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Beast18 Ultralight Technical Backpack

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$140.00
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$140.00
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The Beast18 is an ultralight packable frame pack engineered for technical outdoor pursuits.
Best For: Long distance carry and trails
18 liter capacity
Hydration compatible
Includes compression storage sack for travel
Qualifies for free shipping (USA)

- 18 liter capacity
- Flexible frame that moves with your body
- Removable hip belt
- Sternum strap, detachable
- Wrap around zipper on main compartment
- Hydration compatible
- Gear loops for hiking poles or ice axes
- Hypalon™ reinforced external daisy chain
- Water bottle pockets
- Two internal pockets and key loop for securing small items
- Padded, breathable mesh shoulder straps and back panel
- Compression storage sack for travel

Volume: 18 liters
Weight: 1lb 5oz (595g)
Unpacked Dimensions: 20 H x 10 W x 6.5 D in
(50.8 H x 25.5 W x 16.5 D cm)
Packed Dimensions: 9 H x 9 W x 3.5 D in
(22.9 H x 22.9 W x 8.9 D cm)

Materials
- 210D Robic® high tenacity nylon, UTS coated, DWR finish
- 100D Bluesign® nylon ripstop, PU waterproofing
- YKK® zippers and hardware
- EVA foam padded back, shoulder straps, and hip belt
- 210D nylon bonded thread with bartack reinforced construction

Coating Specs
- UTS coating (ultra tear strength): waterproofing and tear strength increase of 30%
- PU coating: waterproofing

Are Beast Series Packs waterproof?
Beast packs are built from waterproof materials and can withstand intermittent or light rain. For more waterproofing, we suggest the Advanced Series.

What kind of frame does the Beast Series have?
Beast Series Packs feature a stainless hoop frame that disperses weight from the shoulders to the hip belt. The frame is rigid vertically, but twists right to left to move with your body if your navigating rough terrain or scrambling.

Does this pack have a hip belt?
Yes, the hip belt is removeable.

What is the difference between the Beast18 and Beast28?
The Beast18 is 18 liters. The Beast28 is 28 liters and additionally has zipper pockets on the hip belt. The hip belts are interchangeable.

How does this backpack stow for travel?
The flexible frame allows you to twist and fold the pack into the included storage bag. For detailed instructions, the demo video shows this process step by step.

Is the Beast hydration compatible?
Yes. The Beast has a hydration reservior pocket, hangers, hose exit, and house routing features.

Will the Beast fit a laptop?
The Beast will fit up to 14" laptop and tablets

Will the Beast side pockets fit large water bottles?
Yes. The side pockets easily fit large water bottles, even Nalgene bottles and 1 liter bottles.

Does this bag have a warranty?
Yes, this product is warrantied for 3 years. Bags in and out of warranty are eligible for repairs.

Warning: This product can expose you to chemicals including DMF which is known to the State of California to cause cancer. For more information go to P65Warnings.ca.gov

Back view of woman on gray background wearing Beast18 with trekking poles and ice axe attached

Fully featured technical pack

Ultralight frame pack featuring hydration sleeve, gear loops for alpine tools, and daisy chains for additional external storage. 1lb 5oz total weight, and built with Robic nylon and rugged YKK hardware.

Twisted Beast18 backpack on light gray background

Flex comfort

Built-in steel frame suspension system moves with the body during activity. Adjustable hip belt and sternum strap distributes heavy loads evenly.

Hands cinching Beast18 into compression sack

Packable

To pack, twist and fold the pack in half and secure in the included compression sack. To unpack, remove from compression sack and the spring steel frame instantly restores the shape of the pack.

Spring steel frame on black background

Flexible frame suspension

The Beast18 features an innovative spring steel frame, which allows for both structure and packability. The flexible frame suspension provides comfort and torsion with movement, for an agile fit that moves with you and distributes loads evenly. When not in use, simply twist and fold the frame, and secure into the compression sack. The spring steel frame bounces back into its original shape when released.

Man on black background holding beast18 pack open

Organization on the trail

The main compartment features an asymmetrical clamshell zipper, making it easy to access the larger items at the bottom of your pack. An oversized front compartment extends to the bottom of the pack, while a zippered pocket inside protects your smaller items. Safely store valuable items in the small interior pocket with keyloop.

Man placing hydration bladder into beast18 backpack

Hydration compatible

An internal hydration sleeve accommodates most 1-3 liter reservoirs, with hose routing features on both shoulder straps for a customized fit.

Hands cinching Beast18 into compression sack

Stow for transit

Easily twist, fold, and store the pack in the included compression sack for travel. Ultralight at just 1lb 5oz, the Beast18 makes it easy to take a fully capable alpine pack with you wherever you go.


Customer Reviews

Based on 12 reviews
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(10)
17%
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S
Simone
2 months review

I searched extensively for a backpack that could meet my needs: lightweight, not too large (no more than 25L in volume), with an appearance that isn't overtly rugged, but suitable for a stroll in the city as well. I used it as my everyday backpack during a family trip to Andalusia in June, as a father of two young girls (ages 4 and 2), and I managed to fit a lot inside: a diaper pouch (4 diapers + a disposable changing mat + wet wipes), a children's activity book, a small notepad and crayons, snacks for the girls, 4 light jackets, 2 hats, a bib, an OM-5 camera with a 17-45mm lens, and water (up to 4 bottles of 0.5L each).

In August, I took it with me for a week at the beach and used it as a beach bag. It held a diaper pouch, a bag of dry swimsuits for the four of us, a pouch for wet swimsuits, two bottles of sunscreen, three pairs of sunglasses, snacks (2 or 3 juice boxes, a couple of packs of crackers), and two small water bottles of about 250cc each. I didn't want it to be fully loaded and we carried another bag for bath towels.

Thanks to the daisy chains and a carabiner, I had the option to expand the load further. I never had difficulty quickly accessing what I needed or stowing it away. Although I expected it to be less structured since it is a foldable backpack, that was not the case at all. It is very comfortable to carry, even when fully loaded, and when folded, it doesn't take up much space.

A significant downside, however, is that purchasing it from Italy meant I ended up spending much more than its original cost due to taxes and customs fees. The final price isn't calculated accurately at checkout, resulting in an unpleasant surprise when paying the cash on delivery charges. While there are warnings about international shipping on the website, I probably misinterpreted them. In hindsight, I would have purchased it from a third-party store.

Also, at the end of the week at the beach, I noticed that the top handle of the backpack had started to come apart at the seams. This was disappointing because I believe the handle should be one of the most durable part of the backpack, and it seems unreasonable that it would begin to wear out after just two weeks of total use.

Hey Simone, thank you very much for your thorough and thoughtful review of the Beast18. We apologize that the top handle is showing signs of fraying, that is certainly not up to our standards. Please send an email to CustomerService@matadorequipment.com with photos of the handle, and our team will work out an in-house repair or simply send you a new pack.

V
VALERIE A.
Excellent pack

Bought for a trip to Costa Rica. No trouble as a carry on. When caught in the light rain my pack stayed dry. Super lightweight.
Could use more pocket areas but I could also just learn how to pack 🤣

J
Josh
one of my favorite bags

This was the first product i'd ever purchased from matador a few years back. Whether it's a day hike or as a go back during travel, this is the bag i'll grab on my way out. It's been through every condition you can think over the past 4 years and shows no signs of giving up. I liked this bag so much I've bough countless more gear from matador over the years. You can consider me a lifelong customer.