Aarn Guiding Light Backpack – 57L / 65L Technical Load-Balancing Pack (Closeout)
The Aarn Guiding Light Backpack is a technical load-balancing pack built for climbing, ski touring, and demanding backcountry travel. Developed with input from New Zealand climbers, it is designed to maintain agility and efficiency while carrying gear across steep, technical terrain.
Featuring Aarn’s Flow Motion harness system, rope access port, and integrated tool carry options, it supports dynamic movement while reducing fatigue over long approaches and extended climbs.
Aarn Balance Pockets are designed to integrate with the Guiding Light system to improve load distribution, stability, and access to essential gear.
"A prudent person foresees danger ahead and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. - Proverbs 27:12"
Flow Motion Harness System
Maintains mobility and balance during dynamic movement.
Gen 4 Frame Design
Lighter, stronger structure with improved load transfer and pivot function.
Rope Door & Hydration Port
Access rope or hydration without removing the pack.
Tool Quiver System
Secures ice axes, trekking poles, probes, and technical gear.
Adjustable Fit System
15 cm back length adjustment and Pelvic Form hipbelt for load tuning.
Modular Load Expansion
Designed to integrate with Balance Pockets for improved stability.
Available Sizes: Sport-Regular: 10L / 12L Expedition: 15L / 18L
Function: Front-mounted storage to counterbalance rear pack weight
Features: Waterproof 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
Sport-Regular: 10L / 12L
Expedition: 15L / 18L
Waterproof liners
Rain-protected zip flaps
Mesh exterior pockets with compression cords
The numbers, flat and honest.
| Capacity | 57L or 65L (pack body only; expandable with Balance Pockets) |
|---|---|
| Frame | Generation 4 lightweight frame with Multi-Flow pivot |
| Harness | Flow Motion system with Free-Flow shoulder straps |
| Fit | Adjustable back length (15 cm range), Pelvic Form hipbelt |
| Design | Technical pack with rope port, tool quivers, modular expansion |
| Compatibility | Aarn Balance Pockets (optional, not included) |
| Closeout | $100 OFF, limited stock |
| Harness System | Flow Motion harness with Free-Flow shoulder straps |
| Fit System | Adjustable back length (15 cm range), Pelvic Form hipbelt |
| Storage | Main compartment with expandable capacity Multiple exterior mesh pockets with compression cords |
| Access Points | Rope door and hydration port |
| Gear Compatibility | Ice axes, trekking poles, probes, stakes, tripods |
| Brand | Aarn |
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.
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.
Authenticated
Factory-direct from authorized dealers. No grey-market, no refurb, no knockoffs. Your warranty is real.
Supported
Real humans on phone, text, and email — seven days a week. We carry this gear ourselves and we stand behind it.
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.
Are Balance Pockets included with this pack?
No. Balance Pockets are optional and must be purchased separately unless explicitly stated.
Is this pack suitable for climbing and ski touring?
Yes. It is designed for technical terrain and supports mounting of climbing and winter gear.
What makes the Flow Motion harness different?
It allows greater freedom of movement while maintaining load stability, improving efficiency during dynamic activities.
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.