This New Arc’Teryx Pack is Shockingly Light

Technical outerwear juggernaut Arc’teryx is taking the Alpha SV route with its latest alpine pack design—think lighter, faster, stronger. Releasing today 8 May 2025, the Arc’teryx Alpha SL 30L Backpack is basically a refreshed version of the company’s Alpha FL, a well loved design originally released in 2018 that has more recently begun to be outclassed by lighter releases from smaller, independent labels.

Both packs are built to carry everything you need for high-alpine missions (meaning climbing, mountaineering, class 3 scrambling, etc) but the newer backpack offers a few extra organizational features. More importantly, the 316 gram Alpha SL is half the weight of it’s 648 gram predecessor, making it a much better option for anyone who worships at the church of ultralight adventuring.

“Our athletes have logged 1,000 hours testing the Alpha SL,” said Chris Hodgetts, Arc’teryx Design Director, “it is the lightest technical alpine pack the team has ever made. And it is built to last.”

Source: https://www.fieldmag.com/articles/arcteryx-alpha-sl-pack-release