Chicken Tramper Ultralight Gear (CTUG) Framed Backpack Review
As comfortable and functional as it is bright and customizable
For a design as comfortable and functional as it is brilliantly colored, choose the Chicken Tramper backpack, ultralight and fully framed. This impeccable pack is most notable for the carbon fiber arrow shaft frame, massive external mesh pockets, and a multitude of customizable Xpac color combinations. Shop now.
- Weight: 32.0 oz
- Price: $400
- Materials: Xpac VX-21
- Frame: Carbon fiber arrow shafts
- Load Capacity: 35 lbs
- Internal Volume: 40L
- External Volume : 10L+
- Recommended Add-ons: Shoulder strap bottle sleeves and gear pockets. Fanny pack. Hip belt pockets.
- Competitor Peer Group: ULA Circuit & Ultra Circuit. Zpacks Arc Haul. HMG Unbound. Durston Kakwa.
- Pros: Ultralight. Excellent load transfer. Massive external storage. Very comfy. Waterproof fabric. Complimentary sit pad back panel. Durable. Custom sizing and colors. Y-Strap top, CCF pad straps on bottom.
- Cons: Made-to-order lead time. Does not come with hip belt pockets. Abrasive mesh.
Compare to more great options in our guide to the best ultralight backpacks.
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Chicken Tramper Backpack Customizability
The Chicken Tramper Backpack is one of the most customizable ultralight packs on the market, currently available in 12 different primary and accent colors, with 144 potential combinations. Ranging from bright to neutral, there are options for everyone. The featured blue/yellow combo is particularly snazzy and looks great!
But it’s not just color! The sizing is also customizable, accommodating torso lengths from 15 to 24 inches, and waists from 26-60. From plus to petite, CTUG has you covered!
However, the customizability does create long lead times. These made to order packs ship in one to three months from date of order placement. We know this is a major deterrent but we assure you it’s worth the wait. That being said, we hope Chicken Tramper decides to offer a stock model available off the shelf for quick turnaround orders. Arguably, the lead time is the biggest downside to this pack.
Material Composition
Made with composite X-Pac VX21 fabric, this pack is both durable and highly water resistant. The material itself is waterproof, thanks to a PET film laminate, and highly abrasion resistant as its sandwiched between woven face and backer fabrics. While the pack itself is not rated waterproof due to seam stitching, we feel confident using it in the rain and find it to be sufficiently waterproof when dry bags are added for redundancy.
The diver mesh external pockets are also a big materials win for CTUG. Compared to traditional stretch mesh, this material is way way more durable, more breathable, and easier to see through. However, it ain’t perfect. As mesh goes, we find it to be quite abrasive with potential to scrape up the back of your hand as you rummage around inside. Furthermore, the openness of the mesh creates abrasion potential for gear stored inside if the pack is rested against scratchy rocks or pokey surfaces.
Frame Construction & Back Panel
CTUG’s frame architecture might just be the most unique aspect of this pack. Unlike most competitors who use aluminum piping, spring steel, plastic, or curved carbon stays, the Chicken Tramper Backpack features a unique combination of carbon fiber arrow shafts (yes, like literally from a bow and arrow!!) and 3D printed brackets. Together, they form a rectangular inverted-U configuration.
Anecdotally, this is one of the stiffest frames we’ve ever tested. It’s virtually inflexible and unbendable, offering an exceptional load transfer from shoulders to hips. CTUG lists the carrying capacity at 35 lbs. While we have not pushed this limit, the load transfer is certainly not the limiting factor. Your shoulders will thank you for choosing this backpack.
A complimentary CCF back panel increases comfort and doubles as a removable sit pad. As far as we can tell, it’s literally just sliced directly off a Therm-a-Rest Z-Lite. While more than adequate for blocking lumps, CCF back panels are frequently noted for getting sweaty, and this model is no exception.
Features & Pockets
Praise be unto these external mesh pockets! Each side pocket is large enough to fit two 1L Smartwater bottles, and cinches up with a shock cord adjuster. The front exterior mesh pocket is simply massive, virtually as large as we’ve seen with any pack. And it’s also shock cord adjustable. Despite being made with static Xpac and diver mesh (see above), it is volumized into a 3D shape that fits loads of gear, even when the interior compartment is fully loaded. CTUG does not provide an estimate for external storage volume, but we’d guess it’s at least 15L, and suspect the 40 and 50L size options are both underestimated.
One area where the the Chicken Tramper Backpack falls short is the lack of hip belt pockets, and the fact that CTUG does not offer them as a sold-separately product. As such, we strapped on a pair of Zpacks Belt Pouches and were completely satisfied with the results. It’s a safe bet that the designers intended this pack to be worn with a CTUG fanny pack, which helps to make up for the lack of hip belt pockets. But from our perspective, why not both?
Chicken Tramper is known for their high quality, universal shoulder strap accessory pockets, and we recommend adding a pair into your order. We generally prefer two bottle sleeves, but the phone pockets and gear pockets are great too.
Rounding out the features are a a pair of adjustable load lifters, Y-strap top, upper side compression straps, and bottom straps for a full size closed cell foam pad. There are also Velcro-style closure tabs located at the opening of the main compartment roll top. We could take or leave these; the added security is nice, but they have a tendency to immediately snag anything made with Polartec Alpha Direct.
Chicken Tramper Backpack vs the Competition
From price, to stats, to performance, the Chicken Tramper Backpack holds its own against the best of the best, including models from premier Cottage Industry Ultralight brands like Durston, Zpacks, Hyperlite Mountain Gear, and ULA Equipment. Here’s how we feel it stacks up:
CTUG Backpack Vs Zpacks Arc Haul
Compared to Zpacks Arc Haul, the CTUG Backpack is similarly priced; heavier; has a stiffer and more durable frame; is less waterproof because it isn’t seam taped; also does not come with hip belt pockets; has larger exterior pockets; has a more customizable fit; has more brilliant colors; and compared to ULTRA-X fabric, the Xpac fabric is heavier and less durable.
CTUG Backpack Vs Durston Kakwa Ultra
Compared to the Durston Kakwa in UltraX fabric, the CTUG Backpack is notably more expensive; also requires purchasing hip belt and shoulder strap pockets sold seperately; is of a similar weight; similar load transfer via an ultra stiff frame; similarly highly water resistant but not seam taped; has larger exterior pockets; a more customizable fit; has more brilliant colors; and compared to ULTRA-X fabric, the Xpac is heavier and less durable.
CTUG Backpack Vs HMG Unbound
Compared to the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound, the CTUG Backpack is similarly priced but requires purchasing hip belt pockets separately; is of a similar weight; superior load transfer via an ultra stiff frame, actually has load lifters, is less waterproof because not seam taped; has similar side pockets but a larger front pocket; a more customizable fit; has more brilliant colors; and compared to DCF fabric, the Xpac is heavier and less durable.
CTUG Backpack Vs ULA Circuit
Compared to the ULA Equipment Circuit, the CTUG Backpack is notably more expensive and requires purchasing hip belt pockets separately; is of a similar weight; superior load transfer via an even stiffer frame, is more waterproof because of the composite Xpac fabric; has larger side and front pockets; a more customizable fit; has more brilliant colors, though ULA Circuit also has great colors; and compared to Robic Ripstop Nylon, the Xpac is a bit heavier and similarly durable. ULA also manufactures an Ultra Circuit, made with Challenge Ultra, and that pack’s fabric outperforms CTUG’s Xpac material, and is similarly priced.
Chicken Tramper Backpack Review Conclusion
CTUG’s framed ultralight backpack is elegantly designed and competitive with other best-in-class Cottage Industry options. It’s most notable for the carbon fiber arrow shaft frame, a brilliant array of durable/waterproof Xpac fabrics, customizable fit, massive diver mesh external pockets, and 1-3 month long made-to-order lead times.
