Zpacks

[rsriddle_76]

Has anybody used/own any of Zoe valesko UL gear?? if so what do you use and how do you find it holds up in Australia? http://zpacks.com/backpacks.shtml

[ULWalkingPhil]

That's a seriously lightweight pack, I would guess if your a ultra light backpacker they would be perfect. They appear to be popular in the States. I know of one guy that owns a pack that is only 700grams and his complaining it's to heavy as his base pack weight is now 3kg, He wants to try save a further half kilo on his pack, giving him a base pack weight of only 2.5kg and that includes his tarp, hammock clothes and cooking gear.

I'm currently at 10.5kg base pack weight and that includes in that weight a Lifesaver bottle weighing in at 750grams and a pack weighing 2.5kg. I've often looked at a lighter pack myself, but my Aarn pack is just so comfy to wear. No strain on my shoulders. The pack don't feel like it's 2.5kg.

Would be interesting to hear how they hold up in Australian conditions. Have you seen how light there tents are?

[Tony]

Has anybody used/own any of Zoe valesko UL gear?? if so what do you use and how do you find it holds up in Australia? http://zpacks.com/backpacks.shtml

Hi rsriddle_76,

I own and use a Zpacks hexamid tent and love it, though I only use the tent for three seasons.

I have looked at the packs and feel they would not handle the Australian scrub which I often walk through, but would be fine for tracks.

Tony

[rsriddle_76]

Yeah the tents are nuts hey! i think i have been sucked into light weight hiking gear the more i look into it and talk with those whom are UL savy. I am slowly converting over but not to that extreme as i'm still young(36) and fit, but would like to get to around 6-8 kg range. I have started to sell all my heavy gear 2.4kg tent, 3kg pack 800g mat etc etc..
Have started with a Tarptent monent @ 850g (love this thing) and Exped synmat ul7 @ 460g so not Ultra light stuff but would like to keep some relative comfort.

Think one of those packs from Joe- zpack exo or from MLD the exodus http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/index.php?cPath=25 might have to be on the shopping list soon and one of the sleeping bags.

[rsriddle_76]

I guess to that having a very comfy (heaver) pack even though it might feel great on your back. It is still 10+kg's on your knees and feet at the end of the days walk.

[Nuts]

I have some of that hybrid material here. It would be a lot harder wearing than straight Cuben. I'd agree that on open tracks even lighter Cuben would be ok I guess. I made a floor from the 1.43oz Cuben. It doesn't rip or abrade much worse than nylon but I personally wouldn't bother. It may save a couple of 00 grams but I prefer the extra strength and features of the other manufacturers.

Tempted by MLD Dyneema packs (Burn) but have a heap around 40-50L so cant justify another yet. Some of the bigger players make packs not much heavier again. I'd imagine dyneema reinforced nylon would be the best (non canvas) pack material if heading into any real scrub. At least it should only puncture rather than rip. Even so, i'd like one made from the heavier dyneema X.

[Tony]

Yeah the tents are nuts hey! i think i have been sucked into light weight hiking gear the more i look into it and talk with those whom are UL savy. I am slowly converting over but not to that extreme as i'm still young(36) and fit, but would like to get to around 6-8 kg range. I have started to sell all my heavy gear 2.4kg tent, 3kg pack 800g mat etc etc..
Have started with a Tarptent monent @ 850g (love this thing) and Exped synmat ul7 @ 460g so not Ultra light stuff but would like to keep some relative comfort.

Think one of those packs from Joe- zpack exo or from MLD the exodus http://www.mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/index.php?cPath=25 might have to be on the shopping list soon and one of the sleeping bags.

Hi rsriddle_76,

The MLD packs are made of Dyneema and are a lot tougher than Cuben Fibre packs, I have used Dyneema Golite packs for many years and the Dyneema fabric held up to some very hard use.

I am looking at a MLD Trail star tarp for winter use.

I guess to that having a very comfy (heaver) pack even though it might feel great on your back. It is still 10+kg's on your knees and feet at the end of the days walk.

My current favourite pack is a60l 1.2kg pack that is so comfortable that I forget it is on my back sometimes.

Tony

[ULWalkingPhil]

I guess to that having a very comfy (heaver) pack even though it might feel great on your back. It is still 10+kg's on your knees and feet at the end of the days walk.

Yeh that's true. Luckily my knees are as strong as they where in my 20's if not stronger, I used to race cycles on the road circuits. I've got strong knees, but I am starting to get a bit of age on me. So I'm always looking at ways to save weight and it's always easier to hike long distances with minimal weight on your back. I'm looking at one of those Ohm packs, but the Aarn design concept is just terrific. I guess if your only carrying 6 to 8 Kg's than the lean factor and strain on shoulders would not be as great. Probably within the next few months, I'll be purchasing a new pack, Not sure if I will be sticking with the Aarn packs or getting a Ohm pack. There my two choices thus far.

That rain jacket looks great but at over $200.00, that's a bit scary. I'm happy with my tarp, Hammock and cooking gear, I'm slowly start to build up a collection of lightweight clothing. Just got to sort out my Pack and water filter and also a light weight rain jacket. Potentially I could save 3kg just on those 3 items which will get me down to a base weight of 7kg.

[Franco]

I guess to that having a very comfy (heaver) pack even though it might feel great on your back. It is still 10+kg's on your knees and feet at the end of the days walk.

Not exactly.
There is a lot of evidence that you can multiply the weight of your boots by 3-5 times compared to the weight on your back.
(IE a kg on your feet is 3-5kg on your back)
And I agree with that however...
Walk with a pair of 50g thongs for a few hours and see what happens.
The same is with packs.
An extremely light but uncomfortable pack is, at the end of the day (literally) ,an uncomfortable pack.
Franco

[rsriddle_76]

Good point Fanco.

Hey tony what pack is it that you use (60ltr 1.2kg) as i would be happy with that as i do all my walking in winter months as hate the heat/snakes. So a 60ltr would be good for me i think to hold all winter gear.

[ULWalkingPhil]

[b]

An extremely light but uncomfortable pack is, at the end of the day (literally) ,an uncomfortable pack.
Franco

This is exactly my concern with moving away from the Aarn Bodypacks.

[Tony]

Good point Fanco.

Hey tony what pack is it that you use (60ltr 1.2kg) as i would be happy with that as i do all my walking in winter months as hate the heat/snakes. So a 60ltr would be good for me i think to hold all winter gear.

Hi rsriddle_76,

My 60 l pack is a Lightwave Ultrahike 60 the only problem that I have had with it is the material that the side pockets are made of are a bit weak and can tear easily. I have done 5 day winter hike with it.

Tony

[Dale]

Haven't used any of the Zpacks gear although the Hexamid is on the 'to buy list', which is pretty crowded right now You linked to the backpacks and mentioned you are looking to get to a base weight of 6 - 8kg. Depending upon how long your walks are (ie how much volume you need) then the framed Exo backpacks would do the trick. Also check out Mountain Laurel Designs and Six Moon Designs. I have an SMD Swift which weighs in at 679 grams with wing pockets and internal stay or for lighter loads 485g with no stay. It's also cheaper than the Zpacks and not a huge weight penalty. I've now used the SMD Swift for about 6 months or so and taken it on a bunch of trips. It also does duty as my packrafting backpack where I'm lugging an extra 4kg of 'rafting' gear. My normal base weight is 4.5 - 6kg. So far it has been dragged over rocks - washed down rivers, and also been on some scrub bashing. The outside mesh pockets have some holes but the Dyneema fabric is unaffected.

[rsriddle_76]

Hey Dale, the SMD swift look great. How many days can you hike with this pack and is it in warmer or cooler months?

[jeremy089786]

Just my 2c, I have a bunch of zpacks stuff - tarp, sleeping bag, cuben pack, rain chaps, rain jacket, dry bags to name a few and my advice to people that haven't experienced Joe's stuff.

In order of how easy it is to integrate his equipment into a normal kit would be Sleeping bag/ Dry bags> Rain Chaps/ Rain Jacket/ Tarp> Pack.

As for the pack, I have found that it works fairly well on track and is the comfiest pack I have owned (including aarn and gossamer gear) IF a.) it is packed very well (no frame and no compression system) and b.) you are carrying less than maybe 7 - 9kg including food and water ( I usually try and take about 4-5kg for a 3 day walk). For these reasons I would not recommend the blast series of bags to anyone who hasn’t had a very minimalist bag before (golite blast, something in the MLD range or maybe zpacks exo [I have no experience of these] may be a good transition). Do other zpack pack owners agree? Also, the cuben packs are super light but will not last a lifetime, probably about 2-3 years with consistent normal use (Every other weekend) or a single thru hike.

I hope this helps,

Cheers,

Jeremy.

[icemancometh]

Jeremy, how do you find the sleeping bag? for size/warmth?

Which one have you got?

[under10kg]

I got the zpacks kilt. Works well but I think I might modify the velcro at the bottom of the kilt and move it up 6 inches to increase DECREASE? leg restrictions on striding.
So light and much more comfortable than sweaty overpants!


Minor moderator edit.

[doogs]

I got the zpacks kilt. Works well but I think I might modify the velcro at the bottom of the kilt and move it up 6 inches to increase leg restrictions on striding.
So light and much more comfortable than sweaty overpants!

Being Scottish I can confirm you are actually wearing a skirt and not a kilt.

[jeremy089786]

Hi Iceman, I have the -9C (custom order) one with a cuben top baffle. So far so good, but I only got it in late spring so have only used it twice (once at 5c other at 10c), both times I was very happy with it. I will let you know how it fares in cold weather in a couple of months time. Weighs about 550g for a large size (6'3)!

[gbedford]

Hey Franco,
I have walked in thongs for decades.
You should see the porters in Nepal. Well they wore thongs 20 years ago. I felt quite at home. Of course they do have limitations, snow etc.
I am considering getting a kilt.

Best regards,
Gordon

[wayno]

some people just look at hte weight savings for ultralight gear and think great and buy it.
but thers tradeoffs with how comfortable it is.
i've got a black diamond inifinity pack 1.7 kilos, i could sage a kilo and a half and get something like a zpacks, but my pack is so comfotable, because its got features the ultralights will never be able to incorporate, more padding on the belt and shoulder straps, more flexible harness system, better length adjustment. better at spreading the load,,,, more and better pockets...
some ultralights don't even have belts....

[Dale]

Hey Dale, the SMD swift look great. How many days can you hike with this pack and is it in warmer or cooler months?

That'll depend on the volume of your gear I was surprised by how much room there was in this pack. For some reason when I ordered it I was expecting something like a large day pack... but in fact I have plenty of room left over on an overnighter. So providing you have reasonably light / low volume gear I'd guestimate 5 - 7 nights and of course less for colder months depending on how much your gear blows out.

[Liamy77]

Hey Franco,
I have walked in thongs for decades.
You should see the porters in Nepal. Well they wore thongs 20 years ago. I felt quite at home. Of course they do have limitations, snow etc.
I am considering getting a kilt.

Best regards,
Gordon

I'm not sure it's traditional to wear thongs under your kilt

[forest]

Used correctly I believe Joe's Zpacks gear is great.
He's a nice guy to deal with too which helps.

Not completly sold on the UL packs yet but I guess my Osprey Exos 46 is UL to some.

I'm just home from 5 days up on the Kosi main range.
I'll post up a further review of my Hexamid Solo Plus tomorrow when I download the pic's.
In short the thing was excellent. Packs small, light and very spacious for one.
Even yesterdays sideways rain and 75 km/h gusts didn't break it and I was dry, warm and had a place to load the pack before braving the weather on the wander out to Perisher and car haven...
(Same cannot be said for my mates eureka tent......and occupant )

I have also just received the rain wrap/skirt thing.
Didn't take it on this trip but I think for more sheltered conditions it will work well.

I am a fan of anything CUBEN though.......

[Dale]

some people just look at hte weight savings for ultralight gear and think great and buy it.
but thers tradeoffs with how comfortable it is.
i've got a black diamond inifinity pack 1.7 kilos, i could sage a kilo and a half and get something like a zpacks, but my pack is so comfotable, because its got features the ultralights will never be able to incorporate, more padding on the belt and shoulder straps, more flexible harness system, better length adjustment. better at spreading the load,,,, more and better pockets...
some ultralights don't even have belts....

Certainly true that UL gear can be purchased without comfort in mind only to be replaced by a slightly ...ahem... heavier piece of kit that is comfortable. In regards to a pack, hopefully if you're choosing an UL pack than the rest of your gear is also light. If not you're making the purchases in the wrong order I've had the SMD comfortable to 15kg which is the upper end of what I need. I also own an Aarn for heavier hauling...