Questions for Katabatic Backpack Owners

I’ve put about 200 miles on my Artemis 55 so far. Still love the pack!

The front pocket seems pretty rain proof. Items I’ve kept back there have stayed dried in some soakers. The zipper is not waterproof (it’s just a normal zipper) and the seams on the pack are not taped or sealed, so there is the potential for some moisture getting in. The V40 fabric seems highly waterproof and I have not noticed any moisture seeping through the fabric. Durability of the V40 fabric is excellent.

I don’t have an iPhone 6S, but my Droid Moto X fits in the hip belt pocket easily.

Saw this review today

http://www.hikinggeek.com/2016/02/01/gear-review-katabatic-gear-helios-55-backpack/

Thanks for both replies.  I went ahead and pulled the trigger on the Helios 55 in cuben.  And, because that sticker shock wasn’t enough, picked up the new Flex 40 quilt as well.

I’m a huge fan of my Helios 55.  I’m surprised, to be honest, how much that front pocket holds when the pack is full – of course, I’ve not really fully filled the pack yet, as 55L is pretty big.

A key is to NOT fully cinch the top compression straps, as they close down the stretchy part of the big pocket.  I find that not at all to be an issue, tho.

I’m really, really impressed with how well this carries weight (just took it on a 5-day Big Bend trip with 4L of water and 5 days of food in there).

Jennifer- thanks for the tip regarding the compression straps and I’m glad to hear you’re still enjoying the pack. Are there any issues with rain proofing?  I use a liner but will ditch the cover since I’m getting the cuben style.

Now comes the waiting which will seem like forever. :)

my helios has yet to see a drop of rain (desert hiking only so far), but after about 1000 miles on my Xpac zimmerbuilt (which has quite similar waterproofness – no seam sealing but water”proof” fabric), i’d never bother with a rain cover anyway.  I’ve been using a liner for years now and I’ll never use a pack cover again.  worthless i say!  worthless!

the liner is great – throw in your stuff that cannot, under any circumstances, get wet – then cinch it closed and the rest of your stuff goes on top.  it’s pretty much the only “stuff sack” I actually use ;)

My Helios 55 and Flex 30 just arrived today. I loaded up the pack and WOW!  It’s like the voice inside my head said “where have you been all my life?!”.  Granted, I only put 21lbs in but it was like an instant fit. I’m big and stocky so sometimes that can be a problem. The Helios felt great. I’m going to bend the top of the stay to come closer to my upper spine but that’s just fine tuning. The pack came in at 1.3 ounces under listed spec weight.

The Katabatic Flex 30 might be worthy of its own thread. I have owned several EE quilts and I have a Loco Libre Gear summer quilt and with full respect and props to those companies, Katabatic is simply in a league of its own. The quilt is a work of art. It also came in at an ounce under spec.