What is the NEW UltraGrid pack fabric?

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

I see rockywood sells it for $26 per yard

https://www.rockywoods.com/UltraGrid

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.

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.

Thanks for the info, Ron.

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?

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 : )

Is this RSBTR version of ultragrid?

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

Specs look very similar.

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.

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.

New 210D Venom Gridstop ECO looks like a slightly improved version of UltraGrid. (tighter weave, slightly more waterproof).

I dont see too many makers using this yet. I’d like to see this on more packs.

I’ve played around with both (UltraGrid and this Venom Gridstop) and it does feel a little more substantial both in the weave and the coating. No long term feedback from me yet.

One thing is the muted colors compared to UltraGrid. The Venom has a much tighter and smaller Dyneema grid in white which washes out the base color.