What use is a big, center mesh pocket on your pack to you?

This is a good thread…not sure how I missed it the first time around.

To me, a rear center mesh pocket:

1) Allows me to fully pack my backpack from the protected confines of my shelter, and then once everything is packed I can jump out on those rainy mornings and stuff the shelter into the mesh center pocket (or a side pocket perhaps). It's not about drying…just about being able to close up my pack under the protection of my shelter. In reverse, it allows me to set up my shelter quicker because I don't have to open my pack. With that said, I only employ this technique in difficult weather conditions. On regular days I prefer to keep my shelter weight inside the pack for a better center of gravity.

2) Handy Access – I could use hipbelt pockets, but Zpacks center pocket is only 0.3oz more than two hipbelt pockets and you get a lot more room which makes it useful for stuffing clothing layers. During most days, the rear center pocket is place for my snacks and for adjusting my clothing layering (ie. windshirt).

In a different note, I just noticed that Zpacks is offering their Zero packs in the new Cuben/Nylon hybrid (2.9oz) material. I'm not sure this is needed, but it is neat.

Carry my Chacos on summer trips where there may be some swimming. hot springs, etc..

Things go in the center mesh pocket that use to go in the zippered top lid.

If you normally carry only a few days food, when you want to carry 10 days food and extra cold weather clothing inside the pack, something will need to go outside. Tent, raingear, cookgear, water treatment. Basically anything that is OK to get a little wet. If you are addicted enough to have a pack for every occassion, you wont need it.

Its good to be able to pack the main pack to the max normally with food and gear, with tent, raingear, and as much as possible OUTSIDE. Then as food supply is eaten, those items can be stored inside. By doing that, in combination with stuffing sleeping bag a lot less, there are no compression issues, or even need for compression cord.

The mesh pockets on both my GG Gorilla and GG Murmur are indispensable to me. I don't think that now after having a center mesh pocket ever since my Mariposa Plus that I would be happy with a pack without one. I always carry my tarp, rain gear, trash bag, stakes in it ready to use at a moments notice. It's there to stuff any after thought items in.

Yes, my packs all have a large rear mesh pocket. Basically, everything goes in there that I need to use through the day on the trail, and I don't open up the main compartment until I get to camp. So, I carry my lunch food, map, and warm layer in there, plus a few small items. That all dictates that the pocket be at least one square foot in size. If my rain jacket had gotten wet, it would go in there to start drying out.

–B.G.–

Wind jacket, rain shell, rain pants if I'm taking them, shelter (potentially my NeoAir and bivy too, depending on the weather).

On my Mariposa, I can't take up all the room even I want to. The pocket on the burn fills up quickly though.

Although I use it if it's got them, I don't necessarily NEED them. I packed my wet tarp (from condensation or frost) on top of everything before, and around breakfast/lunch, i take it out to dry.

I find that the mesh doesn't really allow it to dry TOO well.

I also like the look of concealing all my gear inside my bag. Looks cleaner.

If I look good, I feel good. If i feel good, I hike "good". hahaha

I got the previous version of zpacks zero with only one side pocket for water bottle.

Thanks for all the comments about best ways to pack wet stuff.

As Mary D suggested, putting a wet tent on the back of the pack (located furthest away from your back) is not so good. It will move the center of gravity back a lot, due to the location and weight of the water.

Always liked front loading panel packs with a platform at the top for wet stuff; but have decided that design adds way too much weight.

So I'm working on a top loader with no side or rear pockets except for water bottle sleeves on the sides, and a larger top pocket that will hold all the small stuff and stuff needed quickly, like raingear.

What if the top of the top pocket has a stiffener inside it to keep it flat, with all the zips on the sides of the pocket, and shockcord arranged on top, X-wise like in front of a kayak seat, but smaller. Wet stuff could be shoved under the shock cord, and would keep the center of gravity more forward. What do you think – would this be a good idea?

Also want to note that one of the pluses about high quality silnylon is that it sheds water very well and adds less weight to the tent when packed wet. Haven't used cuben, so don't know if it does as well in that respect.

Rain gear, map, sit pad, wind shirt, hat– stuff I want quick access to.

Hey Bryce,

I have faced the same question over the last year or two.

I own both the ZPacks Blast 26 (with nearly every add-on option) and the ZPacks Zero (x-small, no options) and love them both.

I have never been one to make it a secrete that I had side-pockets. They just annoy me so not having them on my Zero is really nice. I would probably take them off my Blast 26 but I use that pack for thru-hiking and often times need them for extra water (sigh).

On the issue of having a back mesh pocket… I like many others have found them to be both something I do not like, but something I really need – at times.

The simple fact is, when it is raining and raining and raining, your gear is going to get wet… and not just your cuben fiber tent/tarp and not just your cuben fiber rain jacket and not just your cuben fiber leg wraps. Your hat, your undercloths (probably from sweating) your socks, your extra pair of socks, and your backup pair of socks are all probably going to be and get weight. If it rains for days and days like it can while thru-hiking, there is very little you can do to get your gear dry.

So, ask yourself this: Is the annoyance of having a mesh pocket on the back of your backpack worth the ability to keep your wet stinky gear out of your primary bag? Do you really want one or two pairs of used wet stinky nasty socks inside your backpack along with your sleeping bag? And what about your base layer shirt that has been soaking wet and you decide to change out when it finally stops raining… you going to throw it inside of your pack along with your 4 day old socks too? So, basically you are going to be smelling nasty dirty cloths smells all night because it has permeated your sleeping bag.

Sure, the mesh pocket might get caught on a branch every now and than. Sure the mesh pocket might add an extra percentage of an ounce. Sure the mesh pocket might get small rips and tears in it over the course of a long hike. But consider the options against not having one.

What you keep in here will depend greatly on where you hike. In dry climates like the PCT I keep all the little crap that I don't need to access on the run such as TP, foot powder, repair stuff etc. It eliminates the need for a seperate bag in the main pocket plus you don't need to unload it every night. And it is accessable when you stop without opening up your main pack. It is one of my favorite features on my MLD Blast and don't know if I would carry a pack now without it.

That's what I use to keep my wet stuff from my dry stuff.

I have a z pack zero, I don't want to look like "Sanford and Son" going down the trail.

grog

Like a lot of other folk, i carry my shelter in that pocket. I like to set-up/takedown without exposing the contents of my pack to rain. I wouldn't buy a backpacking pack without one.
I do hike in a wet climate though.

I carry items I want to readily access on the trail. I never found it particularly helpful for drying wet gear. As for keeping wet gear separate from other gear, I think that could easily be managed with a packliner or other solutions.

So for me, the real help is convenience–getting at items without opening the main pack bag. A zip-front opening like the MS Ghost, that ULA pack and some McHale packs can solve this problem.