Kiwi Ultralight Tui 42 Pack Review: A Featherweight Kiwi Champion 🪶

As the impact of Ultra-Light Tramping gets even more momentum with summer in the not-too-distant future – we took a look at the Tui42 Pack; this New Zealand-made gem offers a smart combination of functionality and minimalism for trampers and backpackers who prioritize every gram.

The Basics:

Let’s get right to the numbers. The Tui 42 boasts 32L of internal storage plus 10L of external pocket space, giving you room to play with. The pack weighs in at just 420 grams—yes, you read that right! Compared to the clunkier bags out there, this feels more like carrying a cloud than a pack.

The Tui42 currently has 8 unique patterns to choose from with more on the way, each one designed by the team.

The Highlights:

External Stuff Pockets? A Game-Changer

The large rear stuff pocket and the two sides are an absolute win. They are perfect for easy access to rain gear, snacks, or whatever else you might need without having to open the main compartment.

That Subtle Kiwi Touch

While the external pattern is eye-catching, the internal pattern isn’t just for looks. The light-coloured interior helps with visibility when rummaging around for your gear—no more black hole effect like you get with darker packs.

Roll Tops

You might not be a fan of roll-tops (zips just feel more secure), but for ultralight packing, they’re the lesser evil. This one’s pretty easy to manage, and if you load it correctly, you can cinch it down tight with the over-the-top strap.

Hip Belt Pockets: A Surprise Win

These pockets are deceptively roomy. At 550ml they comfortably hold snacks or a map without a struggle. Bonus points for the smooth-operating, waterproof zips that glide like butter.

Durability & Weather Resistance

The pack’s HyperD 300 fabric, a 300-denier polyester diamond grid, feels impressively tough and offers decent water resistance. No, it’s not fully waterproof (seams aren’t sealed), so you’ll need a liner for wet-weather trips, but it’ll handle a light shower without blinking.

Pro tip: once you remove the hip belt and trim the straps to your desired length, you can get the pack weight down to around 300 grams. It’s like shaving grams off your toothpaste—if you’re into ultralight, you know the drill.

Fit & Comfort

The Tui 42 comes in two sizes—small (39-46cm) and large (46-53cm)—with an adjustable hip belt so you can tweak it to fit your frame. If you’re between sizes, Kiwi Ultralight recommends going for the smaller one. The frameless design means it’s more suited to carrying lighter loads (up to 10kg comfortably), but push it to 12.5kg, and you risk damage.

Important Note: This is not the pack to overburden. Stick to that 10kg comfort rating—your back (and the pack) will thank you.

What You Need to Know:

• Weight: Around 420g (cut it down to 300g if you’re serious about trimming the fat)
• Capacity: 32L internal + 10L external
• Comfort rating: 10kg (max load 12.5kg)
• Removable hip belt
• Made in New Zealand
• Water-resistant (not seam-sealed, so pack a liner)

Where to Buy?

You won’t find this beauty in the big stores. The only place to snag one is directly from the Kiwi Ultralight website. Being a small, locally owned company, the founders, Debra and Cody, are incredibly approachable. Got a special request? Hit them up via Facebook or email [email protected].

Final Word:

The Tui 42 is an ideal choice for those who want to go ultralight without sacrificing essentials. It’s well-suited for shorter trips and loads of 10kg or less. Just remember overloading this pack could lead to some serious gear regrets.

Pack smart, and this Kiwi creation will carry you far (without the extra kilos).

Watch the video 🎥