Carbon Evo 50 Backpack

I’d give the pack a 4.8. After hiking on the AT in a variety of weather conditions I’d like to say that the pack carries great. The only things I’d change is the top strap could be longer, the OV shoulder water bottle pocket could be attached a little lower, and I wish it were made of the same material as the CS 40. Overall, I love the pack and the way it carries. Great job Outdoor Vitals!

I love this bag. Ive only done ~40mi of walking and trails with this backpack, so durability is still tbd, but first impressions have been stellar, and this is my new go-to bag.

It's priced very well. It feels quality-made. It looks good. It's comfortable. It makes me want to take it outside.

Ive been searching for an ultralight backpack ever since completing 1700km of the Camino de Santiago carrying a 6lb pack from Decathlon.

This bag is 98% perfect. Lightweight, very comfortable. Ive tried other manufacturers and theyre being returned, going to storage, or going to the marketplace.

Carbon frame and Load lifters. Huge quality of life and comfort, and an instant pick over any ultralight bag without them. They work together to transfer weight well, and ive had this bag loaded up to 30lbs, without food or water, and it's been more than comfortable. I have no concerns about weight management, comfort, or balance after adding in 3-4L of water and 2-3 days of food.

5'10" - 195-215lbs - 20.5" Torso Length
I ordered: Regular with Medium Belt

There are some places for improvement, though:

The biggest obstacle, and this is true of most ultralight packs, is the lack of pack organization:

Two elastic side pouches are great for carrying water, sticks, a tripod, poop stuff, buffs, a water filter, etc. The elastic pouch on the front is great for carrying a tarp, pack cover, poncho, or trash, even. But after that, everything goes into the main bag. All the sleep stuff, all the clothes, rain gear, puffy, cook stuff, food, hygiene, maps, first aid, etc.

I also wouldnt mind a daisy chain of webbing somewhere on the outside of the pack to clip or tie things on if needed.

I wish there were more external zippered places to separate some of the smaller items. Like.. zipper side pouches along the vertical sides of the pack for more intrinsic storage and organization, or an optional brain!

This is a personal preference, but I don't understand why ultralight brands have ditched the backpacking brain. Use the same material and add a 10L brain, and it makes Trail Life significantly more organized and easier to use. It's a minor weight penalty, but the quality-of-life improvement would outweigh it.

Can keep quick snacks, maps, emergency items, personal items, etc., in a weather-resistant brain for quick access without having to unroll or sort through the main bag.

The other item is the hip belt...
1in a belt buckle isn't very comfortable, especially if you've got a belly. Im a big fan of the 2-in buckle because it feels more secure with heavier loads, and there's more surface area to distribute the load.

I'd also suggest studying or looking at industrial overlapping velcro load lifting belts or paintball pod harness belts for maximum comfort.

Could still use a 1-2" offset buckle across the top to secure it all, and then offer custom hip belt addons. 2 small sidepouches, a 3L fanny pack for phones, gloves, wallet, keys, etc. Maybe even a water bottle holder to strap to the belt or a place for a camera clip on the hip if you want. Make the hip belt more customizable.

Best cottage backpacking company with great customer service

This new Evo 50 is an amazingly light, yet strong out lot all the extras. Well worth the price. Along with my Shadowlight Carbon 60 Backpack for long hikes, this Evo 50 is the perfect match. Keep up the good work!

Outdoor Vitals has done it again. What a fantastic bag. I have done multiple training hikes with 40LBS and it carries the weight very well. I personally love the design more than the newish carbon shadow light.

I was hesitant about buying the EVO 50, I have other larger packs but none close to this light. As I took it out of the box I immediately noticed the quality material and the super light weight. i was able to pack all my gear in it and I couldn't be happier with this purchase.

I took it out for the first time for a ski touring overnight and I love the pack's simplicity, especially while packing with cold fingers in gloves. I was surprised by how well it carried, even while skiing with a full load out.

For me, this is an upgrade from my tattered Durston Kakawa 40. Also have the Shadowlight 60. Fit makes a huge difference when you are vertical for long days. So comfortable! Sure would like to see a longer Y-strap to secure the folding foam pad though. I rigged an extension and it is working fine.

This pack is ultralight but it feels incredibly sturdy. I have worn this pack a few times now and it fits very well and is extremely comfortable. Every pocket, loop and buckle is carefully placed and thought out and you can really tell that Outdoor Vitals takes great pride in the gear that they make.

I have been using the CS40 since 2023 and that's been my go-to backpacking pack. I've used that on tons of trips ranging from nearly 100 miles on the Wonderland Trail, to packrafting trips in the North Cascades, and even excursions in the Yellowstone backcountry carrying heavy camera gear. While only 40L, I have "made it work" when I need more than 40L worth of gear by tying and strapping equipment all over the pack.

The Carbon Evo 50 solves the space issue along with added upgrades to make the pack more durable and more comfortable (didn't know that was possible) while on the trail! There is more padding on the back panel so it is even more comfortable to wear. The mesh pocket on the CS40 has been upgraded to Ultrastretch. The shoulder straps on the CS40 have a mesh webbing which are now a solid material so they have done a good job of eliminating material that can snag and tear on brush. This is overall a nice upgrade from the CS40 and I can't wait to put it to its limits the rest of this year!

I weighed my CS40 and the Carbon Evo 50 (both Medium torso and hip belt) and there is less than half an ounce difference between the 2. So more space, more durable pockets and shoulder straps for less than an ounce of weight is completely worth it.

I’ve never been able to use an ultralight backpack comfortably due to back issues, but after receiving the Carbon Evo and doing several test loads, it’s been surprisingly comfortable. The foam padding on the back panel, shoulder straps, and hip belt provides noticeable cushioning, and the frame does a good job of transferring weight off my shoulders and onto my hips. I also appreciate that the pack doesn’t “barrel” outward when loaded — it maintains its shape and carries close to the body. I love the extra-large hip belt pockets, which are big enough to be useful and can actually be opened and closed with one hand. I’m looking forward to putting it to the test on backpacking trips this spring.

I loved the pack on my yellowstone and wind river trip these last few weeks. Side pockets that I could easily reach were great and the waist belt cinch straps worked super easily and tightened really well. Great pack.

This backpack is fantastic. To begin, I'm a newbie. Started backpacking last year with gear I bought 12 years earlier. Super uncomfortable and heavy. Got diagnosed with cancer so had to cut the summer off after 2 backpacking trips. Been planning on this summer and trying to fix my mistakes from last year.
First off - getting a 105 liter backpack wasn't the answer. Who knew? My first outing this year was just as uncomfortable.
I made some adjustments, removed some unnecessary redundancies and got this pack. With all of the gear I need packed, this pack feels as light and more comfortable as the empty Kelty Coyote 105. I can't wait to get back out with the proper gear, all inside this pack.
Don't hesitate, just buy it. You won't regret it

Just used it backpacking with scouts. 15 miles, 20 pounds and 0 complaints. Extra stars for the large hip belt pockets that can be opened and closed one handed. Perfection.

Fantastic pack! I'm excited to take it on a trip to the Lost Coast in July and truly test its performance.

Debated on this since its release and I gotta say, I overwhelmed with surprise at how well it performed. Took it on a 22mi 2 night trip in the Rockies and not once was it uncomfortable, annoying, or honestly.... noticeable. It just became an extension of my kit, everything about it performed perfectly like I've been using it for years. My trail weight was 28.2Lbs and it carried that with no qualms. My only complaint is that the hip belt pockets don't fit my Samsung galaxy s23, which is a minor inconvenience. What ended up being my favorite feature is the mesh pocket, it holds so much stuff I was honestly shocked. I kept my poop kit, water filter+cnoc, and rain jacket and there was still room. Just buy it if you're on the fence, its worth every penny.

Durable roomy and comfortable. First day out fell down a ledge bouncing along the rocks as i rolled. Backpack held up with out a single abrasion.

Seems great, haven't tried out yet.

I’m a 5'3", 135-pound woman and got the Short/Small version with the Carbon 50 frame and a torso length around 17". I recently took this pack on a four-day trip through some pretty technical terrain, including scrambling sections and steep descents. I wasn’t even using the full 50L capacity and carried around 20–25 pounds total, but honestly, it felt like I was carrying air. The comfort was outstanding, even during long days on the trail.

One thing to note: I got caught in a torrential downpour without a rain cover. While the pack does have water-repellent properties, it eventually soaked through during sustained heavy rain. I do wish it came with an included rain cover.

Other than that, the pack was pretty much perfect.

The quality of the bag was really nice. I did end up returning this because I wanted something with a little thicker straps.

This is my first real backpack since the 80's. My main concern was hipbelt size and I had a lot more adjustment than I expected.

I was shocked at how light it was. super comfortable, easy to adjust, most importantly quiet. I'd like to see some upper pockets like the shadow light.

After ordering two other brand ultralight packs, this one felt like the best fit. I did have some problems with it slipping down in back, but I have a barrel type shape. Also, I was borderline on the torso length per the provided chart. I have since ordered a shorter torso length to see if it will remedy the problem. I will hold back one star until I receive the shorter torso length. The pack appears to be well made for as light as it is. This is my first dive into ultralight packs.
A few items that I thought could use changes:
The strapping on the roll top could be a bit wider or stiffer for my taste to make it easier to roll securely.
This is the first pack I've ever had that you unbuckle the chest strap on the right side. Awkward, but I can get used to it; however, the two straps on the shoulder straps that hold the chest strap seem weak to me. They bow in quite a bit due to my build. Still functional though. Those could be a bit more robust for my taste.
Maybe I just have not got used to not having a lid, but a lightweight lid, even with one good sized pocket in it, is sure nice to keep some smaller things handy. I can't believe it would add that much weight. Maybe I will grow to like it.
I get the white color will absorb less heat in the sun. Could be nice once I try it under those conditions, but I'm not real fond of the white color. Not a deal breaker though.

I took a chance on this pack because I really like the idea of a lightweight pack that is comfortable with heavier loads. I was hoping to use this to replace my 65L pack for multiday backpacking in Alaska and Canada. Even packing lightly, it's easy to get into the 25+ lb range when you are carrying a bear can and tent/gear/sleeping kit suitable for windier and colder conditions. I tested this pack at home by filling it up to the bottom of the rolltop and trying to put the bear can on it (one of the common REI ones). The Y-strap doesn't fit around it. Since the only place you can add your own straps are the two sleeping pad lash points at the very bottom the pack, there's no way to improvise any other external carry options. Overall the materials seem less durable than I'd hoped, especially the Y-strap, side adjuster cord, and shoulder strap lining which seem very abrasion-prone. I really liked the frame and backpanel, though! I think this could be a great pack if they did not shoot for such an restrictive weight target and allowed a couple more ounces to add daisy chain strap points and tougher materials throughout.