New SMD Flight 30 w/hipbelt?

I have a Flight 40 (1st run) and love it. The harness shape and structure support are amazing. If you're worried about comfort or carrying ability, this would be a perfect pack for you. I can put all the weight on my hips with the 40 and even run with it with lighter weights. I would like to know haw a 30 liter pack can work on the hips and not around the waist? Not too many packs that can do that. I would order it without the hip belt and use my 40's hip belt with it. I mainly use the 40 because I usually take 3 dogs with me on my camping trips. It would also be my go to pack if and when I do any longer trips, like 500+ miles or the PCT. this pack would be great for JMT and other solo trips though.

Aaron, as you probably already know, the new Flight 30's come with (if you choose to order a belt) the lighter 6 oz Ultralight belt. I don't know if the heavier (Standard) first generation Flight 40 belt would attach properly to the new Flight 30. If I thought it would that's what I'd order instead. The new Flight 40's still come with the Standard belt (Backpacker) or the UL belt (FKT). Edit: I e-mailed Ron at SMD and he said that both the Standard and Ultralight belts will work on the Flight 30.

Hate to sound redundant. Thought I'd ask again. I know these packs have only been available for a couple of weeks, but maybe someone out there has tried on a Flight 30 by now.

My problem with the new 30 is that it's heavier than the 40 even with the 40's heavier hip belt. I would rather have the 40 size wize which is why I just mentioned the qualities of SMD packs.

Edit: Ahh, Ok, I see. The Flight 40 FKT has the UL hip belt and weighs 39 oz and the Flight 40 Backpacker comes with the Standard hip belt and weighs 44 oz. So without belts the Flight 40 is 33 oz and the Flight 30 is 27 oz. But the 40 has a Delron stay and the 30 doesn't, and the 40 is bigger, so maybe the extra 6 oz is worth it for the Flight 40.

Right you are Now you're getting me excited about this pack. I have been looking at a GG Murmur or Kumo but the size difference just doesn't make sense when I already have the 40. So now the 30 is looking that much better.

I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on a Flight 30 soon, but I'm agonizing over whether to go with the 6 oz UL belt or the 11 oz Standard belt. The heavier rigid belt would displace weight on the hips a lot better. I don't think the Murmur or Kumo could handle the weight nearly as well as the SMD, especially moving at speed. I have to believe the harness on the Flight 30 would make a big difference.

At the risk of sounding pesky, I thought I'd ask again if any BPLer's have gotten their hands on one of these second generation Flight 30's yet. If so, Pics would be awesome.

Hi Monte, I have had the Flight 30 for a month now and have been using it on day hikes up to 10 miles. I have carried up to 25 pounds, mostly water since I live in SoCal and if has been warm. I really like it and hope to do an over night next month. My only complaint is the upper pockets on the vest are too high. The ultralight belt works well and the adjustable harness is great. Overall I have been very pleased.