X Flow Straps - Light Hiking Gear
* Alternative to sternum straps when Balance Pockets are not used
* Spread load widely over the chest to reduce pressure and increase comfort
* Don’t restrict breathing
* Straps quickly connect via our flexible nylon Conus Clip Attach to sternum strap buckles and grey loops at base of U Flow straps
* Optional for all models except Marathon & Mountain Magics, where they are standard equipment.
Color Grey
Weight 1.8 Oz 50 Grams
"A prudent person foresees danger ahead and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. - Proverbs 27:12"
Sternum Strap Alternative
Use when Balance Pockets are not in play
Wide Chest Load
Spread pressure across the chest for less point-load
Doesn't Restrict Breathing
Designed to leave the chest cavity unrestricted
Conus Clip Quick Connect
Flexible nylon clip attaches in seconds
Ultralight 1.8 oz
Adds almost no weight
The numbers, flat and honest.
| Color | Grey |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1.8 oz / 50 grams |
| Attachment | Flexible nylon Conus Clip to sternum strap buckles and grey loops at base of U Flow straps |
| Compatibility | Optional on all Light Hiking Gear models |
| Standard Equipment | Marathon and Mountain Magic packs |
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.
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.