Classic ultralight, properly executed
This is what ultralight packs looked like before everyone started adding features that hikers didn't ask for. It's a cylindrical roll-top design with an expandable main compartment – simple, effective, and reminiscent of the early UL packs that started the whole movement. What sets it apart is the material: Ultra 200X, a waterproof laminate that combines woven UHMWPE and recycled polyester. It's one of the strongest backpack laminates for its weight currently on the market, which matters when you're trusting it to haul everything you need for days on end. The back features a removable pad for comfort without commitment, whilst lightweight mesh pockets on the front and sides swallow drinks, layers, and the small stuff you're reaching for constantly. Capacity ranges from 35 to 43 litres depending on how much you're carrying, with the expandable "little turtle" section alone holding 8 litres. The oversized elastic around the mesh pocket is designed so you can insert a foam mat vertically. Straps and waistband are made from Spectra material for strength without bulk, and whilst the construction stays deliberately simple, there's a padded hip belt for distributing weight on longer days.
- 35–43L expandable capacity with roll-top closure
- Ultra 200X laminate for exceptional strength-to-weight ratio
- Spectra straps and waistband for durability
- Removable back pad for customisable comfort
- Front and side mesh pockets for quick-access storage
- Extended elastic allows vertical sleeping mat carry
- Padded hip belt for load distribution
- Weighs just 518g
- Dimensions (H × W × D): 55 × 28 × 15.5cm
- Capacity: 35L–43L
- Weight: 518g
- Main body & base: Ultra (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibre)
- Straps & waistband: Spectra material
- Front & side pockets: Lightweight mesh fabric
If you’re the kind of hiker who measures pack weight in grams rather than kilos, who knows their base weight down to the last stuff sack, and who's figured out that carrying less means walking further, Trail Bum is built for you.
Created by Japanese ultralight pioneer Tomoya Tsuchiya – owner of cult Tokyo outdoor store Hiker's Depot – this is his backpacking philosophy distilled into packs that strip away everything unnecessary. The brand name says it all: these are bags for people who'd rather spend time on the trail than living in the city, designed with the streamlined simplicity that reflects that lifestyle. No excess features, no unnecessary weight, just functional gear that lets you focus on the path ahead.
Tsuchiya introduced ultralight hiking in Japan when it was still considered radical, opening his store in 2008 and championing the idea that reducing your load isn't about being lightly equipped – it's about distilling kit down to essentials through cutting-edge design. Every Trail Bum pack embodies that philosophy, built from advanced composite materials like ALUULA, Spectra fibre and Ultra 200X that offer exceptional strength-to-weight ratios.
Whether you're planning mega thru-hikes, wild camping getaways, or just reconsidering how much you actually need to carry, Trail Bum represents the evolution of what a backpack can be when you stop adding features and instead start asking what you can take away.
