Question for SMD Fusion (1st gen) owners

I had to bend the stay in order to get the pack to fit me properly but I didn’t notice anything on the back panel rubbing or causing pressure.

+1 on what Chad said. No issues with ridges or stitching.

+2 to the above experiences.

I have the first-gen Fusion 50 and bent the stay just a bit to get a perfect fit.  Like those above, I’ve had no issues with the ridges, stitching or lettering.  Frankly, this is one of the most comfortable packs I’ve ever had!

Agree with “Frankly, this is one of the most comfortable packs I’ve ever had!”

Though it takes a bit to get the fit dialed in….once you do it is incredibly comfortable and carries weight very well. As others have mentioned, no issues with the stitching, ridges or lettering.

Christopher is right – it does take a little effort to get the Fusion dialed-in, but once you hit the sweet spot it is one comfy pack.  Last I checked, the 1st-gen Fusion 50 is still available at 50% off – I jumped on that back when they first offered the deal.  I’m surprised there are still some left!

I also wonder how well the 2nd-gen Fusions are selling?  While they fixed some of the quirks of the first version, I would guess the massive weight gain was off-putting to many.  I’m thrilled to have the much-lighter 1st version.

This is great, and remarkably consistent, feedback; thanks!

Now a follow up. Clearly this pack is a good choice for load transfer. Given that each of you appreciates the carrying comfort of this pack, would you  use it or would you drop 1.5 pounds and use a light frameless pack (like MLD Core) if you were going on a multi week thru hike with a max weight of 13-14 pounds (including food and water) and could fit in the smaller volume?

+ No issues with the stitching either

Some people will say that they can easily handle 25 lbs  with a frameless pack like a CDT or a Kumo, but for anything over 12 lbs I personally want a pack with a frame.

1st gen Fusin 50’s are fantastic load haulers. The spine is melded together with the rigid hipbelt to form one solid, RIGID structure. Yet as others have said, the stay needs to be bent in order to conform to curve of the back. Rubbing from the stitching is a non-issue.

At $100,  I think the first generation Fusion 50’s are the bargain of the century.

I see SMD has now expanded into the mainstream European market. A great ultralight gear site, ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk., now features Ron’s best tents, tarps and packs. I suppose SMD isn’t a cottage company anymore. Regardless, the workmanship shows me that “made in China”  doesn’t always have to mean inferior. I hear the cuben shelters are still made here in the States though.

That’s pretty interesting, Monte.  Thanks for that information.  I knew Ron was moving into the non-ultralight mainstream market.  Asia.   I agree.  Workmanship is fantastic.  Sewing is top notch.  Seams tight and straight.  Solid.  Again, love my 1st-gen, New York Jets color Fusion 50.  I thought about dyeing it, but I’m convinced I’ll ruin it.  I’m ok with the color.

Also no issues with the stitching, ridges, etc as far as being uncomfortable.  It is the most comfortable pack (1st generation) i’ve had to date.

As regards your latter question, i would probably go with a smaller and lighter pack for those conditions/terms.  But that seems pretty dang low weight for a multi week hike including food and water.  Once you’re starting to approach around 25 lbs, a more framed and rigid pack is going to increase comfort, even if a little heavier, versus the average, regular internal pack.

I’ll have to check on this, but i think i remember reading that the Robic nylon fabric that they used is silicone treated.  If so, that means you can easily change the color of the pack by buying some ultra light silicone treated fabric and some silicone adhesive.  You can glue the silicone treated fabric on.  It would add a little weight, but if you only do the orange-golden and white parts, not a lot.  If you go this route, make sure the pack fabric is very clean and well rinsed and dried first.

Unfortunately, it would be extremely hard to dye in the traditional way properly because of the waterproofing treatment (otherwise, nylon dyes really well and easily for a synthetic).

Dyeing the fusion is straight forward

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/106364/

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/108639/

I’m sure you could get the appearance of having dyed it, but if the fabric is silicone coated, i question the longevity/durability of the dye treatment.

Silicone has pretty low surface energy, dye will not bond strongly with it.  Dye normally bonds strongly with nylon fiber’s outer surface, but if that surface is more or less coated with silicone, then it will try to bond with the silicone.  I suppose it’s possible that the dye’s molecules are small enough that it could diffuse through the silicone to the nylon underneath, but i wouldn’t place bets on it.

I just carried a Fusion 65 for about 80 miles along the american discovery trail and the load transfer to the hips is excellent.

Take care with anything vital or valuable in the side pockets. I backtracked several miles for my Caldera Cone with no idea where it had worked itself out (turned out it rolled into a drainage ditch.) Also, I did have some pain after a few days from the shoulder straps gouging into my armpits, but I’m fleshy and also didn’t take great care to adjust the straps and try on different setups. I didn’t bend the aluminum frame either. Any suggestions for the shoulder straps?

Regardless, I like it enough I may buy an old Fusion 50 if they last.

I picked up the Fusion 50 and have only had it out for a shake down trial of 10 miles with 30lbs – which is about the max I expect to carry with this.  My typical pack weight for a 7-8 day trip with 1L of water is 20-22lbs.  I am quite impressed with the new pack but have been carrying a frameless SMD Swift for the past 5+ years so I may have come to expect a less comfortable carry from my old pack.  Having said that, I really like the Swift but didn’t need the volume and as my food bag was depleted, I just had a hard time compressing the pack enough to get it to carry correctly.

The Fusion 50 2014 is smaller than the 50L stated, but I was able to get all my usual gear in with the only exception being my shelter, which I attached with the straps provided for what would normally be used for a CF pad near the bottom.  I like having it on the outside and I’d estimate the pack is closer to 44-45 liters at most but the roll top can be left extended if need be.

Love the articulating belt and the large pockets.  They are about the same size as the Swift’s but with the padding and plastic sheet backing, they hold more and hold their shape better which allows the zippers to be a one handed operation.  There was a little rubbing of the straps on my neck at the back but if I lower the shoulder attachment point (shorten the torso length), that should take care of it.  That will also put the load lifter straps at the better/more correct 45 degree angle.  If your torso is over 21″ it is going to be close.

I don’t even mind the white and green.  The white is translucent so one side was pink from my red food bag and the other side more gray from my xtherm.  I have heard that the white cleans up well if it becomes dirty.

If it was slightly larger – a true 50L and made from 210d Dyneema with the the top extension collar in 70d silnylon, it would be about perfect IMHO.  The Robic is bomber and unnecessary for my use but I understand why they went there.  Dyneema and sil would have reduced the pack weight some 6-8 ounces and added $50 or so to the cost.

i am holding judgement on the spandex side pockets until I can live with them for an extended period.  I wish one was deeper but I can remove and replace a water bottle with the pack on and wouldn’t want to give that up.  The shove it pocket could be taller and deeper as well and for few oz penalty the Fusion 65 would have filled the bill.  If it was still available I would have purchased both and then decided which would better fit my needs.

For $100 shipped it can’t be beat.  I don’t know how many more they have, but if you are on the fence I wouldn’t wait too long.

As John stated, the 2014 Fusion 50L is on the small side. If you compare specifications, the new version of the Fusion 50L has the same internal compartment volume as the 2014 Fusion 65L. I’ve used the pack since right after it was released and haven’t had any durability issues with the side stretch pockets. If they still had a 2014 Fusion 65L I’d purchase one…..but overall the 50L suits my needs very well.

Looks like the 2014 Fusion 65 is back on sale:

http://www.sixmoondesigns.com/packs/F65_CU.html

+1 on just about everything in your post, John!

Looks like there are just 4 Fusion 65 packs from 2014 left.   Hmmm…  I packed my Fusion 50 with food for eight days and everything fits, just barely, and anything beyond 1L of water would have to be strapped on.  A zipper on the roll top would allow for those very few times I would have eight days of food and lots of water.  It would be a bit top heavy but doable.

Would anyone be able to comment on the hip belt sizes? My little brother is looking to pick one up and wears size 30″ pants which would suggest a small hip belt. I read somewhere that someone with a 31 inch waist ordered a small and needed a medium belt. Thanks in advance.

I wear 31″ pants and ordered the small which fit around my waist with room to spare, but the hip belt padding didn’t quite cover my hipbones.  SMD recommends measuring around your hips at the iliac crest.  Unless he has very slim hips, I would reccomend med for padding size and remove any extra webbing from the waist belt.

I wear 32 pants and the small hip belt is perfect.

Thanks for the feedback. I called SMD and they seemed to agree that a 31-32 inch waist could be fine with a medium belt but for a 30 and below they recommended the small.

I have a Fusion 65 and 50 that I’ve never used but grabbed because they were so discounted. I just tried them on and sure enough, the padding for the small hip belt is very short. I had no problem with the straps being long enough but the padding was too short.

In comparison to my ULA Circuit’s size medium belt that is listed as covering 32 to 36 inches, the SMD small is almost 2″ shorter on each side. SMD lists the small as covering 29 to 34 inches but personally it should probably say 29 to 32 inches. I’ve contacted SMD to see if I can exchange both belts for mediums and with their past record of exceptional customer service I’m sure it won’t be a problem.