As I have said many times, you don’t have to break the bank to go hiking. I have been eyeing off various Dyneema packs on eg Aliexpress for years but recently (it was my birthday – 76. Who’d have thought?) I decided to buy yet another unnecessary pack. The ‘choice’ was between a ‘conventional’ (ie MLD Exodus) one at A$500+ (plus freight) or the Qidian for A$126 (delivered – August 2025).
I could not tell from the specs whether either would fit anyway but I would be out (of pocket) rather less if the Qidian one didn’t, whereas I am now pretty sure the more expensive one would indeed have been too big even in the shortest length. I have a number of such (one I am about to shorten). Americans must be gigantic. (Delightfully) it did fit, perfectly. It is 18″ from the pack strap attachment to the bottom of the hip belt, so about 16″ to the middle of the hip belt. I am about 5’7″. Most packs are at least 19″ for this dimension which will always make them uncomfortable for me.
I have everything I normally carry in the backpack for a multi-day trip except my food inside there and there is obviously room for a couple of week’s food. The pockets will clearly easily carry my tent, water bottles, phone, rain gear. brush hook etc. There is also a large inside pocket for documents such as passports or paper maps.
One gets pretty muddy at lambing time – as you can see.
Just taking it for a trial during our one hour afternoon walk in the forest nearby with the dog. It carries well.
At 56 litres (46 inside) this pack is ideal for a multi-day hike. And a ‘bulletproof’ (dyneema – the Chinese call it UHMWPE mixed nylon) fabric. I am now fairly sure that it will just about suit Della too (who is only 5′) which is something even harder to find, so that’s a bonus. You can buy an additional dyneema bag to strap on top if you really want to weigh yourself down. And of course various pack strap pockets. Or you can make them yourself.
If you are going lightweight then you are (surely?) only going to carry around 10kg (including food) at the outset of a week’s hike so you don’t need a cumbersome and likely uncomfortable (framed) pack. Everything you need should fit in this one. This (frameless) pack comes with a pad pocket which will take eg a Gossamer Gear SitLight egg-crate foam pad – shown – (or similar – eg the Airbeam) or you can use your part-inflated pad, Z-lite etc as a sort of frame. From my own experience though, you don’t want to increase the space between your pack and your back very much before you will cause yourself back pain.
It is better to just put up with the reality that you will have a wet back sometimes. BTW I notice the Sitlight is now configured differently from the egg-crate ones I own so that the holes in it may well reduce condensation. At only US$13 (plus freight) it would be worth a try – if you are in the States, or you could try cutting some holes in some closed cell foam you already own..
The MLD Exodus pack had solid fabric in the main rear pocket (one of its key features), whereas the Qidian has mesh – as almost all packs seem to have. Here in Oz blackberries will tear that mesh to shreds sooner or later and you will have the awkward task of replacing it (as I described here – have had to do this to two Zpacks packs. Such a pain. One to go). Altogether I have three such packs which are awaiting this particular ‘mod’ – and now a fourth! And a fifth which has no pockets at all – but I want to add three. Plenty of chores to keep us busy.
The good news (for you) is that we think we have pretty much perfected this (solid) rear pocket (and other pocket) ‘mod’ so I will be doing a post about it soon. I will try to complete it for this pack before I use it – whilst we are lambing at the moment such that I can’t get away anyway.
The other feature I liked about the MLD Exodus (which I had some difficulty justifying affording) was the curved side panels (which it does not appear that the Qidian has mimicked – though it has copied the S-shaped straps). I have tried this idea separately on a DIY pack of my own design and learned that it worked well. As did some other unique features of my DIY pack which I am still working on. There will be an instructable about this too eventually.
Expect a 55-60 litre frameless DIY pack which weighs 3-400 grams. It will ‘fit’ your body anatomically ie you can tailor it to suit, instead of trying to force your body to ‘fit’ an uncomfortable pack. The curved side panels help with that. It will have a unique suspension system which will take the load off your shoulders (and hips). It will have nothing to break (or tear). No elastic or zips to give out. Everything which might break (eg buckles) replaceable. I like the idea of having most of the weight lower down on the ‘small’ of the back so it will not have the ‘traditional’ ‘sausage’ shape. At least three outside pockets with others which can be added on waist belt and pack straps as needed. Perhaps a water bottle pocket just above the pack straps (behind your neck) with a short hose going to your mouth. Probably at least three small internal pockets you can stuff things in which you might want to get at in a hurry. But definitely no zips or elastic. I hope I have also hit on an idea to reduce the wet back effect. Lots of other jobs to do though before I have time to complete this one – which is one reason why I bought the above pack as I might need one for my son or wife to use on an upcoming trip.
First of all the Qidian is very comfortable for me mostly because it is not too long – around 16″ from the top straps to the centre of the waist belt. Probably there are people who are 19″ or even longer there but most people are shorter (especially women) and this pack will suit them very well indeed. Probably f you are anywhere between say 5’2″ and 5’10” say. The straps are well designed, wide and well padded. Because it is the right length you will get some load transfer to your hips but not too much as that interferes with your gait. You are better with a pack which free swings from your shoulders (as this one does) and just balances on your bum.
It has a roll-top closure with both vertical and side compression straps. You can see (in the photos) how well it compresses down to basically a day-pack. There are lots of extra tie-out points for adding other things, eg a washing line. It has load lifters and a top tie-down strap (for that extra something eg antlers). I particularly like the draw-string closure in all the outside pockets.
If you are in the market for a (cheap) backpack you should try this one. Frankly I think it is better than most everything available for over $500. Also now available from my favourite Oz ultralight hiking store Ultralight Gear for $139.99 (August 2025)
If you need a pad, sleeping bag, cookset, raincoat read the post below
https://www.theultralighthiker.com/2019/11/30/best-5-spent-on-camping-gear-ever/
https://www.theultralighthiker.com/2019/04/29/free-stuff-for-hiking/
https://www.theultralighthiker.com/2019/04/30/more-free-stuff-for-hiking/
https://www.theultralighthiker.com/2019/05/29/even-more-free-stuff-for-hiking/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/2018/03/03/ultralight-hiking-on-a-budget/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/2018/03/24/budget-pack-mods/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/2018/11/04/beginning-hiking/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/2018/08/31/3f-tents/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/ultralight-hiking-on-a-budget/
http://www.theultralighthiker.com/budget-pack-mods/
I would add the Chinese copies of the MLD Trailstar to my recommendations for cheap tents. It costs only about A$90 delivered and weighs under 400 grams bare. You need a 7′ x 7′ tarp for a floor. Fortunately I have just completed a DIY 7′ x7′ tarp which is also a poncho. I will be posting about it soon and supplying instructions. It weighs about 200 grams and also doubles as a hammock tarp. With the addition of two small wings (an extra 80 grams) it can also be used as a tent for two people.
