Ultralight Comfort. Full-Feature Design. Built to Go the Distance.
The Shadowlight™ Backpack redefines what’s possible in the ultralight category. Weighing just 31.5 oz (size M)—including a full suspension frame and wide padded hip belt—it delivers exceptional comfort, durability, and load carry performance at a sub-2 lb weight. With 60L of total capacity (49L main + 15L external), it’s the ideal pack for everything from backpacking weekends to thru-hikes on rugged, high-mileage trails.
Built around our new CARBONFLEX™ Suspension, the Shadowlight comfortably carries 40 lbs, making it a rare ultralight pack that won’t punish you when fully loaded. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned ultralight backpacker, the Shadowlight’s approachable design and dialed-in features make it intuitive, reliable, and trail-proven.
Key Features:
- CARBONFLEX™ Suspension System
Includes two carbon fiber frame stays, a redesigned foam back panel with cutouts, and a refined hip belt for maximized contact and pressure distribution. Carries heavy loads with surprising ease—especially on rough trails. - Ultralight Build with Full Functionality
At under 2 lbs, you still get 4 side pockets, dual zippered hip belt pockets, oversized UltraStretch™ mesh rear pockets, a full-length center zipper, and lash loops—all without sacrificing weight or comfort. - Expandable Storage
Main compartment holds 49L rolled, with an additional 15L+ of external pocket volume for wet gear, layers, and quick-grab items. Side pockets now offer more volume, while UltraStretch™ upgrades improve durability and retention. - Durable, High-Tech Materials Constructed from Spectra/Robic ripstop fabric—a proprietary blend that balances high tenacity nylon and UHMWPE fibers—for abrasion resistance without the weight penalty.
Why Choose the Shadowlight™?
Because ultralight shouldn’t mean uncomfortable. With its dialed suspension, smart features, and balanced carry, the Shadowlight feels more like an extension of your body than a burden on your back. Whether you're climbing alpine passes or covering 25-mile days, this pack helps you go farther—with less.
Sub-2 lb Weight. Full-Frame Comfort. No Compromises.
Weight: 31.5 oz (size M with M hip belt)
Tech Specs:
- Weight: 31.5 oz (size M with M hip belt)
- Volume: 49L main + 15L external pockets = 64L total
- Main Fabric: 100D Robic Nylon w/ 200D Spectra Ripstop
- Bottom Panel Fabric: 210D Robic Nylon w/ 400D Spectra Ripstop
- Water Resistance: WP Rating 1500 mm HH
- Suspension Height: 24" (M & L) | 22" (S)
- Bag Sizes: Short, Medium, Tall
- Hip Belt Sizes: XS – XL
- Zippers: YKK
- Max Recommended Carry Weight: 40 lbs
- Hydration Compatible: This pack can be used with most water bladders if desired
- Colors: Carbon Gray
- Warranty: Outdoor Vitals Performance Promise
Thoughtful Design Features:
- CARBONFLEX™ Suspension System is our most comfortable frame, harness, & load lift system yet (learn more in next drop-down)
- Anatomically curved carbon fiber frame stays with functional load lifters keeps your pack weight distributed correctly & comfortably
- Top Y-strap for load stability or securing additional items
- Roll-top closure with top cinch strap for securing gear like pads or shelters
- Center zip main panel access for easy loading/unloading
- Self-compressing curved bottom keeps the load high and close
- Improved hip belt contact for increased comfort & functionality
- Dual anchor belt system for more comfortable pressure distribution & easier belt adjustments
- Removable hip belt for added versatility
- Reinforced bottom panel and pocket bases for long-term durability
- Two durable UltraStretch™ Mesh front pockets for overflow storage and wet gear (more in next drop-down)
- Two side bottle pockets that fit two 1 liter bottles each
- Cinchable upper side pockets to safely store smaller items
- Zippered hip belt pockets with improved zippers and key clip
- Ice axe/trekking pole attachment loops
- External Lashing Loops for attaching additional gear to the pack
- Removable hydration sleeve
CARBONFLEX™ Suspension System: This is our most comfortable backpack suspension system yet, with precisely tuned carbon fiber frame stays, a wrap-around hip belt fit, functional load lifters, & our proprietary shoulder strap design.
This system involves:
- 2 carbon fiber frame stays tuned perfectly to support your load while conforming to your body motion
- a fixed foam back panel with cutouts for both breathability & optimized flex to fit your body's contours
- a refined wide hip belt that wraps further around your torso, giving your more contact for better support & increased comfort
- Contoured shoulder straps with cutouts to allow the foam to bend in just the right places as you move & allow for better breathability
Specially Tuned Carbon Fiber
The carbon fiber frame stays are also anatomically curved and will sit more naturally and comfortably on your back without restricting your movement.
Targeted Foam Cutouts
Wrap-Around Hip Belt Fit
Challenge UltraStretch™ Mesh
The Shadowlight Carbon 60 Backpack utilizes UltraStretch™ Mesh for the 2 large pockets on the front of the pack. This is the most cut, tear, & abrasion resistant stretch mesh on the market for this ultralight category.
Other Shadowlight Carbon 60 Details
PFAS Free
Easy Return Shipping
Free First Exchange
60 Day Return Window
“The zipper up the middle of the outside pocket makes access to interior during breaks easy. Best of all, no low back pain with this pack." - Nola
"10+ years and 4 packs later I finally stumbled upon Outdoor Vitals. I have not had my new ShadowLight very long, but believe me, I have been running it through it's paces. From the moment I received it on my front porch I've been thrilled." - Christopher
"At under two pounds, Outdoor Vitals' Shadowlight Backpack is an ultralight workhorse that supports a heavy load amazingly well." - Men's Journal
CARBONFLEX™ Suspension System
Class Leading Load Carry
The Shadowlight Backapck brings class leading load carry to the sub 2 lb backpack category. Other ultralight packs often sacrifice load carry capabilities in the name of weight savings. The Shadowlight focuses on comfortable load carry as its #1 priority.
CARBONFLEX™ Suspension System: This is our most comfortable backpack suspension system yet, with precisely tuned carbon fiber frame stays, a wrap-around hip belt fit, functional load lifters, & our proprietary shoulder strap design.
Organization & Access
Quick and organized access to gear is a critical part of an ultralight backpack. Efficiently finding food, rain gear, & other items is what keeps you moving down the trail vs having a "yard sale" every time you need to find something.
The Shadowlight Carbon 60 provides exceptional organization & access for a sub 2 lb backpack. From the large hip belt pockets to the Shadowlight's characteristic center zip in the main compartment - everything is set up to allow you to access your gear easily without sacrificing an ultralight weight.
Organization For Your Shadowlight
Why Choose The Shadowlight?
Because ultralight shouldn’t mean uncomfortable. With its dialed suspension, smart features, and balanced carry, the Shadowlight feels more like an extension of your body than a burden on your back. Whether you're climbing alpine passes or covering 25-mile days, this pack helps you go farther—with less.
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I just completed the Tour du Mount Blanc hut to hut hiking over 100 miles and 35,000 ft of elevation gain. The pack performed flawlessly and was perfect to have gear for 10 days but stay light.
The sun hoodie saved me . The increased UV intensity was a real thing. Without the hoodie I would have fried even with sunscreen. It also function as a nice layer to keep warm but not to warm while climbing steep grades. I couldn't be more pleased with either products.
I've been using this pack from mile ~1200-2000 so far of the PCT, switching from the cs40 because I finally wore it out. I love it and really appreciate the extra storage as well as the side and back pockets that help with organizing my gear. It's comfortable, light, roomy, and still feels like nothing even when carrying 5 days of food.
The new stretch fabric for the back pockets is great and looks even more durable than what they used previously. So far it's taken a beating and holding up well!
I finally used this pack on my thru-hike on the grand sawtooth loop. I’m a 5’7” 56 YO women using the small. Loved the pack, so comfortable, easy to pack and fit. Since it is not waterproof, I had to use a liner so the zipper seems useless which isn’t a complaint, will probably use that in the future in a dry hike. The one change I would make are the side lower pockets. The elastic is tight making it very difficult to grab my water bottle and return to the pocket. I’m going to do a self modification and remove the elastic and change to a drawstring. In a perfect world, they would make this same backpack waterproof, without the center zipper, and change the lower side pockets to drawstring. lower
The Shadowlight backpack is truly an ultralight pack. Some of its features appear a bit minimalistic but they save weight and work as well as the bulkier features on heavier packs. It's very comfortable and although I have yet to wear it on a long and qrueling daylong hike, there expect no issues with its comfort. I like that it has a zipper up the middle that allows access to items buried deep in the pack. Now I have to find a buyer for my older but fairly new and less comfortable other "ultralight" pack!
This pack is incredibly lightweight, and I love the additional pockets on the bag. It makes organizing incredibly easy. The mesh on the bag is exceptionally durable. The middle zipper between the mesh is convenient when you don’t want to open the roll top. I used this pack for my first backpacking trip, which was a 20-mile journey, and I was astounded by how comfortable it was. Overall, I had a fantastic experience with it.
Just got back from a 3 day hike with the Shadowlight 60L. The pack is light, very comfortable, and fit all my gear with room to spare. This was definitely a good purchase.