UL On-Trail Pack Advice

[Simon Kenton]

I’m about to cut the fabric for an ultralight pack for fast and light trail use. I use a synthetic quilt so I need a little bit more volume. I’m thinking I’ll mimic the dimensions of a MLD exodus. The features will be pretty barebones with only three side compression straps of cord and linelocs (per side), a front pocket, and a roll top.

 

My main question is: Should I go all silnylon? Or should I make the bottom and back out of a 210d xpac?

I’ve been leaning towards a double layer silnylon bottom but I’ve never used sil as a pack material so I’d like to tap the community to see if this would be durable enough for strictly on trail hiking.

[David Chenault]

The fabric is less likely to be the issue then seam hole elongation.  TX07, VX03, or even a 100D PU ripstop would give you a lot a lot bigger margin for error.  Though if you use large seam allowances, a simple design, and fell most load bearing seams you’d probably do well.

[Simon Kenton]

Great advice, thanks Dave. I hadn’t considered seam elongation. I’m excited to go ahead with all sil. I’m hoping for something around the 8-9oz range.

 

Btw- your recent blog post on the old West Lakes trail is one of my favorites. Great write-up and video. Thanks for sharing.

[Author]

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