Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2018 11:27:08 GMT -8
Well johntpenca set a bar for making a pack review. I hope to match the standard. My new ZPacks Arc Blast DCF backpack with twin belt pouch pockets and twin removable top side pockets has arrived. I ordered the 55L Arc Blast. Out of the box the belt pouches and top side pockets are attached. I am pleased with how much this pack does not weigh. I get a weight of 1 pound. There seems to be a lot of adjustment points. I'd consider them points of failure, if I had not been 'watching' the ZPacks packs for a number of yeas being used by through hikers. It looks like the shoulder straps and hip belt are on the thin side and, again if it were not for the through hikers, I'd be saying this will never work. The hip belt is one of those that v's from the pack to the buckles. Both the top and the bottom of the hip belt are adjustable. The frame is on the outside. The continuous pack bag closes in a roll top fashion. There are tie points on the bottom and the top of the pack bag as well as a daisy chain on each shoulder strap and, a daisy chain, hidden under the large hip belt pockets. The hip belt pockets, reported to hold 1L each are made from DCF and have a rubberized zipper closure. On the back of the pack is a large mesh pocket. The 2 top side mesh pockets are supposed to hold a liter each. And the side pockets can hold 1.5L each. Now to watch some videos on how to adjust the pack to fit. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2018 12:28:52 GMT -8
Following along with this video:
with 25ish pounds of gear, I found the first adjustments simple to make and this pack is quite comfortable. I like the way the shoulder straps adjust to fit my shoulders and back curve.
I'll try a bit more weight and a few more adjustments and hope to wear it out on a hike this Sunday.
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Post by JRinGeorgia on Jun 1, 2018 12:56:52 GMT -8
I have an older version and like it a lot. Yours is even better with the criss-cross hip belt, load lifters attached to the frame, and the stay in the hipbelt. I'm curious about the hip belts, I (and many others) found that they can be hard to open and close one-handed. If the design hasn't changed then you may experience that as well. If so, there's a DIY solution that works well to use cuben tape to attach a piece of cable tie to the inside of the pocket along the zipper to give structure.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2018 13:03:08 GMT -8
I'm curious about the hip belts, Did you mean hip belt pouch zippers? |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2018 14:40:08 GMT -8
I have an older version and like it a lot. Do you use a stuff sack for your sleeping bag with the Arc Blast? |
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Post by JRinGeorgia on Jun 1, 2018 17:22:01 GMT -8
Hip belt pockets/pouches, yes. Zippers can be hard to open one handed.
I do not use a stuff sack. Quilt goes into the pack completely uncompressed, at first it fills up the pack to the top, then stuff on top compresses it down only as much as is needed for everything to fit snugly. No dry bag or pack liner either -- the cuben material, taped-seam construction and roll-top closure are the same as a cuben dry bag.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2018 17:28:22 GMT -8
Thanks for your reply.
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Post by johntpenca on Jun 1, 2018 18:14:41 GMT -8
Nice review. Is it a keeper?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2018 18:26:25 GMT -8
Nice review. Is it a keeper? Out of the box, yes. I was able to get all my gear and 2 #10 cans of food in the pack. I put a liter of water into each side pocket and I have not used the hip belt pockets or upper side pockets. Wearing it for an hour around the house with 22ish pounds, yes. Sunday, I head out for a hike whiles wearing the pack with 22+ pounds. On Sunday, I, also, plan on using a 3L water bladder with the pack. The pack moves with my body. |
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Jun 1, 2018 19:31:54 GMT -8
Good review. Now I'm feeling like I should do a good review of my new ULA Ciruit, though it might be preaching to the choir, since so many people here recommended it!
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Post by johntpenca on Jun 1, 2018 20:11:41 GMT -8
Sunday, I head out for a hike whiles wearing the pack with 22+ pounds. Look forward to your update after carrying it. |
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Jun 2, 2018 10:39:03 GMT -8
This pack has not been an option for me because I think Zpacks charges too much for everything and a thru-hiker pal said everybody's Arc Blast fell apart on the PCT in 2016. But after watching the video, I like the looks of that pack and would love to try it out.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2018 4:30:02 GMT -8
I hiked on this past Sunday, wearing my Arc Blast pack. In the first .75 miles, my hips became numb. I stopped and did a hip belt adjustment; problem want away. As I hiked up to Tablerock my back became very wet but, as I hiked, the idea of what adjustment took hold. At the top of Tablerock, I released the Arc and lowered the webbing. The instructions describe how to adjust the webbing upwards and only mentions that the webbing can be lowered. After the webbing adjustment, I re did the Arc. Ahhhh. On the way down, I could actually feel the breeze blowing between the pack and my back.
I really enjoyed the packs flexibility.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2018 9:58:23 GMT -8
To add, I was able to open the double zippered belt pouches with one hand but found them to close a lot easier with 2 hands.
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Post by rustyshackleford on Jun 4, 2018 12:19:48 GMT -8
i have the arc haul. the trampoline suspension is great and keeps my back way more dry - yeah, i love when the breeze goes between your back and the pack.
i have bony hips but haven't had any real discomfort with weight up to 30 lbs. perhaps i'm lucky.
regarding adjustments, it did take longer to get it dialed in for me but once i did i've loved the pack. the trampoline frame may be more complicated, but if you were not able to maintain tension, you could readjust the pack for no bow and still be comfortable, just with a back that is as sweaty as a typical pack.
the hip belt pockets are a pain and have to be opened with two hands and JR suggested. However, these are my only UL hip belt pockets and i assume all DCF hipbelt pockets would be the same. I gladly trade the minor inconvenience for the weight loss.
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