What do you think of the Zpacks?

They are ultralight packs and would not have the durability of a dyneema fabric such as a golite jam. You must not throw them around.

I have an early zilch silnylon. As another mentioned there is a little thread exposure of the medial shoulder strap, but there is good reinforcement in that same area so it should not really get worse. The draining holes in the side pockets have a metal thing (forgetting name) in them and one of mine came out. Mine has seen only light use. I don't consider either of those issues dealbreakers.

Bottom line, I would buy another of his packs.

The Z-packs in Dyneema Gridstop look really light to for an extra measure of durability.

I haven't tried one of the zpacks… after trying several other frameless packs I concluded I really like some sort of frame.

The need for compression straps is directly related to how much the volume of your load varies. For example, I used a GG Whisper 3 days long trips in moderate weather. My load was an exact match for the pack and I didn't need / use the elastic compression system. Compression starts are useful when the load varies. The Shock Cord Lashing option can provide basic compression.

As to durability… seems like the 1.5 weight cuben zpacks is using should do fairly well. See video of tear resistance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gfcuCh7h04

–mark

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/reviews/display_reviews?forum_thread_id=6171

I use a Z1 for SUL and a few lbs more. IMO it is a great value.

I've been using the Cuben Blast 32 for the past year. No hip belt plenty of room has held up really well with 20 hard days and load ranging from 9 to 22 pounds.

Great rig, I love it.

I second the Cuben Blast 32. i have been very impressed with the way it holds up and how it allows me to leave my sleeping bag out of the constrictive stuff sack.

My "goto" pack is my Cuben Blast. Awesome pack. As for durability…the cuben he uses is super tough. I wish he made it in a lighter cuben (maybe the 0.7 stuff?)

I have a silnylon Z1. The side compression straps do work effectively! The pack is very well made — no loose stitching or shoddy work here. I very much like the "cafeteria approach" – start with a bare-bones packbag, then add whatever items you fancy.

I would buy one again.

I have a Blast 18, with numerous options. It's fragile – especially the clips – but in general a great lightweight pack. I recommend the hip pocket option particularly.

I'll be taking a hard look at these packs…as well as the Six Moons Design Swift and Gossamer Murmur.

I have a sil Z1 without any added accessories (had sternum strap removed and cut off hipbelt). It is my go-to pack whenever I am not carrying a tent. The pack is a great mix of UL principles and minimal features. I'm excited for Joe's Dyneema line.

Here's my review of my Z1 after my first multi-day trip with it: http://crazyrunnerguy.blogspot.com/2009/05/mini-gear-reviews-from-porcupines.html

I've been seriously thinking of switching from a Mariposa Plus to the Blast 32, but use a bear canister and a Neo-air with total base weight of 8-9 pounds. Using the Neo-air rolled burrito style as an ersatz frame does not seem wise for pad preservation. Can this pack be used comfortably without using a pad cylinder as a frame substitute, or are you doomed to have all the weight on your shoulders? I noticed that Joe has an option for carbon fiber stays as an alternative. Has anybody used them?

Robert:

Try folding flat your Neo, then insert it flat into your backpack against the back (i.e. flat against the side closest to the shoulder straps) and pack everything else and cinch tight.

Ben,

Does a folded Neo-air as you describe provide much structure for the pack?

I much prefer the fold-flat method actually. The best, of course, is a blue foam pad, followed by self-inflating pad. An air pad is "OK enough" — but I enhance it by slipping in a sectional blue foam pad that performs multiple duty as sitting pad and wind screen. Give it a try.

Thanks Ben. I wonder what the weight limit would be for a Zpack with a Neo-air + a section of blue pad. Several years ago I used a G4 without CF stays with a bear canister and 8 days of food on the JMT. With a liter of water I was well over 25 pounds. My only "frame" was a 6 section z rest. The pack basically started to resemble a shapeless clump with little weight transfer to the hips. This is why I wonder if the option of stays along the sides of the back for a 1.5 ounce weight penalty would be good to try for the Zpack. My base weight includes a Bearikade for most trips. So if I'm out 4-5 days I approach 20 pounds even if base weight is well thought out. At what packweight do pads not provide enough support?

Robert,

I think you asked some excellent questions. To me the best answer is that no single pack is going to be perfect for every trip. On most trips I can get by with my GG Murmur… somewhat similar to some of the Z-packs, from a minimalist point of view. Other times, I just need a little more capacity and need to carry more weight than is practical for the Murmur (or similar pack) and I then move up to my Mariposa Plus (an Ohm before that).

I did read in one of Joe's pages somewhere that a cuben pack would probably have a useful life span of a long thru hike, such as the PCT or the CDT. If that is the case, it should be taken into consideration before purchasing. It has nothing to do with the quality of workmanship, cuben does not fare well in abrasive situations.

I've been taking a hard look at the custom option for a pack made of Dyneema.

I've tarted up the specs quite a bit, adding shock cords, tall water bottle pockets, extra padding in the shoulder straps, a sternum strap, a padded waist belt. Oh yeah, a Cadillac DeVille I've got going on here. And the weight, by my calculations, tops out at about 12 ounces; more than a pound less than GoLite's Jam (which, to be fair, is about 1,000 cubic inches larger in capacity).

I was wondering if anyone has experience with Zpacks' Dyneema bags. I'm clearly not looking for a bare-bones pack, but the relative cheapness of a Z1 in a sturdy Dyneema fabric is very appealing to me.

I too would be interested in hearing from members experience with these, and there effectiveness versus a foam mat for distributing weight/comfort.