Looking for a durable pack you can drag across fields full of briars, down narrow single track full of branches, and through swamps full of...stuff?
(It's probably better if we don't think about what lives in the swamp.)
Do you like pockets? Like, a ridiculous number of pockets? Then the UltrAspire Epic XT 2.0 is the pack for you.
This review brought you by: snacks.
Two important things you need to know about me when it comes to long endurance events: I am the epitome of "hangry" when my blood sugar drops, and I get cold very easily. Therefore, it's really important (both for myself, and those who have to race with me) that I carry a lot of calories, and extra layers.
As an ultrarunner, I've always been able to get by with my Nathan VaporHowe 12L vest, even in more remote races. But adventure racing? It requires a lot more "stuff", and there may be significantly longer distances/periods of time between opportunities to refuel from drop bins.
And so, I needed a bigger bag. But, a regular daypack or hiking pack wouldn't work. I needed something that fit really well, and stayed put during various disciplines...including running.
I hunted and researched for MONTHS both online and in-person (and even put one REI employee through the wringer trying to help me find exactly what I needed) to try and find the right 30L pack.
Unfortunately, almost everything I found was a "unisex fit", which, let's be honest, means it was designed for men, but women can wear it if they want.
The UltraSpire Epic XT 2.0 is also a unisex fit, and to be honest, I couldn't find any reviews from female athletes. But the ultimate selling point was the fact that apparently UltrAspire has killer customer service. I was assured by many that if I hated the bag, they'd probably take it back.
So I bought it.
I purchased my UltrAspire Epic XT 2.0 in August of 2021, and have since put it through three separate 12 hour adventure races, and hundreds of training miles. Needless to say, I think this pack and I have gotten to know each other well enough that it's time to full review of this adventure pack.
UltrAspire Epic XT 2.0 Review:
UltrAspire markets the Epic XT 2.0 as the "solution to anything adventure". It's part of the Extreme Line of packs (apparently built to be durable), and is recommended for:
- Trail Running
- Mountain Biking
- Canyoneering
- Fast Packing
- Mountaineering
- Rock Climbing
- Multi-day Endeavors.
Personally, I have used the Epic XT 2.0 for trail running, mountain biking, and hiking. But I've also used and/or put this pack through the following scenarios:
- Climbing trees.
- As a cushion for my knees when I was awkwardly placed in the center of a canoe for multiple hours.
- As a cushion to soften my fall when I came tumbling out of the woods over a short cliff.
- As ballast, by shoving it into the bulkhead of a kayak in both fresh and saltwater.
- Aiding in balance, while trekking through questionable swamp scenarios.
I've even used it as my carry on bag while flying twice. Because there's a hell of a lot of pockets, and pockets are handy when you're traveling. And, in case you are wondering, YES the Epic XT 2.0 does indeed fit under the seat in front of you, even on Spirit Airlines.
I've worn this pack for upwards of 12 hours at a time covering distances of 60 (ish) miles on foot, on a bike, and by boat.
I haven't gone swimming with the UltrAspire Epic XT 2.0 yet, but give it time. I'm sure a race director in my near future will ensure that this happens.
How Big Is The Epic XT 2.0?
Weight: 33 oz (935 g) with removable frame / 26 oz (737 g) without frame.
On the scale of "hydration vest to carry water and a few snacks" to "a backpack to carry what I need to survive a through hike on the AT", the Epic XT 2.0 definitely leans towards the backpack category.
It's large, but not overwhelmingly so.
The Epic XT 2.0 comes with a removable frame (pictured below) I'd call it more of a firm pad than a frame in the traditional sense. It's pretty lightweight (feels significantly lighter than the 7 oz listed above) and does not take up much room in the pack.
Geoff (husband/captain of the team) made a great point that this frame would make an AWESOME removable "seat" to keep your butt dry if you need to sit on the ground (especially considering the other side is solid plastic).
And yes, it easily fit ALL of that gear pictured in the beginning of the post:
Fit
Let me paint a picture of my build: I'm 5'7" and about 130 lbs. I'm pretty flat chested, and spend enough time in the gym that my back and lats - while not anywhere near earning me a bodybuilding show title - are enough to occasionally put me in that "sm-edium" category. I typically wear size small in most athletic apparel, unless it's triathlon or cycling shorts, in which case I'm a medium.
As I already mentioned, the Epic XT 2.0 is considered unisex, with universal sizing that fits a chest of 28″-48″. There are 8 adjustment points on the pack that allow for a more custom fit: at the top and bottom of the shoulder straps, two chest straps, and both sides of the waist belt.
Small Footprint?
On the website, UltrAspire lists "small footprint for better cooling" as a perk of the Epic XT 2.0. I'm going to go ahead and say that "small footprint" is certainly relative to body size. This pack does cover a large majority of my back.
But, compared to other 30L packs, such as my husband's OutThere AS-3 30L pack, it is definitely smaller.
I personally chose to remove the aforementioned frame in order to make the footprint even smaller, especially when my pack isn't as full. This also allows more clearance on my lower back, which makes the pack incredibly comfortable for running and cycling.
That said...the sweat proof webbing and XT Mesh, which is a polyester and nylon combo designed to pull moisture from the body and help it evaporate, work very well. I've worn this pack in a variety of temperatures here in the hot, humid South, and have never felt that the pack itself was too hot, or causing me to overheat.
Hydration
Interestingly enough, the Epic XT 2.0 does NOT come with a hydration bladder. However, it is compatible with a bladder of up to 3L. There is an insulated external pocket/sleeve specifically dedicated to a bladder, that features a top - buckle? Hook? Retaining mechanism? - I'm not sure what to call it, but it holds the bladder in place.
Further, there are enough appropriately sized pockets to include two 24 oz water bottles on either hip, as well as soft flasks in the front pockets.
Pockets, Pockets, Pockets
To tell you the UltrAspire Epic XT 2.0 "has pockets" would be an understatement. In fact, it has 16 pockets to be exact (if I counted correctly). This bag has so many pockets, I tend to unknowingly loose things.
But the good news is that this causes me to find unexpected bonus snacks on my next training session, and I'm not upset about that.
On a more serious note, there is a good balance between secured, zippered pockets, and more open, easy to access pockets. This allows me to safely store things I don't want to lose in the swamp, like my car keys or extra GoPro batteries, but easily access things I need on the fly, like snacks or my compass.
Durability
The UltrAspire Epic XT 2.0 is made with an incredibly durable fabric known as "XT Fabric", which UltrAspire claims is stronger than steel ripstop fibers. The white lines you see in the pack are not just for looks, but are a polyethylene fiber that helps with durability.
There are no pictures available (there is this video though), but trust me when I tell you that among other adventures, I once took this pack through a 30 minute "we're never getting out of here alive" taller-than-head-height bushwhacking adventure through angry South Carolina brush. I tore my skin, I nearly broke my bicycle derailleur got caught on a gnarl vine, and my husband almost threatened divorce for suggesting we take the "shortcut".
But the Epic XT 2.0 emerged unscathed
Other Notable Features
Other notable features worth mentioning include:
- Straps on the bottom of the pack, ideal for holding trekking poles or a sleeping pad
- Buckles on the back / outside of the large mesh pocket
- There's a whistle, which I didn't know about until one day while standing in the TSA line at the airport. Fighting the overwhelming urge to test the whistle right then and there was difficult, I won't lie.
Cost
The UltrAspire Epic XT 2.0 currently retails for around $209. I come from a running background, and while running is certainly a more expensive sport than most people would assume, it's NOTHING compared to the cost of gear-intensive-multi-sports like triathlon and adventure racing.
Point being: $209 for a bag still feels rather expensive to me.
However, the durability and versatility of this bag has already proven to me that it is worth the cost. As we approach 2023, we have a handful of multi-day expedition adventure races on our calendar, and I have no doubt that the Epic XT 2.0 is going to sufficiently and comfortably carry all of the gear (and snacks!) I need for these events.
UltrAspire Epic XT 2.0: Final Thoughts
After being loyal to another hydration pack brand for nearly a decade, I've been absolutely smitten with my first UltrAspire pack. I love the Epic XT 2.0 so much that I went out on a limb and purchased the UltrAspire Zygos 5.0 14L hydration pack for races that require a slightly smaller volume of snacks (and gear). In short, I'm head over heels for that pack as well.
So UltrAspire, and more specifically, the Epic XT 2.0, gets a 5 star rating from me. If you are looking for a 30L pack for adventure racing, fast packing, super long ultras, or just spending the day in the woods, I cannot recommend it enough.
Questions about the Epic XT 2.0? Leave them in the comments below!
