Adam A.
After a period of deliberation i decided on he 40L THRU as i wanted to start getting into hiking, combined with a month of backpacking through Indonesia planned this seemed like the perfect choice of backpack as opposed to going for a huuuge backpacking loadout.
I absolutely loved the backpack and together with my lightweight gear it was the perfect home-away-from-home loadout.
I usually carried it with around 13kg/29lbs loaded and it was absolutely brilliant, super comfortable. When i went up to the weight limit (due to food and water), only then i seemed to notice the weight i was carrying on my back.
Absolutely brilliant backpack, but it did suffer some damage which i hadn't expected.
At the point where the carry handle is stitched into the fabric of the backpack, at both point the seams ripped open slightly, enough that if i kept using the backpack it would have ripped open much further (which would've kinda ruined the pack and consequantly my adventurous journey). Luckily i got the help of some friendly locals whom, in their homes, sowed it back up for me which allowed me to continue on my journey without stress of my backpack eventually ripping itself to pieces.
Then a week later i noticed the stitching on the side opening up over a distance of about 2cm, i'll be getting this sowed back up before my next trip i'll be using the backpack on.
And lastly the strap on top to secure a bear canister/foam pad is great but at the same time, on my first hike ever, due to overhanging brush many a branches tore into my foampad on the top (and now the foampad seems like its been on multiple years of abuse while it's only done 2 actual hikes up and down mountains). So i would still love to see some tightening straps on the bottom of the pack to (as i had enquired of being a possibility) be able to strap a foam pad to the bottom. Maybe a suggestion for future iterations to take into consideration.
All in all an extremely well designed and ergonomical lightweight backpack, but slightly disappointed by almost "catastrophic" failure(s) to the pack which could've ruined the second half of my month backpacking through Indonesia.
Nevertheless it was a super enjoyable backpack which i love to bits!
Max M.
I received my 40L thru backpack last night, packed it up with my standard 3 season load out, 3 days of food and 2L of H2O and took it for a brief stroll to see how it carried the weight. This pack is comfortable stylish and well constructed. I am taking it out for its inaugural trip this weekend and I am sure I will be satisfied with how it performs. Thank you!
Customer
Excellent backpack and extremely comfortable. I moved from an Osprey Exos 58, so definitely a bit of adjustment for space, but that also helps me not overpack for trips. Easily carries a BV450 for trips in the Sierras. Comfortable with an ultralight kit and 5-7lbs of camera gear. The hipbelt pockets are huge and great for storing everything from food to a windbreaker. Definitely recommend going with two of them.
Ren L.
After waiting patiently for 10 weeks, it did live up to my expectations. Light and strong, it meets all my requirements for a hiking backpack.
Caitlyn M.
I've had this pack for over two years now and I absolutely love it. It is very durable and nothing has broken on it after years of abuse. I did 1/2 the Colorado Trail, the Wind River High Route, and a few others with this and it's held up phenomenally. Even being a 40L pack, I can do a 10 day food carry with all my gear just fine. The hip belt pocket is big enough for my phone and the shoulder strap works with a peak design clip. It's very comfortable all around and I highly reccomend.
Customer
Took it on my first backpack adventure to get a feel for it before doing the TRT later this summer. I couldn’t be more thrilled with my purchase. Not only did it carry the weight well but it fit my 6’5” frame perfectly. Only thing I wish I would’ve bought was a second hip belt pocket. Other than that mistake, which is on me, it’s my favorite pack I’ve owned.
Lori S.
I’m training for a PCT SOBO attempt starting July 2023 and have used this on all my training hikes. I was pretty nervous about switching from a 60L pack to a 40L pack but I am absolutely over the moon thrilled with this pack. My last pack was thin gridstop and got uncomfortable over 20 lbs, but the Thru 40L carries like a dream. The material feels so durable and robust and I’m amazed how much I can fit in it - 13 lb base weight plus a full 5 day food carry, ice axe, and microspikes and I still forgot I was hauling the weight after just a couple miles. The Lycra mesh pocket is awesome. The shoulder straps are comfortable. The hip belt is well padded. I love it. Will plan to update this review post-PCT with long term thoughts, but so far I’m super confident in my pack choice for this thru hike.
David Z.
Early into my trekking days while choosing a backpack to purchase I was discussing different things about pack weight in a Facebook group. The founder of the company personally commented. Mark, himself replied to my question.
I own the Waymark packs now and love them. Great, quality craftsmanship. I'm looking forward to putting many miles on my THRU 40L and EVLV.
THANK YOU Mark for building an outstanding organization. All of us on trail appreciate you.
May God continue to shine His light upon you.
Mark S.
I have walked with the 40L Waymark about 50 miles so far. This is my second Waymark pack. I purchased the EVLV 35L Spring 2022, great product, I did submit a review for that one. The 40L is very very comfortable at 25lbs. I purchased the 40L because I want to carry an ultralight inflatable raft, 3lbs, and I needed a few more liters of room. My full pack weight on the EVLV was 9 kg, 20lbs, and my average weight on the 40L has been about 10.5kg, 25lbs. Now that I own both packs I lean towards the 40L because it has more comfort, but I don’t think I will ever sell the EVLV because it works so well and fits as a carry on in an airplane. I have so enjoyed both Waymark packs that I think I would like to get the 60L next year for Winter camping. One note on pack size: I am 21” torso and midway between two pack sizes. I ordered one size up, but because I have sloping shoulders I needed to go to the M/XL size instead. Love the pack!
Alex J.
I have just went on a multi day fly fishing trip where I used my Thru has a travel bag cause we had a base camp. I have been on two overnight hikes and live the thru.
I also have a mile I used on the longest day where we hike in the mountains of Georgia for roughy 10 or 12 miles round trip while fishing. It endured of treacherous hiking through blowdowns and brier patches to only have some stains from the tree bark
Mike E.
Super excited to get some miles under this pack. Extremely well built and super comfortable.
I love this pack.
Jay A.
Quality is still top notch and the added lumbar pad should help with comfort. At first look without testing on a trip, the new material for the pack is much stiffer than xpac. It does make loading the pack a bit easier as it stands up better. The elastic front pocket is a new material that seems more abrasion resistent but also may lack as much volume as the lycra. Looking forward to a 3 week section hike to really test out the pack.
Ruediger G.
The pack worked out great, comfy and roomy. Awesome customer service, too. I would recommend it!
Austin M.
Love the configuration of the hip belt strap. So many hip belt straps get loose every couple of miles, and Waymark has managed to impressively address the issue.
Karen M.
Still working well for me.
k m.
Early experience with the Thru 40. Just got the pack and loaded it up with 20 pounds of gear / water and headed to state park for a 9 mile day hike. It seems a bit much to say that I barely noticed the pack but its true. I've used Zpack arc blast and Osprey Exos for the last several years and they were both good but on each trip when carrying around 20 pounds I adjusted and adjusted and adjusted the pack as I hiked to get these packs to feel ok.
With the Thru 40 I tossed it on and hiked. So far so great!
Clifford J.
My Waymark Thru 40L was ordered on April 14th and arrived on June 23, 5 weeks earlier than estimated-YEAH! Which means, of course, that I have only been able to load up (25lbs) and do a couple of short hikes. I can report that everything is as advertised-exceptionally high quality and craftsmanship, weight at 2lbs 2 oz. (medium size), AND this framed version does carry very well. This might be helpful to those light, but not ultra-light packers such as myself who in the past have used a 55-60L pack and are concerned that the Thru might be too small. Thank you to Midwest Backpacker and to Kelly Hayes who showed me via YouTube just how much gear in bulk that this pack could carry. It seems that all the same 3 season gear I had been hauling in the 55L stuffs just fine into the Thru with just a bit more finessing. (no extra pockets other than the one supplied hip-belt pocket). With a base weight at 14.5 lbs, including my 4lb free-standing 2 person tent, there is ample room for 5-6 days of food and 2L of water WITHOUT extending the pack collar! And don't forget made-in-U.S.A. which in my many decades of using specialized backpacking, biking, and guitar gear lasts many times longer and outperforms almost all foreign competition. In other words this backpack is real value-worth every penny. Get one. See you on the trail-Peace.
Ryan P.
Absolutely love the pack. The wait was a little crazy but I suppose nice things take time and require patience. It paid off. Thank you for your service and I cannot wait to take my thru 40 on many years worth of adventure.
Luke P.
This pack has everything that I look for in an ultralight backpack. Not only is it extremely lightweight but it is also durable and you can tell there was a lot of care in creating the product. I've had many great packs in my day and this one stacks up with the best of the best. I would also recommend the hipbelt pockets and shoulder pockets. I can fit an iphone13pro max in the shoulder pocket without feeling like it will fall out. Looking forward to many more dusty miles with this one! Buy without hesitation.
Benjamin A.
This pack is awesome, and would/could be five stars, just need to figure out how best to keep my bearcan from slipping out the sides occasionally.
The pack is sized well and fits like a DREAM. The stretchy back/side pockets are awesome. In the side pockets I can fit my tent poles, plus lotsa water bottles, PLUS my ultralight chair, PLUS all my water filter stuff, and still feel like I've got ample room without feeling like I gotta stuff stuff in their or things are gonna fall out.
First roll-pack, I'm already a big fan! That combines with the nylofume liner I got for the inside - also by WGC - I feel like all my stuff inside is secure and reasonably sealed from the elements. There was ample room for stuffing stuff in there, I was almost afraid when I first got it by how small it seemed when I first got it, but there's plenty room for all my sleep system, plus my tent up in that bad boy, it's great!
My one minor hitch with this pack is the Y strap for my Bearcan on top it works good, but occasionally my can will start to wiggle itself out, would love to know if there's an optimum configuration/technique to attaching the bearcan to make sure that doesn't happen, could make me a 5-star!
Cause I'm LOVING this pack, makes me feel so light and spring on the trail! Thanks Waymark!
Gabe H.
Love the framed thru pack! Thank you Waymark
Michael A.
I begin my thru-hike of the AT starting 8 April 2022. Accordingly, I am not able to give a complete review yet. However, upon receipt and inspection, I think it's great. My only "complaint" is the mesh back pocket but that's my fault. I should have specified a lycra pocket.
Alex J.
I was able to get my pack on Wednesday before going on a short overnighter with my thru. It carried about 30 pounds like a champ. Keep putting out amazing gear.
Dennis V.
Just got back from my first trip with the Thru 40. Spent 2 nights on the Eagle Rock Loop in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas. I covered 27 miles in 2 1/2 days. I love that the pack handled the load with ease. So far I am very impressed with the quality of the materials and craftsmanship. I packed out at 24 lbs total including food, 1 liter of water, and fuel. My shoulders got a bit sore, but once I figure out the proper adjustment on the sternum strap, I don’t think that will be a problem. Overall, I think this is a good light weight pack that will handle a decent load without sacrificing durability.
Jared
This was my first experience with a pack like this. I’ve been skeptical of the frameless/minimalist packs but after some prodding from a friend I decided it was time to give it a try. I was blown away at how comfortable this pack was from minute 1! It is easy to load and has excellent characteristics from its balance point to its streamlined loading.
I thought I was going to have a complaint about the shoulder straps as they seemed to rub funny, but I did the sternum strap up (something I don’t do very often) and that problem went away immediately. Once I adjusted my style to how this pack is designed to carry I would honestly say this is one of the most comfortable packs I’ve ever carried. I would recommend this pack to anyone!
