The Swift X is a extremely customizable light-weight backpack from Six Moon Designs. Made with both Liteskin or X-Pac materials, it has a most quantity of 56 L and ideas the scales wherever between 27 oz (0.8 kg) and 40 oz (1.1 kg), relying in your configuration of selection. Since March 2020, I’ve logged over 2,000 miles (3,219 km) with the Swift X in a wide range of testing environments, together with Mexico’s Sierra Madre, Northern Alaska, Greenland, and Lapland. During this era, it’s turn out to be my pack of selection for long-haul journeys by which I’m usually carrying heavy hundreds between 22 and 44 lbs (10-20 kg).
The Swift X evaluation breaks down as follows: 1. At a Glance; 2. Internal Storage; 3. External Storage & Compression System; 4. Backpack Material Options; 5. Internal Frame & Suspension System; 6. Durability; 7. Recommendations & Notes, and; 8. Conclusion.
Climbing in direction of Dalimaloak Mountain with the Swift X throughout a multi-week trek by means of Alaska’s Brooks Range (August 2021).
Price (Jan.2023): $350 / $375 (with vest harness)
Weight: 27 oz (frameless & common shoulder straps) to 40 oz (vest harness & hip belt)
Volume: 56L Total (Updated Feb.2023 – 41L fundamental physique, 10L extension collar, 5L exterior pockets)
Pack Body Material: Liteskin LS21 or X-Pac VX21
Load Lifters: Yes
Closure: Roll-top with Y-strap and side-closing buckles.
Suggested Use: Ideal for people with base weights between 10 and 15 lbs (4.5-6.8 kg) and/or hikers with even decrease base weights which are heading out with greater than every week’s meals and/or two gallons (7.6 L) of water.
Maximum Weight Recommended: According to the SMD web site, the load score is 35 lbs (15.9 kg). In my expertise, this can be a barely conservative estimate (see Internal Storage and Durability for particulars).
Yours actually on the Greenland Ice Cap – a not-to-be-missed supplemental part of the Arctic Circle Trail (September 2022).
The SMD web site lists the inner storage quantity for the Swift X as 41L for the primary physique and 10L for the extension collar. So what’s that translate to out within the subject? An instance of a normal load for the Swift X can be every week’s value of meals, a bear canister, a few liters of water, and all of the gear essential for a backpacking journey by which temps might probably drop right down to the mid-teens Fahrenheit (round -9°C) (Note: Based on a base weight of between 10 and 15 lbs/4.5-6.8 kg)
As far as a most load is worried, in 2021, I carried 16 days of meals (44 lbs/20 kg whole weight) within the Swift X for a hike in Alaska’s Brooks Range. Suffice to say, the pack was stuffed to the brim – really a bit past – for the primary day or two. Nonetheless, because of its wonderful suspension system, the pack rode as comfortably as I might have hoped for given the difficult terrain (Note: My base weight for this journey was round 11/12 lbs).
Bonus Feature: There’s a useful inside pocket that may suit your pockets, passport, keys, and so on., all of which I’ll usually place inside a small LokSak baggie.
Greg “Malto” Gressel together with his Swift X on Day 1 of our 7-day trek by means of Denali National Park (August 2021).
External Storage & Compression System:
The 2023 Swift X has switched from commonplace mesh pockets on the facet and entrance of the pack to UltraStretch materials. This is a strong improve – the UltraStretch is significantly extra sturdy, which interprets to extra abrasion resistance and a decreased chance of snags/tears when rambling by means of overgrown environments.
As for the exterior attachment system, the Swift X makes use of a twine system to compress and stabilize your load on the edges of the pack. The prime of the roll-top pack is secured with a y-strap and side-clipping buckles.
UltraStretch Pockets & Cord Compression System (Swift X/2023 Updated mannequin)(Photos – Six Moon Designs)
There are two decisions – Liteskin (LS21) or X-Pac (VX21). They value the identical, and the weights are nearly similar. X-Pac is claimed to be marginally extra abrasion-resistant and waterproof than the Liteskin mannequin. That stated, over the previous three years, I’ve taken the Liteskin pack by means of a bunch of overgrown areas within the Sierra Madre and Alaska, and the fabric nonetheless seems to be positive. In brief, go together with whichever shade you want finest (i.e., Liteskin is available in gray, whereas the X-Pac is on the market in blue, black, and coyote brown).
(Note: Even although each Liteskin and X-Pac are wonderful for shedding H20, you need to nonetheless line your pack with a trash compactor bag. The cause? Water can seep by means of wherever there’s stitching/seams).
SMD Swift X on the island of Mykines, the westernmost level of the Faroe Islands (August 2022).
Internal Frame & Suspension System:
Internal Frame: A Derlin/fiberglass hoop keep that’s broad on the prime and tapers down on the base, the place it’s anchored to the lumbar space. The body’s tapered form helps promote air flow on the edges of the pack (useful when mountaineering in muggy circumstances) with out sacrificing stability (Note: SMD refers to this as their “minimum contact back panel”).
Hip Belt: The Swift X consists of an adjustable and detachable two-tiered hip belt with standard-sized pockets that may match a cellphone, snacks, or a small digital camera.
Load Lifters: Load lifters are principally superfluous for ultralight hundreds. However, in case you’re persistently hauling over 20 lbs/9 kg (which you most likely might be in case you’re buying the Swift X), giving them the occasional tweak will be useful in minimizing stress build-up in particular areas of your higher physique.
Shoulder Harness: There are three decisions: 1. Standard shoulder straps; 2. S-Curve shoulder straps, and; 3. Vest harness. I like to recommend going with the third choice, which is fingers down the standout function of the Swift X.
The running-style vest harness affords a torso-hugging match which helps mitigate undesirable pack motion. The cosy match is because of the vest’s six factors of suspension (or connection), which apportion the load on the prime, facet, and backside on all sides of the pack. The wonderful weight distribution and glove-like really feel particularly shine when negotiating difficult circumstances comparable to river fords, snowfields, tussocks, blowdowns, or scree slopes. The vest harness options twin sliding chest straps and useful shoulder strap pockets, the place I often hold gadgets comparable to sunscreen, hand sanitizer, lip balm, and cellphone.
Before the Swift X, I hadn’t tried a running-style vest harness on something apart from a daypack. However, after three years of utilizing it for prolonged journeys in difficult circumstances, I’ve turn out to be a convert. Indeed, I don’t foresee going again to common shoulder straps for backpacking journeys that embrace persistently heavy carries anytime quickly (Note: For journeys on which my whole weight is mostly underneath 20 lb/ 9 kg, I nonetheless want a frameless backpack comparable to my previous favorites, the Mountain Laurel Designs Burn and Gossamer Gear Kumo).
Serial thru-hikers and long-time mates, Naomi Hudetz and Mike Unger, carrying Swift X packs on Washington’s Loowit Trail (September 2021).
Double thumbs up. As alluded to above, I’ve logged over 2,000 miles (3,219 km) with the Swift X over the previous three years. Much of this distance has been coated with hundreds over 33 lb (15 kg). The stitching and the Liteskin materials on the pack’s fundamental physique nonetheless look in nice form – simply the odd scuff mark from scraping towards rocky surfaces. There have been a few small tears within the mesh pockets, however nothing that couldn’t be patched up out within the subject (Note: I’ve the pre-November 2022 mannequin, which doesn’t have the UltraStretch materials for the pockets).
Crossing the Skautflye plateau throughout a loop hike round Norway’s Jotunheimen National Park (September 2022).
1. When first utilizing the vest harness, the straps generally is a little fiddly. Note that in contrast to with different packs, the adjustment comes from the underside up. Spend a while tweaking them till you discover what works for you. The setting will differ in line with the kind of terrain you’re negotiating – uphill, downhill, flat, rugged off-trail, and so on.
2. If you’re heading out for a weekend journey in comparatively mellow terrain and your whole pack weight is lower than 20 lbs (9 kg), take into account eradicating the hip belt (6.5 oz/184 gr) or changing it with a easy little bit of webbing strap (1-2 oz). The vest harness ought to present all the steadiness you’ll require for lowish pack weights.
3. There is loads of room to suit a bear canister contained in the Swift X. Fill it along with your meals and/or different heavier gadgets, and place it above your sleeping bag in the midst of your pack. “Can I strap it to the top of the pack?” You might, however you shouldn’t, as it could probably hinder your steadiness/stability, notably when negotiating difficult terrain and/or river crossings. Indeed, if the peak of your pack is above your head, it’s usually an indication you’re carrying an excessive amount of stuff.
4. The Swift X is a thoughtfully-designed backpack made with high-end supplies. If you fancy selecting one up, however the $350/375 price ticket is greater than you wish to spend, take into account its sibling, the Swift V. It’s principally the identical pack, made with cheaper Robic nylon material.
5. I’ve at all times appreciated corporations that take heed to suggestions from people which have taken their tools by means of the backcountry wringer. Case in level, Six Moon Designs. In early 2020, they gave me a Swift X once they heard I used to be heading as much as Alaska for a few lengthy hikes. They requested for my opinion on the pack’s efficiency when closely loaded in difficult circumstances. As you’ll have guessed in case you’ve learn the entire evaluation, my analysis was overwhelmingly constructive. However, I additionally had some small solutions, such because the addition of side-closing buckles and the enlargement of the inside pocket (particularly, so it might match passports), which they took on board and subsequently adopted (along with upgrading to a extra sturdy materials for the outside pockets). On a lighter be aware, I’ll have even channeled my inner-John Candy and talked about that I’d guess “six bucks and my right nut” that their earlier inside quantity figures of 38L for the primary physique and 6L for the extension collar have been a wee bit on the low facet (Note: The present figures of 41L and 10L strike me as being a lot nearer to the mark).
Rambling by means of Gates of the Arctic/Brooks Range, Alaska (August 2021).
According to the SMD web site, the Swift X was “designed with thru-hiking in mind.” With its mixture of sturdiness, gentle weight, excessive diploma of configurability, and carrying consolation when full of heavy hundreds, I’d say they’ve hit the mark. However, the Swift X additionally gives a wonderful all-around choice for infrequent backpackers and even people which are comparatively new to the game. Whether you’re heading out for an overnighter, a protracted weekend, or a week-long journey with mates, the chameleon-like Swift X will be custom-made to fit your wants.
Naomi Hudetz and her Swift X on California’s Redwood Creek Trail (September 2021).
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Disclaimer: I used to be given the Swift X in early 2020 by the parents at SMD once they heard I used to be heading as much as Alaska. They requested for my suggestions on the pack, together with just a few images from the journey (each of which I offered). I used to be underneath no obligation to put in writing a evaluation, and the opinions expressed above are my very own.
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