Durston Kakwa 40 vs HMG Southwest 40

I have both, they do similar things, but they do have differences as the weight you carry increases.

The HMG has less of a shape, pack it differently and the shape can change a good deal. This isn’t really a problem when the total weight is low. I feel the difference starting at about 25lbs, below 20lbs it makes little difference. This may or may not be a problem depending on you and the weights you carry.

The Kakwa has shape that it maintains better as the weight increases.

I like both, I don’t think either one is a bad choice.

The two overlap so much that I bought the Kakwa 55 and will probably sell the Kakwa 40.

How is the size of the 40? Will it be enough space for a week of food and ultralight gear split between two people?

I received the Kakwa right after a 100 mile trip using the HMG, so I pulled everything out of the HMG and put it into the Kakwa to see how it fit. It all fit in about the same.

For a week, maybe, that depends on you, for me it would just make it. If you split some gear with another person you’d have a better chance.

Are there any benefits to the HMG? It seems like the Kakwa is better in every way with better fabric and lighter weight as well as a better frame and cheaper.

I had no complaints with the HMG pack, and for less than 25lbs they both work great.

The Kakwa comes with mesh shoulder strap pockets, thats an additional $40 cost on the HMG.

The only reason I plan to sell the Kakwa 40 is because it hasn’t been used as much as the HMG, and I bought the Kakwa 55. The Kakwa 40 still looks new, but I didn’t need two 40L packs.