Review: Samaya Ultra 35 Pack

Powder aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.

The Ultra 35 pack is a minimalist’s dream, showcasing Samaya’s no-holds-barred approach to making really functional alpine gear that’s built to last. Every single detail is thought out from the perspective of innovation, from the sizing, to the stitching, all the way down to how the straps attach to and cinch down the pack (more on that below). It’s constructed almost entirely of Dyneema, using various thicknesses of the fabric, plus Cordura reinforcements in high-wear areas. The pack has taped seams and is 100 percent waterproof.Eschewing the specialization we’ve come to expect from other brands, the Samaya Ultra 35 is a backpack that’s equally usable as a daily backcountry ski pack, light-and-fast ski mountaineering pack, a summer alpine climbing pack, a commuter pack, or a day hiking pack–looking and feeling good in all the use cases.

In a Nutshell

I’d forgive you if you’ve never heard of the small French brand Samaya. Until last season, I hadn’t either–but then I started noticing their packs and tents as part of the kits of some of the world’s best alpinists and ski/snowboard mountaineers , and of course I was intrigued. The Chamonix-based brand was formed in 2018 with a vision to bring the highest quality gear to the discerning mountain athlete that spends more time in the high peaks than they do anywhere else. That sounds like a pretty standard marketing trope, but these guys are really taking a different approach to it–in fact, their brand literature talks about “ reinventing the practice of bivouac and roaming ,” which is just about the most French thing I’ve ever heard. And I love it.

Available Size: one size

Stated Volume: 35+5 liters

Weight: 840 grams (can be stripped to 490 grams)

The Samaya Ultra 35 Pack is available now.

Size/Fit

Perhaps one of the most interesting features–or lack thereof–of Samaya’s Ultra 35 pack is that it only comes in one size. I’m six feet tall, and would generally gravitate towards a large-framed pack if given the choice, but Samaya’s pack fits beautifully. The torso length feels a tad short, but not uncomfortably so, even with a heavy load. I sized the shoulder straps, adjusted the shoulder strap load lifters and sternum strap, and quickly felt comfortable.

The hip belt is very minimalist, with zero padding. It’s more of an anti-bounce affair than anything that will take weight off your shoulders. However, the high-density foam in the shoulder straps don’t dig into my collarbone or shoulders and distribute loads nicely. On a fast-and-light day in the mountains, I’m not looking to carry more than 30 pounds anyway, so the support and weight distribution is ample.

For smaller framed users, the pack adjusts down to size well, and testers who typically wear a S or M frame pack shared that the one-size-fits-all sizing works for them.

Features and Pockets

The Samaya Ultra 35 pack features a very simple top-loading single compartment design. The main compartment features 35 liters of volume with an expandable roll top/cinch closure that adds an additional 5 liters. I’m a big fan of a roll top/cinch closure like what’s found here, because it essentially creates a small external compartment for a helmet, or wet stuff like skins, gloves, or even quick access to a water bottle. The pack also comes with a removable mesh external helmet carry system.

Above the roll top closure, there’s a large flap with a zippered pocket that folds over the entire top of the pack. This compartment is a great place for snacks, goggles, gloves, or a headlamp, and the flap doubles as a rope cinch.

I’m going to fully nerd out here and say that the strap that closes this compartment is the best-designed backpack cinch strap I’ve ever seen. With a simple fold on one sewn end, Samaya has made the action of cinching and releasing the metal buckle unbelievably smooth, especially when your fingers are cold or you’re wearing bulky gloves.

The pack features two removable compression straps on each side, which double as a vertical or A-frame ski carry system. The actual strap webbing is very long, but folds up nicely onto itself to stow away in a sleek manner. I would consider cutting these straps shorter if you feel no need for that much material–but it’s nice to have if you might be carrying a sleeping pad or something bulky on the outside of your pack. One thing that is missing is a way to diagonal carry skis on this pack, which is my only gripe about the pack.

Inside, there’s a small zippered pocket on the back panel. There is no separate compartment for avalanche safety gear, so your shovel and probe will have to go inside with everything else, but on a ski-mountaineering pack this doesn't bother me too much. Inside the back panel, there’s a removable wire frame and foam/plastic back panel. While it’s not the easiest to take in and out, the foam panel can be used as an insulated seat, or as extra padding to make an emergency splint or headrest.

Finally, there’s a simple but secure external dual ice-axe carry using t-slots and ultralight cinch straps. The system works with common tools used for ski mountaineering like the Petzl Gully or Black Diamond Venom LT.

The Samaya Ultra 35 In Use

It’s the middle of summer, so no, I did not take the Samaya Ultra 35 skiing. I did, however, take it alpine climbing on a surprise wintry day up the Grand Teton, and walked around my neighborhood with skis on the pack to test the functionality as best I could while it was 95 degrees in the valley.

The most noticeable thing about this pack is that it completely disappears when you wear it–it’s the most comfortable ultralight pack I’ve ever worn. On a 14-hour day on the Grand Teton, it carried a full rack, a 60-meter rope, a climbing helmet, two liters of water, snacks, and a bunch of layers, with some room to spare inside. I felt like I was wearing no more than a running vest. The pack allows for comfortable movement while climbing, running, and moving around the mountains-everything a good ski mountaineering pack needs to do. There’s very little bounce, and the pack sits relatively high on my torso (perhaps due to the sizing), which plays well while wearing a harness loaded with gear.

While I’m typically a fan of a diagonal ski carry, the Ultra 35’s vertical and A-frame ski carry system (for more thoughts on ski carries, check a recent episode of Shop Talk ) comfortably carries skis with tech bindings. Alpine bindings or hybrid bindings like the Shift or Kingpin will only work with the A-Frame. The somewhat cone-shaped profile of the pack–it’s slightly narrower at the bottom than at the top–makes the skis lean out a bit in vertical carry mode. This can be somewhat remedied by adjusting the straps, but isn’t perfect.

Compared to other packs on the market, the Samaya Ultra 35 falls into the same weight ballpark as the venerable Arcteryx Alpha SK 32 ski pack, or Arcteryx Alpha FL 30 climbing pack, or the handmade Apocalypse Equipment SaC.SKi Ultralight ski pack . Samaya’s pack is lighter than both Arcteryx packs, and I find it more comfortable than either. Apocalypse Equipment’s pack is lighter and has a few extra features for skiers, but is difficult to purchase (the creator, Gavin Hess, is a full-time ski guide who makes these in his garage), and significantly smaller.

When looking at a more full-featured pack like the Hyperlite Crux 40 , Raide Research LF40 , or BCA Stash Pro UL , Samaya’s Ultra 35 is simply much lighter and more streamlined. Different tools for different days.

What compromises does the Samaya Ultra 35 Pack make?

While the pack is an excellent minimalist option, that does mean it makes some compromises. Luckily, those are not compromises to comfort. Two things I wish the Samaya Ultra 35 pack didn’t forego though are a diagonal ski carry system (I’m going to work on rigging one), and a side access zipper along the outside of the pack.

I know that would add weight, complexity, and perhaps undermine the waterproof nature of the pack, but being able to get into the main compartment of the pack to pull something out of the bottom is a huge asset.

What does a perfect day in the Samaya Ultra 35 Pack look like?

After spending the summer using this as an alpine climbing pack, I’m really excited to take it skiing in the Tetons. The type of backcountry skiing we tend to do here involves a TON of walking to go ski powder in the high alpine, where minimalism simply means less tired legs, which means more laps. If I’m pushing for a big objective that might require some ropework, technical climbing, or where I’ll just be walking for thousands of feet, I’ll take an 800-gram waterproof pack over anything else.

The Samaya Ultra 35 Pack is available now.