Arc Blast Wear Issues..

[Brad W]

I have a 4 month old Zpacks Arc Blast DCF pack with 100 miles on it that has significant wear on the lower back where the hip belt seam is rubbing. Has anyone else seen this type of issue?

Pack has had 30lbs or less in it.

Pictures https://imgur.com/a/FPiijpL

[avi sito]

That’s unexpected. I’ve had my Arcblast for probably 7 years, with literally thousands of miles on it, and I’m continuously surprised by how it’s holding up – no wear and tear whatsoever. I do have a scrapes I patched from when I dragged the pack on some sharp rocks, BEFORE I knew better…

I would point out that the most I’ve carried in it was ~24 lbs. Might this be the difference?

Zpacks would probably repair this, I’d expect.

[Brad W]

Well emailed Zpacks and wow, they said that’s just normal wear and tear. I find that hard to believe for a $350 backpack with 100 miles on it.

[Dan]

I suspect that you may want to make some adjustments to the fit if the top of the belt is rubbing that much. Perhaps you need more arc in the frame, or maybe it is uneven. Like Avi, I have worn mine for well over a thousand miles (with substantially less weight than you), and while I can see some evidence of pressure points, I haven’t seen fraying like that.

That said, this wear may not really amount to much in the end.

[JCH]

I have a 6 year old dyneema Arc Haul…similar design, different material…and like Avi and Dan it shows almost zero wear…anywhere.

[Brad W]

The seam is the culprit. Just not sure what to do about it. 

[Brad W]

Material is supposed to be abrasion and fray resistant-“This hybrid version is made from 1.6 oz/sqyd Dyneema® Composite Fabric on the inside, with an extra layer of protective 50 denier polyester on the outside. The outer layer gives it more strength and abrasion resistance, prevents fraying, and gives it a nice solid color. ”

[JCH]

Maybe put a small patch of tenacious tape on both the abraded pack body and the belt seam? Tenacious tape rubbing against tenacious tape might be much lower friction.

[Brad W]

Here is the opposite side-flat seam-nearly no damage.

[BC Bob]

I would ask ZPacks what tape they would recommend.  You can get a DCF tape strip from them in the blue color.

[Marcus]

Can they send you a new belt without a funky seam? I would not consider that normal after 100 miles. As long as the damage stops now its not too bad

[Brad W]

@Marcus, we will see. Their initial email response was -this is normal wear and tear. Waiting for follow up response.

[J R]

I had a small abrasion hole in the bottom of my Arc Blast, I put cuben on the inside and a small circle of duct tape on the outside. The duct tape was supposed to be temporary but it stuck so well I just left it and it adhered for years. I finally peeled it off and put a new disc of duct tape on it even though it didn’t need it.

But whatever repair you do will need to stand up to continued abrasion, my approach might work but you would have to replace the duct tape more often.

[Erik Hagen]

DCF packs require maintenance but it’s a bummer you are seeing wear with only 100 miles on it.  I’d recommend repairing with round tenacious tape patch. They work great

Tenacious Tape Patch

 

[Tipi Walter]

I agree with Erik and JCH—let the tape wear out first and then replace when needed.

 

[Brad W]

I responded to their initial brush off email and showed how the opposite side with the correct stitching has little wear, they agreed to send me a new pack.

[Kevin Babione]

Nice to hear they’re still standing behind their products!  Thanks for the update.

[Brad W]

@Erik If tenacious tape came in blue. I did find some repair tape that looks similar and durable.

Tape

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