The Advance LIGHTPACK ULS is a specialist ultralight backpack crafted mainly for paragliding hike & fly enthusiasts. Offered in three volumes — 52, 60, and 70 litres — and starting at a remarkably low weight of about 550 grams, it is designed precisely for pilots who seek to minimise pack weight without sacrificing comfort and usability during strenuous mountain approaches.
Design and Functionality Overview
The LIGHTPACK ULS’s design focuses heavily on the needs of hike & fly pilots and mountain users. It features wide, well-padded shoulder straps built specifically for comfort over long ascents, including integrated pockets for water bottles and smartphones. An ergonomic waist strap comes with a small zipped pocket perfect for essentials like keys, enhancing quick access and security.
A standout functional element is the dedicated external helmet holder that frees internal space by securely carrying the helmet outside the main compartment. This is especially useful when packing bulky yet lightweight wings and harnesses. The pack’s back panel includes removable foam that not only improves carrying comfort but is also cleverly repurposed as protective padding integrated into the Advance WEIGHTLESS harness system, demonstrating thoughtful equipment synergy.
Elastic side pockets suit trekking poles or slim gear, while the pack’s slim alpine profile ensures stability and close-to-body fit. Dimensions vary slightly with size but generally present a tall and slim silhouette (approx. 73–76 cm height, 31–33 cm width, 25–30 cm depth), ideal for mountain conditions.
Customer and Expert Sentiment
Although classic customer star ratings are sparse due to the light niche nature of the product, expert reviews, retailer commentary, and pilot notes reveal overwhelmingly positive feedback about the LIGHTPACK ULS.
Comfort and Performance
Experts, such as those from Soaring Shop in France, highlight exceptional comfort and portability. Field tests with heavy 10 kg loads on steep climbs attest to its excellent load transfer and stable carrying experience. The wide, well-padded shoulder straps and ergonomic waist belt efficiently distribute weight, making long approaches less taxing.
Ultralight Weight with Sufficient Volume
The ultra-low weights—52 L at approximately 550 g, 60 L at about 570 g, and 70 L near 590 g—place it at the forefront of ultralight backpacks in its capacity class. Users report the pack easily fits a full hike & fly kit, including wing, lightweight WEIGHTLESS harness, and helmet. British pilot feedback emphasizes both volume efficiency and the ease of packing, praising its thoughtful design.
Thoughtful Design Details
- Shoulder Straps: Wide, supportive straps with integrated bottle and phone pockets enhance convenience and hydration on the move.
- Hip Belt: Lightweight but supportive, with a zipped pocket for quick-access items like keys and snacks.
- Helmet Holder: External elastic net storage for helmets improves internal space usage and versatility.
- Side Pockets and Hydration Compatibility: Elastic side pockets accommodate trekking poles, and many users pair it with hydration systems for sustained mountain efforts.
- Removable Back Foam: Doubles as certified back protection with the Advance WEIGHTLESS harness, underscoring integrated system thinking.
- Circular Zip Access: Around-the-top openings make packing and unpacking straightforward compared to standard top loaders.
Integration with Advance Gear
The LIGHTPACK ULS is intrinsically linked with the Advance WEIGHTLESS harness system, deriving inspiration from X-Alps competition gear. This integration results in weight savings and superior load management, with the backpack doubling as part of the harness’ certified back protector system. Reviews strongly recommend WEIGHTLESS harness users retain the LIGHTPACK to maintain optimal overall system performance.
Considerations and Caveats
Durability
The ultralight construction comes with a notable trade-off: reduced ruggedness. Advance and retailers underline that the LIGHTPACK ULS requires careful handling to avoid premature wear caused by abrasion or mechanical stress. While no major user complaints about durability appear publicly, buyers should accept this as inherent in pursuit of minimal weight.
Niche Use and Compatibility
Designed with Advance’s lightweight system in mind, the pack best suits pilots using compact wings and the WEIGHTLESS harness. Non-Advance gear, typically bulkier, may fit less well or require careful packing strategies. Prospective owners should ensure their equipment is compatible with the pack’s dimensions and volume.
Limited End-User Reviews
Due to the niche market, most evaluations come from expert pilots, retailers, or technical advisors rather than mass customer ratings. This is typical for specialized hike & fly gear and suggests readers weigh expert consensus carefully.
Who Benefits Most from the LIGHTPACK ULS?
- Hike & Fly Pilots: Those regularly walking steep mountain routes with full paragliding kits value the lightweight comfort and ergonomic fit.
- Advance WEIGHTLESS Harness Owners: The backpack’s dual role in protection and tight gear integration is ideal for these pilots.
- Performance-Focused Pilots: Enthusiasts coming from competitive or ultralight flying backgrounds appreciate the minimal weight and sophisticated design.
Conversely, pilots seeking a rugged “throw-anywhere” backpack or those carrying heavy, bulky equipment may prefer more robust, higher-capacity packs.
Conclusion
The Advance LIGHTPACK ULS stands out as one of the leading ultralight hike & fly backpacks on the market, combining impressive volume capacity with extraordinarily low weight without compromising carrying comfort. Its integration with Advance’s lightweight harness system and practical design features make it highly attractive to dedicated hike & fly pilots. The key trade-off is durability, requiring careful use to preserve longevity. For those prioritising minimal weight and comfort on long mountain ascents, the LIGHTPACK ULS represents a near-benchmark choice in paragliding backpacks.
For more information about the Advance LIGHTPACK ULS, visit the manufacturer's website. To order this ultralight gear, explore the selection at Paragliding.me and elevate your hike & fly adventures.