REASONS TO BUY
Sensationally lightweight
Durable and stretchy exterior pockets
Clever bottom stash pocket
Cost-conscious design
REASONS TO AVOID
No option for a frame
Need to DIY any back padding
Requires base weight of 10 lbs or less
Pa'lante V2 Review
A no-nonsense, rugged pack for folks seeking freedom of movement through simplicity in design
Minimalist but expertly designed, the Pa'lante V2 is a great option for experienced ultralight backpackers.
Credit: Justin Simoni
By Justin Simoni ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ June 10, 2026
RELATED: The Best Ultralight Backpack of 2026
Our Verdict
"Elegant and simple" succinctly describes the Pa'lante V2. While other packs try to bundle in more and more features, this ultralight backpack keeps things streamlined. The 35 liters of internal storage will swallow up your base kit and many days' worth of food, and well-placed external pockets keep necessities close at hand throughout the day – one of our favorites is a clever stash pocket at the bottom of the pack. As with other true ultralight packs, you'll have to pack the V2 lean, as this backpack doesn't feature any frame or back padding. Even though this pack is impressively light, tipping the scales at just 18.6 ounces, it's built for cross-country trips that last all summer.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Pa'lante V2 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Ultralight Backpack |  Best Bang For Your Buck | |||
| Price | $240 List | $315 List | $279 List | $275 List | $92 List Check Amazon (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A no-nonsense, rugged pack for folks seeking freedom of movement through simplicity in design | This pack wowed us with its perfect set of features, comfortable design, and impressively large carrying capacity | A tough, voluminous, and reasonably priced ultralight backpack that's perfectly designed for long trips | You can carry silverback-sized loads with supreme comfort, thanks to this pack's excellent design, which transfers pack weight from your shoulders to your hips | A compelling option if other ultralight packs are simply too expensive |
| Rating Categories | Pa'lante V2 | Gossamer Gear Maripo... | Durston Kakwa 55 | Gossamer Gear Gorill... | 3F UL Gear Qidian Pro |
| Comfort (40%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (25%) | |||||
| Weight-to-Volume Ratio (20%) | |||||
| Adjustability (15%) | |||||
| Specifications | Pa'lante V2 | Gossamer Gear Maripo... | Durston Kakwa 55 | Gossamer Gear Gorill... | 3F UL Gear Qidian Pro |
| Measured Weight | 18.6 oz | 34.3 oz | 31.0 oz | 32 oz | 31.0 oz |
| Stripped Weight | 18.6 oz | 18.0 oz | 27.5 oz | 16.2 oz | 31.0 oz |
| Advertised Volume | 37 L | 60 L | 70 L | 50 L | 56 L |
| Measured Volume (Main Compartment) | 35 L | 54 L | 55 L | 45 L | 53 L |
| Weight per Liter (Full Pack) | 0.50 oz/L | 0.57 oz/L | 0.44 oz/L | 0.64 oz/L | 0.55 oz/L |
| Sizes Available | Torso: 16", 19" | Torso: S, M, L Hip Belt: S/M Curved (w/ S torso), M Straight (w/ M and L torso); other hip belts sold separately |
Torso: S, M, L Hip Belt S/M, M/L |
Torso: S, M, L Hip Belt: S/M Curved (w/ S torso), M Straight (w/ M and L torso); other hip belts sold separately |
Torso: One size |
| Organization Compartments | Side pockets, center pocket, bottom stash pocket, main compartment | Top flat zippered pocket, three total side pockets, center pocket, dual zippered pockets on hip belt, main compartment | Side pockets, side zipper pocket, center pocket, hip belt pockets, strap pockets, main compartment | Top flat zippered pocket, side pockets, center pocket, dual zippered pockets on hip belt, main compartment | Side pockets, center pocket, hip belt pockets, main compartment |
| Hydration Compatible | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Side Pocket 700ml Smartwater Capacity | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Single Hip Belt Pocket Capacity | N/A | 6 Clif Bars | 10 Cliff Bars | 6 Clif Bars | 10 Cliff Bars |
| Removable Frame and Hip Belt | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Sternum Strap Whistle | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| BearVault BV500 Compatibility | Good | Good | Excellent | OK | Good |
| Frame Type | None | Removable SitLight foam pad / removable stay | Removable foam pad / removable stay | Removable SitLight foam pad / removable stay | None |
| Fabric | 210D UHMWPE Gridstop | 100D & 210D recycled Robic nylon | Challenge Ultra 200x | 70D & 100D recycled Robic nylon | UHMWPE mixed nylon |
Our Analysis and Test Results
=The 210D UHMWPE gridstop pack fabric is a modest choice that helps keep the price a bit more reasonable on the V2. The exterior pockets on the back, sides, and shoulders, and the clever storage pocket on the underside of the pack all use a stretchy, tear-resistant UHMWPE grid mesh.
The stoke is high when wearing the Pa'lante V2! Credit: Justin Simoni
Likes
The Pa'lante V2 keeps things simple and very, very light. This pack weighs only 18.6 ounces (527 grams) with an advertised capacity of 37 liters. This base weight-to-capacity ratio (0.5 oz/L) is very impressive – many of the other ultralight packs we tested struggle to get even close to this number.
However, the advertised capacity is a very conservative estimate. We measured the internal capacity of the Pa'lante V2 at a respectable 35 liters, which is plenty for ultralight backpackers with an optimized kit.
We measured the internal capacity at 35 liters, closely matching the manufacturer's 37-liter specification. Credit: Justin Simoni
What we really love were the stretchy yet durable exterior pockets on the center and sides, as well as vest pockets and a clever pocket on the underside of the pack.
The shoulder straps are comfortable and feature two vest-style pockets to hold snacks, your phone, or a small bicycle water bottle. Credit: Justin Simoni
The bottom stash pocket is surprisingly large, and thanks to the durable UHMPWE mesh, it's one of our favorite pockets for stashing jackets or even small shelters. Credit: Justin Simoni
There's plenty of storage space on the outside of the V2. Credit: Justin Simoni
The use of lightweight UHMWPE and the absence of a frame or back padding are among the secrets to its lightweight design. Despite the lack of back padding, the V2 is surprisingly comfortable. The wide shoulder straps helped distribute the weight across our shoulders, and a smaller, more compact backpack was a refreshing change after using much larger packs.
Since there's not much to the V2, the entire pack can be rolled up to fit in your hand. Credit: Justin Simoni
Dislikes
The Pa'lante V2 is an unapologetic ultralight backpack that eschews many features found in more popular packs. Instead, this pack is simple, functional, and lightweight. But as a result, it's not very adjustable.
There are no load lifters, and the hip belt doesn't transfer much weight onto your hips. Because there is no back padding, you'll want to know how to pack your sleeping pad for a bit of support. Since this pack is so lightweight, carrying a baseweight of 10 lbs or less is essential.
Furthermore, there are limited lash points to carry gear outside your pack. There's really just a single top strap that you can use to hold extra layers for easy access, or to strap down a bear canister.
A simple hook buckle cinches down and secures the roll top. A haul loop is integrated into the strap. Credit: Justin Simoni
Should You Buy the Pa'lante V2?
The V2 is an exceptional pack for veteran ultralight backpackers who have already dialed down their base kit to 10 lbs or less. It's a superlight pack with a simple yet functional design that lets you make quick work of miles on the trail. We love the stretchy, durable exterior pockets, but the design is otherwise minimalist. If you're just moving over from a more conventional backpacking setup, we suggest looking at other options first.
What Other Ultralight Backpacks Should You Consider?
If you're just starting out, look into the Granite Gear Crown3 60, which offers a modular design that can be stripped down as you gain experience. The Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra weighs only a bit more than the Pa'lante V2 but offers some healthy back support the V2 lacks. For a larger pack that's a bit more adaptable, check out the The Nashville Cutaway.
—Justin Simoni
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