The Deionization of a Golite Ion Backpack

Jared,

What brand and model of sewing machine do you use? I took my Ion apart like you did and have not been able to sew it back together as it seems my sewing machine doesn't have the strength to push the needle through the fabric. It is fine for thin fabrics, but once there is any substantial thickness, it fails.

Zach what size needle are you using? When I made my dyneema ripstop pack, I had problems until I used a jeans needle I had.

I've been using a 16 needle. I have some 18s, but didn't know if that would make a difference. The problem might lie in the machine itself–it is a Kenmore and is not a commercial model (my wife uses it to alter her clothes). It jams pretty consistently on gear and I have to force the needle through with the hand wheel. I've heard that you really need a commercial model for the power to push the needle through multiple layers of backpacking fabric?

My Ion look so sad all exploded.

Jared,

Still wondering on the mesh.

-Tim

I know this sounds totally assinine bit if you're having problems with getting through all the layers try some bee's wax.

billy

Tim
I assume it is the lycra micro mesh from quest but you probably want to wait for confirmation on that. Are you doing a ion mod/clone for Hunter?
Good luck, hope to see pictures.

that was my guess too, but i wanted to be sure. I have some of that quest stuff on the way for testing.

-Tim

I was bored yesterday so I decided to work on my Ion. Just finished it up today. I just did the Lycra and stretch cord.

Andy,

You did a fine job on your Ion!

All of you MYOG experts are killing me! I finally bought a sewing machine…..ACK!!!!! Now I've done it.

This thread has got my creative juices flowing. I've been sewing for years, making clothes and I just got my Ion in the mail. I'm about to get crazy. =)

I too am curious about the mesh source. I just got some from Quest for my ion mod, but it seems heavy, thicker than the photos from Jared and Andy (by the way, very nice work on both packs).

The Quest product I got is Lycra Micro Mesh B (Item 1209). It is very nice material, just a bit heavier duty than I was hoping. I was hoping for a mesh more like that on my ULA Ohm, which is more mesh-like, stiffer, but thinner than the Micro Mesh B.

Any tips?

Thanks,

Eric

This is EXACTLY what GoLite needs to do. Are you listening, Coup??

I read that they are making luggage now. Oh brother…..

My beloved little Ion is sad and jealous, because it doesn't have stretchy mesh. :(

Sorry I haven't been on here very much. I've been salmon fishing, trout fishing and backpacking. I haven't been working on any projects lately. Private Messages or facebook will get to me faster.

The mesh I used was from quest
3.7oz lycra mesh.
http://www.questoutfitters.com/mesh_fabrics.htm#Mesh%20Fabrics
The mesh is a heavier version of lingerie lycra. it's not stiff, but it shouldn't be since it's stretchy and has about 2" of stretch in any direction. Since it's so stretchy you don't have to add excess material, you just cut them to dimension.

One suggestion I would make, and I think I annotated it in the blog is to make a stiff bottom to the mesh water bottle pockets. Kind of like what Golite did for the Jam2, One thing I've noticed is that if the bottom of the pack isn't filled and packed tightly the lycra can stretch and the 1L water bladders can hand a little lower than the bottom of the pack. If the pack is filled and packed tight at the it's never an issue or if I use larger water bottles. The cord on the front stretch panel prevents it from doing anything funky on the big pocket. A slight semi-circle piece of dyneema cut from the lid you remove should more than suffice, or put a flat bottom on them like the post above. I was trying to keep the water weight as low on the pack as possible though.

After 200+ miles on the pack I've only got one very small pin hole on the water bottle pocket after several bushwacks while fishing along some lakes, sections of overgrown PCT and along a couple streams. I figured it would of had a few more spots to repair by now with all the brush I've gone through… With all my solo gear and fishing gear I've taken the pack on a 5 day 75 mile section hike of the PCT. I still had room for a couple more days of food, and I packed a lot of food for those 5 days.

As for the sewing machine, the thicker spots I had some struggles with the machine, I just had to adjust the foot pressure settings and force some stuff through the machine. The machine is a Viking Husqvarna 500.

Just one more example of a modified ion: after a recent three day hike i decided i wanted just a bit more space, and also to try out some minimal but padded hipbelt wings. The backpanel, base and shoulder straps are from the ion, and hipbelt is made from excess dyneema from the ion. The body is made from some spare 1.9 oz coated nylon from thru-hiker i had lying around. The design borrows pretty heavily from the Five Yards to SUL article published by BPL, leaving a capacity of abut 1700 ci without using the extension collar.

Final weight: 9.5 ounces. Here are a few shots from a test run on a short day hike from earlier today.

.

today.

Let me be the first to say how awesome that is. I really like you work on the hip belt.

My ion should be here Tuesday… can't wait to give it a whirl and figure out exactly what I want to do with it.

very nice work!

I have an Ion that I will be adding to as well- likely mesh side/rear pockets, bungee and a small mesh pocket under the lid

I really like the hip belt modifications you did

I had a vacation day free of Honeydoo's for a change, so I dug out the Ion and made a few mods …

The ION is laying on a new XP underquilt I made for my hammock as well …

I ditched the zipper lid and added a 1.9 ounce per square yard Silnylon roll top (I want to retain durability). I also added some straps for a compression system, a Gossamer Gear strap pocket and removed the hipbelt …. The Pack now has a max usable space of 2200 cu in with a total weight of 9.4 ounces.

thanks for everyone who posted to this thread

I wish I could show you my own handy work, but I’m not very handy w/ a sewing machine, but this thread gave me lots of good ideas of what I’d like added to the Ion and I found someone who was handy w/ a sewing machine :)

I had a small mesh pocket sewn underneath the hood- this is large to hold my map, compass, UTM template, first aid kit, repair kit, small notebook/pencil, micropur tabs and headlamp

I had a mesh pocket sewn on the back w/ loops for a bungi strap setup and then two side pockets (hold 1 liter platy bottles w/ ease)

mine is a later version (evidently they changed the zipper to the top lid?) and size Large- it weighed 10.4 oz from GoLite, the additions only added 1.5 oz but have gained me a lot better organization and much more capacity

Mike….I like!

I want one!

we should all write golite and see if it can stage a comeback- I'd buy another one just to have a spare :)

*i>we should all write golite and see if it can stage a comeback-

I've done that … the reply was that it's been replaced by the Peak … I am of the opinion that the Peak is a fine addition to the Jam/Pinnacle family of packs but it in no way replaces the Ion … and I told them that too.

I'd buy another one just to have a spare :)

Ditto that

^ I totally agree w/ that assessment, Peak is a nice pack, but it weighs 170% more than the Ion did- don't see how they equate that to a replacement

take the Ion- do what a bunch of have done- a few lightweight mods to make it a little more versatile- still very doable under a pound IMO

let's remember too the Ion retailed for ~ $50 too, that's something of it's appeal as well- the Peak adds almost 170% to the original cost of the Ion

it probably won't do much good, but I'll write them as well

Mike

I've written them as well. I hate having to baby my Ion because I worry about not being able find another one.

I just sent them mine- can't hurt :)

They didn't bother explaining anything to me. It sorta seems like they've been getting a few e-mails on this topic.

Brenda, their Sales and Service Supervisor, sent me this, "Thanks for the feedback, I will pass it along to our design team for consideration."

We need to get a petition going and/or get an onslaught of e-mails sent.