Yesterday, I had the chance to sit in with the ADS Inc Army team for some new product training at Academi in Moyock, NC. One of the vendors was Wild Things Tactical and they introduced a new top loader called the Guide Light. It weighs just 17 oz.
It’s a minimalist pack (26 l) made from waterproof material (200 psi) normally used as sail cloth and with bound seams to keep them as waterproof as possible without full seam sealing. There is very limited daisy chain along the back of the pack but overall it is a very slick design.
This frameless model incorporates a padded, internal sheet. There are padded shoulder straps but no waist belt. Additionally, there is a central haul loop located at the top of the pack, between the shoulder straps. The single compartment top loader has a spindrift and drawstring. The bag also features a pass through for Comms cables or hydration although there are no internal pockets.
The removable lip is held in place via SR buckles and a thin Velcro strip. The lid compartment opens via a half moon zipper and there is a small zippered pocket on the underside.
Berry compliant and available in Coyote and Black.
Available for unit and agency purchase via ADS.
Tags: Academi, ADS Inc, Wild Things
Dimensions? Would love to try it with Klymit’s pack frame
Packs like this are also great to roll up in a ruck just in case you need a small pack handy- or to put all of your sensitive items in, as a grab bag if you have to ditch your ruck completely.
always liked their approach to design: utilitarian, simple and never too big for the task. any idea where it is made? i hear there’s a new office in nh, (not n conway?) don’t know if that’s mfg though. it would be great if they could maintain qty in stock via their webstore as well as ads.
I’m loving it. Logical without being too tacticool. Any idea if it’s only going to be available thru ads or individual purxhsa thru wild things?
What does it weigh in at?
How to tease an ultralight backpacker 101: introduce ultralight minimalist item with great design… and not mention the weight.
Jon, OPT
They didn’t give me weight. It’s light, ultralight.
There you go, story updated.
Awesome, thanks!
Jon, OPT
looks like the nylon/cuben fiber hybrid laminate that Zpacks use.
Hi Everyone,
Ed from Wild Things here. This pack weighs in at 19.7 oz. Our challenge here was to make a light weight pack that will still take abuse and last through multiple deployments. We use a 5 layer, dacron reinforced fabric that will hold your gear not shred the first time your scrape your pack on rock. Made at our factory in Gorham, New Hampshire. We are working on building up some inventory. Thanks for your interest.