Seek Outside is known for crafting gear that can withstand demanding backcountry conditions while maintaining a lightweight design. While the company’s focus is on ultralight backpack hunting, it also caters to lightweight backpackers who need to carry loads in the 30-50 lb range on remote or multi-sport trips, such as packrafting or wilderness fly fishing, or that have infrequent resupply points. I’m often asked by readers for recommendations of lightweight backpacks that can carry heavier loads, north of 30 lbs, and I point them to Seek Outside.

• Weight: 2 Lbs 11 Ounces / 43 Ounces
• Model Tested: 25″ frame/large hipbelt 3.02 lbs (48.32 oz) in Ultragrid
• Volume: 52L (3200 c.i.) + 11L in external pockets
• Type: Adjustable Torso
• Load lifters: Yes
• Pockets: Three plus main compartment
• Hydration Compatible: Yes
• Canister compatibility: BV500 and Garcia fit horizontally in the extension collar, BV 475 fits horizontally at mid-point in pack bag (all fit vertically)
• Fabric Options: Ultragrid or Ultra 200
• Maximum recommended weight: 50 lbs
• Made in the USA.
• Pros: Adjustable torso length, PALs, abrasion-resistant materials, movable compression straps
• Cons: Awkward Y-strap attachment to front mesh pocket

Backpack Capacity and Organization

The Flight 3 is set up like just about every other lightweight backpack in the world, with a roll-top closure, a main compartment, a front stretch pocket, and two side water bottle pockets. The interior of the main compartment holds 52L, while the external open pockets provide an additional 11L of space. All of the external pockets are made with Ultramesh, which is an abrasion-resistant mesh that’s difficult to tear.

The Flight is hydration compatible, with an interior pocket or hang loop to suspend a hydration bladder, a hydration port located between the shoulder straps, and hose keeper loops on the shoulder straps. 

The Flight 3 has a typical lightweight pack layout with a front stretch mesh pocket and two side water bottle pockets

The top of the main compartment features a rolltop closure with a stiffener, making it easier to roll shut and maintaining its secure position when closed. However, the buckles at the ends of the roll top only attach to themselves and not to the buckles along the pack sides, limiting the useful volume in the extension collar and the amount of top compression available.

The two side water bottle pockets have adjustable elastic cords running along the top to prevent items from falling out, and the pockets are angled to make it easier to pull out and replace bottles. The front mesh pocket features an elastic top hem, helping to keep items securely in place.

Backpack Frame and Suspension

Ensuring a good fit is where many ultralight and lightweight packs compromise, and where the Flight 3 stands out from the crowd. The pack features an adjustable torso length, allowing you to raise or lower the shoulder straps to ensure a snug fit that matches your torso length. This is vital when carrying the heavier loads that the pack is designed to carry. The shoulder strap yoke moves up and down laddered straps and secures in place with velcro. If you don’t have experience fitting a pack, it’ll help to adjust this with someone who does.

The torso length is adjustable using a simple ladder lock adjustment system.

The frame is a 360-degree aluminum loop that terminates behind the bottom of the hipbelt and is difficult to remove. It does a nice job of keeping the back straight and driving the load into the hip belt. The frame has an additional horizontal stay that prevents the pack from barrelling around a bear canister or other rigid items when packed.

The shoulder straps feature daisy chains, making it easy to add pockets or hang technical gear, such as a Garmin inReach. They’re well-padded, but are only available in a J-shape, which is more suitable for men than women. The single sternum strap slides along webbing and is easy to adjust. The pack also features load lifters, another essential feature for carrying heavier pack weights. They are easy to access when the pack is worn and do an effective job of tilting the pack so that more weight is carried by the hipbelt, rather than your shoulders.

The hipbelt has pouch attachment ladders for easy customization

The hip belt is wide, featuring a lumbar pad for increased comfort and load transfer. It is removable and can accommodate different hip belt lengths. It also allows for selective tightening of the top or bottom to accommodate different hip shapes. The hipbelt does not come with pockets, but features two tiers of pouch attachment ladders, allowing you to add compatible MOLLE pouches and accessories, such as pockets, canteen carriers, or holsters (sold separately), and is compatible with third-party accessories.

Closeup of a gated clip

Compression and Attachment Points

The Flight 3 comes with two tiers of compression straps that you can move to different positions on the pack depending on the type of load you need to carry. Seek Outside was one of the first backpack manufacturers to use a special gated clip (picture above) for this purpose.

Highly modular, the webbing straps can be moved to different positions on the pack

The Flight 3 has eight gear loops around the perimeter of the front stretch mesh pocket and eight loops that run down the front (the side facing your back) that make all kinds of attachment or compression scenarios possible, including carrying snowshoes.

While the gated clips that enable this level of modularity are highly functional, they’re optimized for infrequent use due to their slightly tricky closure and gradual loss of tension over time. The Flight uses one of these clips on its Y-strap to hold the top of the front stretch mesh pocket closed, a place that is frequently used and where we think a more traditional side-release (squeeze-style) buckle would be easier and less annoying.

The gated clip at the end of the Y-strap is awkward to use frequently

Target User – Who’s The Flight 3 for?

If you’re a lightweight backpacker looking for a pack that can handle heavier (30+ lb) loads while weighing less than 3 lbs, the Seek Outside Flight 3 is hard to beat. It’s best suited for experienced backpackers who appreciate modularity, can confidently adjust the pack’s torso length, and aren’t afraid to invest in premium gear.

I tested the Ultragrid version, which is made from 210d recycled nylon with 200d Ultra fibers and is fairly durable and water-resistant, but nothing special. The Flight 3 is also available in Utragrid 200X, which is a waterproof fabric and much more durable than Ultragrid, especially if you’re scraping the pack regularly, like in canyons, scrambling, or for bushwhacking. Given that the price difference is minor, I’d go with the Ultra200x version if you’re hard on packs.

Recommendation

The Seek Outside Flight 3 stands out as a lightweight backpack that doesn’t compromise on comfort or load-carrying ability. Its thoughtful design, robust materials, customizable fit, and impressive weight capacity make it one of the most versatile options in its category. While not cheap or overloaded with features, it’s an investment in long-term comfort and reliability on the trail. For hikers who demand both light weight and real-world performance, it’s one of the finest choices available today.

Disclosure: Seek Outside donated a pack for review.

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