenient and easy to hydrate while on the move. This pack does not have a bladder hanger but luckily it does have a built-in port for the bladder hose. Also, I found a guy on Etsy called "Some Dave" who makes after market accessories for the Durston packs. I purchased a kangaroo pouch which is a small pocket that mounts to the inside of the pack for misc. accessories and the water bladder holder. Both of these items attach to the existing velcro strip in the pack and they work great! I loaded the pack with my full load-out for a 4 night trip and everything fit great with lots of room to spare. I transferred the magnetic catch for the bladder hose from my osprey to the Kakwa's sternum strap and I couldn't ask for this pack to work any better for me or to be any more comfortable. I literally forgot it was on my back. Thanks Dan.
Glad to hear the pack is working well. Yeah Dave on Etsy has some really nice accessories. Thanks for the kind review.
- Dan Durston
I am getting older and my pack was leaving me with a lot of back / shoulder pain .....for 4-5 days after backpacking trips - I know how to adjust packs, I tried every adjustment possible to fix this - nothing worked.
I bought a Kakwa55 pack early in the spring, I now have about 150km on it and feel I can offer a reasonably informed review. I had to make some adjustments on the first trip, to dial in the straps etc... for me, and now, I am pain free after backpacking trips. This pack is awesome, the 'after the trip pain' no longer being a concern, is my main comment - it was the most important thing for me.
The 55's size is more than enough for how we backpack - usually 2 or 3 nights. I know this is a small part of the pack - but I love the 2 front pouches on the chest straps, sunglasses and bear spray.
The large mesh pocket on the back is perfect for a damp tent, I just got back from Yoho and used it for this purpose. We had to get moving and did not have the time to wait for it to dry in the sun.
The side pockets work perfectly for water and whatever else you need easy access to all day (I use one for water and one for water filter / sunscreen). The zipper pockets on the hip belt are easy to access, these zippers work flawlessly - I use them for keys, DEET, permit and a knife.
What also makes a statement about this gear, is that our family now has 2 Durston Packs and 2 X-Mid tents, these pieces of gear are, by far, our favorites (along with Nemo Tensor mattresses). I intend to get a set of Durston poles for next year and would love to get an XMid2+ Dyneema fabric tent in future, but my old school XMid2P is still in great shape after 2.5 seasons of trips.
The Kakwa 55 pack has made a very positive difference in my backpacking activities, I recommend it to anyone considering getting one. Other points I would like to make is that I am happy to support a local business that produces superior gear at reasonable prices and that cares about customer satisfaction. We are in Calgary, so close enough to say local! Thanks Dan and T!
Thanks Mark! I appreciate the kind words and long time support. It's great to hear the pack is working well.
- Dan Durston
I am getting back into backpacking after about 15 years off and was worried about my feet which are only painful when I hike with an overnight pack. I tried lightening my gear and after scouring the internet for options, I kept coming back to the durston gear packs. At first, I ignored the videos and accolades because I’m not a through-hiker and I didn’t think I deserved premium ultralight gear…but I just needed to try it so I could rule it out and move on with a more entry level product. I’m so glad I ordered this and took my time trying it out in the house and on day hikes loaded out with all my gear. The ultra 200 fabric is quite stiff at first and the minimal padding on the shoulder straps was not as comfortable as some of the other light weight packs I had tried. But after repacking gear and adjusting all the straps, it is very comfortable! For reference, I am a 5’8” female, 135 lbs, somewhere between 17-18” torso length and like my hip belt to sit right over my ASIS (bony point on the front of your hips). I have the size medium and the hip belt is ALL THE WAY TIGHT to load my hips and take weight off my shoulders. Might add an after market lumbar pad just to take up some space, but don’t need it for comfort. We are taking the kids to Isle Royal this summer and I can’t wait to have this on my back. You deserve what makes the journey more comfortable because then you know you’ll go on lots of adventures! Someday when I do a through hike, I’m coming back for the X-Dome!
Thanks Sarah! Glad you're liking the Kakwa. Good luckk at Isle Royale. Hopefully you get to the see the wolves (from a safe distance) :)
- Dan Durston
I used the Durston Kakwa 55 backpack for the first time on an overnight snowshoe in the mountains east of Prince George, BC on May 24-25. I had been using the 40-litre version for several years and liked it, but I found its capacity far too tight for anything more than a one or two-overnight in summer. The capacity of the 55 was better, although a 60 or 65 litre capacity would have been even more so. Starting pack weight for a single overnight was about 30 pounds with consumables and snowshoes tied to the pack. It rode well on the ascent, and I hardly noticed the weight.
The main problem, and it was a significant annoyance as well as a potential safety and expense concern, was that the bear spray that I put in one shoulder harness pocket and my sunglasses in the other both kept working their way out, in one instance both falling out when I put the pack down. I had to constantly push them back into pockets every ten minutes or so, and it made no difference how tight the draw strings were. I did not have this problem with the shoulder pockets on the 40, so I don’t know if this had to do with the pack maybe riding higher, but the pack was comfortable where it was. Nothing that I did made a difference, and if the bear spray or sunglasses had fallen out unnoticed, or fallen out on a steep snow slope so as to be unrecoverable, that could have had serious consequences as I was travelling on snow, near to the solstice re intense solar radiation in the alpine; and I was in grizzly country. Any suggestions to make these pockets usable would be welcome.
Another issue is that there are few attachment points to tie the snowshoes to, and I ended up with a less than satisfactory rig, especially on the descent.
My final thought is that while I appreciate the roll top and the V-strap to attach my Durston tent to the top, I do miss having a top pouch for all the handy things I might need on the trail. The belt pockets are great, and are of a generous size, but don’t compensate.
Kakwa 55 Overnight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk8bu3TtB7A.
Mike Nash
Thanks for the feedback Mike. I use bear spray quite a bit with the Kakwa myself and what I do is use the smaller size canisters (8oz?) and then the elastic at the top should be right on the neck of the bear spray, so then I tighten the elastic to secure the bear spray without making it so tight I can't easily yank it out at a time of need. That's been working well for me, such that the biggest hazard I usually have is losing the safety off the bear spray while bushwhacking. That happened to me a few days ago, where I noticed the unprotected bear spray was pointed at my face!
So for you, I'm not sure what is causing the limitations but it might be if you have a larger bear spray, or maybe it is the sizing. If the peak is a bit small such that the spray is sitting higher and starting to bend over your shoulders, then it might be more inclined to work it's way up.
Best,
Dan
Got packs for my son and myself. Might be a little overkill for Boy Scouts but I figured the less weight I have to carry as 55yr old the better. Reading reviews was great, but seeing how the pack was built and feeling the material gives me confidence these packs will last. I'll let you know when my Scout becomes an Eagle if it survived what a teenager will put it through!
FYI. Xmid2 was amazing in the BWCAW on a 10day trip last year.
Only complaint.... i bought two packs and only got one sticker!