Seek Outside Eolus: initial feedback

I failed to mention I don’t have the inner tent (nest), so I can’t comment on how that works.

There is some good stuff going on at Seek Outside.  I tested a prototype “Flight” pack in the Sierras a couple of weeks ago, and I think it will be a great option in the 2lb framed pack range.

How do you find the functionality of the sliding-door vestibules?

At first sight, it seems that you have flappy material there unless they are fully down.

I’m thinking that a short, straight zip would be pretty reliable and would give better options for porching or rolling the doors for views and venting while still shedding wind. I’m wondering if they’ve got the right tradeoff here?

The open doors would be a bit flappy in windy weather, but I don’t find that to be an issue. You can push them down halfway to mostly stop the flapping or all the way to stop it completely. When the doors are fully open, the bottom of the door is quite taut. It’s the material above that is folded together that flaps.

Brad….can you tell us any more about the “Flight” pack?

I love what Seek Outside is doing and have their Revolution Fortress 6,300 and 4-man Tipi.

It’s a 45-50 liter pack and the prototype was 2lb 3oz on my scale in X-21 with new spectra grid pockets.  I’m not sure that is going to be the fabric it’s offered in, but it worked well.  The frame is tubular aluminum but internal frame.  It seemed like a cross between the larger SO frame and an Osprey Exos.

It’s a narrow pack and quite nimble especially compared to the Unaweep/Divide packs.

It had really nice built in hipbelt pockets and and a four way adjustable belt.  I really enjoyed the hipbelt pockets – the best I’ve used on any pack.

I know it’s a crowded market segment, but I think the pack compares quite favorably to other packs in the 2lb range.  For comparison, I’ve owned an HMG Porter, Z-Packs Arc Haul, ULA Ohm 2, and SWD Long Haul 50 (my normal pack in this range).

I also tested out the flight pack and made a few notes I’ll share.

Initial impressions.
I love that you can take the side compression straps off. First thing I did was remove the bottom 2 allowing to fill up the water bottle pockets with no strap along the outside. The height is great!!!!! Not too short. Not too tall. The width is also great for this size pack. I have had shorter wider packs and they don’t work out as well. To me a taller narrow pack rides better than a wider and shorter pack.

Haul loop on top is perfect. In the correct spot and the correct size! There is also a haul loop in lower center of pack to help load up in vehicles etc.

The shoulder strap width is great on me. Hits my shoulders at a comfortable location. Not too wide a part or too narrows. The height was perfect for my 19″ torso length with no shoulder pressure.

The pack did not slip at all and was the most solid 2lb pack I have warn. It did shift if the wight was off balance but that is to be expected for a pack of this type.

The built in intrusion bar and pack frame was the prefect design to keep the pack contents stable and not picking into my back.

The belt pockets are very well designed  snacks, phone and chargers, 38 Airweight revolver all fit in easily and easy 1 hand opening

I second that about the haul loop. I’ve had a few packs that either didn’t have one or it was really small, and even though I didn’t think I would miss it, I did.

I thought the lower haul loop was an Ice Ax loop?

Maybe a multiple function idea loop but I was very surprised how often I used that loop when moving pack around loaded up.

It was a cold and stormy night…

Continued use of the Eolus confirms my initial impressions above. The native cord must be replaced with 2mm or 2.5mm cord, enabling you to easily tighten the shelter from inside. Can’t do that with 3mm cord.

In storm mode the Eolus can be pitched flush to the ground on all sides, leaving a few cm gap around the bottom. And the headroom is still good—much better than under a Trailstar pitched as low as possible. And it’s still roomy enough inside for two 193 cm (6’3”) tall guys.

The poles can be set up so that they slant inward a bit, creating enough room for 3 slender-ish people if needed.

Wind resistance is good. Well, great for a tarptent.

(That’s Kazbek in the background, 5000 m.)

Any new information on this tent, or further insights?  I know this is kind of a cross-post and a thread-dredging, but I’m not having much luck finding recent or long-term reviews.