Exped lightning 60 review - Exped Lightning 60 Backpack

I haven't had a chance to field test the pack, only loaded it up with 30lbs of gear and carried around my house. Pack is very light and adjustment is very simple. Bare bones with only the two side external water bottle pockets. Hip belt is thick and fits nicely over my hipbones. Lumbar pad is blocky and not very contoured, it sits fine on my sacrum but also touches my lumbar region. I'm not sure if this will be a problem or if the pad will settle in a bit with wear. It doesn't really bother me but may bother some folks. Overall the hip belt transfers weight very well. The shoulder straps are relatively thin with a grosgrain edge. There is thicker padding over the shoulder but padding is very thin along the front of my shoulder, making the grosgrain 'edge' rub on the front of my shoulder. This is the biggest issue I have and I'm not sure if the straps will be a problem in the long run. The load transfer is good enough that I can unload the weight from my shoulders to reduce any rubbing but who knows after a long sweaty hike - they may cause hot spots. The aluminum stay doesn't touch my back at all and overall the pack doesn't touch anywhere except where it rides on the lumbar pad and the shoulder blades. There is almost no structure to the packbag and no foam panel, however, so hard items may poke in the back unless packed carefully. Overall, I like it. Transfers weight really well, I think will carry 40lbs. Good airflow to your back. If the straps don't cause issues, its a keeper.