Six Moon Designs Swift V vs Six Moon Designs Flight 30
Quick take: The Six Moon Designs Flight 30 costs $50 less; the Six Moon Designs Swift V carries more (56 vs 31 liters); the Six Moon Designs Flight 30 is lighter (1.64 vs 2.24 lbs).
Which one to buy
A frame and 18 L separate these two Six Moon Designs packs, and your trip length decides which you need. The Flight 30 is a frameless 31 L fastpack with a 20 lb ceiling and a 9 lb base-weight target, built for overnights at a running or fast-hiking pace. The Swift V is a 56 L backpacking pack on a Delrin hoop frame, which Six Moon rates to 35 lb with the hoop and hipbelt in place, and recommends keeping under 25 lb when run frameless.
That hoop is the Swift's signature. It flexes with your body on uneven ground, though it gives up some rigidity to aluminum stays at the top of the range. The extra volume also matters for regulations: 56 L holds a bear canister plus several days of food, usually placed vertically with soft goods around it, which a 31 L frameless pack can't do. The Swift adds hipbelt pockets too, which the Flight lacks.
The harness question overlaps. The Flight comes with Six Moon's vest harness, and the Swift offers both a vest and a standard harness. The vest takes an adjustment period. Both use 100D Robic, which is less tear-resistant than laminates and not waterproof, but far easier to repair in the field. Bring a liner for either, and expect the Swift to see more use simply because it covers more kinds of trips.
Six Moon Designs Swift V
For multi-day backpacking with a bear canister or several days of food, where you want a flexible hoop frame and hipbelt pockets.
Six Moon Designs Flight 30
Made for fastpackers and overnight runners whose kit fits a 9 lb base weight and a 20 lb total.
| Spec | Six Moon Designs Swift V | Six Moon Designs Flight 30 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $250 | $200 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Ultralight Pack | Ultralight Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Frameless |
| Capacity | 56 L (41 L body + 10 L collar + 5 L pockets) | 31 L |
| Weight | 2.24 lbs | 1.64 lbs |
| Max Load | 35 lbs | 20 lbs (9 lb recommended base weight) |
| Torso Fit | Adjustable 16-22 in | Adjustable 16-22 in |
| Material | 100D Robic nylon with Ultra Stretch pockets | 100D Robic nylon with 4-way stretch pockets (X-Pac VX21 side-panel option) |
| Back Panel | Delrin hoop stay frame | 3D mesh contact panel, no frame |
| Adjustable torso | Yes | Yes |
| Ventilated back | No | No |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | No |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | No | No |
| Fits BV500 bear can | No | No |
| Warranty | Warranted to the original owner against defects in materials and workmanship (no time limit stated); excludes accidents, wear and tear, rips and tears | Warranted to the original owner against defects in materials and workmanship (no time limit stated); excludes accidents, wear and tear, rips and tears |
Pros & cons
Six Moon Designs Swift V
- ✓The Delrin hoop flexes with body movement instead of resisting it, which suits uneven terrain.
- ✓100D Robic nylon is a conventional woven fabric that is far easier to field-repair than Ultra laminates.
- ✓$250 ($275 with the vest harness) is mid-range for this segment and below most Ultra-fabric packs.
- ✓Ultra Stretch external pockets hold shape better than plain mesh.
- ✓56 L has room for several days of food, though Six Moon Designs does not confirm bear-canister fit.
- ✓Six Moon Designs has one of the longest track records among cottage makers.
- ✓The hoop frame has no stays to bend or lose.
- ✓Hipbelt pockets included.
- ✗At 35.9 oz with hoop stay, standard harness and hipbelt it is one of the heavier packs in this ultralight comparison group.
- ✗100D Robic is less tear-resistant than gridded or laminate fabrics of similar weight.
- ✗Not waterproof, unlike the Ultra-fabric packs at this price.
- ✗A Delrin hoop is less rigid than aluminium stays under heavy loads.
- ✗Limited retail presence for in-person fitting.
Six Moon Designs Flight 30
- ✓Adjustable torso from 16 to 22 in on a frameless vest pack, which almost no fastpack offers; the competition sizes by chest.
- ✓14 oz body weight; the 26.2 oz figure includes the removable harness and an optional hipbelt.
- ✓$200 in Robic is the cheapest route into Six Moon Designs' vest-harness system.
- ✓A published 20 lb ceiling and a 9 lb base-weight target rather than guesswork.
- ✓The optional hipbelt comes in multiple sizes and removes entirely for vest-only running.
- ✗31 L total is modest once the 23 L body is full; the collar and pockets add only 8 L.
- ✗No frame and no sit pad, so the back panel is only 3D mesh over your gear.
- ✗The waterproof X-Pac VX21 build adds $75.
Six Moon Designs Swift V vs Six Moon Designs Flight 30: common questions
Can the Flight 30 replace the Swift V for a weekend backpacking trip?▾
Only with a small, light kit. The Flight's 20 lb ceiling and 31 L of volume suit a 9 lb base weight, while Six Moon rates the Swift V to 35 lb on its hoop frame and its 56 L holds a canister and several days of food.
Is the vest harness on these packs hard to get used to?▾
It takes an adjustment period, and in exchange it spreads weight across your chest with pockets for food, phone and bottles. The Flight 30 comes with the vest; on the Swift you can choose a standard harness instead.
Does either Six Moon pack keep gear dry in rain?▾
Not on their own. Both standard builds use 100D Robic, which is not waterproof, so carry a pack liner. The upside of woven Robic is that it's far easier to repair in the field than laminates.