Pa'lante Packs Alpine Pack vs Pa'lante Packs Desert Pack
Quick take: The Pa'lante Packs Desert Pack carries more (37 vs 33 liters); the Pa'lante Packs Desert Pack is lighter (1.14 vs 1.26 lbs).
Which one to buy
Rock or water? Pa'lante builds both at $240 from UHMWPE gridstop, both frameless, and the name tells you the job. The Alpine Pack uses a carbonate-coated gridstop with heavier 210D grid mesh made for rock contact, plus a 1.2 oz foam back pad, in a 33 L body. The Desert Pack is the higher-volume pack for long water carries: 37 L in the 17 in torso or 43 L in the 19 in, with lighter 70D grid mesh pockets and no back pad.
Oddly, the bigger pack is the lighter one, at 1.14 lbs against the Alpine's 1.26 lbs, mostly because it skips the pad and coating. Fit favors the Desert Pack too: two torso lengths against the Alpine's single 18 in. The Alpine can drop its straps to go under 17.5 oz for summit use.
Neither comes with a load rating, hipbelt pockets or a hydration sleeve, and the Desert Pack carries on a simple webbing belt. For desert miles and big water loads, the Desert Pack's volume and sizing win, and the Alpine's coated fabric only earns its extra weight where the pack scrapes rock.
Pa'lante Packs Alpine Pack
The better fit for scramblers and alpine day objectives where a coated, abrasion-resistant fabric and a foam back pad matter more than volume.
Pa'lante Packs Desert Pack
For desert hikers carrying extra water who want more room, a torso length that fits, and less weight.
| Spec | Pa'lante Packs Alpine Pack | Pa'lante Packs Desert Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $240 | $240 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Ultralight Pack | Ultralight Pack |
| Frame Type | Frameless | Frameless |
| Capacity | 33 L | 37 L |
| Weight | 1.26 lbs | 1.14 lbs |
| Max Load | Not specified by the manufacturer | Not specified by the manufacturer |
| Torso Fit | One size, 18 in torso | 17 in (S/M, 37 L) or 19 in (M/L, 43 L) |
| Material | 210D UHMWPE gridstop with carbonate coating, 210D 2x2 UHMWPE grid mesh | 210D UHMWPE gridstop (or Ultraweave 400X), 70D 3x3 UHMWPE grid mesh |
| Back Panel | 1.2 oz foam back pad | No back pad listed; frameless contact back |
| Adjustable torso | No | No |
| Ventilated back | No | No |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | No | No |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | No | No |
| Fits BV500 bear can | No | No |
| Warranty | Manufacturer warranty; terms not published | Manufacturer warranty; terms not published |
Pros & cons
Pa'lante Packs Alpine Pack
- ✓The carbonate-coated gridstop and heavier 210D grid mesh are built for rock contact.
- ✓Includes a foam back pad, which the Joey lacks.
- ✓Drops below 17.5 oz with the straps removed.
- ✓Same $240 as Pa'lante's other gridstop packs.
- ✗One 18 in torso only.
- ✗No frame, no load rating and no hipbelt pockets.
- ✗No hydration sleeve.
Pa'lante Packs Desert Pack
- ✓Two torso lengths, and the larger one gains 6 L of volume for only 0.6 oz more.
- ✓Under 19 oz in gridstop for up to 43 L.
- ✓UHMWPE gridstop and grid mesh pockets hold up to brush and rock.
- ✓Same $240 price across both sizes.
- ✓A vest-strap option suits hikers who want front bottle storage.
- ✗Frameless with no stated load limit, a real concern for a pack meant for heavy water carries.
- ✗Only a webbing belt; no padded hipbelt or hipbelt pockets.
- ✗No hydration sleeve.
- ✗Bear-canister fit is not addressed.
- ✗The Ultraweave 400X version adds $60 and about 2 oz.
Pa'lante Packs Alpine Pack vs Pa'lante Packs Desert Pack: common questions
Why is the Desert Pack lighter than the Alpine Pack when it holds more?▾
It skips the Alpine's foam back pad and carbonate coating and uses lighter 70D grid mesh. That leaves it at 1.14 lbs for 37 L against the Alpine's 1.26 lbs for 33 L.
Which one fits a torso that isn't 18 inches?▾
The Desert Pack, which comes in 17 in and 19 in torso lengths. The Alpine Pack is made in one 18 in torso only.