• Home
  • ABOUT
  • HOW TO START
  • ALPS
    • Austrian Alps
    • German Alps
    • Italian Alps
    • Slovenian Alps
    • Swiss Alps
    • Huts and Shelters
    • Roads and Passes
  • TENERIFE TOURS
  • ABOUT EQUIPMENT
  • FAQs
  • WRITE FOR US

Mountains For Everybody

Site about mountaineering, climbing and equipment, for those who love mountains

  • Outdoor Sleeping
    • Tents
      • Solo tents
      • Tents for 2 People
      • Tents for 3 People
      • Tents for 4 People
      • Tents in general
    • Tarps and Shelters
    • Sleeping Bags
    • Sleeping Pads
  • Backpacks
    • Day Packs
    • Mid-Size Packs
    • Large Packs
    • Kids & Youth
    • Packs FAQs
  • Clothing
    • Men’s
    • Women’s
  • Footwear
    • Men’s
    • Women’s
    • Insulated
  • Gear
    • Camp stuff
    • Lamps
    • Poles
    • Filters
  • Newsletter subscribe

Kelty Zyp 48 Backpack for Men – PerfectFit Suspension

Last Modified: 04/19/2025

Kelty Zyp 48 Backpack for Men is from a new 2019 series with an adjustable torso length, PerfectFit suspension system, and excellent ventilation.

Kelty Zyp 48 Hiking Backpack.
Kelty Zyp 48 Hiking Backpack.

Key features

  • Adjustable torso length.
  • Perfect Fit adjustment system.
  • Lightweight pack.
  • Top and side access.
  • Reasonable price.

What is Kelty Zyp 48 about

I used the words ‘for men’ in the title in order to stress that they build this pack in versions for men and women. They are different in weight, dimensions, colors, and design. This is a pack from a completely new series that Kelty launched in 2019. It includes the packs of 28, 38, and 48 liters, and this separately for men and for women. So there are in total 6 packs in the series and in several nice color combinations.

So this Zyp 48 is a top-loading pack with a fixed lid and a collar for the top entrance. But it also has a side zippered entrance on the right side of the pack (shown below). This is instead of the bottom entrance which is not available here. The pack is hydration compatible and you have an internal sleeve for a reservoir.

The side zippered entrance.
The side zippered entrance.
Zippered lid pocket.
Zippered lid pocket.

This is a lightweight design, with the weight 3 lb 5 oz (1503 g), so to some extent it is similar to their Siro 50 pack which is still lighter. But it is not ultra-light, if you need something of that kind, check this Gregory Optic 48 pack which is only 1.1 kg.


Overview of features

The suspension

The suspension is based on a peripheral steel frame in a configuration that they call the NadaTech Suspension that is designed to minimize the points of contact with your back.

So when you look at the backpack from the side, it is indeed completely separated from the body, see the picture below. The same system is used in their new Zyro series, see for example this Zyro 54 pack for women.

But there are quite large foam sections behind the shoulders which are in contact with the body. Though here you have a very breathable mesh, see below. So this is a nicely-ventilated back panel structure.

The torso length is adjustable and they call this PerfectFit. You should know that they have been using this in many of their packs in the past 3 – 4 years. This is the most effective adjustment system known to me. The reason for claiming this is because you adjust the harness torso length with the pack on your back and when it is fully loaded.

So there is no need to make guesses by taking the pack off and putting it on as you normally have to do with other packs on the market.

The NadaTech Suspension system with PerfectFit adjustability.
The NadaTech Suspension system with PerfectFit adjustability.

I mentioned the NadaTech system, see what they mean by this:

The shoulder harness padding is much better in my view than the hip belt padding which is thin and the stitching is on the side facing the body, see the picture above, but both are with a breathable mesh. So this is a well-ventilated system. The harness is with load lifters and with an adjustable sternum strap, so all necessary features are in place.

Please see in the video how this PerfectFit system works:

The pockets

The pack has one zippered pocket on the lid, with the entrance from the side, so something unique again typical for Kelty. On the front, you have dual stretch mesh pockets instead of one large pocket which many packs on the market have. There are two stretch mesh side pockets as well for water bottles or any other item, plus dual zippered hip belt pockets. So this makes it 7 in total. 

Attachment elements and compression straps

The Zyp 48 comes with the usual dual straps on both sides, so you can use them to cinch the pack or to attach some gear. There are dual straps on the bottom as well to attach a pad or a tent. Two attachment loops are on the bottom and paired with bungee tie-offs, for poles or for ice axe, the picture below shows how to use them for poles.

Attachment system for poles.
Attachment system for poles.

Please see a bit more about this new series in this short video by Kelty:


Specifications

  • Weight: 3 lb 5 oz (1503 g).
  • Volume: 2929 in³ (48 L).
  • Optimal carry weight capacity: 20 – 40 lb (9 – 18 kg).
  • Torso fit: 16 – 22 in (41 – 56 cm).
  • Dimensions: 29 x 13 x 10 in (74 x 33 x 25 cm).
  • Frame: sprung steel.
  • Body fabric: 210D nylon.
  • Reinforcement fabric: 420D nylon.

Kelty Zyp 48 pack vs Competitors

I have decided to show you this Zyp 48 side by side with two packs from Gregory. The Optic 48 is an ultra-light pack and the Paragon 48 is in the same weight group as this Kelty’s pack. I give only some basic features, so please follow the links for more.


Features

COMPARE PACKAGE FEATURES

Weight, lb (kg)

Volume, l

Adjustable harness

Access

Hip belt pockets

Rain cover

Metal frame

Bottom compartment

Pockets

Lid

Price, $

Kelty
Zyp 48

$99

Payable Every Month

3.3 (1.5)

48

yes

top, side

yes

no

yes

no

7

fixed

$$

check
on amazon

Gregory
Paragon 48 

$399

Payable Every Year

2.94 (1.45)

48

yes

top

yes

yes

yes

yes

7

floating

$$

read
my review

Gregory
Optic 48

$399

Payable Every Year

2.47 (1.12)

48

no

top

yes

yes

yes

no

7

removable

$$

Read
my review


Final thoughts, rating, pros & cons

In the summary of this Kelty Zyp 48 Backpack for Men review, I would stress again that this is a nicely-ventilated design with a very user-friendly and effective torso adjustment system. I am not particularly impressed with its hip belt, and with the fact that it comes without a rain cover. But the design is very interesting, the price is reasonable and this is a quality backpack as you might expect from Kelty.

Please see how I rate it against the parameters used for all the packs in the site:

Kelty Zyp 48 Hiking Daypack

Kelty Zyp 48 Hiking Daypack
9.1

Volume/Weight ratio

9.1/10

Features & Bonuses

8.8/10

Comfort

9.4/10

Pros

  • Great ventilation.
  • Two access points.
  • Some unique features.
  • Lightweight.
  • Excellent torso size adjustment system.

Cons

  • No rain cover.
  • Fixed lid.
  • No bottom compartment.

 

Buy on Amazon

Buy at Kelty

If you need more options from the same size range, please visit my page with 35 – 55 liters packs.

Note that this is not a sponsored text and I am not paid by the brand. Please use the comment box below in case of questions or comments. 

Spread the love

Mountains for Everybody site is reader-supported. This means that some of the links in the text are affiliate links, and when you buy products through our links we may earn some small commission to keep running the site. Filed Under: Mid-Size Packs Tagged With: Kelty Zyp 48 Backpack review, Kelty Zyp 48 pack, Kelty Zyp 48 pack review, Kelty Zyp 48 review

Comments

  1. Derek says

    01/23/2021 at

    What happened to the Zyp collection at Kelty? Is gone after a year? I was considering this pack but I’m cautious after seeing the entire line is now gone.

    Reply
    • Jovo says

      01/23/2021 at

      Hi Derek, it is still available at some big sellers. Not clear what the situation is at Kelty. I shall get in touch with them and ask. Best regards.

  2. Hike Lite says

    08/27/2019 at

    Can the lower side compression straps be routed through the water bottle pockets? Or only over the outside of the water bottle pockets? I want to compress my pack, not my water bottles.

    Reply
    • Jovo says

      08/28/2019 at

      Hi, the answer is no, there is no inside-out feature on these side pockets and straps. You have this in Gregory Optic 48 for example.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


My photo on the summit of Jalovec.Hi everybody and welcome to my site which I nurture with love and passion. Here I describe my own climbs and give reviews of equipment. I hope you will enjoy it. More about the site and about me here.

Categories


Cookies Statement

In this site we do not have any cookie tool. But we do use services by third parties that either use cookies or may be doing so, yet we do not have any control of it. This is covered in their privacy policies. For more details please check in our Privacy Policy page.


  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Affiliate Disclosure

My Most Memorable Tours

  • Magic Moments On Mount Teide Tenerife
  • Climbing Weissmies solo
  • Climbing Mount Fuji
  • Climbing Zugspitze solo
  • Lagginhorn my first 4000er

Recent Posts

Can an Overweight Person Go for a Trek featured picture.

Can an Overweight Person Go for a Trek?

The Physiological Impact of Thru-Hiking featured picture.

The Physiological Impact of Thru-Hiking: Body’s Response and Effects

Are Canvas Backpacks Good for Hiking featured picture.

Are Canvas Backpacks Good for Hiking?

Why Is There a Gap Between My Back and Backpack featured picture.

Why Is There a Gap Between My Back and Backpack?

Huts and Bivouacs in Dolomiti di Brenta Alps: Interactive Map featured picture.

24 Huts and Bivouacs in Dolomiti di Brenta Alps: Interactive Map

Affiliate Disclosure

I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. So when you buy something from this website, I may receive an affiliate commission. These are my opinions and are not representative of the companies that create these products. My reviews are based on my personal experience and research. I never recommend poor quality products, or create false reviews to make sales. It is my intention to explain products so you can make an informed decisions on which ones suit your needs best.

Categories

  • About mountains in general (33)
  • Alps (138)
    • Austrian Alps (5)
    • German Alps (3)
    • Great mountain roads and passes (10)
    • Huts and Shelters (27)
    • Italian Alps (84)
    • Slovenian Alps (25)
    • Swiss Alps (21)
  • Backpacks (248)
    • About Packs in General (76)
    • Day Packs (63)
    • Large Packs (79)
    • Mid-Size Packs (52)
    • Packs for Kids & Youth (2)
  • Clothing (22)
    • Men's Clothing (11)
    • Women's Clothing (8)
  • Equipment (61)
    • Camp stuff (37)
    • General Stuff (3)
    • Headlamps (8)
    • Trekking poles (3)
    • Water filters & purifiers (9)
  • FAQs (125)
  • Footwear (22)
    • Insulated Footwear (4)
    • Men's Footwear (17)
    • Women's Footwear (6)
  • Guest Author posts (5)
  • Hiking tours (22)
  • Sleeping Bags (109)
  • Sleeping Pads (90)
  • Tenerife (24)
  • Tents and shelters (256)
    • About tents in general (22)
    • Solo tents (23)
    • Tarps and Shelters (12)
    • Tents for 2 People (69)
    • Tents for 3 People (57)
    • Tents for 4 People (91)
    • Winter tents (25)

Copyright © 2025 · Mountains for Everybody · All Rights Reserved