Pa’lante Packs Joey Review

JUMP TO: SPECS  |  PROS & CONS  |  HOW IT PERFORMED  |  FEATURES   |  SUMMARY

Author: Steve Edgerton | Updated: Oct 31, 2023
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The Joey is a unique and stylish backpack from Utah-based cottage brand Pa’lante Packs. It stands out as being one of a small—but growing—number of packs designed with the niche pursuit of fastpacking (a hybrid of trail running and backpacking) front of mind. 

The streamlined 24-liter Joey pairs multi-day storage capacity with the form-fitting, bounce-free design of a trail running vest. The pack has a bit of a cult following among the fastpacking, ultralight thru-hiking, and fastest known time (FKT) scenes. I finally got my hands on a Joey this summer, eager to see if its performance lived up to the hype.

Although there are a few features and design decisions that could be improved upon, the Joey successfully blends form and function in a way that few other packs compete with. It performs well for fast and light multi-day trips, day hikes, bike commuting, and multi-pitch sport climbs. Overall, it is a stylish piece, equally suited to dedicated fastpackers and any discerning multi-sport gearheads who appreciate versatility and excellent design.

SPECS

 

CAPACITY: 24-liter internal capacity

MEASURED WEIGHT: 13.7 oz / 388.3 g

MATERIALS: 100d Robic Nylon

SIZE: 18 in (One Size)

POCKETS: Roll-top main compartment, 2 side mesh pockets, 1 large rear mesh pocket, 1 bottom pocket, 2 shoulder strap flask pockets, 2 shoulder strap small stash pockets

PRICE: $$

 

 

PROS

  • Functional, versatile, lightweight, and aesthetic design

  • Running vest-style harness perfect for fastpacking and ultralight backpacking

  • Durable ultraweave and nylon construction

CONS

  • Limited load capacity and support due to the frameless design

  • Flask pockets are too short for most soft flasks

  • Expensive and often sold out thanks to limited production runs

 

HOW iT PERFORMED

COMFORT & FIT: The Joey comes in only one size. The fit is adjusted with cinch straps near the waist and with two buckles across the chest. The running vest-style shoulder straps are very well padded, much more so than most running-specific vests. The pack should fit most body types securely while riding comfortably. That said, extra care must be taken when packing. The Joey is frameless and there is no padding along the back to protect from rigid pieces of gear.

 
 

CAPACITY: With a 24-liter internal capacity and versatile external pockets, the Joey can accommodate a dialed three-season kit and up to four days of food for a single person. It performs best with loads of 10-12 lbs. or less. Running becomes slightly awkward beyond the 12 lb. mark, but you can still get away with a total pack weight of 15-16 lbs. Any more than that makes running essentially unfeasible and tests the comfort limits of the frameless design, whether running or hiking.

 
 

VERSATILITY: The versatility of the Joey is arguably my favorite part about it. It has the functionality of a dedicated fastpacking pack, but its sleek design and colorways make it an appropriate choice for almost anything. The secure fit and high-capacity roll-top compartment make it great for travel, day hikes, multi-pitch climbing, and bike commuting in the city.

ACCESS: The four shoulder strap pockets of the Joey provide on-the-go access to snacks, water, and any other essentials. Unfortunately, the flask pockets are not really large enough to fit standard 500 ml soft flasks that most trail runners will be familiar with. Short and wide 500ml flasks or semi-rigid bottles combined with a Sawyer Squeeze work far better, but those short flasks are increasingly hard to find and I don’t love the sloshing you get while running with rigid water bottles. This is the Joey’s only design quirk I consider a true weak point.

 
 

The bottom pocket is a nice touch, allowing access to extra layers while moving. The side pockets can also be accessed on the go, depending on how flexible your shoulders are. These pockets won’t take a wider, Nalgene-style bottle like more conventional packs, but work well with long and narrower bottles or as a place to stash other gear and snacks you want easy access to.

WEATHER RESISTANCE: Pa’lante Packs are made from some of the highest performing materials available, blending fabrics like ultra weave, robic nylon, and dyneema into various parts of their designs. The result is a pack that is extremely weather resistant, but not fully waterproof. The Joey soaks through in intense downpours, especially if the main compartment is filled to capacity, which will prevent the pack from being thoroughly rolled shut. It is definitely worth lining the main compartment with a waterproof garbage bag or pack liner.

DURABILITY: The Joey is an outstanding pack if durability is a top priority. Sturdy fabrics and hardware, excellent build quality, and a streamlined design that eliminates zippers and minimizes other moving parts will all help maximize its lifespan beyond most competing packs.

NOTABLE FEATURES

ROLL-TOP CLOSURE: The main 24-liter compartment is accessed via a roll top and secured by a drawstring and a single aluminum cinch buckle. I had doubts about the effectiveness of such a minimal closure system, but have since come to love the elegant simplicity. Accessing and securing the pack’s contents is super easy, and the lack of zippers and extraneous straps add to the Joey’s impressive durability.

 
 

EXTERNAL POCKETS: The Joey’s external pockets include four small shoulder strap pockets, two side water bottle pockets, a large rear pocket, and a bottom pocket. The flask pockets feature shock cords to help secure bottles/flasks in place. All pockets are made from UltraMesh fabric, a moderately stretchy and super durable material.

 
 

HYDRATION RESERVOIR COMPATIBILITY: With a hydration tube access point above the left shoulder strap, the Joey is technically compatible with hydration reservoirs, but it is not really optimized for them. The main compartment does not feature a reservoir sleeve or any sort of attachment buckles. Your reservoir would simply be floating amongst the rest of your gear.

SHOCK CORDS: Shock cords are located above both side pockets to lash trekking poles or ice axes to the pack’s exterior. There are also two ice ax loops at the bottom of the pack’s rear.

 
 

SUMMARY

The Pa'lante Packs Joey will appeal to fastpackers along with any ultralight gear aficionado. Its sleek aesthetics, lightweight design, and practical functionality come together to create a truly unique backpack. Although the Joey is not without flaws—namely the flask pocket design, total lack of back padding, and absence of a secure zippered pocket—its running-friendly fit and performance-driven features make it one of the best purpose-built fastpacking products around, with style and versatility that far outmatch most other vest-style packs.

The Joey’s 24-liter capacity is perhaps the smallest of any bag explicitly marketed for multi-day adventures. Rather than a limitation, though, I found the restrained volume of the pack to be a strength. It requires you to take a rigorous look at your gear list, ensuring your pack weight does not exceed the 12-15 lb. range. The result—a multi-day pack that remains comfortable and fun to run in—is a rare combination, and that alone makes the Joey a worthy investment.

DISCLOSURE

Pa’lante Packs provided me with a free sample for this review – but the views expressed here are all my own. The review also contains affiliate links, which help us keep churning out more content.

MORE INFORMATION

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Happy hiking and take care out there in the wild!