Initial Ascent Gen I IA4K Pack System
Reviewed by
BrianD
+300
March 4, 2025 (original Mar 2, 2025)
USA-made workhorse that will haul as much as you need. This new-to-me Initial Ascent Gen I IA4K pack system is one that I’ve been wanting to try out for several years now and was happy to pick one up for relatively short dough.
Pros
- Carbon fiber frame is unique and incredibly tough
- Triaxial Carbon Fiber Integrous frame is the result of 16 generations of R&D and now serves as the mainstay of this semi-modular pack system
- Durable materials (500D Cordura) utilized throughout pack construction
- Excellent heavy duty zippers
- Beefy multi material lumbar padding, as well as forward pull straps on hip belt
Cons
- Gen I system’s Pannier Load Carrier is a weak link they’ve since remedied with an updated version that has additional buckles at the top to prevent sag while in “Day Pack” mode.
- Lid does not remain secure at the top of pack under certain loads. (This too has supposedly been fixed with newer iterations of the IA4K system)
This backpack is from a company started by two regular guys up in Idaho. While they’ve mainly been focused on the hunting space, I think their packs might be appreciated by people looking for a bombproof, modular, multi-use pack system.
They are not cheap. However, the phrases “Buy once/Cry once” and “Buy it for life” are more than applicable here. This pack system retailed for just under $700 when it was released several years ago and I believe their pricing is still roughly the same today.
It all starts with their frame. They offer two models (Integrous and Invictus) of carbon fiber frames. The Invictus (according to IA) is “designed for females and smaller framed adults”. The Integrous frame is their original frame and it went through something like 16 iterations before they were ready to bring it to market.
It is the basis for their entire pack system and you can attach pack bags from 2,500 cubic inches up to 8k. They also have a unique accessory called the Pannier Load Carrier. This is designed to be used as a load shelf to haul meat from big game animals. It can be used to haul a variety of other items as well.
It attaches to the frame and is meant to go between the frame and a larger pack bag. However, you can also run the Initial Ascent system without a larger pack bag and use the Pannier Load Carrier as a day pack. This configuration is useful when you don‘t need maximum capacity. Just keep the Pannier Load Shelf attached and the lid and you’re good to go for a wide range of excursions.
The IA lid is a solid piece of kit in and of itself. Hydration bladder compatible via a dedicated horizontal storage compartment, coupled with waterproof, heavy-duty YKK zippers (I think the same ones that come on their main pack bags) makes this almost worthy of its own day pack label.
IA has released an updated Lid bag since my system was first released. Much like the recent upgrade to the original Pannier Load System (old one sagged…new one is much more stable and benefits from added buckles), the newly designed lid took customer feedback into account and made significant changes aimed at improving the usability and intuitive practicality of the lid. (I plan to get one of the newer ones in the future as I slowly update this “new to me” system.)
Last, but not least, the lumbar padding system in their hip belt is outstanding. One of the founders had a bad back for years and was motivated to find a better way to hike/backpack carrying heavy loads with his back issues. (I am not a doctor and don’t know the finer details of his situation.)
Pull-forward straps were something I first experienced with Mystery Ranch packs and thought, “Wow! Why doesn’t everyone do that?” Initial Ascent utilizes them and they work very well!
All in all, the IA 4K pack system has been a blast to get to know and I look forward to finding more ways to incorporate it into my adventures.
Background
Decades of experience with all kinds of backpacks (Internal/External framed)
Source: bought it used
