Southern Lite Packs, 62 Hampshire Street, Kingston (2026)

02/06/2026

I've been busy in the workshop over the last few days, making progress on this batch of 65L lightweight packs.

These are part of a larger order that needs to be completed by the end of the month, so it's been all systems go lately.

Every pack in this batch is built from Ultra 200, keeping them exceptionally lightweight while still offering the durability needed for serious backcountry use. Whether it's long approaches, multi-day missions, or carrying heavy loads deep into the hills, these packs are designed to handle it.

Always satisfying seeing a whole run of packs coming together and getting ready for their next adventures.

HuntingNZ Packrafting TrampingNZ AdventureReady UltralightGear NZMade MountainLife BackcountryHunting CustomPacks GearBuiltForAdventure

19/05/2026

Big river missions, remote alpine crossings, and multi-day adventures deep in the backcountry — these 90L packrafting packs are built for exactly that.

Made using the awesome new Ultra 200 colours — orange, green, blue, and pink — these packs are designed to haul huge loads while staying incredibly light and tough at the same time. A medium weighs just 1,185g, making them ideal for long approaches, tough bush bashes, and committing packraft trips where every gram matters.

The large side pockets easily swallow paddles, while the oversized front pocket keeps wet weather gear or soaked gear separate and easy to grab when the weather turns bad. The lightweight frame still carries loads comfortably, while also folding down easily to fit through the TIZIP on your packraft.

For day missions, there’s room inside for your packraft, PFD, helmet, and all your essentials. On longer multi-day adventures, these packs are designed so you can keep most of your gear packed internally instead of strapping bulky gear to the outside where it catches on every branch along the way.

I made nine of these altogether and five are already gone. Still available:
• Small Pink
• Medium Green
• Medium Blue
• Large Green

If one of these sounds like your next adventure pack, flick me a message or DM before they disappear. More details will be up on the website soon.

https://www.southernlitepacks.co.nz/product-page/ultra-light-90l-backpack

07/05/2026

First batch of ski touring packs ready for winter ❄️

These come in at around 55L fully packed out, not including the top lid and front pocket. Built for backcountry missions, hut trips, and lightweight overnighters.

Features:
• Fully floating and removable top lid
• Dedicated avalanche gear pocket (260mm wide and 450mm tall), with built-in sleeves to keep gear organised, plus a storm flap to help keep snow out and gear in
• Three side compression straps per side, with double-pull top and bottom straps for locking loads down securely
• Low side retention pocket to stop strapped gear sliding out the bottom

The main body is made from Ultra 400, with Ultra 200 on the coloured panels (orange or blue), giving these packs the durability needed to handle sharp ski edges and hard winter use.

Keen to hear what people think once these get out into the mountains — and what additions or changes you’d like to see in future versions.

At the moment, 6 out of the 7 packs from this first batch are still available:
• 4 Medium, two of each colour
• 1 Large, Orange
• 1 Small, Blue

If you’re keen on one, get in touch soon — These will stay around for long.

More info and pricing are up on the website under the Ready Made section. https://www.southernlitepacks.co.nz/product-page/55l-ski-touring-pack

24/04/2026

Who’s getting excited for the upcoming winter season and some big ski touring missions? ❄️⛷️

I’ve been working on a new pack design and this one is a bit of a tester for what I’m planning to offer this season.

Fully loaded with the roll-top extended, it comes in at around 55L. Rolled down to the load lifters, it’s about 42L, which should suit most day tours and lighter overnight missions. The main pack is tough ultra 400 with the new blue ultra 200 for a bit of colour.

A few key features:

Front avalanche pocket (approx. 240mm x 500mm) designed to fit a small shovel, probe, and handle with Internal ultra-stretch sleeves to keep your probe and shovel handle secure. Flap + clip closure to keep snow out and gear in.
Removable floating top lid (works even with the roll-top extended) or removed for light missions.
Three double-pull side straps to really lock down skis or gear, New G-hook clips (currently being tested 👀).
Low side pockets for things like tent poles or snow stakes.
Ice axe loops and front daisy chain.

I’m also trialing a new spacer mesh for the shoulder straps, but I’ll likely stick with Robic 420 for now—it’s proven to be super reliable and doesn’t hold snow.

Total weight comes in at 1,320g.

I also think a larger 70L pack in the same design would be good for longer bigger trips. But what abut a more simple pack without the top lid and Avy pocket?

keen to hear any thoughts or feedback!

23/04/2026

Another batch of 75L Adventure Racing packs is ready to go. Built to be lightweight without compromising durability, these packs are designed to handle the toughest races and months of demanding training leading up to them.

Aimed at adventure racing—but they also make awesome lightweight tramping or hunting packs. Simple, light, and tough, they’re built with Ultra 200 for the main body and pockets, 400 for the base. Top compression and a Y-strap keep the pack nicely cinched down when you’re not running full volume.

You can add hip belt pockets, shoulder pockets, and water bottle pockets to really dial in your setup. The medium weighs just 1080g, which is impressive for a pack of this size.

Three are gone already, but i still have two of the orange ones in Medium. So if your keen get in touch or head to the website for more info.

https://www.southernlitepacks.co.nz/product-page/70l-adventure-race-pack

17/04/2026

With winter starting to creep in, I’m starting to think seriously about ski touring and alpine pack builds for the coming season.

I’d love to get a sense of what people are after this year so I can focus on building the right batchers of packs. If you’re planning trips, let me know what you’d want in an ideal setup:

Pack size: 85–90L for full expedition loads, 30–40L for technical touring, or something in-between?

Overall style: a really clean, streamlined pack (side compression + front daisy chains only), or a more feature-heavy build with avalanche pocket, crampon pouch, axe sleeves, lid, etc.?

Avalanche gear: detachable front pocket vs a fixed, more protected setup inside pack?

Ice axe carry: non, standard loops, toggles, axe sleeves?

Side pockets: Side pockets: useful or not? (Personally I’m cautious here with ski edges cutting fabric)

Lid vs lidless: traditional top lid for access and organization, or a clean roll-top to cut weight and failure points

Compression: how much do you actually rely on (2 vs 3 straps, top compression, ski carry security, etc.)

Build priority: pushing ultralight weight (Ultra 200) vs durability and structure (Ultra 400/800)

Most ski packs I would lean toward Ultra fabrics given the abuse they take, but I’m interested in where people draw the line when it’s your gear on the line.

I’ll be keeping a list of interest across different setups. Before I commit to building a run, I’ll reach out to anyone aligned with that design so you can lock one in.

If you’re planning to get after it this winter, I want to hear what you’d actually want in your ideal pack build 👇

16/04/2026

The next run of 85L hunting packs has just come off the sewing machine and are already sold even before I had a chance to put the up for sale.

Built for bush bashing in the harshest conditions NZ has to offer.

Lightweight without sacrificing comfort or durability, these packs are made to handle serious loads in serious country.

Larger curved hip belts for improved weight transfer.
25mm frame for solid load carrying.
Ultra 400 on side pockets, front pocket, and 800 base for extra abrasion resistance.
EPLX600 Camo or Ultra 400X for the main body.

The front pocket features a flap with clips to keep debris out when you’re pushing through thick bush. No shock cord — deliberately kept clean to avoid snagging.

Storage layout:

Left side: taller pocket for spotting scope or bipod
Right side: standard pocket.
Rifle dropper
Double-pull upper side straps to properly lock in your rifle and eliminate sway.

The rifle dropper keeps things sitting lower for better balance and less hang-up in tight country.

Removable compression straps and a top Y-strap let you cinch the pack right down when running light.

Two small tabs at the base of the front pocket add extra lashing points — ideal for carrying a head, or running removable ice axe loops. Clean setup for summer, easy to adapt for winter.

Weight is 1500g for the full ultra packs and 1615g for the Camo ones.

Availability: There are all gone, but if you want one, get in touch and I'll add your name to my list and make sure i make you one next time.

I’m also lining up another run of large 90L expedition packs with top lids. If you want one set up as a hunting pack, reach out soon.

Planning to move onto making winter Alpine and Ski touring packs before winter kicks in.

https://www.southernlitepacks.co.nz/product-page/85l-hunting-pack

09/04/2026

This latest batch of colourful packs has been seriously fun to bring to life. And this time, I can’t take all the credit — I’ve had an awesome helper in the workshop a couple of days a week, and this is the first full batch we’ve worked on together.

All of these packs are based on my LandSAR design, built to be as versatile and practical as possible. They offer a maximum volume of around 70L (with a few rolls at the top), giving you plenty of space for multi-day trips. Rolled down to the load lifters (as pictured), they compress to about 54L — and cinch down even further for lighter day missions.

Feature-wise, they’re designed to adapt:
• Large side pockets for bottles or tent storage
• Three side compression straps to really dial in the load
• Front daisy chains for attaching extras (like the pocket on the red pack)
• Ice axe loops and a front bungee system for drying wet gear on the go
• A top lid that's fully removable for when you want to go minimalist

All packs share the same core build where it matters most:
• Side pockets + back panel in durable 420D Robic nylon
• Base reinforced with EPLX 400D for extra toughness and longevity

From there, fabric choices change the feel — but interestingly, not the weight all that much:

• Red, purple, and pink — EPX 200
→ Lightest in the batch at 1,450g

• Green — EPLX 400
→ Slightly tougher, minimal weigh increase 1,500g

• Black (both) — EPX 400
→ Toughest but adds 105g over the 200 version 1,545g

What’s really interesting is how minimal the weight difference is between EPLX 200 and 400, despite the bump in durability.

No matter the option, these are all built with seriously hard-wearing materials — designed to handle plenty of abuse out in the wild.

These are all for sale and will be going up on the website today. So get in touch if you are wanting one or all six.

They are mostly Medium back lengths with just the purple in Small and the black with teal shock cord in Large.

https://www.southernlitepacks.co.nz/product-page/versatile-70l-pack

04/04/2026

Love a good trip in the hills chasing stags this time of the year.

31/03/2026

It's good to get out with mate's for a great packraft trip. It's funny when 4 out of the 5 of us had packs made by me.
Always a good paddle on the Greenstone.

Southern Lite Packs

02/06/2026

19/05/2026

07/05/2026

24/04/2026

23/04/2026

17/04/2026

16/04/2026

09/04/2026

04/04/2026

31/03/2026

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