Kakwa 55

Well thought out and simple, exactly what I was looking for to go on 3-4 day hikes with the option to make longer trips.

I finally got the chance to try this pack. My test run was a one-night backpacking hike in dry shoulder-season conditions near Mont Tremblant. And my first experience with an ultralight pack (for context). Including food & water, a -9C sleeping bag, and a Hennessy hammock, my Kakwa55 UltraGrid weighed under 9kg, and was easily the lightest pack I’ve ever carried for an overnight hike.

Given the short duration of this test run, and the dry weather conditions, the pack performed amazingly well: it was very comfortable to carry (once I packed it right with all the softer items towards the back), and very easy to adjust. The capacity was more than enough with room to spare (I’d guess 3-4 nights under similar conditions, probably more in the summer). The external mesh and side pockets easily made up for the lack of internal compartments, and actually made everything easier to pack and to find. Once the pack was adjusted to my liking, the shoulder strap pockets ended up riding a bit high (too close to my face to be useful), but that’s probably one of the compromises of a minimally adjustable frame.
Overall I’m really impressed with this pack - it’s amazing value for money and now that I’ve tried an ultralight I’m never going back! Provided it lasts (which I’m sure it will - the construction looks impeccable), my good old MEC pack will soon be passed on to a friend. Until he sees the light and buy his own Kakwa55 ;)

I used my 55L for the entire AT thru hike. There were times it was very uncomfortable I think because I had too much weight but it got better and I loved it! Bought a lumbar pad when my weight loss made that necessary and thanks to Dan’s suggestion it worked out great. Now I am currently walking the Camino de Santiago with my 40L and it has worked out great. One more note on my 55L it still looks brand new. I don’t see any wear and tear on it at all. Customer service from Dan is top notch!

Did 120+ miles on Appalachian, and some overnights in TN state parks since I purchased the Kakwa 55 Ultragrid. Still loving it. Pack fits like a glove and easy to access gear from pouches.

Prior to purchasing, I contacted customer service with some questions in differences of the two materials. They were extremely helpful in answering my questions. Looking forward to many years out of this pack.

This cut my pack weight for my old osprey by several pounds. I love the design with the nice big stretchy pockets on the side and the back and how I can carry things in the front that makes everything easily accessible and the pockets along the waist straps. This is very very well designed and super lightweight and comfortable.

Hey Dan,

My wife and I both have the Kamala 55 and are currently 2300 miles into the CDT (Grants NM). Overall the packs have done well. The can carry heavy loads without any issues.

But I want to let you know that my pack’s hip belt has started to separate from the pack. This has made the carry’s not as comfortable.

In an act of desperation I have done an emergency repair. I have taken a foot of my bear hang line and managed to sew (tie) the belt back to the pack. The line goes around the stay and through the belt.

Hopefully this holds together for the last 400 mile to the Mexican border.

It started with a tent, An Xmid 2to be exact. Then there was Z Flick poles and now a Kakwa 55. I'm rather jealous of my Kangaroo friends as they have big pouches for storing their kit but as a Wildcamping Bear I needed something that I could carry all my gear in. To be fair, it's my human that carries it but I have the final say in purchasing decisions. I was looking for something that was definitely lightweight but still comfortable and well made. Following excellent customer service from Durston on our other purchases, I knew they would have the answer. A few emails later and promptly answered questions, the order was placed for a Kakwa 55 in Ultragrid. The excitement started with tracking its journey from Canada all the way to Dartmoor in the UK. After a few adventures, I'm wondering why I waited so long!!! Without a doubt, this pack is amazing. All I can say is if you're thinking about a Kakwa, don't waste your time, Just order it today! My human is massively impressed and it fits like a dream. Well made, extremely well thought through and lots of room. To the wonderful team at Durston, keep doing what your doing, best company there is for outdoor gear. Apparently my humans are discussing an X Dome and the new Iceline poles next but I'd really like a hat🤔 I may only be a wildcamping mascot, but my human did help me type this and he's quite a knowledgeable chap with outdoor gear. Seriously, I don't know why I waited so long to buy a Kakwa.

I got the Kakwa 55 Ultra 200X fabric (Torso Size -Medium with the ML Hipbelt) to take on the JMT (John Muir Trail) in August 2026. I went the non-standard route (NOBO) from Mt. Whitney Portal to Yosemite and started off with a 7-day food carry using the BV500 bear canister which I ended up carrying a total of 40-45 lbs. throughout the journey.

With the pack being tapered and wider at the top it was hard to fit the BV500 bear canister horizontally, unless you put it at the very top of the pack inside, so I opted to put the bear canister in the pack vertically at the very bottom with noting below it and everything else packed around it or on top of it. I considered putting the bear canister outside of the pack entirely on the top utilizing the Y strap but eventually opted to use that to carry my one luxury item a Helinox Chair Zero Highback. Regardless the pack transferred and carried the full load well throughout the entire trip with the hip belt/load lifters making the difference for a heavier load.

My only issue with it during the hike was I eventually tore a small hole in the bottom of the pack after a few days where the bottom of the bear cannister hit anything I sat on with the pack, primarily rock furniture over the high mountain passes where I would sit down with the pack on to take short breaks to catch my breath in high altitude.

Eventually the hole got to be a few inches wide by the end of a 249-mile journey, but I never lost anything cause the canister filled the hole, and entirely my fault for bear canister placement and total weight sitting on granite boulders over a long distance. Although this being my 1st backpack with Dyneema I did expect it to be more abrasion resistant and I’m sure it is when compared to the UltraGrid version.

Sure, I’m disappointed I won’t get more than 250 miles out of it, but would I buy another one…absolutely, I just wouldn’t carry anything heavier than 35 lbs. max using the Kakwa 55 and not put any bear canister on the very bottom of the pack if you plan on sitting down with it.

Additionally, If I would have taken it off each time, I sat down to take a break, I’m sure this wouldn’t have happened, but because of the heavy load I didn’t want the hassle of taking it off regularly for pit stops. Happy trails!

I approached the Kakwa 55 with a fair amount of skepticism, which is why I wanted to wait before posting a review. I prefer to test gear thoroughly in real-world conditions before sharing my thoughts.

This review is based on two separate 3/5 day treks: one in mountainous terrain and one through forests. My total pack weight was approximately 20 lbs (9 kg) on one trip and 26.5 lbs (12 kg) on the other.

The Kakwa 55 has been a pleasure to carry. Having used backpacks from established brands such as Osprey, Deuter, and Gregory over the years, I can honestly say I have no regrets about switching to this ultralight pack. It offers an impressive balance of comfort, carrying capability, and low weight.

Before choosing the Kakwa, I also tested a Hyperlite pack. However, just as with Durston's tents and other gear, Dan and his team bring a refreshing approach to product design. The attention to detail and practical innovation stand out and make the gear feel purpose-built by people who genuinely spend time outdoors.

What impresses me most is that many people thought everything that could be done with backpack design had already been done, but Dan and his team keep proving that creativity knows no limits. It's refreshing to see genuine innovation in a market that often feels saturated. They continue to find clever ways to improve existing ideas and challenge conventional thinking, and that is something I truly appreciate as an outdoor enthusiast.

After these first two treks, the Kakwa 55 has exceeded my expectations. I look forward to putting many more miles on it.

Keep up the great work. Wishing the team continued success and plenty of new ideas in the years ahead.

Greetings from Poland!

Lightweight, durable materials and coating, basic but pretty much everything you need.
After my first 5 day Forrest hike I missed, but adapted, a pocket at the top of the backpack and entry to the main compartment from halfway or the bottom (instead of only the top).
Also the hip pockets bend to the shape of your body so my phone would only just fit; a bit too tight.
In conclusion J recommend this backpack to others.
Best Regards,
D. Breebaart

Super happy with this bag, every little detail is perfect

I am a long time backpacker, and my bones still hate me for the heavy gear and original pack that I used years ago. I’ve had one other pack since, and it was awesome, yet this Kakwa 55 litre pack was purchased because it looked to me like it will meet my evolved needs. My intended use of this pack is for summer hiking, winter alpine ski touring, and maybe as a carry-on item, and it looks at first impression as being awesome for all of these asks of a pack. I used the Kakwa this weekend on a hike. On the way into the backcountry, ~15 kg was loaded into it and it felt like that was at my limit of comfort; disclosure, the majority of the weight was front-country food (nothing dehydrated) for my wife and I, my clothing, plus another 3.5 kg of water/beverages. We were going to a hut that I volunteer at in the Whistler back-country so I had a sleeping bag already stored at the hut. Distance in was 12 km, up/down each about 600 m. The hike out, the pack was loaded with ~10 kg in total and it felt like I should be jogging because it was so comfy. (Yes, we ate well!) I was hesitant moving away from the mesh back panel that separated my back from my previous pack, but in wearing the loaded Kakwa, I didn’t think my back was any worse off from sweat accumulation. This was an unexpected surprise, yet full disclosure, the maximum temperature during the hike was likely 22 centrigrade. This roll-top is new to me, but I was instantly a fan of the wide opening at the top because seeing in, and reaching in, to organize stuff sacks etc. with ease at the trailhead and on the trail, is awesome. I was already using stuff sacks for everything for organizational purposes, so having a big cavernous hole for the main compartment in the Kakwa is a feature I was ready for and appreciate. I am not a fan packs with stretchy kangaroo pocket material, and I was dubious about any front pocket, but that opinion has now been tossed courtesy of the Kakwa. The design of the front pouch (kangaroo pouch) works well, as near-anything can be put in, and those anythings only come out when pulled out. The pocket overall seems robust! The hip belt felt great, with attached pockets of functional size. Any backpack I own must have load lifters. I had bear spray in one shoulder strap pocket, and a water bottle in the other. For an old guy, I was surprised that the pack re-trained me after only one attempt of putting the pack back on after a break; I learned to empty at least one shoulder strap pocket before putting the pack on in order to untwist the shoulder straps, ha! The zippered pocket is cavernous for types of items such as an automobile key-fob that I place in there at the start of the hike, and then don’t open until I get back to the trailhead. The side pockets are accessible for stashing sunscreen, snacks, etc. for on the trail and are such wonderful features that I now won't ever accept doing without. Lastly, Durston folks, I was stopped more often than I expected on the trail with other hikers asking me about the pack. See all of the above for how I responded.

My wife and I switched to Durston Kakwa 55 from Osprey Atmos/Aura 65 after using latter for years, and now we wonder why we didn't switch earlier.

It's similar experience when we switched to Durston X-Mid where we basically have all the features of previous gear but at half the weight.

If anything, I found Kakwa even more comfortable than Atmos despite of less obvious support.

That being said, here are some feedbacks:
1. I wish there was more colors or any way to distinguish backpacks. Since both my wife and I use same bags, it's often confusing from the look alone to see which one is mine vs. hers. I even thought about returning one of ours to upgrade to Ultra 200x just so that we can have a different pattern but ultimately it was not worth it.
2. You do get sweaty back especially compared to wearing Atmos with mesh support but honestly I will take the lighter weight over sweaty back. However it will be nice if Durston team can come up with some novel solution to resolve this.
3. Shoulder strap pouch seems unnecessary which is especially confusing for a backpack that positions itself for only keeping essentials. There's already two giant hip pockets to keep snacks and water filter and an easy-access right-side pocket for a water bottle, left-side QuickPocket for permits, headlamp, battery bank etc so what else would we need the strap pouch for? Not denying the usefulness in some situations but it seems like it could have been made removable to use only in certain situations like bear spray.

At the end, I really wish different color or texture option was available since that's the only reason I ever considered returning one of the bag but otherwise it's an excellent bag

Love pack added 2mm reflective grey shock cord.

Versa Kits 10 Pcs 11.5mm Matte Black Spring O Ring Carabiner. The rings allowed me to shock cord sides and front of pack as cord loops on pack are too small for two cords to fit within it.

25Pack Bungee Cord Connectors, Heavy Duty Hooks & Tactical Gear Clips for Tents, Backpacks, Paracord, Elastic Shock Cord. Allows to open up shock cord and to front load for items that may be too large for mesh pocket and also allows to move pressure points up or down when tightened down.

I recently purchased the Kakwa 55L UltraGrid backpack for my PCT hike next year. I have only used it a handful of times, but so far it has proven it's worth. On a three-day backpacking trip, it didn't cause any excessive umcomfortability or chafing. This is very well considering my so far inexperience with carrying heavy loads. It proved durable through some bushwacking and placing among rocks and roots. I even took it out for a practice hike in the rain for a couple hours, and upon inspection, the interior was only slightly damp. This is fine as I am using additional interior protection for certain items. I also appreciate the various outer storage compartments which help with organization and accessibility. So far I am pleased with my purchase and look forward to bringing it on many trips to come.