f-stop Loka vs new Mountain Series?

This may be a little overdue, seeing as how the "new" mountain series isn't really that new anymore... and the loka is quite old. HOWEVER, I know there are a bunch that have had the loka, and surely some have upgraded to the newer/larger sizes.


I am unlikely to consider the Ajna just because I think size-wise it's really too similar to my Loka... but am definitely eyeing the Tilopa


So apart from 37L vs 50L, can anyone highlight some of the improvements/major changes between the bags? Some things on my mind:


- Similar backpackpanel - is it any more breathable? Hiking with mine in summer was tough!
- Is the harness system any better? At 50L I'm ALSO likely to load it up with more stuff, so that's an important consideration as well. The only bag I currently own bigger than my Loka is an Osprey 65L which is absolutely fantastic for carrying heavier loads for multi-day backpacking trips.
- My bag has standard side pockets, and so I could easily keep a water bottle in there and/or the feet of a tripod/hiking pole, etc. Seems there is no exposed sides now, but there are zippers? It seems like a more cumbersome pocket would love to hear thoughts on this?

Would really love to hear about anything that stood out good or bad going from the previous to current generation

I have both the old versions and the new. I haven’t used the new much, but the material seems to be stiffer. It’s supposed to be water resistant compared to the old. I didn’t notice a difference in the back panel. The harness seems to be the same, except the Loka seems to have thicker padding.

I gave up on f-stop for several reasons. My Loka started to wear on the bottom. The sweat factor in the summer. The sewn-on belt that allows sag. It was reasonably comfortable at low altitude and flat hikes but I found it didn't handle mountains well.

But the Tilopa does have thicker padding.

I would suggest you have a look at Atlaspacks first, Shimoda Action series next. My Atlas has better breathability and better fit than the Loka by far, and comes in two harness/torso sizes.

The Shimoda has nice straps and adjustable torso sizes built in.

Both the Atlas and Shimoda have removable belts that don't sag. But of the two, the Atlas belt is by far the best I've used of any pack of any genre. I am actually using a second Atlas belt in the Shimoda X50... fits perfectly.

The f-stop pro ICUs fit perfectly in the Shimoda Action X50.

sawsedge wrote in post #19000164
I gave up on f-stop for several reasons. My Loka started to wear on the bottom. The sweat factor in the summer. The sewn-on belt that allows sag. It was reasonably comfortable at low altitude and flat hikes but I found it didn't handle mountains well.

But the Tilopa does have thicker padding.

I would suggest you have a look at Atlaspacks first, Shimoda Action series next. My Atlas has better breathability and better fit than the Loka by far, and comes in two harness/torso sizes.

The Shimoda has nice straps and adjustable torso sizes built in.

Both the Atlas and Shimoda have removable belts that don't sag. But of the two, the Atlas belt is by far the best I've used of any pack of any genre. I am actually using a second Atlas belt in the Shimoda X50... fits perfectly.

The f-stop pro ICUs fit perfectly in the Shimoda Action X50.

I really, really want the Action X50. Missed the kickstarter and new orders don't ship until April. Ugh!

I forgot to add, yes, the new f-stop bags have zippered side pockets. They can hold water bottles but you can't get the bottles out without taking the pack off.