Durston Kakwa 55 Ultralight Backpack Review

It was nearing the end of our third day on the Colorado Trail outside of Molas Pass, and unfortunately, we were getting pummeled with rain. We decided to stop just before treeline in case the storm persisted overnight to quickly set up camp. Carrying ultralight backpacking kit typically means suffering through trials like this: maybe it’s a thin foam pad that isn’t quite warm, or a skimpy tarp that can’t face the wind.

It doesn’t, however, have to be that way. Case in point, the Durston Kakwa 55 Pack on my back. Not only was all of my gear bone dry despite not using a pack liner, but I was also hauling extra food and luxuries for friends who were finishing up their thru-hikes, so my pack was easily 30+ pounds from the jump. Despite this, I found the comfort and weight transfer to my hips astoundingly well done.

Threading the needle with ultralight gear is tough to nail, but the Kakwa makes the grade. Trimmed out in super-durable Ultra 200X material and hanging on an aluminum hoop frame, this sub-2-pound pack stays light without disappearing into nothing. Here’s what I found out about the Kakwa after a few months of use.

In short: When it comes to balancing features in an ultralight pack, the Durston Kakwa 55 leaves no stone unturned. Load carrying capacity with excellent weight transfer to the hips, waterproofness, durability, thoughtfully planned external storage, and affordable pricing — you name it, and the Kakwa 55 has it. 

Looking for a new ultralight backpack? Check out how the Kakwa compares to the rest of the options out there in GearJunkie’s Best Ultralight Backpacks Buyer’s Guide.

Durston Kakwa 55 Pack: Review

A No-Compromise Carry

In the ultralight pack space, one of the biggest concerns is how well a pack does with carrying heavier loads. Sure, you can make most ultralight packs work if you’re hauling less than 25 pounds, but what if you’re out with 7+ days of food or more than a gallon of water? Or both? The Kakwa 55 has a number of design features that address this and make it one of the leaders in carrying capacity for packs weighing in under 2 pounds. 

First, the hip belt is sewn directly into the pack and connects to an aluminum hoop instead of straight frame stays, allowing for an impressive weight transfer. This frame is tubular aluminum (which Durston claims is more efficient) and stabilizes the pack both vertically and horizontally. This notably limits the amount of “barreling” the pack does when fully loaded.

The hip belt and shoulder straps themselves are amply padded with enough surface area in order to spread out the weight on major contact points so your shoulders and hips aren’t screaming at you by the end of the day. And finally, the hip belt sports my favorite setup — dual straps with an inverted pull system utilizing a quick-release buckle.

I can’t emphasize how nice it is to have the extra surface area on the hip belt padding and the straps themselves, while the inverted pull system makes tightening to your desired level of pressure and weight transfer a breeze. 

‘Ultra’ Durability

The true testament to the Kakwa 55’s durability isn’t its use on the nice single track of the Colorado Trail, but it’s time I’ve used it as a canyoneering pack in Utah. I took the Durston into some unforgiving situations: abrasive slickrock in narrow slot canyons, sandy washes, bushwhacking through thorny brush and cactus — all while hauling an 80m rope and anchor-building materials.

After half a dozen outings of this nature, my Kakwa 55 still looked almost brand new. There were no mesh tears, loose stitches, or even sand starting to get ingrained in the fabric.

The Ultra 200X material that the Kakwa can be optioned in is largely to thank here. Now a darling textile of the ultralight industry, Ultra fabrics from Challenge Outdoor are similar to Dyneema Composite Fabric weaves in that they are a UHMPWE fiber weave sandwiched between PET film. However, they have three times the amount of UHMPWE and much higher abrasion resistance.

The pack is also available in a cheaper ($199) UltraGrid material, a nylon ripstop with a UHMPWE grid pattern to resist tearing. For the slight price bump, it’s tough not to recommend going with the more rugged stuff.

The double-stitched and folded seams along the sewn points of the Kakwa’s construction are above and beyond as far as the quality of build. Combine this with the strength of the Ultra 200X fabric, the heavy-duty knit mesh of the large back pocket, and the bar-tacked high-stress points, and you’ve got a pack that’s ready to last for years to come. 

Built for Long-Distance Hiking

Durston is a smaller cottage company that grew based on the principles of ample field testing and multiple design evolutions during many outings in the backcountry, including thru-hikes of the Pacific Crest and Continental Divide Trails. This experience has clearly shone through in the development of the Kakwa’s feature set. 

Cinchable shoulder strap pockets and amply sized hip belt pockets mean you can have a full day’s worth of snacks ready to go. Asymmetrical side pockets allow for a water bottle to be within easy reach in the smaller side pocket, while the taller side pocket sports a side zip that allows you to grab jackets or gloves while on the move. The large mesh back pocket is expansive without permanently stretching out with repeated use to hold your tent and stakes.

The roll-top opening allows you to dial in top-down compression of the main compartment and hosts an over-the-top V-strap that securely straps down either a full-sized bear can or foam sleeping pad. Last but not least, load lifters combined with a U-shaped shoulder strap allow you to dial in how the pack rides on your back and ensure that weight is resting on your larger upper trap muscles rather than your collarbones.

Room for Improvement

With all of this positivity in mind, the Kakwa 55 isn’t without the possibility for improvement. External lash points could be upgraded with a minimalist daisy chain setup or a few more fabric loops along the large back mesh pocket to improve compression and attachment options.

There’s no dedicated ice axe attachment system, so you’ll have to rig one yourself if you’re going into the Sierras or San Juans early season. And there is no hydration port for those of you who enjoy hiking with a bladder system.

Durston Kakwa 55: Who Is This Pack For?

When it comes down to it, the Durston Kakwa 55 is just about my top pick for the best ultralight backpack on the market in 2025. Its combination of durability, comfort, long-distance hiking-specific features, and affordability makes it a no-brainer if you’re looking for a pack that can do it all in one package.

Seasoned ultralight backpackers might want to consider something a bit more minimalist, and if you’re looking to stay in brand, consider the 40L version. Going more minimal will also often mean a smaller internal volume, such as the ~1-pound Pa’lante V2, which will carry around 43 L total, or the Gossamer Gear Kumo 36, a 1-pound, 4-ounce pack with a 40L capacity. However, the slight weight increase on the Kakwa can well be worth it for added luxury items (or cold pizza).

Even if you aren’t fully committed to the cult of the cut toothbrush, the Kakwa 55 is fully up to the rigors of an entire thru-hike or two. It’s got cottage-industry cred and has the miles under its hip belt to prove it.