Lightweight 45 litre mountaineering pack ski touring

Orion 45l mountain pack a serious lightweight contender

By Kenny Stocker 16 Feb 2024

Weight is a killer when you are climbing. The Alpkit Orion 45L Mountain Pack, stands out for its lightweight, affordability, essential features and robust materials.

Our Orion 45 litre mountain backpack has been featured in Trek & Mountains' Group Test of 40 - 50 litre mountain packs. Orion 45L was praised for its affordability and essential features.

They say

The Orion 45L stands out for its competitive price and essential features, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious adventurers. The pack uses high-quality materials, including 420-denier nylon ripstop with a PU coating and a durable 840-denier nylon base, ensuring it can withstand wear and tear.

Its design includes a traditional top loader with a fixed lid, internal and external lid pockets, and side stretchy pockets, offering convenience and tidiness. However, its back system, consisting of a padded foam panel, is simpler compared to other packs with metal stays and backboards, which might lead to increased back fatigue during longer treks with heavier loads.

The Orion 45L offers the essential features and robust materials, making it a great value for its price.

Despite its simpler back system, the pack's hipbelt and adjustable features provide comfort and ease of use. The absence of dedicated ski loops is noted, but skis can still be securely attached using the compression straps.

We say

The Alpkit Orion 45L is an excellent choice if you want a lightweight, durable and affordable mountain pack. Weight is killer when climbing. In the test Orion was the 2nd lightest behind the £150 more expensive Arc'teryx Alpha FL40 and 600g lighter than the £120 more expensive Exped Couloir 40. Overall, the Orion 45L is a strong contender in its price range, offering durability, essential features, and affordability.