Finished Ray-Way backpack

[Thomas Gauperaa]

Finally finished my Ray-Way backpack yesterday. Pleased with the result and the weight which is only 270g or 9.5 ounces.

This was my first real sewing project so it took a lot more than the 6-8 hours that some people have reported using. I did some mistakes during the process and everything didn't come out 100% cosmetically, but this backpack is a solid piece of kit. Lots of reinforcements with triple and quadruple stiching.

I highly recommend getting the dvd if you plan on making one. Without it I would have spent a lot more time wondering how to do some of the procedures. I also got some nice tips on sewing in general.

A completely frameless pack like this is a new experience to me. Well, I already have the Pinnacle which is frameless, but it's got a thin piece of padding in the back which gives it structure. That makes a big difference.

I will have to learn how to pack the ray-way with a rolled pad etc.

I installed a chest strap after the pics were taken. Feels like it needs one.

Anyone here using the Ray-Way?

[Thomas Gauperaa]

[todd]

Congrats on your 1st project, Thomas! Looks well-made.

[Mark McLauchlin]

Good job Thomas,

I have plans to make one, perhaps shortly.

Has the pack been on the trail yet? If so how did it go?

Cheers

[Thomas Gauperaa]

Thanks guys :)

Mark: no, not yet, but I plan to take it on some overnighters this fall / early winter. I'll let you know how it works out. Have fun making yours.

[Jamie Shortt]

Thomas, The pack looks exceptional…nice work. I've considered buying a kit many times, but everytime I look at the color combinations I get turned off. Yours looks great. I think the black extension collar really adds to the look, but Ray doesn't offer a black collar. What material did you use for that part of the project?

Jamie

[Thomas Gauperaa]

Hi Jamie, thanks :). The black collar is one of the color choices he offers. It's listed as "stealth black" in the "extension collar" dropdown in his order form.

[Jamie Shortt]

Thomas, Thanks for pointing this out. Ray doesn't show black on the page that shows BP colors. One more question on color. Did you go with Tan or Khaki sides/back?

Thanks, Jamie

[Thomas Gauperaa]

Khaki. I recommend ordering some of the sewing thread he's offering too, or to get some Gutermann "extra strong" thread.

[Jamie Shortt]

Thomas, I just wanted to let you know that your pack inspired me. I ordered one with the black collar, but in Ray's newest color…gray. I took your advice on the thread and I see what you mean. It is good stuff. I'd stick with this thread for packs. Here are some picks with it loaded up with all my cold weather gear. The pack weighed in at 9.15 oz and is built like a rock.

Jamie

[Bill Poett]

I've been using my Ray-Way pack for two seasons, love it, loads well, up to 25lbs with no problem. Making one with my 8 year old daughter now she is about 3/4 of the way done. Something really special about taking gear you've made out on the trail.

Congrats and enjoy!

Bill

[Thomas Gauperaa]

Jamie, congrats! I'm glad to have inspired you to make one. Your finished pack looks great

[Tom Holbrook]

Say,

I really like the look of all your Ray-Way packs. I just finished a G4 pack, but would like to make a Ray-Way pack too.

Does, anyone still have the DVD they would like to loan me, so I can make a pack.

Are there instructions, and a materials list on the DVD?

Z.

[Tim Marshall]

DVD is supplemental to the kit. It doesn't have full instructions or materials lists.

-Tim

[Jamie Shortt]

Z, Ray's kit sells for $55. It includes all the materials except the thread needed to make the pack. It also includes extremely detailed instructions and the pattern pieces. I did mine without the DVD but would like to see it, I hear it is pretty good.

If you want generic instructions, you can find those in Ray's book "Trail Life". I did learn a lot about pack construction from the kit it was well worth the money. My plan is to take what I learned and design my own pack.

Jamie

[John Brochu]

Both of those packs look very nice.

Now I'm getty itchy again to try sewing something but I keep thinking about the "simple" projects I butchered in middle school home economics class and it scares me away. Well that, and the several times I've done some browsing about sewing machine models and I just end up totally confused….

[Tim Marshall]

if you want to make a pack similar to ray's without paying for the instructions make the lab pack. directions on thru-hiker.com

-Tim

[Jang-Tian Shieh(Syoten)]

Lab pack looks nice.
I've bought another type of pack from the designer Rodney. It's well done. I like his designs and workmanship.

[Tim Marshall]

Does Rodney have a site?

-Tim

[Jim Colten]

Does Rodney have a site?

Perhaps here?

edit: Seems like the above site does not display the entire instructions. this one does

[Jang-Tian Shieh(Syoten)]

http://www.freewebs.com/litepacks/index.htm
It is also instructed long ago.
I'll ask him if he has a new site.

[Nick K]

Here are some detailed photos of the Ray-way backpack that someone posted on flickr.com. To enlarge the photos, click on "all sizes" located at the upper-left corner above the photo.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bltadventure/3080600775/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35343913@N04/3335452845/in/photostream/

Interesting that the bottom of the backpack straps are connected directly to the backpack via webbing. In Trail Life, it states "do not attach the nylon webbing straps directly to the body of the pack." The instructions in Trail Life are for an older version of this backpack.

Keep those free backpack instructions comin' ;-)

Nick

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