I am a huge fan of carrying less weight, but I have a back problem that makes using a frameless pack problematic. It is much better for me to have a pack with some kind of frame to help transfer weight to my hips. After reading a couple of reviews on the KS line, made in Tokyo by Laurent Barikosky, I decided to give it a try. The KS line is very customizable with many features, but I went with a very is bare bones version. Out of the box it weighed 18 oz. I now have 1000 miles on the pack and really am happy with it. But one of the concerns I often have about UL gear is how well will it hold up through the miles. So, this is intended to be a quick look at how the KS-50 is holding up after the first 1000 miles, and what I have changed on it. (If you are not familiar with the pack and want to know more: http://www.ks-ultralightgear.com/p/je-vous-propose-un-modele-de-sac-dos.html)
I received my pack in the Spring 2017. Admittedly the website is not the simplest nor most intuitive, but I essentially got what I ordered. When ordering there was the choice of two fabrics: X-Pac TX07 and Dyneema. The X-Pac weight is 110 g/m<sup>2</sup> and the Dyneema is 165 g/m<sup>2</sup>. For no particular reason other than weight, I went with the X-Pac. It does feel very thin and light. The bottom of the pack and the side pockets are constructed of 330D Cordura.
Incidentally, I had a hard time deciding whether to order the 40 liter or 50 liter. I went with the 50 and I am glad I did. I suspect it is actually less than 50 liters—at least it feels that way. I usually have about a 10 lb base weight, and every things fits just right with a 5 day food supply. For me, the 50 liter is good.
By the way, the fabric seems to be very water resistant. My pack has a draw string top—not the most water proof of closures, but I only get water in the pack if it rains hard and/or sustained. Best of all, the X-Pac seems to not absorb and/or retain any water at all. And the side pockets have small drain holes.
The 1000 miles included the Colorado Trail, and about 500 miles on the Appalachian Trail—300 of which were in Maine. I am fairly careful with my pack, as I am with all my gear. However, Maine was often a bit rough going in terms of rocks, pack grabbing tree branches and things like Mahoosic Notch.
After 1000 miles I emptied the pack and put it into the bath tub for a good bath. The X-Pac fabric is almost white (when new), so it was looking very dirty. After cleaning and drying the pack I looked closely at all seams, especially the load bearing ones, expecting that I would need to do some repairs. I even had my camera in my pocket to document any strained joints. To my amazement, not one single seam looks worn. Not even stretched. Amazing! I then inspected the X-Pac TX07 fabric for micro holes and the like—not one to be found. Essentially after 1000 miles, the pack is just a little dirtier than it was when new. Tough to beat that!
As mentioned earlier, I have a fairly simple version of the KS. But a couple of small changes have made it fit my way of hiking a bit better. As with many simple packs, the KS comes with a mesh front pocket. The pocket is slightly smaller and tighter than others I have used, such as on the Zpacks Arc Blast. Using the eyelets for the side compression cords, I have strung light shock cord around the mesh pocket and closed it with a cord lock. This allows me to overstuff the pocket, like when I have wet clothes. And it allows me to strap things on the outside of the pocket, like a wet tent.
Also, as ordered, my pack has no back pad of any kind. It is actually comfortable that way. However, I strung shock cord through existing eyelets to allow placing a Thermarest Z sit pad on the back. I had to trim the pad to fit. This adds very little to the comfort of wearing the pack, but it is a convenient place to carry the pad, and it pops on and off very easily.
My pack has side compression cords which I never use except as a walking clothesline for my wet socks. I will probably remove the cord, although the weight savings will be minimal.
In a nutshell, the pack is holding up very, very well and I am extremely pleased with it.
(I have no financial intersest in KS)
