Seam Sealing X-PAC vx21

[Mike Fried]

So this isn't exactly myog but I figure someone here may have worked with it. Anyone know what is the best way to seam seal a X-PAC vx21 bag? The vx21 is the 3 layer version with the inner protective fabric. Cheers! Mike

[David Chenault]

Aquaseal/Seam grip.

[Philip Tschersich]

I stuff the bag really full and tight so that the outside seams are exposed and flat, and then I run a narrow bead right along the seam and stitching on the outside of the bag. Sealing from the inside doesn't work. I've used my VX21 Unaweep for ocean packrafting in the rain and my stuff stayed dry.

[Mike Fried]

So agua seal/seam grip applied from the outside should be bomber? Do you apply from the outside because of the difference in fabric or because you can get to the seams better? I've also got the unaweep and love it so far. It's my first real trip with it though.

[Valerie E]

I MYOG'ed a pack using 3 types of XPac, including vx21. I seam sealed it, from the outside (non-shiny side), using the standard silicone-diluted-with-paint-thinner method that folks use for tents. It worked very well, even when my pack got left outside for about 30min in an apocalyptic thunderstorm in Colorado. Completely dry inside. I brushed the solution on with a foam brush, pushing it into the seams very thoroughly, then wiped off the excess with a cotton rag. It was quite smelly (paint thinner, ugh!) for a few days, but then the smell went away. It's a great fabric; mine looks virtually unused after more than 500 miles of use.

[Jerry Adams]

I would think silicone would peel off of non silnylon, better to use Seam Grip?

[David Chenault]

You could seam seal from the inside, but you'd have to coat the binding tape entirely to keep moisture coming through the thread holes from wicking around. Possible, but would be a real pain. Silicone in for silnylon. It will bond temporarily to other fabrics but will eventually peal off. Use a urethane product (above) for long term results.

[Mike Fried]

Thanks for all the info, i wish the companies would make it a little easier and tell you what is in the products. Even if you know a little chemistry you can't figure it out. For any of you woodworkers, it's like finishes where the label has nothing to do with the contents. So anyways, I got Gear Aid Seam Grip and I'll give that a try this weekend. I guess sealing from the outside makes sense, I just figured it might see more abuse. Do you guys touch up the seam sealing often?? I would love this thing to be dry enough to keep my camera in without worrying about it.

[Nick Smolinske]

I seam seal from the inside for durability purposes. I worry about it wearing off on the outside. That said, it sounds like people have had good results with it, so YMMV. Instead of using normal binding tape to finish my seams, I use strips of Xpac folded over the seam. With the inside of the Xpac facing out (the outside has a DWR finish that makes seam grip stick to it a bit less). Then all I have to worry about is covering the threads, rather than coating the entire strip of binding tape as David said. It's still more painstaking than coating the outside, but I think the results are worth it.

[Jerry Adams]

seam grip is way more durable than the fabric, in my experience I cover the threads and the crack between the two pieces of fabric. If it's something like webbing or 3D mesh I seal on the inside, because you can't seal the webbing good on the outside. Or if it's the straps it's hard to seal good on the outside. Seam grip is also a good adhesive for reinforcing something like shoulder straps. I put it on both sides over the threads and squeeze it between the two pieces.

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