Paladin33 Outback Omega Ultralight Chest Pack Review

Chest packs are not new, but over the last couple of years, they have become increasingly popular, not only for tactical applications but also for general outdoor use, as they offer some interesting properties. One such piece is the Paladin33 Outback Omega, designed with lightweight versatility in mind for diverse carry needs.

Who It Suits

Any outdoorsman, bushcrafter, or mountaineer who would like instant access to more gear than they could put into their pockets. Want quick access to snacks, a multitool, a headlamp, a plus-sized mobile, IFAK, or even a compact camera? With a chest pack, you get that.

Who It Doesn’t

Technical climbing or even more advanced vertical scrambling can be problematic with a chest pack. If you want to move close to the wall, put your chest pack into your backpack. Also, on very hot summer days, I’d keep my chest free from anything except my thin linen shirt.

Specifications

Brand: Paladin33
Name: Outback Omega
Format: Chest pack with optional carry as a sling or hip pack
Dimensions: Standard 9×5.5×3.5 inch, XL size 11x7x3.5 inch
Materials: X-Pac UX10 ultralight fabric
Price: $180

The Good

Immediate access and carry comfort combined are the name of the game. Carrying small, flat items in pants or jacket pockets could be fine when walking through a forest. However, the steeper the terrain, the less comfortable it gets. Bigger items and bulky shapes make it even worse. Even today’s big-screen mobiles are not comfy to carry in a pocket, even on a street, let alone in the backcountry. So, if you want to carry all that little stuff comfortably but still close at hand, the best solution is a chest pack. The Paladin33 Outback Omega is comfortable and ultralight, easy to use, and has multiple secondary carry methods built into it.

They made it out of X-Pac UX10 fabric, incredibly lightweight but still sturdy enough even for mountaineering use. UX10 feels somewhat delicate and rather thin, but I’ve never had a problem with it during the whole winter and spring seasons: when skiing, hiking, and mountaineering, also in ice and snow above the tree line. After all this it still looks like new after some cleaning with soap and water.

Also, the backside air mesh is quite rugged, without any sign of wear after many weeks of rubbing against a central zipper in various jackets. I also carried it during springtime, and it’s been lightweight and compact enough that my chest was not sweating when carrying a reasonable load inside my Outback Omega. You’ll surely see me using it frequently outdoors, except on the hottest summer days.

A slight digression here—these packs are entirely Berry Compliant, which means they are designed and stitched in the US with all US-made components. That translates to complete in-house quality control and an ethical manufacturing process.

This pack has three compartments. The front one is flat, with an admin organizer built in (dedicated to three pens and two bigger items, like a compact multitool, Swiss Army Knife, etc.).

The mid-layer is the broadest one, with both sides lined with Velcro loops and equipped with multiple leashing points. You can use it as one big space or customize it with your favorite Velcro-backed panels and pouches. This compartment can also be compressed with the two mini compression straps on the sides. If you want to keep the pack flat and snug, cinch the straps and you’re done. It’s a simple solution and works great. I was using it all the time in the mountains.

Finally, the section closest to the chest has Velcro on the body side, a single leashing point at the bottom, and padding built into both walls. This section is perfect for fragile items like a mobile phone or other flat electronics or for heavier objects, which are best carried close to the body. I could hold a compact fixed blade there for winter bushcraft use, and my knife was protected from the elements and always ready for outdoor action.

Another great feature is the super simple (but versatile) harness with multiple mounting points. It positions the pack stable enough on the chest but also allows you to use it as a shoulder pack, cross-carry sling, or even hip pack. Still, it works best as a chest pack; that’s the whole point of the Outback Omega.

The Not So Good

Generally, I didn’t have any problems with this pack for most of my use time. But it sits on the chest and protrudes slightly to the front, so for vertical scrambling you should put your Outback Omega into your backpack to stay as close to the wall as possible. Of course, this applies to any chest pack (as a carry concept), not just this one. But it’s good to remember that. Also, if you go for the most lightweight X-Pac material, just be more careful – it’s not as rugged as 1000D Cordura and can be torn when confronted with a sharp rock. But that’s the price you pay to use an ultralight product. Which is more important, toughness or less weight? Well, in the mountains, lightweight construction wins every time for me. But again, you need to consider this when ordering a pack made of UX10.

Verdict

It is lightweight and comfortable, stays in place with straps cinched down, and can be adapted for any specific mission via any Velcro insert module of your choice. What I like with Paladin33 is the approach – in a market dominated by multi-pocket chest packs with overbuilt carry systems, we get simplicity, functionality, and full modularity with minimal weight. The price of $180 is not low. Still, if you consider Berry Compliant manufacturing, scalability, modularity, and the latest and greatest materials, it’s hard to find direct competition with similar quality, such a ridiculously low weight, and a US-made tag. I could name some alternatives for general backcountry use, but finding one for high-altitude mountaineering wouldn’t be so easy. In the mountains, each ounce counts like a pound – and in such conditions, the Outback Omega is in a class of its own. Finally, Paladin33 offers some other variants of chest packs, so you can explore their website a bit and you may find a perfect match for your outdoor activities.