Gear Review: Outdoor Vitals CS40 Ultra Backpack
This was actually my husband's backpack when we first got it and I think he used it twice before I stole it and claimed it as my own.
We all have one of those Goldilocks backpacks that seem to be the one that fits all our gear just right, that is comfortable as heck, that is versatile for our adventures. For me, the Goldilocks backpack is Outdoor Vitals' CS40 Ultra Backpack. I love how it fits, it's big enough to carry a ton of my gear and snacks for day hikes, and it's just spacious enough for a quick overnight trip in the alpine. If you're a minimal style backpacker, it would likely be spacious enough for you to do a multi-day backpacking adventure.
I have consistently used the CS40 Ultra Backpack for about three years now and even though I've accumulated many backpacks during that time, I find myself packing up the CS40 more than any other backpack available to me. It's ultralight and comfortable. I like its pocket layout. I think Outdoor Vitals is a great brand and enjoy using their gear!
Quick Rundown of the CS40 Ultra Backpack by Outdoor Vitals
- Volume: 53 liters for the medium and large (41 liter main, side pockets 2 liters each, stretch pocket 6 liters, hip belt pockets 1L each)
- Weight: 27 ounces (1.68 pounds) for a medium
- Full frame, functional load lifters, targeted back panel, anatomical shoulder straps, and a wide hip belt for a comfortable fit during extended hikes
- Ultralight Carbon Fiber frame stays that weigh only 2 ounces to efficiently distribute your load
- Trekking pole / ice ax retention loops
- Roll top closure
- 3 point side compression cords
- Self compressing bottom curve to keep your load higher & closer to your back
- Volumized stretch mesh pocket, large side water bottle pockets, 2 zipper pockets on the hip belt, one stretch pocket on left shoulder strap
- Main Pack Fabric: Challenge UltraWeave™ 200, - UHMWPE / high-tenacity polyester woven blend, laminated with Challenge RUV™ film
My Experience with the CS40 Ultra Backpack by Outdoor Vitals
From hikes in Colorado's San Juans, to the Tortolita and Tucson Mountains of southern Arizona, I have loaded up the CS40 Ultra Backpack with all my gear to adventure through mountain ranges great and small! Sometimes I don't have too much gear and I fully compress this backpack to its most compact size, often times I'm packing in so much equipment that I'm filling it to the brim!
No matter the adventure I'm bringing it on, I know it will be comfortable on my shoulders and hips. I also know it will be breathable and up to the challenge of bushwhacking. The fabric of this pack is durable and strong, which is nuts because it's so incredibly lightweight. I have comfortably carried 35 pounds in this backpack, but usually I am carrying around 25 pounds.
I love that the hip belt is big, burly and padded. It has really spacious zip pockets on both sides. How big are the pockets, you may ask? In one pocket I stash a hanky, mittens, chapstick and a few protein bars. In the other pocket I usually stash a backup Kula Cloth, my GoPro, some camera batteries and sunglasses cleaner. That's a lot of pocket space for a hip belt!
The side stash pockets are within reach while I'm wear the backpack, which is excellent. Those can be loaded up pretty good too. Each side pocket can hold two water bottles and then some. So I usually keep my water filter bottle and my sunglasses case in one, and then bear spray and bug spray in the other. The front stretch pocket is super stretchy! A nice place for a jacket, hat and various camera gear.
This was actually my husband's backpack when we first got it and I think he used it twice before I stole it and claimed it as my own. It's a unisex style, after all! I could not possibly recommend it more if you're looking for an ultralight mid-sized backpack that's next-level comfortable and very versatile.
Of course the CS40 Ultra Backpack by Outdoor Vitals comes with their Performance Promise Warranty, so if you have an issue with this backpack (I doubt you would!) they'll honor the warranty and get you set up with a new one or something else.
My review is independent of the supplier and reflects my own opinions. Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if purchases are made through those links at no additional cost to you.
