Australian Hiker | Whippa Overland Ultralight 40 Hiking Pack

Sizes Small, Medium, Large
Weight - medium size 795 grams
Colour Five curiously-named colours
Capacity-volume 40 litres
Capacity-weight 14 kg

Cost $549.00

Whippa Overland Ultralight 40 Hiking Pack

Pack

Rating

Rating:	8.9 / 10
Value for Money	1.7 / 2
Comfort	1.8 / 2
Weight	1.9 / 2
Durability	1.8 / 2
Versatility	1.7 / 2

Whippa Overland Ultralight 40 Hiking Pack Review

If I am being honest my favourite pack brand is Osprey – it is a brand that suits me well. So, when we had the opportunity to trail-test a few Whippa packs, I was a bit sceptical. For those, like me, not in the know, Whippa specialise in manufacturing ultralight packs that are fast gaining the attention of Aussie ultralight-ers.

Going beyond being ultralight, Whippa packs are purpose built, performance packs and are part of the Summit Gear brand which has been designing and manufacturing outdoor adventure equipment since 1981 in Katoomba – the heart of the Blue Mountains in NSW. Whippa’s focus is on ultralight and lightweight packs for a range of outdoor adventures including hiking with their motto being ‘Lighter, Stronger, Better’.

Manufacturing packs overseas often has the benefit of a cheaper price but the downside is that pack distributors need to commit to a minimum order from the manufacturer. This means making changes is often a time consuming process. The big plus that Whippa has is that design improvements can be made very quickly.

The first Whippa Pack we reviewed was the Whippa X Scotty’s Gone Walkabout Colo 55 Ultralight Hiking Pack (Whippa Colo 55 for short) which was developed in collaboration with hiker Scott Williams of Scotty’s Gone Walkabout fame. The Overland Ultralight 40 Hiking Pack is well a smaller pack being 40 litres and also super lightweight but it is still packed with features. My preference is for the smallest pack possible and I usually use the Osprey Eja 48 Pack which is a great size for everything I need on multi day and multi week hikes. So while the Whippa Overland Ultralight 40 Pack is smaller at 40 litres, I was pleasantly surprised at what I could get into a smaller space. The key is the roll top closure which people will love or hate – I was initially on the fence but soon came to appreciate the practicality.

As the name implies, the Overland is super lightweight – it weighs just 795 grams which means you can savour having a lighter pack or you can add a few more of your favourite things.

The thing that I dislike about most ultralight packs is that to get the weight down, the focus is on stripping away comfort and amenity – there is often less padding on the shoulder straps, fewer and smaller pockets – the list of ‘exclusions’ goes on. Whippa has taken a different tack – the focus is on the lightweight materials and thoughtful design. The result is that the Overland has super padded shoulder straps which for me is essential – no more rubbing or bruising on my shoulders or collarbones! The hip pockets are also large and easily accomodate a phone plus other bits and pieces.

Another thing we assume when it comes to ultralight packs is that they aren’t as durable as packs made from traditional, heavier grade materials. I must admit this thought did pass through my mind on my first inspection of Whippa Overland Ultralight 40 Pack. However, I was pleasantly surprised as I positioned my hiking gear in my preferred sequence into the pack. I was also a little concerned about the noise of the pack fabric – hard to describe but it ‘crinkles’ when empty and I had visions of people being able to hear me coming down the trail a bit like the ‘squeaking’ of the Osprey shoulder straps. However, once loaded up this was not a problem.

There are many features to love about this pack including that the materials are waterproof – yes, waterproof not water resistant – and all of the seams have been taped sealed to deliver a weatherproof pack that will perform in varying weather conditions. This only water entry point into this pack apart from the top opening is the water bladder hose entry. This means that you won’t need a pack cover but a pack liner is always recommended as a precaution particularly if carrying electronics.

The pocketing on this pack is well thought out with the traditional ‘water bottle’ pockets on the sides easy to access although in my case that’s where my hiking poles live when I’m not using them. The hip belt pockets are a good size but more importantly the zips are easy to open and close which I find an issue in most packs. The large rear pocket can be filled with things you want to access through the day or in my case my tent.

My preference is to carry around 12kg when fully packed which the Whippa Overland Ultralight 40 Pack handled well. I still had room for some extra items and more weight but I stick to the guidance of only carrying a maximum of 20% body weight.

This pack comes in three sizes – small, medium and large. I tested the small size which worked well for my 165 cm height although I was at the end of the frame extension. And it comes in five curiously-named colours: White Blue Wave, Black Red Black Out, Black White Blue Smoke, Gravel Grey Tangerine Orange, and Gravel Grey Black Out.

Price wise this pack is AUD $549.00 RRP plus shipping so it sits squarely in the price range for ultralight packs of this size and quality. In talking with people who have used Whippa packs, there seems to be a bit of a cult-like following and if you are into hiking regularly then the pricing is well worth it for the construction and features on offer. If you want to know more about Whippa pack in general listen to podcast episode 327 where we talk to the owner of Whippa packs.

This is a very comfortable pack to wear – it seems to hug me in a good way and you’ll see me using the Overland during future trail reviews … I might have joined Whippa’s cult following!

We Like

Robust highly water resistant construction means you won‘t need a pack cover
Flattened base of the pack so it stands up more independently
Large weatherproof stash pocket at the rear of the pack to store items that you want to be readily accessible
Fits up to a 3 litre hydration bladder
Seam sealed for weatherproof performance
Ultralight pack at only 795 grams (for the small pack)
Hip belt pockets are easy to access and zips move freely
Australian made!

We Don't Like

At AUD $549.00 RRP this pack is up there in price but is consistent with other brands of ultralight packs

Best Uses

For those who want a very lightweight and comfortable pack that can take medium loads with the features usually only found on larger packs

Buy One

You can purchase the Whippa Overland Ultralight 40 Pack online directly from Whippa

Disclosure: We may earn a small commission, at no additional expense to you, if you click through and make a purchase. Please note that our affiliations do not influence, in any way, the independence of our reviews. If we don’t like a product, you’ll hear about it from us!