These packs have the best hip belts and weight transfer! I intended my Aquilo purchase as a "Parent Pack," to replace my old load-hauler for taking my kids backpacking. I used it for all three of my backpacking trips last summer. Turns out it's replacing my prior lightweight pack too. I had two solo trips back-to-back (so to speak) this summer. Packing for the first I thought: "I'll bring my other cottage brand lightweight pack, because it's that much lighter and I don't need the extra volume." I had gotten used to the excellent Elemental Horizons fit—oh how I missed that hipbelt! Last week, for the second trip, I took the Aquilo, and had a "Aaaah, that's much better" feeling every time I put the pack on, even though it was more capacity than I needed. Seriously I'd rather carry all my kid's gear in the Aquilo, than just my stuff in my other pack. This is really the only pack I need. (But not the only pack I want. In a perfect, money-is-no-object world I'd also have XT Kalais!) If you are hesitant to buy a pack without the ability to try it on in person, let me assure you that, sized and adjusted correctly, the risk that you won't love this pack seems very, very low. I live in a city where I'm lucky to be able to try on a lot of cottage brand lightweight packs at brick & mortar retail stores. Nothing I've tried compares as well to Elemental Horizons.

Before acquiring this excellent backpack I studied and reviewed the different packages of the main manufacturers of ultralight equipment, being Elemental Horizons the best performance. The finishes are impeccable, the first quality materials, it allows you to carry all the winter equipment with ease (ice axes, crampons, shovel, probe, helmet, rope, etc), and The pockets are very wide. It is very comfortable to wear, with all the necessary adjustment straps in this backpack size.

Let me start by saying the customer service is second to none. Matt was extremely helpful with all my questions on fit and material and honestly just seems like a good fellow. Now on to the pack, fit and finish well beyond my expectations. for a Quick shake down loaded down with my typical load- bridge hammock TQ/UQ cook kit and clothes the tossed in 1 gallon jug of water. Went for a quick hike flat land "I live in DFW so it was 100+ dg , the pack ridiculously light and comfortably, the hip belt design is awesome the double strap system conforms great with awesome weight transfer ,the shoulder straps are also excellent not too think not too thin. The big trip "Just got back from ERL 26mil" full load similar to test weight and still excellent. Have run a Osprey atmos 65 ag and Ula catalyst both great packs but the Aquilo for me is perfect. Thank you Matt for the awesome pack and Happy Trails.

Wanted to take a minute to review the Aquilo XT. I did something that was really dumb but turned out to be the best decision I could have made. I purchased this pack for a section hike of the AT. My current pack was not comfortable and plus it was about 6 pounds. I studied this pack and discussed it with another vendor who recommended it to me as well as pestering Matthew with many questions. When I realized he could get the pack delivered the Friday before my trip I took a chance. I literally walked onto the AT with this pack without ever trying it. Boy was that the best decision I could have made. Pack was comfortable from the start and I loved the design. Pockets on outside were perfect for hydration bag, tarp and other supplies that I wanted to have handy (rain gear, etc). I love this pack so much that when I saw it go on sale during trail days I got one for my wife too. I can't wait for her to see how well this pack performs. Thank You Matthew for all you support in getting the fit right the first time!