Patagonia reworks the Ascensionist line of technical packs

I’m pretty excited about the 30L because it finally comes in a semi-low-key color combination that isn’t horrendous, it purportedly weighs 700g, but there are a couple things that can be removed.

I’m not a fan of the new-style ice-axe retainers at the bottom because there isn’t an obvious way to remove them non-destructively.

The material appears to be a fake-take on Dyneema X gridstop, and is described by Patagonia as:

5.5-oz 210-denier Cordura® 86% nylon/14% polyester with a polyurethane coating

It looks like they reinforced the main problem area of the pack, and changed the geometry a bit to be more rounded like Black Diamond alpine packs.

Here’s the initial product video which IMO doesn’t reveal enough:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFEtgEKhD_4&t=4s

Got the 30 and stripped it of all removable parts – 471 grams!

Pics to come.  It’s a smidge lighter than the pics would show.

I wonder why Patagonia skimped on the real Dyneema grid?  I have had a lot of Dymeema grid packs and I don’t guess I have ever needed the dyneema fibers it just seems out of character with Patagonia who normally always use top shelf materials.

I think it’s not too out of character for Patagonia because they seem to like to use their own materials.  Eg:  Patagonia recycled bluesign certified microfleece vs Polartec.  I’ll try to get some macro shots of the weave.

I thought that the Patagonia Microfleece was rebranded Polartec fleece?

Not to my knowledge – maybe in the past.  I’ve got a few Patagonia Micro-Ds and they don’t feel like true Polartec.  They *do* wear out faster IMO as well.

Hopefully this Google Photos link works – this forum software seems to filter out messages I send w/ Google Photos links.  SAD!

Patagonia Ascensionist 30L close-ups

most companies moved away from obvious looking dyneema grid the last few years …. it doesnt look as cool as a plainer fabric

;)

I think you’re gonna lose your pens

Those are there to give an idea of the scale and the diameter of the space.  :)

Mini sharpies are the UL standard… the standard size ones are too heavy for backpacking purposes.

I like that they give two different methods for attaching ice axes/tools. My BD pack only has the dongles but no loops and it drives me crazy. Of course, loops alone don’t accommodate a lot of tool designs. Although the last version had holders that could hold anything so I am not sure why they changed it.