TRADITIONAL TOP LOADER
“Airy and easy to adjust” is how one tester summed up the Locus 40. It’s light, too: The minimalist design boasts an impressive weight-to-capacity ratio. Torso adjustment takes just a few seconds, then the pack slides into place. The AeroFly suspension rides nice and tight to the body; even when hauling 40-plus pounds, it still kept a nice breeze on our backs. The meshy shoulder straps and hipbelt are comfy, although some testers wondered how well they’d stand up to long-term abuse. Rummaging around? Not so fast: The Locus is a top loader, with one big compartment, so there’s only one way in. 3.2 lbs, 2,500 cu in; kelty.com