50L · Thru-hiking backpack

Minimalist V2

Price $285

4.8 · 31 hiker reviews , rated 4.8 out of 5

A simple, clean thru-hiking pack with a 40L body, 9L collar, top lid and five exterior pockets. Redesigned with customer feedback.

Standard configuration
41 oz
Total volume
59 L
Harness styles
3

Choose material & color

Material / color — Robic Nylon Gray

Robic Nylon

Robic Nylon A soft, flexible and light ripstop nylon, but its coating is water resistant rather than waterproof and it isn't as tough as the laminated fabrics.

EPX200+$100

EPX200 A waterproof laminate with a 200D polyester face. Tougher than Robic Nylon and lighter than VX21.

Size your harness

Style is about shape; size is about measurements.

Find your fit.

Have a friend measure while you stand straight. Tilt your head forward to find C7 (the bony bump at the base of your neck). Put your hands on your hips with thumbs pointing back, slide up to the top of the hip bones, and measure along your spine from C7 to the line between your thumbs. For the belt, measure around your hips at that same height, which sits a little above your pant waist.

A starting recommendation from the SMD size guide. Try the loaded pack at home. Read the size guide (opens in a new tab)

$285

Complete your kit

Standard configuration

41 oz — 1,165 g Ultralight Backpack

Simple, made even more functional.

We took the clean design of the Minimalist and, using customer feedback, made it better. It still has the right amount of space and a light suspension with just enough support, now with larger, more secure stash pockets.

The 40L main compartment has a 9L extension collar and a top lid that can secure a bear canister too big for the main compartment. A removable Delrin stay and hip belt carry heavy days, up to its 35 lb maximum load.

Best for

  • Thru-hiking
  • Hikers who want lots of exterior storage
  • Bear canister country
Minimalist V2 Backpack in Use
Minimalist V2 feature callouts

Comfort is personal

Choose how it carries.

Every harness fits the same pack body. Pick the shape that suits your build, then size it to your torso.

  • Flight Vest Harness

    Vest

    More storage up front

    • Six points of suspension between the pack and you
    • Eliminates sway and bounce when walking or running
    • Transfers some of the load to your core
    • Helps prevent sores on your shoulders and hips
    • Helps reduce back pain after long days on trail
    • Extra storage pockets and quick-access options
  • Flight Shoulder Harness

    Shoulder

    A familiar, open feel

    • Traditional backpack shoulder straps
    • Two 4-way stretch pockets that hold 500 ml soft bottles
    • Sliding sternum strap
    • Covers less of your torso
    • Weighs about 2 oz less than the Vest Harness
  • Flight S-Curve Harness

    S-Curve

    Curves around your chest

    • Designed for narrow shoulders and a larger chest
    • Two 4-way stretch pockets that hold 500 ml soft bottles
    • Sliding sternum strap
    • Avoids covering the chest, for more comfort
    • Weighs about 2 oz less than the Vest Harness

Sizing

The right fit, from mile one.

Have a friend measure while you stand straight. Tilt your head forward to find C7 (the bony bump at the base of your neck). Put your hands on your hips with thumbs pointing back, slide up to the top of the hip bones, and measure along your spine from C7 to the line between your thumbs. For the belt, measure around your hips at that same height, which sits a little above your pant waist.

Style is about shape; size is about measurements.

Harness by torso length

Small
14–17″
Large
17–22″

Between sizes? Talk to us first.

Hip belt by waist

Small
26–29″
Medium
30–35″
Large
36–50″

Between sizes? Choose the smaller.

Every ounce accounted for

What's built in.

  • Adjustable torsoDial in the fit to your back.
  • Three harness stylesShoulder Harness, S-Curve or Vest Harness.
  • Five exterior woven pocketsRear, short side, tall side and a stretchy top lid pocket.
  • Top lidSecures larger bear canisters.
  • Large shoulder strap pocketsKeep snacks and your phone close at hand.
  • Removable hip beltTake it off on light days.
  • Minimal-contact back panelBreathable 3D mesh.
  • Top loading with dry bag closureSimple and weather resistant.

See it in the field

Minimalist V2 Ultralight Backpack

Specifications

The details make the difference.

Standard configuration: body, Delrin stay, large shoulder harness and medium hip belt. Your material, harness and belt change the final weight.

General

Suspension
Flight Series
Torso range
16″–22″38–56 cm
Dimensions (W × D × H)
11″ × 7″ × 22″28 × 18 × 56 cm
Colors
Gray, Green (Robic); Black, Blue, Coyote Brown (EPX200)
Maximum load
35 lb16 kg
Minimum load
15 lb6.8 kg
Delrin stay load boost
About 10 lbAbout 4.5 kg
Uses
Lightweight and long-distance backpacking

Materials

Pack body
Robic nylon or EPX200 by Challenge Sailcloth
Body contact
3D mesh
Pockets
Challenge Sailcloth Ultra Stretch

Volume

Body
40 L (2,441 in³)40 L
Extension collar
9 L (550 in³)9 L
Exterior pockets
10 L (610 in³)10 L
Total volume
59 L (3,600 in³)59 L

Weight

Body, Robic
24.1 oz685 g
Body, EPX200
31.8 oz900 g
Delrin stay
1.8 oz51 g
Large shoulder harness
7.2 oz204 g
Medium hip belt
7.9 oz225 g
Standard configuration, Robic
41 oz1,165 g
Standard configuration, EPX200
48.7 oz1,380 g
With large Vest Harness, Robic
42.9 oz1,215 g
Frameless, no hip belt, Robic
31.3 oz890 g

From the people who carry it

Let the miles do the talking.

4.8
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
Based on 31 reviews
97%would recommend this product
Slide 1 selected
31 reviews
  • ND
    Nick D.
    Flag of United States
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    3 years ago
    Good Backpack In Certain Situations

    I have the EPX200 in blue with the Flight Vest, here are my thoughts on this pack. First of all I want to say, I really wanted this pack to work for me. My daypack is a vest style pack, so I knew what type of pack I was getting, or at least I thought I did.

    Let’s start off with the construction of the pack, it is REALLY well made. The Ecopak is nice, I did not have any loose stitching, and everything seems to be reinforced very well. All of the stretch pockets are wonderful on this pack, I never thought that any of them out rip or tear with the items I was putting in them. I used the smaller of the side pockets to fit a 48oz Nalgene Bottle and a large Smartwater bottle. It’s a tight fit, but It will fit. The larger side pocket will fit sleeping pad and sit pad. All of the bungee adjustments work great as well as the straps. The main straps in my opinion are a little thin, I used them to secure my foam sleeping pad and they slid all over while I was hiking, even when tightened down. My pad never came loose, but the straps did slide a lot. The extension collar is huge, and with the collar completely open, the pack sits almost 3ft tall. The velcro at the top is a nice added touch and kept the collar closed when I had it packed full. The inside zippered pocked is a nice added touch, however the reservoir sleeve seems like a complete afterthought. I have a 2.5L reservoir, and it would not fit. It also seems to be made out of a cheap material. I used it to store my tent poles and…

  • LB
    Laura B.
    Flag of United States
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    5 years ago
    Ladies... Consider your chest size!

    First of all, the Minimalist is a GREAT pack. It's my first ultralight pack with a suspension system, and I must say, I'm never going back. It has plenty of space for a solo trip and I'm eager to test its ability to carry a bear canister when backpacking out West next Summer. The way the pack hugs to my body and moves with me when I hike enhances both my balance and speed. In addition, I've had less back, hip, or shoulder soreness compared to other packs. The vest harness is a game changer. My one word of caution is that the small vest is truly small. I'm 5'8" 130 lbs. and an A cup, so I thought the smallest size would be best for me given that it's neutral/men's sizing. The small vest does fit me, however, when I'm wearing more layers (puffy jacket, fleece, etc.), it gets a little snug. Next time I would stick with the small hip belt, but order a medium vest. Aside from that, I've loved every trip with the Minimalist and am looking forward to many more happy miles together!

  • CG
    Chris G.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Backpack Use Thru Hiking
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    5 months ago
    Great Fit, Sweet Pack

    It carries everything very well and the adjustment was very straight forward. The deep pockets on the side hold my water and are easy to reach. Everything about this pack is spot on and will be on my back for all my adventures.

  • A
    andy
    Verified Reviewer
    Backpack Use Day Hiking
    Rated 3 out of 5 stars
    9 months ago
    its ok

    I saw the max load was 35lbs. I needed this for hauling water. I did not know what delrin was. I should have done some research. The frame is basically made with a floppy plastic clothes hanger. I found the max comfortable weight to be somewhere between 20 and 25 lbs. its great for lightweight hikes. Also the hip belt wings are very short.

  • BM
    Brendon M.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Backpack Use Thru Hiking
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    9 months ago
    Light, comfortable and flexible pack

    Love the flexible options with this pack, the adjustable torso length and removable hip belt and frame make it suitable for most trips I might go on. Really love the vest style harness, which keeps the pack snug to my back and means it doesn't flip about when I'm running downhill. The shoulder pockets are great too, and the pack looks great.

    Love it