Kitanica Scorpion Review

Lumbar packs are not my usual choice, but certainly, they have their place in my carry arsenal. Whenever I put a backpack on during hot summer days, when my back gets sweaty even under a small daypack, I must admit that a mid-sized lumbar pack could be an enjoyable alternative. Let’s be honest: you do not always need to bring an extended outdoor kit for your day hike. If the weather is good, the trail is not too challenging, and water sources are available, all you need is an essential kit: an emergency rain jacket, a first aid kit, snacks, a light mid-layer, and a decent water bottle (preferably with a filtering system for refills). An expandable 4.5L waist pack with side pockets and a dedicated Nalgene carry pouch should fit the bill. So, welcome to my new outdoor buddy: the Kitanica Scorpion lumbar pack.

The Good

There’s a surplus of good in this pack. First, it’s a spacious pack (for a waist pack), which nicely sits between a daypack and a lightweight fanny pack. Open the horseshoe zipper and check out that main volume – you can store a lightweight insulation layer, a wind shirt, and even a compact hardshell in there. Your med kit, accessories, etc. will also find space there. It’s velcro-loop lined on the back to add your internal pouches for customized load organization. Two internal mesh zip pockets in the flap provide secure storage for small accessories (lighter, wallet, beanie, car keys).

There is one more zipper pocket on the top for quick-access items like a Swiss army knife, paracord, spare batteries, or (in my case) a mouth harmonica. When you look closely, you’ll notice a top-open quick-access pocket just behind the back panel, which could be suitable for map storage for easy in-and-out on the go. Finally, there is a pair of vertical pockets on each side, where the outer one is expandable. That’s a good spot for snacks or hand tools, like a multitool, small fixed blade, or folding bushcraft saw.

If you think that’s quite a lot… well, surprise! There’s even more. You can open the bottom zipper and unfold a compression tail big enough to store a rain jacket. That is an excellent feature, as you can also carry a wet jacket there, so dripping water can’t dampen any of your gear held inside the Scorpion.

MOLLE-compatible webbing panels on the back have multiple uses. You can attach pouches or put bungee cord through them to secure items like trekking poles. I used Austere Manufacturing cam-straps, and these work even better.

But is that all even comfortable? As usual, it depends. If you max out your gear, you must cinch the belt really snug for wobble-free carry. But if you use common sense and keep the load at an adequate level, you’ll be fine! The well-padded mesh back panel and side wings on the wide belt distribute the weight evenly around the hips – it’s more comfy than you think.

Now, about alternative carry methods. There’s a grab-and-go handle on top of the bag. I also tried my Scorpion in cold weather, and the handle worked fine even when wearing gloves. Yes, it’s oversized, but it’s also very comfortable and easy to grab. What’s interesting is that you can also change the carry mode and make it an over-the-shoulder bag via the supplied shoulder strap if you need to for any reason. Well, I didn’t have such a need.

Finally, you can use the PALS system on the waist belt’s side wings to attach compatible pockets, the original (included) Nalgene pouch, or even a fixed blade. Of course, the bottle pouch is suitable for other flasks, too – not just Nalgene. Even my Grayl filtering system sits there okay if secured with the bungee keeper. Side attachments like this do not sag the bag down, especially with that big 32oz flask full of water or a 5″ fixed blade, which are not the lightest things to put on your belt.

A US-made pack in 500D Cordura should be robust, right? Well, saying that this thing is durable would be a serious understatement. It’s a tank! Cordura nylon fabric, strong aero-spacer mesh, heavy-duty Duraflex buckles, and YKK zippers – I can’t think of a more rugged waist pack than my Scorpion. By saying US-made, I mean Kitanica is a Berry Compliant manufacturer, so they not only produce locally in San Leandro in California but also source all materials and hardware within the US.

The Not So Good

It’s not a tiny, lightweight runner’s fanny pack but quite bulky. With all these pockets and add-on pouches, the Scorpion invites you to bring extra (often unnecessary) gear to your hike. So, don’t overload it to enjoy the lightweight alternative to your classic pack! If you put more than 5-6 lbs of gear and water on it, the carry comfort won’t be light and easy anymore. If you exceed that weight, you must cinch the strap down quite seriously to prevent the pack from flapping down on your bum at every step. So keep it light, and you’ll love it.

Over-the-shoulder carry mode with the waist strap removed is not as comfortable as a proper shoulder bag or satchel of a similar size. It may have some applications, but to me, the whole point of the Scorpion is to carry it as a hip pack. That’s why you buy this thing, after all! I’d save some weight when carrying the Scorpion and leave the additional shoulder strap at home.

Verdict

This is a beast of a lumbar pack! In a good way – it’s very sturdy, carries well, and is easily big enough for a day hike if the weather is not too harsh. I like the modular approach with a detachable water bottle pouch, multiple MOLLE panels, and a compression tail for extra storage. The manufacturing quality is outstanding (as always with Kitanica), and combined with high-quality materials, it will survive even a brutal beating in the field. At $135, you get excellent value – a perfectly manufactured US-made lumbar pack of an advanced design made of US-sourced materials and hardware by a reputable company. I tried it on multiple outings in various conditions, and I can’t imagine it could fail under not just everyday use but even severe abuse. After all, Kitanica makes military-grade products, and that also applies to the Scorpion pack. It’s spacious and comfortable, with an easy-to-access customizable interior, many functional pockets, and expanding possibilities. It may be time to free your back and take the Scorpion on your next summer hike.