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Mountain Hardwear’s New Ultralight Backpack Is Big on Utility, Low on Bulk

Comfort, durability and performance come together in one highly technical hauler built to push the boundaries of ultralight design.

Close-up of a white translucent bag with black and orange straps against a red background.Mountain Hardwear
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By Hayley Helms

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As winter gives way to spring, our outdoor gear shifts along with it. Shell jackets can be worn without insulating layers underneath, heavy-duty boots can be set aside in favor of lightweight hiking shoes and snowboarding kits get traded out for trail running setups.

Across the board, things get lighter and more minimal.

For its Spring 2026 collection, Mountain Hardwear approached that seasonal lightness with a laser focus.

Among the pieces in its ultralight lineup, the highly technical Alakazam 45 Liter Pack is a true standout.

Light gray hiking backpack with black mesh back panel, green rolled sleeping pad on top, yellow foam sleeping mat attached at bottom, and trekking poles on side.
Mountain Hardwear’s new pack blends mountaineering-grade construction with trail-ready utility.
Mountain Hardwear

Tread lightly

The Alakazam 45 Liter Backpack marries mountaineering-grade construction with trail-ready utility in a format that weighs less than two pounds.

Close-up of two red trekking poles with cork handles secured by black straps on a gray grid-patterned fabric and yellow foam sleeping pad.
Aluula shell fabric is the industry leader in ultra lightweight and ultra durable materials.
Mountain Hardwear

The fully waterproof pack achieves its hyper-minimal, extra-durable capabilities thanks to the use of Aluula shell fabric.

The bonded and adhesive-free material is an industry leader thanks to its novel fusion manufacturing method, where mono-polymer fibers are fused at the molecular level to form a single substance that is strong, light and carries no risk of delamination or fraying.

Close-up of a black mesh backpack back panel with two water bottles in side pockets and adjustable chest straps.
The vest-style shoulder straps with dual drop-in pockets, secure zip pockets, and sternum straps with daisy chain webbing for strap adjustment.
Mountain Hardwear

Along with its unique material, the featherlight backpack focuses on comfort by way of a swivel hipbelt, which distributes the load naturally, and Mountain Hardwear’s patented compression system, which can be used in motion to compress your pack on your back and keep it from bouncing around as you move.

Gray Mountain Hardwear backpack with blue water container strapped on top, red trekking poles on sides, and yellow foam sleeping pad attached at the bottom.
The pack comes in 45 liter and 60 liter sizes.
Mountain Hardwear

The dual-density foam backpanel and shoulder straps feature a mesh overlay that improves airflow and increases drying time, while the V-shaped aluminum frame provides lightweight structure and weight distribution.

Pocket dial

Highly technical fabrication and thoughtful structural details aren’t the whole story when it comes to the Alakazam; there’s a lot more going on with this new pack.

Top view of a gray Mountain Hardwear backpack showing a hydration reservoir secured inside with an orange clip.
The technical new pack is hydration compatible, thanks to an internal pocket.
Mountain Hardwear

Available in 45-liter and 60-liter sizes, the Alakazam can handle fastpacking and multi-day adventures without missing a beat, thanks to its full suite of functional details.

These include the roll-top design, which is fully waterproof and makes the interior of the pack simple to access.

Close-up of a black mesh back panel on a light gray backpack with side pockets holding water bottles.
The breathable back panel, up close.
Mountain Hardwear

There’s also a large front storage pocket for extra gear or your shell, oversized side water bottle pockets with side access that can fit tent poles, additional layers and sleeping pads and an internal storage pocket for organizing essentials.

Finally, there are load lifters for load carry adjustment, trekking pole loops with top cord keeper and dual vertical daisy chains for even more carrying options.

Light gray hiking backpack with black mesh back panel, two water bottles in side pockets, and padded hip belt.
The proprietary Gait Keeper hip belt design maximizes load carry efficiency and comfort.
Mountain Hardwear

As you can see, this thing is packed (pun intended) with innovation, functional features and advanced materials and consequently carries a high price tag.

On the upside, its performance capabilities ensure you won’t be buying another bag anytime soon. Quality over quantity, right?

Availability and pricing

The Mountain Hardwear Alakazam 45L Backpack is available now on the brand’s website, retailing for $575.

About the Author: Hayley Helms is an associate editor at Gear Patrol specializing in outdoor gear. Once upon a time, she wrote for Men’s Journal, Gearjunkie and Shape. Whether it’s testing a new rain shell or putting a pair of hiking boots through its paces, she leaves no stone unturned (however, she always Leaves No Trace).

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