KS Ultralight help me configure this bad boy please!

If it was me I’d probably largely go with your heavier option but I’d drop the 3d mesh as you’re getting the pad pocket and pad in any case and I would personally prefer just a fabric backpanel. On the other hand if you like the 3d mesh then go for it. On the anatomic hip belt it’s probably worth it if you’ll be carrying loads at the upper part of the range near 30 lbs. The hipbelt load lifters help hold the weight in and prevent the pack from swaying as much when scrambling for example. I find a sternum strap helpful so probably get one.

The website and all the choices seem a bit confusing at first but they look like great packs and can’t fault the customization options.

Laurent might have steer’ed you towards the back strong mesh, I was glad I listened to him. Don’t worry too much about configuration, each addition is cheap, and if you don’t like it you can cut it off! I didn’t go for the side pockets, 1L is huge! Sternum is ok at 13mm. If you’re over 13lbs base then get the anatomical belt.

The frame stays are what make this bag special, I would try them if I were you.

@battlerattle Thanks! Yes Laurent has suggested the strong mesh and went either way on the hip belt citing a large range of waist size where it “could” be helpful. My base with a 24oz pack in warmer temps would be sub 10lbs in cold temps I’d be up in the 11lb range, so a full 7-8 day load out would be 23-25lbs. I have no other pack (even day packs) with 13mm straps so I can’t conceive what that would be like. The narrowest is 15mm on an SMD Fusion 50. Would you go 13mm through out or just sternum?

Definitely going with the frame.

I’ve also dropped side mesh pockets as I don’t think they would be useful really.

Part of my thought process is the idea of adding a packraft to my adventures which would add 9lbs to my kit! Though I may need to consider a completely different pack for those trips like a ULA Epic type dry bag carrier.

13mm vs 20mm is a total judgment call, I view this as a decade long bag, so the 20mm was nice in the higher stress areas. Packrafting might be a tough one to swing for this. I see this bag solidly at the 8-13lb base weight range. Let me know your impressions.