1.43 CF vs The World !!!

Have never used the 1.43 oz DCF, but check out the RSBTR 1.1 oz MTN Silnylon 6.6 XL. It’s a strong 30d nylon that weighs just 1.3 oz/sqyd finished. It’s pretty strong for 30d – I cannot physically rip this stuff, whereas some heavier 70d fabrics rip easier. With a small amount of heavier material for key reinforcements (XpacX21 RC maybe), this is a good option for a SUL pack.

The 1.6oz HyperD PU4000 also looks interesting, but have not used it yet.

BTW, here’s a similar BPL thread recently on this topic:

https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/which-of-these-three-materials-for-a-sul-backpack/

Thanks for the reply. I will keep doing research. Anyone else care to share their opinion?

I really like the stiffness of 1.43 for its weight. Using a pack made from 1-2 osy nylon would drive me nuts since it would be so floppy.

Using a pack made from 1-2 osy nylon would drive me nuts since it would be so floppy.

If the pack is sized appropriately for your gear and consumables and compresses well enough, then the thin nylon feels almost the same as wearing any other well-packed backpack (moderately stuffed full, but not stuffed so tightly to form a tight cylinder shape either). The only minor downside to thin nylon is that the pack does feel slippery on your back and undersides of the shoulder straps IMHO.

The obvious remedy to the slickness would be to use a heavier material for the bottom and back and for the underside of the shoulder straps. This would also allow for stronger seams to hold the shoulder straps to the backpack, hold daisy chain to the straps, and to hold any hip belt attached via the seam between the side panels and the lower back panel.

I put a few miles on an all 1.43oz CF pack from Zimmerbuilt. It has great tear strength, but it won’t do anything else much better than 1.3oz Robic.  I would probably go that route or 70d silnylon.

I’ve made a number of packs with 1.43.  I usually reinforce with 2.94 in corners and bottom.  It’s a great fabric to work with as it stiff enough to use as a sheet.  If you use the DCF tape from z-packs, the seam almost disappears.  You can make a pack weighing 8 ounces that is completely waterproof and will not wet out.  Its also almost transparent which I think is cool.