The North Face Shadow 40+10 Pack

The North Face Shadow 40+10 is essentially a roll top closure bag with a minimal frame. Those fringing on the ultralight movement and alpine addicts will appreciate the simplicity and all that goes with it. This pack is best for those with light and fast objectives where weight and mobility are the primary concerns. **Comfort/Fit:** The North Face Shadow 40+10 offers a comfortable fit by allowing fluid movement with the body rather than solely relying on load transfer to the hips. Its thin plastic frame sheet, reinforced with a steel wire loop, provides flexible support, especially noticeable with loads under 28 pounds where the pack can conform closely to the torso. For overnight summer trips or light alpine excursions, this suspension system excels. While the shoulder straps and hip belt offer sufficient padding for lighter loads, heavier loads may necessitate additional padding, such as a mid-layer. Available in S/M and L/XL sizes, the L/XL pack's hip belt adjustment may be limited for smaller waists and longer torsos. **Stability**: The North Face Shadow 40+10 features a minimalist suspension design with a wire-bound plastic frame sheet that offers stability, particularly with lighter loads when combined with the compression system. By utilizing the roll top closure, four side compression straps, and vertical compression strap, the load can be centralized close to the frame sheet, providing good stability up to around 28 pounds during active hiking and scrambling. **Storage:** With a 40L pack body and an extension sleeve adding 10L, the North Face Shadow 40+10 provides ample space for multi-day adventures. Effective use of the compression system is crucial for managing volume and ensuring proper weight distribution for comfort and stability. **Durability:** The design of the North Face Shadow 40+10 emphasizes durability, boasting fewer features to minimize potential points of failure. Constructed with 210d main body fabric featuring a roll top closure and reinforced with screen print in high abrasion areas, the pack prioritizes longevity. Additionally, the bottom of the pack is reinforced with 210d ripstop fabric, while all straps and buckles are robust. Despite a minor issue with the sternum strap anchor, which was easily fixed in the field, the overall durability of the pack remains impressive. **Extras:** In addition to its core features, the North Face Shadow 40+10 includes several convenient extras such as a removable interior zippered pouch, small/flat zippered pockets on the neck and hip belts, hydration bladder sleeve/hang loop, and ice tool carriers. Furthermore, the frame sheet and hip belt padding can be removed to transform the pack into a superlight day pack or summit pack.