EMS Packable Pack

That does look good. Looking forward to your findings.

Ah, so jealous of you guys who can just 'run over' to EMS or REI and pick up some stuff or check out new equipment. D@mn Ohio! Good luck with your find.

I picked one up last week, a definite bargain. I like it so far. It could be lightened somewhat by cutting stuff off. At 1500 cu inches it doesn't have enough volume for my current gear for backpacking, but it's lighter than my other daypacks.

Review – Day 1

I just picked up the EMS Packable Pack and loaded it up. Before I put my gear inside, I weighed the pack and it came in at exactly 9oz. This is a nice little pack at a sale price of $21 (normally $30). Clearly, there are some ways you could modify this pack, including shock cord and cutting some pieces off. Overall, the construction of the pack looks good to me. The dual, mesh pockets are generous and the shoulder straps feel fine.

When loading the pack, I had to cut a foam pad down by about 2 inches to get the setup to work. I like the way it’s loaded and it feels good on my back. With my current setup, I could swing a spartan, no-cook, two day/one night trip. Mostly, I just need to figure out how to fit a bit more food. With a lighter bivy sack and a down vest/jacket instead of the synthetic one I currently own, I think I could get some more space.

At this point, I think this pack will serve me well. Most of my backpacking trips are two day/one night affairs. So, this size should be manageable. Also, with some tweaks to my current setup, I think I’ll be able to fit more food over time. I look forward to taking it out on an overnight as soon as possible.

Tommy,

Thanks for the "real life" pic and 1st impressions. Looks like a winner.

I have a 21" torso – do you think it will be comfortable on me? I'm thin and tall.
(I don't have an EMS around to try one in person.

Thanks,
Todd

Todd,

I'm not a "professional pack fitter" by any means. So, it's hard for me to say if it would fit you with certitude. That said, my guess is that you'd be in the right ballpark. There's no waist belt or sternum strap to worry about with this pack. I think the biggest issue for most people would be the two following questions: (a) Can I fit all my essential gear into a 1500 cubic inch pack? And, (b) is my gear light enough to ride comfortably?

If a person isn't already in the XUL range of <5 or 6 lbs, or ready to work to get to that place, then this pack wouldn't work. This would mean a small, light tarp, light down pieces, absolute minimal gear, one liter of water, and maybe two days of food max.

I'm new to the 1500ci pack myself and it's defiantly eye-opening. My go-to pack for the last few years has been the frameless, 3200ci Granite Gear Virga, which I've used to carry a base weight of 7.0 lbs of gear. Even though I'm really used to using a frameless pack, losing half the packing space is a big adjustment and it's forcing me to rethink items that I've been using for years. It's forcing me to think: How can I go smaller and lighter?

If you've always read posts about the GoLite Ion or looked at some of the cottage industry packs, but not been ready to spend $50+, then this pack might be for you. And, honestly, at $21 for this pack, even if I decide not to use this pack for backpacking, I figure I can stuff a beach towel in it or use it for day hikes when I travel abroad.

I appreciate the thoughtful response!

I've been doing the same "soul-searching" when it comes to trying SUL. I usually carry a base wt of 10-11 lbs as I'm quite comfy w/all of that gear and can carry it w/ease. But I REALLY want to try SUL just cuz!!!

I have a tiny Eddie Bauer stuffable daypack that feels a little odd w/o a CCF backpad. It's so small that I don't know that I can get everything in it, incl a CCF. Based on my measurements it's <900 cu in. To do it I'll use a quilt-shaped cut-down sheet as a quilt.

I have one and it is real nice and packs away to nothing. I'm not a fan of the shoulder straps though. There is a thinner cord going through them, and if I add weight to the pack it pulls the straps down on my shoulders and particularly along the cord part. I find it real uncomfortable after a few hours.

Thanks TC!

Crucial feedback.

Sea-to-Summit makes a 20Liter(1200ci) pack that weighs in at 2.4oz. Something to look at.
http://www.seatosummit.com/products/display/143

The S2S pack shoulder straps are lacking also. Just a double layer of silnylon that bunches up in your pits. Not the most comfortable but gets the job done. Too small for overnight gear. I use mine as a stuff sack and day trip pack.

The HMG Stuff Pack.

http://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/products/packs/hmg-stuff-pack.html

I got the Sea-to-Summit pack last year and tried it a couple times, but don't like it much. I intended it to be a water reservoir sleeve + some storage space for main pack, and it will work in that function with a couple mods. It is incredibly light, but the shoulder strap adjustment is too slipery to hold in place, so it is problematic to use on it's own.

I go the EMS Packable Pack this spring and have had it out on fully loaded day hikes the last couple months. It is ok, the size is pretty good for me, but I am not happy with the top closure (the string gets in the way of loading/unloading). The mesh pockets are large and work well. I will say that it is a good deal for this size, weight and cost. I can fit my gear (10# base) in it alongside a couple day food supply.

In the search for perfection I just picked up the North Face Flyweight Rucksack. It is about the same size as the EMS pack, but the mesh pockets are shorter and there is a third pocket, a minimal hipbelt, and I like the string closure better. Haven't had it out yet, but it looks pretty good.

>"If a person isn't already in the XUL range of <5 or 6 lbs, or ready to work to get to that place, then this pack wouldn't work. This would mean a small, light tarp, light down pieces, absolute minimal gear, one liter of water, and maybe two days of food max."

Tommy, do you think the EMS pack is a true 1500 ci?

I'm not XUL or SUL by any means, but I was able to fit my gear and food for a 2 day/1 night into a 25 liter (ie 1500 ci) pack no problem:

If I had a down jacket instead of fleece, and carried a tarp instead of BA Seedhouse SL2 (fastfly mode), there'd be room for another day of food. I did have water and rain shell in side pockets. BW was a hair under 10#, but 22 oz of that was the pack.

Been thinking about a new 25 liter pack–TNF Verto 26 looks interesting, but for $21/9 oz. the EMS looks worth a shot. Thanks for posting.

I have been considering a Zpacks Zero, but can't yet justify the cost. I currently use a GoLite Jam that I have modified down to 24oz. It holds 50 liters, compared to the EMS 25 liters. I usually have room left over, and this was when I was carrying a tent and larger sleeping bag. I am planning for my first trip with my hammock/tarp setup, and it takes up considerably less room. I am also planning to go no cook on this trip, and it will be for 4 days, 3 nights in SNP, so I will not be carrying a ton of food as I will supplement in the park.

Projected current gear list is at the following link:
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?hl=en_US&hl=en_US&key=0AhEsUaudJxrPdFZydThWU2o4anc4VWUxMUU1djlISnc&single=true&gid=1&output=html

What are the chances I can fit everything listed in the EMS pack?