What is the NEW UltraGrid pack fabric?

[Ron Bell / MLD]

UltraGrid is a New UL Pack Fabric from Challenge.

Challenge makes a few fabrics in the Ultra line. UltraWeave, UltraGrid and UltraStretch. Ultra is their brand name for the UHMWPE fiber used in the fabrics.

UHMWPE = Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene aka: Dyneema, Spectra

UltraWeave is now well known as a premium pack fabric. Used by many pack makers, it is 66% UHMWPE + 33% Recycled Polyester with a RUV film backing. There are probably over 5K UltraWeave packs in the field already.

UltraGrid is newer. It is a woven ripstop with TWO 200d strands of UHMWPE (about 20%) + 210D recycled Nylon (about 80%) with a PU inside coating and a C0 DWR outside coating. 3.9oz sq/yd. Strength and abrasion resistance is very high. (.6 – 2oz LESS weight than similar 210D ripstop pack fabrics.)

MLD is the first company to use the UltraGrid in packs. We’ve used it for about 4+ months and now have our full line of packs available in UltraGrid in three colors. (We also offer the packs in the premium Gray+Black UltraWeave.)

UltraGrid costs less than UltraWeave, is faster to work with and has more color options. It has a unique look with the double UHMWPE black or white ripstop grid. It outperforms all other similar weight 210d ripstop nylon pack fabrics we have used or tested and is stronger and more abrasion resistant than all the other 210d single UHMWPE ripstop fabrics (and many heavier 400d) of various names.

UltraWeave is the premium and highest performance pack fabric we use. UltraGrid is a lower cost option that looks great, works hard and will outperform all other similar weight pack materials except UltraWeave. We have had many hikers get 3+ full thru-hikes from our past single ripstop UHMWPE weave packs (Dyneema X, DX210D, 210D with Dyneema, etc.) and UltraGrid is even better!

[Jerry Adams]

do you think it’s waterproof after many years?

that is, in a frameless pack, against my back, in warm weather, will sweat get into the pack?

I’ve tried several fabrics none of which are waterproof after a few years

[Jerry Adams]

I see rockywood sells it for $26 per yard

https://www.rockywoods.com/UltraGrid

[Ron Bell / MLD]

Jerry: As WP or better vs any other woven PU coated pack fabric.  1,500mm is about standard for 210D pack fabrics.  The PU coated pack fabrics we used previous were 1000-1,500hh.  We’ve seen many of our old packs and most all of them with less than <250 days use/ <5yrs old still looked pretty good.  YMMV. But yes, as an absolute point, all WP coatings do break down. Maybe after a lot of regular use a or a lot of abuse.   I guess you could add a lot of coating weight and make it last longer but it would no longer be lightweight and for 95% of users it has never been much of a issue as most would see a sub $1 a day excellent service life for a UL pack a great deal.

[Matthew / BPL]

I’m enjoying my Hell 27 in Ultragrid.

Very subjective, but I like the feel of the new fabric. It doesn’t have any of the sticky feeling on the inside that some other fabrics have.

[John S.]

Thanks for the info, Ron.

[Robert Spencer]

Ron, would the new UltraGrid fabric be less prone to delamination compared to what some have reported with UltraWeave packs? Granted the delam stories seem to be minor and infrequent but has MLD encountered any issues that make you question the effectiveness of this relatively new pack fabric?

[Jerry Adams]

thanks for that Ron

several 200D weight fabrics have been fairly waterproof, and if it’s hot, I’ll just put my polycro ground cloth at the rear and bottom which solves the problem

maybe for my next pack I’ll use the ultragrid

[Justin W]

Has it been tested against the Robic nylon/UHMWPE combo’s such as the following?
https://dutchwaregear.com/product/210d-pack-material/

 The reason why I ask, is because the nylon in this is significantly stronger than regular nylon 6 (allegedly up to 50% more).  UHMWPE reinforcing threads are nice and all, but I also want the main/predominant fibers to be stronger per the weight as well.

[Murali C]

The new packs look beautiful…wonder how they would have looked with just one color all around like Wasabi.

[nunatak]

Justin: The one from Dutch you linked is also high quality. I have used it for years and just this fall added the excellent looking UltraGrid for a side by side comparison.

The first thing that struck me is the more substantial hand of the former. While both are similar denier, a pack built with the Dutch stuff is an ounce plus heavier all else being equal.

Subjectively I bet the Robic GridStop tops or matches UltraGrid in abrasion and strength, but it says above Ron tested it against all variants of this type of fabric and found the opposite to be the case.

[Justin W]

I should have added to my earlier post the more complete account of Robic vs regular nylon 6 (sourced from Sectionhiker), “New fabrics and materials built with Robic nylon 6 are up to 50% stronger (resistance to breakage) with up to 2.5 times the tear strength and abrasion resistance compared to standard nylon 6 fabrics.”

This is not an inconsiderable difference, especially when 80% of the pack fabric is made up of nylon. A nylon 6.6 based 210d fabric with UHMWPE reinforcing threads would be even more durable, stronger, etc than the Robic version.

If it is ever produced, I would recommend sourcing the just above (a Nylon 6.6 or at least Robic 210d nylon fabric) with the double UHMWPE reinforcing threads like in the UltraGrid fabric. The downside to using 6.6 nylon though, is that it is not recyclable. But coatings already interfere with that, and who has actually ever recycled a nylon pack anyways?  Meanwhile, the Robic and especially Nylon 6.6 versions would last longer/be more durable, which is more environmentally responsible.

[Justin W]

Thank you for sharing Nunatak.

It would be nice if there was a 6.6 version with the double UHMWPE grid version.  Materials wise, it should trump both the Robic version and the UltraGrid version in all the areas we’ve talked about.

[Jerry Adams]

I try to have lightweight gear and treat it gently

I made a pack with 1.9 oz silnylon.  After a year it got UV damaged and then started ripping – fabric was not strong enough.  Maybe 70D.

I’ve tried several versions of 200 or 210 D nylon.  They all were plenty strong enough.  Doesn’t matter which type of nylon or whether it has rip stop.  None of them ever failed after a few years of use.  No reinforcement on the bottom or anything.

This is just one person’s experience.  Someone fairly gentle with gear.

rsbtr has 210 D, 4.4 oz/yd2, $12.50/yd

owfinc.com has 200D oxford, 4 oz/yd2, $6.20 – I’ve used that before and it was fine, for a little less money.

I bet I could find something similar at the local fabric store, like the Mill End Store if you’re in Portland.

I’m sort of drifting away from Ron’s original thread : )

[Art Rhizhiy]

Is this RSBTR version of ultragrid?

 

https://ripstopbytheroll.com/products/210d-venom-gridstop-eco

Specs look very similar.

 

[Brad W]

I would be worried about the PU coating failing. If it’s not the delamination of Ultra the PU coatings seem  to fail over time.

[OSutt]

The difference is that the PU coating is not structural. In an Ultraweave fabric, my understanding is that the laminate plays an important role in stabilizing the fibers.

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