Outdoor Vitals CS40 Ultra Backpack – Ultra Light and Very Versatile

Devan Dowd

Are you a weekend warrior that is chasing endurance adventures with the lightest weight on your back? Or maybe a thru-hiker that is mapping out next season’s journey? Or maybe you are an endurance trail-runner that is looking for a bag that can help them stay self-sustainable on long runs, carrying extra water & layers to keep you safe & healthy on the trails. If any of these sound like you, you need to get your hands on the Outdoor Vitals CS40 Ultra Backpack. 

Outdoor Vitals CS40 Ultra Backpack Review

 

The CS40 Ultra Backpack is THE ideal 40L ultralight pack for the ultralight hiker. With comfort, durability and stability crafted into its DNA, this bag was designed for extra comfort even while maintaining an ultralight weight. Outdoor Vitals mission of building ultralight gear that can handle all that Mother Nature throw at you truly shined with this bag, as they did not sacrifice a frame to make weight, but rather spent extra time dialing in a comfortable & targeted back panel & shoulder straps, hip belt that wraps around your waist in just the right way in addition to adding functional load lifters, stretch mesh pockets and plenty of space in the main chamber to have your mind spend a bit more time soaking in the views around you than complaining about the weight on your back. 

 

The backpack comes in (2) sizes – S (22” x 10.75”) or M/L (24” x 10.75”). I tested out the M/L, but in hindsight I probably should have sized down to the S to fit my 5’3”, 137lb female frame.

 

The CS40 Ultra backpack  (standing for Carbon Stay fibers & Ultralight fabric) is streamlined and minimalistic, keeping all the best features you need, and getting rid of the extra ones you don’t!

 

We’ll dive a bit deeper into what I liked the most about the CS40 Ultra Backpack, but before that, I wanted to share a bit more about Outdoor Vitals and the mission behind their brand. 

 

Outdoor Vitals was founded in 2014, when founder Tayson spent every moment he could exploring the great outdoors. He discovered premium gear is more light, comfortable and versatile, and most importantly, has the capability of handling all that Mother Nature throws your way. However, as a poor college student he was stuck with the conundrum that is the outdoors – how do we make premium gear that can adapt & be repurposed from adventure to adventure? 

 

Embodying the entrepreneurial spirit, Outdoor Vitals was created shortly after his college days, and since Day 1, they have stuck to keeping costs down on materials & gear so they could offer lower prices to their customers. Now Outdoor Vitals is thriving and growing exponentially! 

 

The performance gear the company offers is top-notch, and will speak for itself when used outdoors. Their main mission is to help others connect more deeply to the outdoors, which is something we all know can help improve physical, mental, & emotional health. By providing premium gear that is performance focused, versatile, and ultralight, Outdoor Vitals helps customers live lifestyles that cut down on the extras. You can enjoy your trips without being weighed down, cold, or uncomfortable. You can use the same gear in a variety of different scenarios. Outdoor Vitals is here to stay, and will help you Live Ultralight!

With that, here are a few things that stuck out the most to me when testing out my CS40 Ultra Backpack:  

 

Outdoor Vitals CS40 Ultra Backpack

• Unlimited Stuffing Capabilities – No matter what situation we put this bag in over the last few months (from the desert to the mountains to the beach) the CS40 Ultra Backpack always seemed to be able to fit just a little bit more. With 39L capability in the main cabin, we were able to stuff a weekend’s worth of layers for cold, desert camping, which was critical when we were on a space crunch in the car. Heading to a beach day in the Pacific Ocean? No problem! We were able to stuff (4) large beach towels, sunblock, snacks, and water all in the main cabin. The roll-top closure feature allows for additional volume to help you maximize what you can carry on your back. 

• Ultra-Light Weight Design – Although the CS40 Ultra Backpack weighs a mere 27oz, no detail of comfort was lacking as the weight shrunk in size. My favorite features of the bag include a full size, fully padded load bearing hip belt, with easy-to-reach storage for your phone, keys, In-Reach unit or a quick trail snack.  A breathable, target back panel foam puts cushion in the most needed places, reducing any unnecessary support that leaves you hot & sweaty, resulting in all-day comfort that was noticeably better than most hiking packs I’ve tried. With 39L in the main cabin, you get additional storage with the external volumized stretch-mesh pocket, internal hydration bladder sleeve, and (2) generously sized water bottle pockets that will keep you hydrated no matter how long your journey may take. 

• Ultraweave Technology Has Your Back In All Weather-  Thanks to Ultraweave technology, not once did we have to worry about sand or water getting into our bags as we trekked across different terrains. Ultra 200 is a 200d laminated fabric that weighs the same as 100d fabric, but is vastly more durable (because it’s about 60% UHMWPE), with a virtually impenetrable waterproof rating (because it’s laminated with RUV film). Out-scoring DCF 50, DCF 150 & 500D Cordura Nylon in tests of Abrasion, Tear Strength & Weight, you do not need to feel like you are sacrificing quality as you seek the most ultra-light adventure weight.  

*Note: The fabric is waterproof, however since the CS40 Ultra backpack has not been seam-sealed, it cannot officially be considered waterproof!

Although the bag was truly fantastic, I think this backpack has a time and a place, and may not be my go-to, everyday bag. Being a smaller female (5’3”, 137lbs) the bag was a tad too big for my comfort, as once it was stuffed, it took up my entire torso and then some. Additionally, I wish there was a divide inside the pack to make items a bit more accessible compared to the large stuff-sack concept. Finally, although the bag remained water-proof and tear-resistant as we took it through multiple terrains, the white fabric did stain quickly, so that is just something to be mindful of. However, if you are someone whose top priority is “How can I lighten every ounce of my load?” This pack is definitely for you! 

 

Overall, Outdoor Vitals continues to pioneer the way forward for ultralight gear, and have nearly mastered the art of reducing weight without sacrificing quality. If you are in the market to further build out your ultra-light gear closet, definitely head over to Outdoor Vitals to check out the CS40 Ultra Backpack and see what adventures it will take you on! So, get up and go make your own #AOTD (Adventure of the Day)! Happy trails! 

 

Devan Dowd

Growing up in Massachusetts, Devan has been an athlete all her life. Starting at the age of 4 as a competitive gymnast, she learned quickly the joy that comes from hard work, determination, and a jammed packed schedule. Eventually, gymnastics led to competitive lacrosse, which resulted in her growing some wings and heading to the PNW to pursue a DI College Lacrosse opportunity at the University of Oregon.

 

On the single off-day each week, she quickly learned to see Mother Earth as her playground and wanted to use every second of free time to find chase AOTDs (Adventures of the Days). These AOTDs were the inspiration for her blog Dabbling in Traveling & youtube channel. 

 

From waterfalls, to snow covered mountains, to sand dune hikes – one thing was certain, something always went awry on these AOTDs. But hey, memories were always made! Not only was UO an incredible college experience, Oregon sparked her love for the outdoors & traveling across the country for games helped introduce her to Colorado in 2014. Staring up at the Flatirons on CU Boulder’s campus, she knew one day she would call Colorado home! 

 

After returning to the east coast upon graduation, Devan’s heart never stopped longing to live in Colorado one day. But luckily the pandemic brought a newfound acceptance for remote work and in Nov. 2021 her dream came true!

 

By day, Devan is a Product Manager at Capital One. By afternoon, she is a personal trainer, coaching group Crossfit classes at Axistence Athletics (the best Adventure gym you will ever find!). By evening, she pours her heart into nonprofit work, specifically focused on driving sustainable change in Haiti through the Brace for Impact 46 organization (Fun fact – she has been traveling to Haiti since 2015, accumulating 7 trips and 7 months of living down there!). 

 

Brace for Impact works in Northern Haiti to provide sustainable, multifaceted approaches to support child development, education, medical care, job development, and implementation of clean water & sanitation across the community, which touches 40,000 people each day! (Want to learn more? Check out their website www.braceforimpact46.com )

 

As her friends would tell you (despite trying), Devan does not slow down and is always trying to fit AOTDs into each open moment. Whether it be hiking, paddleboarding, road-biking, running, Crossfitting, weight-lifting, snowboarding or simply exploring different parts of CO with her favorite furry friend Bailey & her husband Jeremy, it’s safe to say Devan has found her “Home” here in Colorado!

 

Fun fact – Devan had reconstructive hip surgery in 2016 (actually called a Periacetabular Osteotomy… but that’s a tongue twister). After a 22 month recovery period, she proved doctors wrong, returned to play her senior of lacrosse continues to use this experience as motivation to encourage everyone she interacts with to truly treat movement as a gift and to never take it for granted. With that being said, to keep her body active, she needs to make sure her gear can support her so she can remain #PAOStrong!

 

Devan is excited to join the Engearment team!