In the world of ultralight backpacks, Six Moon Designs has become a company with a bit of a cult-like following. This is because of their quality packs, thoughtful designs and affordable price points. For the past few months I've been testing out the Swift X 50-liter Ultralight Backpack and have been super impressed by it!

Quick Rundown of the Six Moon Designs Swift X 50L Ultralight Backpack

• Quite a few options to customize this backpack, with different shoulder harness designs and different sized hip belts.
• Ultralight at 38.8 ounces/2.4 pounds.
• Huge front stretch pocket constructed from UltraStretch™ which is durable as heck and tear-resistant. It is a 4-way stretch mesh woven with the highest quality fibers for performance and longevity.
• Two spacious and stretchy side pockets that cinch down.
• Nice pockets on the shoulder straps/harness.
• Very simple roll top closure.
• Adjustable torso length.
• Can be worn with its included frame, or frameless.
• Maximum load is 35 pounds.

My Experience with the Six Moon Designs Swift X 50L Ultralight Backpack

This backpack is made for backpacking and thru-hiking. And from everything I have heard about it from friends who use and love this backpack, it's ideal for those activities. For me though, it's the perfect backpack for dayhikes when I am hauling in all of my camera gear and lots of other stuff. Yes, a 50-liter backpack for a day hike. Photographer life is crazy.

When I was looking for a large day hike backpack there were essentially two key factors I was unwilling to budge on. The backpack needed to be ultralight and it needed to be able to carry over 30 pounds.

I like an open-concept backpack and I also enjoy a roll-top. So the Six Moon Designs Swift X became very appealing. And with its shoulder harness options, I was sold. The way I like to carry my wildlife telephoto lens means I cannot use a vest-style shoulder harness, so I chose the standard shoulder straps.

The first hike I used this backpack on was a 14 mile round trip that gained about 4,000ft of elevation going up and lost the same amount coming back down. So a relatively big hike. I carried two camera bodies and three lenses. One being my big telephoto, which I kept stashed in the Swift X about half the time. Which is part of the reason a 50 liter backpack makes a good daypack for me. I need space!

I was genuinely surprised by how comfortable this backpack is. The foam padding on the hip belt is great, the shoulder straps are well shaped and the weight distribution is on point. I found the Swift X Backpack to be breathable and I even got to test out its water-resistance when low clouds began to produce a bit of rain. All in all it was apparent that this backpack is well made by folks who have a lot of experience backpacking. It has few features, but the features it does have are clutch.

When I got home from the hike, I immediately began to customize the backpack to me; cutting down straps and knotting them, burning the edges to ensure they will not fray. When I know I will be keeping a backpack, I like to cut down excess strapping and create a more custom-to-me fit.

I have been using the Six Moon Designs Swift X 50L Ultralight Backpack for a handful of months now and I love it. I can imagine using it for years to come and I might even use it here and there for fast-packing trips. The size and comfort of this backpack are superior to many that I've tested out. It definitely makes me feel confident to recommend it to anyone looking for a solid ultralight backpack.

Swift X Backpack by Six Moon Designs: Pros and Cons

The Swift X Backpack by Six Moon Designs is an excellent choice for ultralight hikers seeking durability and comfort. Check out the pros and cons below:

Click here to learn more and purchase the Swift X Backpack for your next adventure!

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. Photographs in this article are property of SouthwestHikes or the respective brands being represented.