Pa'lante Packs V2 vs Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus 55
Quick take: The Pa'lante Packs V2 costs $5 less; the Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus 55 carries more (58 vs 37 liters); the Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus 55 is lighter (1.13 vs 1.16 lbs).
| Spec | Pa'lante Packs V2 | Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus 55 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $240 | $245 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Ultralight Pack | Ultralight Pack |
| Frame Type | Frameless | Frameless |
| Capacity | 37 L | 58 L |
| Weight | 1.16 lbs | 1.13 lbs |
| Max Load | Not specified by the manufacturer | Not specified by the manufacturer |
| Torso Fit | See manufacturer sizing | See manufacturer sizing |
| Material | 210D UHMWPE Gridstop | UltraGrid 200D or Ultra X 200/100D |
| Back Panel | None (frameless) | Frameless |
| Adjustable torso | No | No |
| Ventilated back | No | No |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | Yes |
| 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 V2
- ✓18.6 oz is the lightest pack in this catalog by a clear margin, over 3 oz under the next lightest.
- ✓210D UHMWPE Gridstop is far tougher than its weight suggests, using a gridded high-modulus yarn to stop tears spreading.
- ✓The signature bottom pocket puts rain gear and snacks within reach without removing the pack.
- ✓Frameless construction means nothing rigid to break, bend or rattle.
- ✓Simplicity is the point: fewer seams, buckles and panels than any framed competitor.
- ✓Holds its value strongly on the used market, which offsets the price.
- ✓A genuine cult following among long-distance hikers, earned over multiple design generations.
- ✓Hipbelt pockets are included despite the minimal design.
- ✗Frameless means the load rides entirely on the shoulders; above roughly 20 lb it becomes punishing.
- ✗37 L is too small for winter kit, long food carries or bear canisters.
- ✗$240 is a lot for a pack with no frame, no lid and minimal hardware.
- ✗Requires careful, disciplined packing -- a foam pad against the back is effectively mandatory.
- ✗Pa'lante runs limited production drops, so availability is intermittent.
- ✗No published maximum load figure.
- ✗Warranty terms are not published in the way major brands publish them.
- ✗Entirely the wrong pack for anyone still carrying a 25 lb base weight.
Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus 55
- ✓1 lb 2 oz for 58 L of measured volume is among the best weight-to-volume ratios in this catalog.
- ✓A choice of UltraGrid or Ultra X fabric lets the buyer trade cost against durability.
- ✓58 L is large enough for a bear canister and a long food carry.
- ✓MLD has been building ultralight packs longer than almost anyone in the segment.
- ✓The $245 entry price is reasonable for a made-to-order pack in a premium fabric.
- ✓Frameless construction has nothing rigid to bend or break.
- ✓Hipbelt pockets included.
- ✓Simple, proven design refined across many generations.
- ✗Frameless at 58 L is the most demanding volume-to-support combination in this catalog.
- ✗Price varies from $245 to $325 by fabric, so the headline figure understates most builds.
- ✗No published maximum load figure.
- ✗MLD does not publish pack weights on its own shop pages, so weight comes from third-party testing.
- ✗No adjustable torso.
- ✗Made-to-order lead times.
- ✗Only suits hikers with genuinely low base weights.
- ✗Warranty terms are not published in detail.