Arc Haul – Considerations

Im in UK also, and would suggest you have a look at MLD Prohpet or Exodus. These packs are very well regarded, and proven on so many trips. They are frameless, which is absolutely fine for the load you have. And they are REALLY light. And craftsmanship and customer service from MLD is top and well known, and they also have many customers in UK.

I’ve considered Ark Haul too, because of the air flow. But in the end decided against it – it is a heavier; I finally realised I don’t need the frame or the ability to carry heavy weight; and also there were couple of reports of issues with carbon fibre stays popping out or tearing the material etc. (There is a long thread on Ark Haul somewhere in Gear section) Perhaps those issues are normal and the new product needs time to evolve and mature. MLD Exodus is already at this stage, it is perfect, so it got my vote.

P.S. jealous of you attempting PCT!  ;)

Of those two I would pick the arc haul. Great design but made tougher than the blast.

Only consideration I would recommend is Gossamer Gear Gorilla or Mariposa.

I personally use the Gorilla (older model not newest) and it is an amazing pack (yes fits up to 7 days of food and bear canister).  The newer Gorilla added better compression straps and used an even tougher dyneema than the previous model for only an added ounce of weight.  I would advise to trim the straps and such once you have it fit to your liking as they give you way more length than is needed.

Just my thoughts.  BTW my size large gorilla come in slightly under 25oz (including the sit light pad that is a part of this pack).  Putting it between your two current options

K2

“… issues with carbon fibre stays popping out or tearing the material etc.”

I believe that issue has been fixed. I had that issue… both of mine popped after about 120 miles… but the pack still carried well. Joe told me that on some of the early packs they forgot to put in a metal strip into the bottom stay retainer. Sent it back in and they fixed it up at no charge… even fixed a tear in the pocket netting for free…

I don’t understand the big difference in price… are there import duties that are greater on zPacks gear?

As to which… like boots, fit is everything; more important than the weight. Is there any way you could order both and return the one you don’t want… If there are great import duties any way you could arrive a day or two early and try them both here before starting? I believe there is a big gathering of gear suppliers being at the official southern start of the PCT with their products… even make custom alterations on the spot before you start… perhaps you could contact bot suppliers to see if they are going to be at the start with their products and arrange for each to have a pack for you to try? I have even heard of some PCTers who are not happy with their pack having a different one shipped to their next resupply to change packs… best to get the right pack first, but something to keep in mind.

Billy

For the PCT I would want a pack with a frame, there are sections where you will be carrying a lot of water and you will normally be carrying 5-6 days of food at the start of each section.

ULA packs are popular on PCT thru-hikes with a good reputation. IMO the airflow of packs with suspended mesh panels are over rated – you are going to sweat no matter what.

I would use my McHale for this trip, but most people don’t want to spend the money for a custom pack.

In your case I would look at the ULA Ohm if it will carry all your stuff, if not I would probably pick the Circuit. I just wouldn’t feel comfortable with an external frame made from carbon fiber on a long hike like this. Both companies have an excellent reputation for customer service should problems arise on the trail.

One last thing… with a 16lb base weight using the Osprey, you can probably safely trim a couple pounds from your gear. You might want to post a gear list since the PCT is much different that the UK, and there are a lot of people here who have done the PCT or large sections of it.

HERE is BPL member Dan Durston’s video of what he brought on his 2014 PCT hike with his wife

Dan is a very experienced hiker and I see he used an Ohm, as I recommended.

You might want to shoot him a PM and ask how the pack worked out and if he would use the same pack again.

Of course you are going to get almost as many opinions on different packs as the number of people posting here. I restricted my feedback to your two choices other than a possible different ULA pack.

Keep in mind that if you have a problem with a pack on the trail, you probably want either a zPacks or ULA, they have the best reputation for being responsive to equipment problems should they occur during a long thru-hike.

I have an Ohm 2.0 and an Arc Haul.
Hands down, the Arch Haul is my choice.
Carries better and transfers weight to your hips better.
And I believe it has a little more room and carries a bear canister horizontal which I prefer. And the Arc Haul is lighter.
As far as the carbon fiber stays go… they are really really really tough. I have tried but can not bend them enough to break them. And the pack carries quite well without them anyway. And I really do like the air flow… nice for hot days… and nice for cold days so your back is not soaking wet when you remove the pack. I would not hesitate to take the Arc Haul on the PCT. On the other hand, ULA makes some really good packs. In the end Fit is king.

… packs are like people… they come in all shapes and sizes. What fits one body will will not fit another so well.

I will happily sell my Ohm 2.0… it’s a medium with a small belt.

Billy

This Outdoor Gear Lab review may be helpful.

Thanks all, a great deal of useful advice here.

I’m erring away from the Arc Haul now due to the custom charges and the fact I have a few options to try out that I can source in the UK (inc. ULA packs, which have a UK supplier – hence the large difference in price between the Haul and Circuit detailed above).

I’ve had a look and it seems that I can pick up both the Gossamer Gear Gorilla or Mariposa in the UK. Beyond the fact that their ugly as sin, it seems that both packs are very well regarded. I can also pick either up at a reasonable price here ($252).

A selling point for the Gorilla/Mariposa is the lack of carbon frame. I’m a little concerned about these and air travel – although when I contacted Zpacks about the frame on the Haul, they said they’d never had any reports of damage as a result of packs going into the hold. Billy (above) seems to find he frames on the Zpacks to be pretty tough as well, but I don’t know about the ULA packs.

Of the two GG packs, I’m guessing that the extra capacity of the Mariposa would be useful for getting across the Sierras? Incidentally, it was a lack of capacity for this element of the PCT that put me onto the Circuit rather than the OHM 2.0. It looks like the Circuit has a 35lb recommended max weight compared to the OHM 2.0’s 30lb max. I may well give Dan a shout about this, the video was very useful.

I can also get hold of the HMG Windrider 3400 ($392). Although this isn’t highly rated for heavier loads (~30lb) by Outdoor Gear Lab in the post Paul S kindly provided. Has anyone had any experience of this carrying this pack with over 30lbs, or is this a general complaint?

Regarding trying them on at the PCT kick off, I think that is a good back up plan but I’d like to get something dialed in soon. I have a few practice hikes lined up, including the Lycian way in a couple of months time so it would be good to give a new pack a trial before the big one. Also, I’m considering an earlier kick off time for the PCT so I can ease into the hike, but that’s a separate post in itself.

I’m also lining up a post for my PCT gear list as Nick suggested. Still struggling to get my head around the fact that it won’t rain pretty much everyday…

PCT = 2,663 miles

Arc Haul upcharge = $183.

That’s less than 7¢ a mile. So keeping in mind all the terrain, elevation changes and other conditions you’ll encounter on the PCT, which would you rather do: carry a pound and a half for 100 miles or pay $6.87 to leave it behind?

No kickoff this year. Government shake up and the permits couldn’t be applied for soon enough. Next one is 2017.

Sometimes people have problems with packs on long hikes. I would do a Google search for customer service or similar. You may find that hikers were really frustrated with certain manufacturers do to the lack of customer service when they had an equipment failure. There are certain brands I would stay away from. I know which ones, but since I have not personally experienced the problem, it is not fair for me to post names.

Another thought from that outdoor gear lab test is the Osprey.  It sounds like you plan on carrying 30 or so pounds.

“The Osprey Exos 48 earned our third highest overall score, even though it is one of the heavier models we tested. It carries 30 pounds better than any other we tested.”

They also say moving up to the atmos is even more comfortable to carry that weight or slightly more.  It sounds like the lighter packs are made for mid 20’s weight.

Be advised that the pack maker’s maximum weight ratings for packs are a bit optimistic… though it does depend on one’s tolerance for pain. For instance, the Ohm is rated at 30lb… but I found it getting uncomfortable at about 25. And I think that is about typical… subtract 5 or 10 lbs from their max rating and you will be back in the comfort zone.

The Osprey Exos 58 is a rugged pack that holds quite a bit and will take a beating better than most packs mentioned here. It carries well, will hold a full size bear canister horizontal, and has the mesh trampoline arched back that breaths nicely…

Billy

Thanks Todd, Billy.

Yes, the Osprey should definitely be in consideration too. I suppose the question is just how often I’ll be above 30lbs on the PCT given a base weight of 15lbs. From what I’ve read, on the longest section with a bear canister it can be 35lb plus, but I’m not sure what the average weight would be across the hike once food and water is added.

I’m a bit in the same boat. You can get an Exos 58 for £120 on amazon.co.uk delivered, which is fairly decent once you start looking at import charges.

Thanks for the heads up Tobias, that’s a decent price.

I’m leaning towards the Mariposa at the moment, which is stocked in the UK at £205 ($275) once you’ve added the hip belt. Seems a fairly reasonable price and a well regarded pack. The external pockets look very useful and it apparently carries well and the new, ugly Robic material is meant to be pretty robust. By the time I factor out the sit pad i won’t need to carry it’s fairly comparable to the Arc Haul in weight too,

I’m not sure about the lack of compression straps though, and the fact it apparently carries more poorly when not loaded fully.

May well order it and give it a try as that’s the only way to really find out I guess!

There a useful video on the pack here if it’s of interest.