Zpacks multi-pack vs belt pockets

[Packman Pete]

Hi y'all!

I just ordered a blast pack with belt pockets, but started to consider a multi-pack instead. Anybody have experience? It looks close to the same weight and a bigger volume, but maybe inconvenient to have it stuck to your chest all day long. I dunno….

I wouldn't be carrying a camera–just a hat, gloves, cell phone, map, and other daily use items.

[todd]

Pete,

While I haven't tried the Zpacks version, I did try Golite's years ago.

I didn't like it. I rely on my partial zip shirt for venting and this blocked it a good bit and the fabric was like a layer of plastic wrap across that part of my chest.

I have never heard any complaints side from mine, however. Must be me!

I sure love hipbelt pockets, though.

[Packman Pete]

I remember the Team Golite version as well. Seemed like a good idea, but I always thought it would turn the shoulder straps into a 'harness' and make getting in and out a pain. I didn't think about the ventilation. I really like unzipping my shirt to get the airflow. Maybe I will stick with the belt pouches.

[Anonymous]

I have the multi pack, but use it more as a fanny pack when i wear kilts. More specifically, i use it kind of like how the Scots used a sporran. I put my most important survival-emergency oriented stuff in there, like fire kit, water filter, small knife, some extra cord, etc. Also good for a day hike, which i tend to do more of from mid spring to early fall as i'm a south east summer weather wimp.

Probably not all that helpful to you though…

[Jeff Sims]

I used one of these on my last hike. I switched to a smaller Zpacks Zero with the narrow belt and I ran the multi pack a little lower than it sounds like others may. I love it. I was still able to open my shirt for a breeze while I also had the freedom to move the Multi pack up and down if necessary. Once I found my happy spot think more of a belly pack I was in heaven. I kept a lot smaller things in there including my ditty bag, TP, digging device, Sawyer Mini, reading glasses Lunch (Pro Bars) it is very adjustable with a lot of different attachment points. I for one will not be going back

I attach the Multi with short straps to the lower part of the shoulder straps, just before they connect to the pack Think Lower sternum strap LOL the nice thing is that my multi has 3 sets of clips on each side. top, middle, and bottom. Mine hangs from the top clips 98% of the time.
YMMV

Jeff

[Owen McMurrey]

I use the multi-pack in cool to cold weather. Left it off last summer, and this one, so far, but may give it a chance soon just to see how it feels in the heat.
Like Jeff, I wear it low. That way you can see and get into it better.
Convenient for snacks, map and compass, Sawyer mini, gloves, and camera.
Ordered it with an extra strap for more length, and often use it with the strap over one shoulder(and under the opposite arm) rather than around my neck. It's more comfortable like that, plus it positions the bag at a bit of an angle, making it easier to reach into.

[Anonymous]

"Ohhhh does your multi pack hang low, does it wobble to and fro, do you tie it with a knot, do you tie it in a bow? Do you wear it near your belly, chest, or wear it over your fro?"

Just some of the important universal questions to ponder while visiting BPL.

[Chad “Stick” Poindexter]

Like others, I also prefer to wear my Multipack low as opposed to on my chest. Wearing it as a fanny pack has been my choice, although, it can flop around. But, it is more comfortable as a fanny pack, easier to access, and I don't have to unhook it from my pack when removing my pack.

Now that ZPacks has updated their hip belt pockets, it would be a tough decision though…

[kevperro .]

Why has a fanny pack worn backward never caught on? I've been doing this since 1992 and it just works. It stays on when you pack is off so you always have a lighter, snack, toilet paper, map, compass or anything else you choose to access frequently.

As others have said, the multipack doesn't need to be so deep. Second, the zipper sucks. It is too small and the strap that goes around back is too dainty. I think Joe could update this into a secondary product offering.

[Woubeir (from Europe)]

Can you post pictures from this because I can't imagine what you do ?

[Velimir Kemec]

Hi,

I have Zpacks multipack and use it as overshoulder "mans purse" bag as shown on Zpacks site. That way it doesn't mess with your jacket zipper and it's easy to access/remove without taking your pack off. To add to the options take a look at Locus Gear Nanos utilize bag http://locusgear.com/products-2/accessories/nanos?lang=en

With nearly daily use as "mans purse" for for last year and half I can say its great. It has nice outside mesh pockets and nice back pocket which is long enough to hold your map.

Cheers

[John Klinepeter]

The Gossamer Gear Hipster is essentially a very small fanny pack worn backward. I have been using it for two or three years. I use it even when wearing a pack that already has hip belt pockets. Mine weighs 1.5 ounces; the website shows 1.9 ounces.

[Woubeir (from Europe)]

Thus the actual fanny pack is worn in front instead of the back, wright ?

[kevperro .]

Correct… fanny pack but you spin it around and wear it on your belly. It drapes over the hip belt when the pack is on.

Doing this allows you easy access to a range of items and it tends to be much larger and more useful for me than the hip belt pockets which are sometimes fiddly to access and often smaller than needed.

[Woubeir (from Europe)]

Oh, that's all ! We've being doing that for ages. Works indeed like a charm.

[Ken Bennett]

"Why has a fanny pack worn backward never caught on? I've been doing this since 1992 and it just works. It stays on when you pack is off so you always have a lighter, snack, toilet paper, map, compass or anything else you choose to access frequently. "

Yup, this. My camera, wallet, eyeglasses, phone (if I'm carrying one), SAK, and anything else I'd like to keep handy are always available, pack or no.

I still have hip belt pockets on my Circuit — the right side has Purell and powder, the left side is for my snacks. My waist pack easily slides over the left side hip belt pocket so it doesn't bang around while walking.

I did try that Golite chest pouch years ago and found it too sweaty.

[Adam Rothermich]

I use both a waist pack and hip belt pockets. I have an Inov-8 Race Elite 2L that I carry my Panasonic G5 and two lenses in on the front, below my hipbelt. I keep a compass, chapstick, eye drops, and that kind of stuff in the hipbelt pockets. Works awesome for me. The waist pack rides low enough that it doesn't interfere with the belt of the backpack and I can drop the big pack and just carry the camera to cool photo opportunities with very little fuss.

Adam

[Ken Thompson]

How big of one do you all like,+2 liter or less than?

[Jennifer Mitol]

can some of you guys who use the multipack in the front please post pictures?? I want to like it – I really, really do – but it seems to bounce around a bit too much for me to want to carry it.

I'd love to see what I'm doing wrong…..

[Packman Pete]

Does anybody use the multipack as a pack lid?
Also known as a brain?
Looks like it would make access to the pack bag a problem.

It sounds like almost everybody uses it as a fanny pack for a camera, but I don't carry one.

[Jake S]

The Multi-pack is the new helium, since anything stored in it counts as worn/carried weight and not against your base weight.

Now you can cyberhike in style. :)

[Bob Gross]

Since when does carried weight not count against your base weight?

–B.G.–

[Jake S]

do you count your trekking poles as your base weight?

[Bob Gross]

"do you count your trekking poles as your base weight?"

What poles?

If you aren't wearing them, then you are carrying them. If poles are not consumable, then they fall into the category of base weight.

–B.G.–

[David Ure]

Just one pole. The other is on the ground every two steps.

;)

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