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There is a discussion over on backpackinglight.com about a mysterious new pack coming in early 2016 called the Revolution. Are there any details that can be shared at this time?

It is an updated Evolution, functionally equivalent , with more built in capability. IMO it should check all the boxes and be able to be fit just about everyone. Weight is only a couple ounces more than the Evo, and I suspect if you really wanted UL, you could a highly functional, great carrying setup down pretty light (lighter than the Evo). I think weight, fully configured medium belt was 2 lbs 8 ... so I'll call it 2 lb 9 to be safe side for now. I suspect someone could get it to 2 lb 3 if desired.

Here are what it does better:
- Reduced back intrusion via formed cross stays
- Barreling is pretty much gone at all frame heights .. the Evo would barrel much more at lower frame heights
- Larger range of Torso adjustments , there are also some slightly new capabilities in the torso / load lifter adjustment as well
- Head Scoop for more freedom of movement
- Haul Loop integrated
- Extra Common Loop integrated so you an add a compression strap for lid or roll top hold down if desired
- Rifle sling carry can use the head scopp cut out, not the "Gun Hook"

We have been testing various iterations for a few months. We have send some testers out and we have been getting feedback. Most feedback , has been .."flat out works".

It should work with any Evo stuff as well, so you should be able to buy the "Back panel " essentially and add it on instead if you desire. You may need a new harness though as well.

The cross stay feature is trickling into the Unaweep bags as well as an option (nothing really changing on the bags) ..any one can add it if desired.

There are also going to be some new style pack bags as well, although our basic "Roll Tops" which will be named the "Fortress" bags, will be essentially unchanged.
The new pack bags are as follows:
- A roughly 35 liter pack bag / mostly for long day / winter / or late season gear intensive use .. or the super dialed UL kit
- A larger bag with great access for big volume activities (about 120 Liters - 135)
- The exposure Panel loader .. which is the same unaweep bag moved over

I suspect it will be very popular for Rescue / Hunting / etc.

There have been some photos out, but not much , and you would never know it in the field photos, but we have been using it for several months, so most field photos actually are of it (not a guarantee though)

So the lightest solution for backpackers would still be a Divide or Standard Unaweep (now the Fortress)?

Yes


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Or a super light basic bag and some weight trimming on a revo . I'm talking like Sil or cuben sort of throw away MYOG pack bag. I don't know how light you could get it but I suspect pretty light . Maybe we will do one and post it but not offer for sale just sort of a this is what you can do


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I'm happy about the fact that we can just add the new components (formed cross stays/harness) to our existing evolution frame. Excited to see the updates

Very excited by all of this! Thanks a ton for doing the 35L too.

It is mostly backward compatible so revo bags should fit evolutions . We can double check them in the next few days and will probably give details on backward / forward comparability . For the record ... Worst case you get essentially a revo frame sheet and it's all good

Some of the revo photos are actually evo bags ... For instance the fortress olive bag is the bag I took to Alaska this year on an Evo . The exposure olive bag photo is actually an Evo bag as well ... We just never produced it and decided to introduce it with the revolution


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While I agree that backwards compatibility is important, I am thankful that the guys at Seek Outside are always striving to improve their products. Being a smaller company that does their own manufacturing in house allows them to prototype and update designs quickly making tweeks as they get back user feedback and use the products more themselves.

I have an Unaweep and not a Evolution, but the pack carries great, excellent actually, and I really like the X-Pack fabric which I first saw on a Mountaimsith Phantom Pack I used in the mid 2000's but haven't seen much of since. It's hard to believe since they carry light years better than other packs out there but Seek Outside hasn't been making packs for that long and they are still refining things to give us as customers a better product. I think it is kind of interesting as you can see their products being evolved and improved at an incredible pace. While most "major" brands take a year to get a product to market, doing everything in house, SO was able to release the Divide in June 2015 and six months later come out with a new improved model based on feedback from end users. The fact that they listen to their customers and are continually refining their products just gives me confidence that they are a company that will be around for a long time.

Hopefully backwards compatibility will remain will all future products, and the guys at SO seem to be for that as well, but at some point that may not be possible. That doesn't make your Evolution any less awesome, but just that their new packs will be even better!
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