New packs on Katabatic Gear website

[John Vance]

The new packs are on their site…https://katabaticgear.com/backpacks/

I wanted to be wowed….I like the V40 40L Knik but I have been waiting to see this before deciding on an MLD Prophet and I don’t think I am any closer.  Perhaps I will have to order both and make a decision after playing with them.  Dang these first world problems!

[Michael]

I am interested… Don’t have any experience with V40 fabric but it seems the way to go with these two options.

The ripstop nylon version is 70D … anyone familiar with this?

The packs get heavy quickly in V40 fabric options though … Onni 50L in V40 size M is 32 ounces!

Knik seems promising

[Michael]

This appears to be the ripstop nylon they have used … https://ripstopbytheroll.com/products/2-2-oz-hex70-xl?variant=7580705089

Anyone with real world durability experience?

[Matthew / BPL]

The Knik water bottle pockets look really nicely shaped although and adjustable Shock cord on the top, ala ULA/MLD might be nice when you are carrying one bottle.

The shoulder straps look very wide and comfortable.

[Eric Lundquist]

I love the color options on the 70D fabrics, I do wonder how close the Onni fits compared to their previous 40L Helios.  I tried the Helios on once and it fit like a glove.

[Chris Shiflett]

In case it’s helpful to anyone else, here’s a quick overview of some of the new packs’ sizes and weights (size medium) compared to the Artemis (my current pack). (For the Onni, the weight is with hip belt pockets; deduct 2 ounces otherwise.)

Artemis: 55L, 38.5 ounces
Knick: 40L, 14.0 ounces
Knick V40: 40L, 16.6 ounces
Onni: 50L, 28.3 ounces
Onni: 65L, 29.8 ounces
Onni V40: 50L, 34.0 ounces
Onni V40: 65L, 36.0 ounces

[J-L]

I sent Katabatic Gear an email with some questions on the Onni:

Minimum waist size: 28”

Side pockets: all solid fabric with 500D Cordura reinforcements, V40 version pockets are entirely 500D Cordura

Max recommended load: 35lbs

The side pockets sound like a great improvement. The only real wear my Artemis with V40 shows after 2 years of use is on the mesh side pockets. The lighter weight of the 70D fabric is tempting and probably fine for on trail usage, but the V40 is probably my favorite pack material ever. Very durable, highly waterproof, no babying required.

[Matthew / BPL]

Nice to see the design allows the compression to run inside the pockets.

[Ian]

That’s an interesting looking pack.

I’d love to see the back ventilation and carrying comfort of 35lbs of Katabatic’s lineup compared to the Zpacks Arc packs.

[Richie S]

Does that “venting” back system actually work at all? It would all seem to be compressed against the back anyway.

[Ian]

No idea how effective the ventilation would be.  Camelback uses something similar in some of their hydration packs but I’ve never used one.

My guess is the Zpacks Arc design would better but I didn’t see a picture of anyone modeling the Katabatic packs.

 

[J-L]

The ventilated backpanel looks the same/similar as on my Artemis. If that’s the case, then I would rate it as above average ventilation. The foam is ribbed and perforated and doesn’t seem to trap heat like your typical 3D-mesh covered backpanel. It is much better than my old Circuit IMO, but probably not as good as an arc frame since it rides close to your back.

I would be interested to see what the foam is like on the shoulder straps and hipbelt. It looks like this on my Artemis, and makes a noticeable difference in keeping cool around the hipbelt/shoulder strap contact areas compared to other packs:

[John Vance]

John H,

Is that a heavy mesh stretched over the foam and sewn at the edges or is the mesh laminated to the foam on your Artemis?  When in use does the back panel contact you all across your back, or does it bow out some and contact you more down the center with the sides not in contact.

I am liking the wide shoulder straps and BIG mesh pocket on the front of the pack.  I too, would love to hear from anyone that has experience with the 70d material – if in fact the link above is the same fabric.  I am leaning more towards the V40 but could be persuaded on the Innis, although the weight savings is negligible.

[J-L]

The mesh is not laminated to the foam. It is sewn to the edges of the pack and forms part of the framesheet pocket. I wouldn’t describe it as a heavy or stiff mesh – it has a nice feel and is kind of soft, but has survived life in the desert with no tears. The ribbed/performated foam you see is the front part of the framesheet. It is laminated to a stiffer foam behind it, which has the single stay sleeve sewn to it. The dual-layered framesheet is completely removable in my Artermis – I don’t know if that has changed on the Onni.

Search for pictures of the Katabatic Gear Helios or Artemis for how it looks on a person. I assume the Onni will be similar. The backpanel basically follows the contour of your back.

[Mordecai _]

The back panel for the Onni is sewn in (not removable), to save weight, I’m told. The stay is still removable.

I have used the discontinued Helios extensively, and it has the same back panel. IMO, it is a good balance in two ways

1. enough stiffness to keep the shape of the pack, and make the load lifters work, but still allowing some flex so you can twist the shoulders relative to the hips if needed
2. some useful ventilation, but without a large separation of the load from the back (its maybe 1/2″ to 3/4″ thick?)

[Matthew / BPL]

Size of Knik via email with Katabatic.

10”w x 6.5”d
20-24”h

 

[Michael]

Ordered a V40 Knik last night … 2-3 weeks ETA!

Those dimensions place it right in the ballpark of the MLD Burn.

[Matthew / BPL]

Cool. I’m glad someone ordered one. Please share your impressions once you get the pack, Michael.

[Eric Blanche]

I’ve used the hex70 fabric for a backpack I made. I also used the 300d hyperd. It certainly seems to be much more so abrasion resistant as the fabric has a raised hex pattern texture to it. I have only used the pack a few times so not too sure on durability but I’m sure I have a little bit left over if anyone wants me to do any specific “basic” tests.

The white fabric:

[Randy Martin]

Yesterday I visited the Katabatic Gear facility and talked with Aaron about his new pack lineup.  I am in the market for a new 50L pack and was very interested in the V40 fabric and wanted to feel it, see it.  I came away very impressed with the Pack lineup.  Of the two materials for the Onni models, I think it is a no brainer to go with the V40 material.  I really like the stiffness and durability of the material.  When you stand the pack up and open the top, it stays open.  Useful when packing and unpacking.  The water resistance of the material is very good.

The mesh material on the front pocket feels very rugged and durable and likely to hold up to off trail usage well.  I also liked the design of the buckle attached to the top of the front pocket.  This means the front pocket is more effectively secured when attached to the female buckle that comes down over the top of the rolltop closure.

I ordered the Onni V40 50L and will have my first trip with it in about 3 weeks.  I’ll report back with my first field impressions then.

[Chris Chandler]

The Helios and Artemis are no longer on their website. I’m really glad to have snagged a 55L Helios. I carried it for a month in Iceland with a couple of resupply loads pushing me up to the 40lb range, and it carried as well as I could imagine at that weight. The features are different enough that I hope they keep the Helios and Artemis in the line up, and maybe they just took them off the website while pumping out production on the new stuff first.

[Matthew / BPL]

So V40 is from Dimension Polyant? It sounds similar to the VX line without the X grid. Is that correct?

[Luke F]

Correct, but its a little tricky because normally the “V” implies the inner scrim layer (VX being 3 layer and X being 2 layer) but I’m pretty sure they are using the two layer. I’m not sure if it has a 420d face fabric like the X42/VX42 or if it is actually a 400d face, DP’s numbers get a bit screwy too.

[Dan @ Durston Gear]

Nice looking packs. The weights, features and aesthetics mostly look good. The rear mesh pocket looks really useable, and the reinforced patches on the water bottle pockets are nice.

A minor thing, but I’m a bit hesitant about the lower side compression strap on the V40 versions of the Onni. That lower strap seems like an annoyance when using the water bottle pockets. Even routing it inside the pocket isn’t going to totally change that. I’d like to see the lower side strap removable, like the non-V40 versions, or just go to a single side strap half way up the pack.

I’m also a bit skeptical of the magnetic closure for the roll top. Indeed the velcro used by some companies can snag on clothes and be a bit of a pain. However, I don’t think you need any assistance in lining up the two sides of the roll top if it is well designed – just like how most SealLine bags don’t have any velcro, magnets etc. My Hanchor Marl pack has nicely stiffened tops to the roll top and it works perfectly without any of this fancier stuff. So I suspect these magnets are more of a fun gimmick than something that is really needed.

Anyways, nitpicks aside, the packs look sweet. Katabatic always does a beautiful job with their products. Hopefully they continue to refine these designs.

[Matthew / BPL]

Anybody get a Knik yet?

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