Waypoint 35

I am hiking the Camino Portuguese (250 Km), and

let me tell you this pack is incredible, I absolutely love it. The only changes I made to the pack were switching the hip-belt to the unbound, it pulls from the outside (way better), and the double webbing strap does not cut into your waist, and I added an additional sternum strap for micro adjustments. :)

I hike 2000-3000 miles a year. The waypoint is about as good a pack as your going to get.

Pros:

- size: with out going super-duper light in the summer, 35 liters is perfect. Room for three seasons for a dialed thru hiker. A new hiker will need a larger pack until they slim down.

- waterproof: from experience, this is essential

- white: black packs melt your foot and your dirty laundry stinks.

- shoulder straps: these have been improved, they are mounted at angle to match your shoulders and are a bit wider. Integrated pockets hold a 500ml soft flask.

- waist belt: I’ve tried several “fast packs” without a waist belt. They are fine for short hikes, but your shoulders can take all the weight all the time unless you’re built like a gorilla. Having a real waist belt is essential in the long haul, it’s removable too.

Cons:

- needs a button pocket like the Contour 35. In fact, the Waypoint and Contour should be combined as a product. Just add loops to accept a D clip to accept a 1” waist belt webbing to the Waypoint if you remove the “real” waist belt. Minor.

- Make the shoulder straps mesh. Thus would be a more breathable plus on hot days. Minor.

love the waypoint 35! its a nice, light and versatile pack that gives me everything that i want. 10/10 recommend

Just finished the Colorado Trail and let me tell ya this pack was a winner for this trip! I’d go as far as to say it’s my favorite backpack ever. Looking forward to many more adventures with this beauty. Check out the description/features/specs etc. and if you’re a match I’d highly recommend!

I needed a new pack and started the season with the zpacks Arc Haul ultra 60L. I was never totally happy with it. Great pack but I just couldn’t get the fit dialed in. It was also overkill for my 10lbs base weight. After 700 miles I tried the DURSTON Wapta 30 but it never made it out of the living room. I just couldn’t get the weight close to my back. Then I noticed the Waypoint. I like the way the contoured back fits my back. I love the simplicity of the pack vs all the straps on the arc haul. 35 L is plenty of room for me. I have 100 mile of the Maine AT on it and love it. Very little fiddling with the shoulder straps and chest strap. The single stay frame transfers my max 20 lbs weight to my hips easily. Can’t wait to put more miles on it!