Six Moon Designs Minimalist V2 Ultralight Rucksack

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Spacious, stable and built to haul, the Minimalist V2 delivers ultralight function without compromising fit or comfort, especially in the vest harness and Flight Hip Belt combo.

Six Moon Designs says: 

The Minimalist V2 is redesigned to make simple even more functional. We heard you. We took the simple, clean design of the Minimalist, and using customer feedback, made it even better. The Minimalist V2 still has the perfect amount of space for all your gear and a lightweight suspension that adds just enough support but now with larger, more secure stash pockets. Even the lettering took on a new modern, subtle look. Thanks for the help making the thru-hikers dream backpack even better.

Despite being called the Minimalist V2, this pack provides all the comforts of much heavier packs. It comes with a removable Delrin Hoop Stay Frame and hip belt for maximum load days. And because every long-distance hiker is different, it has a lot of configurations to suit your specific comforts and offers a remarkable amount of extra storage space.

The main compartment is 40L with a 9L extension collar. It incorporates a top lid and has two additional large external gusseted pockets as well as a front stasher pocket with a pleated gusset. The top lid can be used to secure larger bear canisters too large to fit in the main compartment.

Configured as a Frame-less pack with Pack Bag and Shoulder Straps, The Robic Minimalist V2 comes in at 39.8 oz. / 1128 g.

In the Standard Configuration with added Stay and Hip Belt, and shoulder harness, the Robic Minimalist V2 weighs 41.3 oz / 1170 g.

With the Vest Harness, you get additional stability in your load carrying and it brings the weight up to 39.8 oz. / 1128 g. 

The exterior pockets add a lot of quick access storage solutions. And all the external pockets have been reconstructed for the V2, featuring larger, more secure designs. Hip belt pockets are cavernous. Both harness styles offer additional pockets for electronics, snacks, or other necessities. Two large asymmetric side pockets. The shorter right pocket is great for holding water bottles. The taller left pocket is perfect for carrying an ultralight tarp, tent, or tall hydration bladder. Large rear shove-it sleeve for quick access to gear and rainwear. 

The Minimalist V2 offers several adjustable straps and tensioners to ensure a stable, comfortable fit. The Delrin Hoop Frame is designed to shift load bearing to the hip belt, reducing the strain on your shoulders and upper body.

The Minimalist V2 comes in the standard Robic™ nylon or our new EPX 200 fabric. EPX 200 is a robust fabric by Adventure Sailcloth. It is made using 3 layers of 210 denier fabric making it not only waterproof but very abrasion-resistant. While EPX 200 is waterproof the packs themselves are not water tight.

Frame Configuration

The Minimalist V2 features a Delrin Hoop Stay Frame. Delrin Hoop Stay Frame Features: Transfers load to the hip belt, makes carrying heavy loads more comfortable, reduces pack snag Increases load carrying capacity by ~10 lbs. Recommended Base Weight: 12 lbs / 5.5 kg. Maximum Weight: 35 lbs / 15.8 kg

Frameless Configuration

The Minimalist V2 has the option to be configured without the use of the Delrin Hoop Stay Frame. Frameless Features: Decreases pack weight by 3 oz / 85 g, great for fastpacking or super ultralight backpacking. Recommended Base Weight: 8 lbs / 3.5 kg. Maximum Weight: 25 lbs / 11kg

Our Verdict

Configured with the vest harness and Flight Hip Belt — the only setup we offer — the Minimalist V2 weighs around 1,188g, which is impressively light for a pack that provides 49 litres of capacity and full suspension support. The vest harness is the real highlight here: loads are held close to the body, with a level of upper-body stability that feels more like a snug running vest than a traditional rucksack. The pack handles up to 15.8kg comfortably, thanks in part to the removable Delrin hoop frame, which effectively shifts weight to the hips without sacrificing flexibility.

The 49-litre total volume includes a 40L main compartment with a 9L collar and a generous mix of redesigned external pockets, including numerous pockets on the vest harness, which help with organisation. It is a highlight of the pack for me.  The stretch fabric used on the large front pocket and top lid feels durable and well-constructed, holding its shape even when fully loaded. I particularly like the asymmetric side pockets — one shorter for bottles, the other taller and ideal for a shelter. Keeping your shelter on the outside means it’s immediately accessible when you reach camp, and if you’re packing it away wet, it won’t soak the rest of your gear. 

NOTE* There’s a bit of setup required when it arrives (assembly instructions are on YouTube), but we’re happy to build it for you if you drop us a line after ordering.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• Adjustable Torso Length because one size does not fit all
• Three shoulder strap style options (Shoulder Harness, S-Curve or Vest Harness)
• Five exterior woven pockets so you only have to unload your pack when its time to set up camp.
• Rear Pocket
• Short Side Pocket
• Tall Side Pocket
• Stretchy Top Lid pocket (narrower on the V2 to help keep things more secure)
• Breathable and Durable 4-way Stretch Material
• Large Shoulder Strap Pockets to keep things close at hand
• Removable Hip Belt
• Minimal Contact Back Panel
• Top Loading with Dry Bag Closure
• Internal Zippered Stash Pocket for your wallet and other small necessities
• Multiple Point Cord Compression System to keep your load stabilized no matter the size
• Single Ice Axe or Trekking pole attachment point
• Two layers of material in key points to strengthen the pack and prevent holes.
• Dual Hydration Ports
• Removable Hydration Bladder
• Sliding Sternum Straps on Vest and Shoulder Harness
• Delrin Hoop Stay for added support on those heavy load days.

Specifications

• Weight: 1188g
• Suspension: Flight Series
• Torso Sizes: 16″ – 22″ | 38 – 56 cm
• Dimensions: 11″ x 7″ x 22″ (WDT) | 28 cm x 18 cm x 56 cm
• Maximum Load: 35 lb | 15.88 kg
• Minimum Load: 15 lb | 5.5 kg or less
• Uses: Lightweight Backpacking, Long Distance Backpacking

Volume

• Body: 2441 ci | 40 L
• Extension Collar: 550 ci | 9 L
• Exterior Pockets: 610 ci | 10 L
• Total Volume: 3600 ci | 59 L

Material & Construction

• Pack body: Nylon Robic or EPX200
• Body Contact: 3D Mesh
• Pockets: Challenge Sailcloth Ultra Stretch

Help & advice:

• The Ultimate Guide to Choosing an Ultralight Rucksack
• Time-Saver Guide to Choosing a Rucksack
• Six Moon Designs About Us
• Six Moon Designs Meet the Team