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The Aarn Natural Exhilaration Backpack is a high-performance, waterproof load-balancing pack built for dynamic movement across hiking, cycling, and alpine terrain. Designed for day use or light multi-day travel, it combines a streamlined profile with advanced load distribution to maintain balance and reduce fatigue.

With a FlowMo harness system, auto-mould frame, and flexible pivot design, it moves naturally with the body while maintaining stability under load, making it well-suited for technical terrain and fast-paced travel.

"A prudent person foresees danger ahead and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. - Proverbs 27:12"

— CHARLES, SRO FOUNDER & FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT.

FlowMo Harness System

Provides agility and stability during hiking, biking, and skiing.

Load-Balancing Design

Maintains upright posture and reduces fatigue under load.

Auto-Mould Frame

Conforms to body shape and flexes with movement across terrain.

Waterproof Storage System

Dri-liner protects gear from weather exposure.

Adjustable Back Length

Up to 15 cm adjustment for precise fit.

Technical Carry Capability

Supports skis, snowboard, trekking poles, and climbing tools.

Capacity: 30L, 33L, or 36L

Weight: 4.28 lb (1.94 kg)

500D Kodura nylon

Multi-denier ripstop nylon

Auto-mould frame with perimeter wire and hollow 6001 T6 alloy stays

FlowMo harness system

True-Fit shoulder straps

Flow-Thru stabilizers

Auto-form hipbelt

Adjustable back length: up to 15 cm

Main compartment with waterproof Dri-liner

Lid pocket

Three external stretch pockets

Integrated closed-cell foam sit mat

Web front compression with loop-lock tool holders

Web-loc side compression with reinforced ski carry

Ice axes

Trekking poles (front and rear)

Skis and snowboard

Climbing tools and hardware

Hydration hook, hang loop, and hose exit port

Gold

Forest Green

New Zealand

Available Sizes: Compact: 7L Sport-Small: 10L Sport-Regular: 12L

Function: Front-mounted storage to counterbalance rear pack weight

Features: Waterproof Dri-liners Rain-protected zip flaps Mesh exterior pockets with compression cords

Additional Use: Converts into a front-worn daypack using included shoulder and sternum straps

Compact: 7L

Sport-Small: 10L

Sport-Regular: 12L

Waterproof Dri-liners

Rain-protected zip flaps

Mesh exterior pockets with compression cords

The numbers, flat and honest.

Capacity 30L, 33L, or 36L
Weight 4.28 lb (1.94 kg)
Material 500D Kodura nylon, multi-denier ripstop nylon
Frame Auto-mould frame with 6001 T6 alloy stays
Harness FlowMo system with True-Fit shoulder straps
Waterproofing Dri-liner system
Compatibility Aarn Balance Pockets (optional, not included)
Origin New Zealand
⸻ The SRO Standard

WHY YOU’RE BUYING FROM STAY READY.

We aren’t the Amazon of survival. We’re a small, opinionated shop that carries gear we’d stake our own lives on — and we back every piece with real support.

01

Curated

Every brand we carry has been vetted in the field by our team. If it doesn’t pass our 30-day use test, we don’t stock it.

02

Authenticated

Factory-direct from authorized dealers. No grey-market, no refurb, no knockoffs. Your warranty is real.

03

Supported

Real humans on phone, text, and email — seven days a week. We carry this gear ourselves and we stand behind it.

04

American

HQ in California. Orders ship from our US warehouse. US-based customer care.

BALANCE PACKS & ULTRALIGHT GEAR

Explore more. Carry less. Ergonomic balance packs from Whidbey Island.

Light Hiking Gear is run by Rich and Genie Murphy out of Whidbey Island, Washington — devoted users of lightweight, comfortable packs who built a business around the gear they'd want on their own trails. They carry Aarn balance packs, Couloir ski and alpine packs, and Conifer trekking packs, all built around scientific load distribution and unisex sizing by body measurement rather than gender. The North American operation started in late 2016 (originally as Aarn-USA) and rebranded to Light Hiking Gear in late 2022.

  • Run by Rich and Genie Murphy on Whidbey Island, Washington
  • North American operations since late 2016
  • Aarn balance packs, Couloir ski packs, Conifer trekking packs
  • Scientifically-balanced load distribution design
  • Unisex sizing based on individual body measurements

Answers, straight up.

Product-specific questions on the left. Shopping with SRO on the right. Both open-ended — hit us if we missed one.

About this product
Are Balance Pockets included with this pack?

No. Balance Pockets are optional and must be purchased separately unless explicitly stated.

Is this pack fully waterproof?

It uses a waterproof Dri-liner system to protect contents from rain and moisture.

What activities is this pack best suited for?

It is designed for hiking, cycling, skiing, and fast-moving technical terrain.

Shopping with SRO
How long does shipping take?

Most orders process within 1–3 business days from our warehouse. From there: 5–7 business days economy, 2–3 business days expedited, or overnight if you need it fast. Free economy shipping on orders over $150 (contiguous US). Alaska, Hawaii, and Pro Eagle / freight items are quoted at checkout. You’ll get a tracking number and link the moment your order ships.

What’s your return policy?

30 days from the day your order arrives. Gear has to come back unused, with all original tags, stickers, and packaging intact. For standard items we’ll send a prepaid return label and deduct return shipping from your refund. Oversized or freight returns are on you, unless the item showed up damaged, defective, or wrong — in which case we cover it.

Refunds hit your original payment method within 10 business days of approval.

What can’t I return?

Final-sale items, gift cards, food and drink products, personal-care items, anything customized or engraved, briefs (hygiene), and hazardous materials. If you’re not sure whether something qualifies, email us before you order — we’ll tell you straight.

Do you ship outside the contiguous US?

Yes. Alaska, Hawaii, and US territories ship on freight-quoted rates calculated after checkout. International orders are available worldwide at variable rates; duties and import fees are the customer’s responsibility. EU customers get a 14-day cancellation window per EU consumer law, on top of our standard return policy.

My package arrived damaged — what now?

Email info@stayreadyoutdoors.com within 7 days of delivery with your order number and clear photos of the damage (product + packaging). We’ll replace, refund, or ship a return label on us — no back-and-forth. Damaged, defective, or wrong-item claims never cost you shipping.

Can I talk to a human before buying?

Yes. Email info@stayreadyoutdoors.com — we answer every message ourselves, usually within a few hours during business days. We carry this gear, we use this gear, and we’d rather talk you out of a kit that doesn’t fit your mission than sell you the wrong one.

Do you offer a military/first-responder discount?

Yes. Active-duty and veteran military, police, fire, EMS, and medical first responders get 10% off every order. Verify through GovX at checkout — one-time, secure, and reusable across thousands of brands. Discount applies automatically once you’re verified.