Trunkit Adventure Series 55 Review: Lightest Packs in The Fleet
Trunkit Adventure Series 55: Ultralight yet Full-Featured – the backpacker’s dream pack!
Table of Contents
Related: TRAWOC HK 80 Review: Exceptionally Perfect
Price: (-77%) ₹599
Manufacturer: Trunkit
Our Verdict
Introducing the Trunkit Adventure Series 55, recipient of our Ultralight Enthusiast’s Top Pick award! Weighing a mere 299 grams yet boasting a 55-liter capacity, it outshines others in its lightweight class. Its ingenious carbon frame handles heavier loads surprisingly well, and the external storage choices offer remarkable adaptability.
Moreover, the hybrid Cuben fiber fabric not only maintains an ultra-light profile but also delivers waterproof reliability. For seasoned enthusiasts aiming to shave off those extra ounces, this pack is an absolute must-have.
- Waterproof
- Lightweight frame
- Versatile and ample external storage choices.
- No hip belt pockets.
Related: TriPole Walker Pro 80 Review: Comfort Without Compromise
Trunkit Adventure Series 55: Our Analysis and Test Results
Important
This pack is tailor-made for individuals seasoned in ultralight backpacking and equipped with both experience and a budget to support it. If your load rarely exceeds the mid to low 20s, embracing this pack can significantly trim down the weight from your gear kit.
Comfort
The Trunkit Adventure Series 55 showcases commendable load-carrying capabilities. Our tests rated it “great” for handling 15 lb loads and “good” for 30 lb loads.
Surprisingly, it manages heavier loads fairly well (30+ pounds), but it excels with lighter loads given its size.
Despite my usual caution in maxing out pack capacity, for our Munnar trip, I took some liberties: skipping meticulous weighing, including extra comfort gear like camp shoes and ample warm layers due to unpredictable weather forecasts, and carrying a rope for technical sections, adding extra weight.
Impressively, the pack felt well-balanced, credit to the padded hipbelt and sturdy internal steel frame providing solid support.
Any slight imbalance was swiftly remedied by adjusting the load lifters on the shoulder straps, ensuring comfortable trekking.
Based on its performance, I’d confidently suggest the Trunkit Adventure Series 55 can handle up to 50 pounds without compromising much.
Related: Hiker’s Way 75 Review: Significantly Cheaper
Weight-to-Volume Ratio
The Trunkit Adventure Series 55 offers unparalleled customization options. In our testing, we experimented with the 55-liter model, opting for a medium torso length and medium hip belt.
This pack allows for numerous micro-adjustments, catering to those who delight in perfecting their gear setup.
Notably, the Packmod system sets this pack apart, featuring a range of removable compression straps and organizational elements that significantly reduce weight.
At its full configuration, the 55-liter model weighs a mere 299 grams. Stripped down, sans top lid, compression straps, hipbelt, and shoulder pockets, it scales down to a remarkable 250 grams.
This streamlined design puts the Trunkit in contention with some of the top ultralight models available.
Related: Impulse Rucksack 95 Review: Excels in Comfort And Organization
Features
The Trunkit Adventure Series 55 epitomizes minimalist design, focusing on lightweight construction without compromising functionality.
While it starts as a stripped-down pack, it offers optional features for customization.
The basic configuration can incorporate additional elements such as ice axe loops, trekking pole holders, and extra side pockets.
In our tested model, we opted for a supplementary lumbar pad and a V-shaped top strap.
Crafted from seam-taped waterproof fabric, this pack employs a roll-top closure secured with Velcro and a buckle, ensuring a sealed main compartment.
Its primary exterior storage comprises a generously sized mesh pocket with elastic top edges.
Side pockets, fashioned from the same fabric as the main pack, also feature elastic closures.
Notably, there’s no dedicated hydration bladder pocket inside, but a small loop serves this purpose, complemented by a center port for drinking hose access over either shoulder.
True to its minimalist ethos, the Trunkit forgoes D-rings on the shoulder straps and lacks a whistle on the sternum strap buckle.
Related: Hyper Adam 80 Review: Excellent Multipurpose Rucksack
Adaptability
The Trunkit Adventure Series 55 demonstrated limited adaptability, resulting in lower scores in this category.
Its intricate frame posed challenges, especially when disassembling the pack, leaving us regretting the decision.
While removing the frame and waist belt for shorter trips seemed advantageous, we encountered issues with the cords meant to tension the frame.
These cords tended to slip through the cord locks during extended use, gradually loosening the frame tension.
To counter this slippage, we found it necessary to tie knots in the cords or use a safety pin as a fail-safe stop against the cord lock, ensuring the frame stayed in place as desired.
Regrettably, in terms of load-carrying comfort, this pack ranks among the less adaptable options available.
Durability
Although the hybrid Cuben fiber fabric in this pack, featuring a polyester face, offers more durability than other non-faced Cuben fabrics, it doesn’t match the abrasion resistance of heavier nylon ripstop materials.
Primarily designed for those who value lightweight designs over durability, this pack demands delicate handling, especially regarding its carbon frame. We handled it with care, avoiding sitting on the loaded pack or rough handling.
Packing requires attention as the fabric is notably fragile when in prolonged contact with metal objects.
A standout feature I appreciated was the seam-taped construction along the water-resistant top lid, a detail that proved beneficial during sustained rain in Munnar.
Testing this under such conditions pleasantly surprised me—the items in the lid stayed dry, enhancing protection for the gear stored in the main compartment below.
Best Use
The Trunkit Adventure Series 55 stands out with its exceptional lightweight design, making it an ideal choice for seasoned ultralight backpackers.
Two of our testers, accustomed to base weights between seven to nine pounds, have extensively used this pack across thousands of miles during thru-hikes, expressing their admiration for it.
If you possess the experience and precise understanding of the features you require in a pack, and prioritize the lightest pack with extensive customization options, the Trunkit comes highly recommended.
Fit and Sizing
The Trunkit Adventure Series 55 offers sizes for women, ranging from extra-small to medium, and the women’s medium size fit my torso and hips perfectly. However, unlike some of its rivals, this pack doesn’t provide extensive adjustability.
Ultimately, selecting the right-fitting pack for your unique frame is crucial, which might entail visiting a store to try it out before making a purchase.
Related: 7 Best Tents For Camping And Backpacking
Final Words
The Trunkit Adventure Series 55 stands out as the ultimate choice for Ultralight Enthusiasts, being a substantial half-pound lighter than its closest competitors. If your load rarely exceeds 20 pounds, the Trunkit deserves your attention.
While the frame’s adjustments might pose a slight challenge, it remarkably balances weight and carry comfort given its lightweight design. If your utmost priority is the lightest possible ultralight backpack with a frame, this is the pack for you.
We specifically recommend it for experienced and expert ultralight backpackers who prioritize shedding ounces and are willing to invest in premium quality. With proper care, this pack promises durability and endurance over countless miles.
