Group Like No Different: Pingora Outro 40 Backpack Overview

I used to be packing in my lounge for a 3-day backpacking journey into Canyonlands Nationwide Park. My companion was struggling to stuff gear into his 45L pack, and I glanced at my Pingora Outro 40 pack with trepidation.

Unpacked, it seemed small in comparison with his. I wasn’t certain it might be large enough to suit my range, sleep system, tent, a few jackets for the November temperatures, and all of my meals, water, and beer.

It was the primary time I’d used this backpacking pack, so I had no thought how expansive it was. As I began loosening the straps, unrolling the roll high, and loading it with my sprawled-out gear, my doubts shortly pale. My backpacking buddy watched me drop all the things in simply, packing it with out subject.

“I assumed my pack was purported to be greater than yours,” he stated.

I assumed so, too, but it surely didn’t look that approach. Because of this, we ended up placing extra of our tent and our spare water into my pack. However I didn’t thoughts — I used to be amazed the Outro may deal with a lot gear so simply. Now I used to be curious how it might carry.

In brief: The Pingora Outro 40L, diagonal separator divides the primary compartment 50/50, making it straightforward to pack heavier objects low and near your again and leaving higher area for lighter, extra compressible objects. For backpackers or vacationers who need an organized pack that can be utilized for various journey lengths, the Pingora Outro 40 could be excellent.

Searching for backpacks? Try GearJunkie’s information to the Greatest Backpacking Backpacks.

Pingora Outro 40 Backpack Overview

I first noticed the Pingora Outro 40 on the 2024 summer season Out of doors Retailer commerce present in Salt Lake Metropolis. The pack seemed so slick that it stopped GearJunkie Editor-in-Chief Adam Ruggiero and me in our tracks.

We examined the backpack intently, and each agreed that we wanted to check it. The pack made our checklist of High Picks from the present.

So I used to be psyched when my testing pattern arrived. I had a late fall backpacking journey deliberate with a pal to go to the Needles District in Canyonlands. It was an ideal alternative to take the Pingora Outro on its maiden voyage.

First Impressions

A 40L capability is on the small aspect for me. I often want 45-55L packs for multi-night backpacking journeys. However after I opened the pack and unrolled its roll-top, I noticed it was a lot greater than I had initially thought. When absolutely expanded, this pack had a capability nearer to 50 L.

Weight-wise, this pack is mild, too. At simply 3 kilos, 12.8 ounces, this pack could be the fifth lightest in comparison with these on GearJunkie’s information to the Greatest Backpacking Packs.

Not like many backpacking packs, the Pingora Outro 40 has a reasonably slim profile. It doesn’t bulge out with exterior pocket area. The underside can also be pretty slim in comparison with the packs I’m used to. That made me fear that I wouldn’t have the ability to match my largest, heaviest objects, like my tent and sleeping bag, simply in.

Due to Pingora’s inner group options, although, I didn’t want to fret.

50/50 Divider

One among my favourite design options within the Outro Pack is its inner divider. The highest and backside halves of the pack are separated by an angled, zippered panel that slants down and towards the entrance of the pack.

Consider the divider like this: TopBottom, with the underside phase having more room nearer to your again. It creates a big decrease compartment, low and near the wearer’s again for heavier objects, and an higher compartment that expands with the roll high. It helps arrange issues and distribute weight for simpler carrying.

This divider may be unzipped from the within should you don’t wish to use it. The again panel of the backpack additionally unzips (main bonus factors, in my e book!), so, you possibly can simply entry the decrease compartment with out having to dig down from the highest of the pack.

This design is superior for backpacking, and I feel Pingora took a very considerate method.

This design additionally lends itself properly to backcountry snowboarding. Whereas Pingora makes its personal backcountry pack, the Outro may simply double as one. Your layers and necessities may be stored within the decrease compartment whereas avi gear may be saved within the extra shortly accessible high.

Pockets

There are two water bottle pouches on both aspect of the backpack — fairly customary. They match my Nalgene completely. I additionally used them to retailer my fleece gloves and hat. I may have match a light-weight, rolled-up rain jacket, wind layer, or fleece in there if I’d wanted to.

Each harness shoulder straps have zippered pockets large enough for a cellphone or snack bars, in addition to stretchy mesh pockets you may use for sun shades, snack wrappers, small energy banks, or different similar-sized objects. Contained in the pack, there’s a zippered mesh pocket on the again panel.

Lastly, the hip belt has two zippered stash pockets, one on both aspect. I actually appreciated the double possibility in comparison with packs that use only one hip belt pocket.

Pingora additionally gives the choice so as to add a individually bought brain-style pocket ($40) to the highest of the bag. This pocket may be eliminated and used as a sling bag for brief hikes. I didn’t take a look at this function, however it might be helpful for anybody who wished much more space for storing and flexibility.

Within the Area: Pingora Outro 40

As quickly as we set out from the automotive on the Chesler Park Trailhead, I had a smile on my face. Not simply because I used to be excited for the journey, however as a result of I may inform proper off the bat that this was going to be a snug pack. The burden rested squarely on the lumbar pad at my sacrum, and the padded belt hugged my hips snugly with out creating abrasions or strain factors.

The pack additionally appeared to maneuver properly with my physique. Some backpacking packs are stiff and received’t flex naturally together with your physique actions. This one does.

The way in which the hip belt interacted with the harness was clearly designed to maneuver ergonomically. The wireframe suspension did its job and managed load switch properly.

On the finish of the primary 12-mile day, my emotions hadn’t modified. I used to be nonetheless actually impressed with the best way this pack carried its weight. It was nonetheless snug on my again and hips. That didn’t change after days two or three, both. By the tip of that journey, I used to be completely impressed with how snug this backpack was.

I used the pockets for various functions. My cellphone was within the harness pocket, together with snack bars and empty wrappers. I even had a small energy financial institution and rope in case I wished to cost my cellphone for photographs. My hip pockets held a bandana, my lighter, AirPods, and automotive keys. Regardless of the shortage of a mind compartment, I didn’t really feel like I lacked space for storing with this backpack.

My hydration bladder match simply within the Outro, however the hose didn’t have an attachment level on the harness. I ended up simply sticking it in one of many mesh shoulder pockets, so it didn’t bounce round.

If I wanted to entry the within of the pack shortly, I merely unclipped the shoulder harness and spun it round on my hips. Then I may use the again panel’s inner entry to tug out my JetBoil or my meals bag or no matter else I wanted on the go.

Materials & Supplies Fluctuate

The supplies used within the Pingora Outro 40 embrace high-density UHMWPE and nylon 66 ripstop, and Robic material in 100D, 210D, and 420D weights.

Nevertheless, not all Pingora Outro Packs are made the identical. The model makes use of varied recycled overstock supplies, so it notes that the supplies would possibly differ by colour scheme.

That shouldn’t make a distinction within the pack’s on-trail efficiency, but it surely’s one thing to notice once you’re shopping for. In the event you’re a supplies nerd, it is perhaps value asking the model what’s used within the colours you need.

A Query of Sturdiness

After that 3-day journey in Canyonlands, the Pingora Outro 40 Pack was holding up properly. Nevertheless, in a few locations the place I had set it down a number of occasions on the sandstone, the material was exhibiting delicate indicators of abrasion. It wasn’t of significant concern, but when it had gotten worse, it might need created a weak level the place the strap that holds down the roll-top connects to the outside.

I later took this pack on a a lot shorter in a single day backpacking journey close to the Flat High Mountains. There was a lot much less abrasive sandstone and rock round, and I didn’t discover any additional harm. So it may have simply been that the bag was packed too full, and I set it down too onerous on abrasive surfaces, which brought about the harm. Both approach, I’m keeping track of it.

Pingora Outro 40 Backpacking Pack: Who Is It For?

I’d advocate this pack for anybody who backpacks and is searching for a streamlined, well-designed, and easy-to-organize pack. The roll-top design makes this a really perfect bag for journeys between one and 4 nights. It retains your on-trail gear separate out of your tenting gear and simplifies weight administration with its 50/50 divider. It appears good, and it feels nice once you’re carrying it.

As a bonus, Pingora lets you customise the match once you order. The model makes use of a singular torso size adjustment system, which makes it straightforward to dial in a match for many physique sorts. You may order quick, common, or lengthy torso lengths. It additionally gives small, medium, or massive waist belts. I’m a 5’11”, 165-pound male, and the common size and medium hip belt labored nice for me.

That is truthfully the favourite backpacking pack that I’ve examined. For any private wilderness journey I’m not working and testing gear on, that is the one I can be taking with me. I like this pack.