ZPacks new Arc Air Backpacks

Email from Zpacks this morning that the Arc Air now available in 60L.

I like it, but I’m not going to replace my Arc Haul. If I were in the market, I’d likely give it a go.  Seems like a next-gen Arc Haul.

I like the idea of the pre-curved stays and see it as a nice option alongside the original design, and I’m sure it transfers load to the hip belt just as well. I wonder if Zpacks plans to keep both or phase one out eventually.

IMO, their hip belt is what needs an overhaul. It is the weak link in the chain of load transfer to hips. Comfy enough at low weights, but it’s pretty bad anywhere above 25 lbs in my opinion. If you don’t tighten it to the point of asphyxiation it just sags and/or slips. In addition it’s pretty narrow (vertically) and not ergonomically tailored at all – just a straight strip. I just bought a SMD hip belt to swap onto my Arc Haul, based on initial testing I’m very excited for the results.

Anyhow, I digress…

Interesting compression system. Nice clean look. Good slanted water bottle pockets. Mesh pocket looks to have different mesh on the photos vs. the video (stretchy mesh in the photos? I like stretchy mesh better personally). Lots of modular options, but I’d love to see a hip belt mounted water bottle sleeve offered.

Price point is not too bad, but once you start adding the modular features it adds up. Would be nice if one or two was included in a new pack purchase. A guy can dream, right? ;)

Erik, can you detail how to attach the SMD hipbelt to your Arc pack, and which SMD belt you went with?  I’d be super interested to know if the SMD vest style harness can be adapted to Zpacks Arc packs as well.

Flat Hat

@hatflat-2 I have not finalized the modification, but will do so once complete. I used the traditional SMD belt, but I believe they all attach with the double-sided velcro arrangement also seen on ULA packs (and others, probably).

I look forward to seeing the SMD belt mod also. I agree that the arc haul hipbelt could be better.   I just ordered the pre-bent arcs and put them in my arc haul and like it better than the mesh panel. Less stuff to fiddle with, rides better, seems stronger, and more comfortable than the mesh.

I have been using my Dyneema Arc Air 50L since I received it in January and have been pretty happy with it so far.

The new 60L version is currently only available in the Robic version and not the Dyneema version. Maybe they will offer the Dyneema version in the 60L sometime in the future.

I have a fellow hiker that also got an Arc Air in the same size and color as mine (army green dyneema in medium/medium). He ended up finding that 50L wasn’t enough room for his gear. Instead of buying a bunch of smaller gear he just traded me for an old GG Mariposa of mine and a few other items. So, I ended up with two identical Arc Air packs. I listed one in the gear swap forum if anyone wants to try one out at a discount without the wait time.

@evaneis12gmail-com-2 – So you retrofitted an Arc Haul with the new pre-bent stays from the Arc Air…very interesting.  I have a few questions if you don’t mind…

Did you just email ZPacks with the purchase request?
Was that a simple like-for-like swap?
Any issues to address during the installation?
How much time do you have using the new configuration, and is there any perceived change in the load carrying ability?

As you might have gathered, I’m very interested in this mod.

Hi JCH,

I ordered the arc air stays from Zpacks. I found them somewhere on their website, I think. If you can’t find them, call them, it is on some obscure corner of the website. I think they cost around $45. i got the idea from Vintage Hikers. They have  a video on their you tube channel showing how they did it to their arc blast packs. It isn’t difficult. I only just packed up the pack and walked around my apartment a bit, so i don’t have much time testing it. I should take it out on some hikes, but it immediately felt better to me than the mesh panel.  I never liked the way that felt on my back and shoulders, not wide enough.

Found it.  Had to use search for “stay”.

Thank you for the info. If you can, please post back once you have a chance to test the pack in the field.

FYI to anyone thinking of attempting a retrofit of an Arc Haul…

My email to Zpacks:

I have a size Medium Arc Haul that I purchased in May of 2015. It is likely the first generation and has flat carbon stays.  Was wondering if it is possible to retrofit the new Arc Air curved stays, and if so are there any issues I should be aware of?

Zpacks response (Monica):

Thank you for reaching out to us. We do not recommend retrofitting our other backpacks to use the Arc Air stays because the older stays and the new stays are not exactly identical in length.

If you have anymore questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Did you buy the same size pre bent poles as your toros size or did you get one size bigger to make up for the loss of the over all length due to pre bent length, if that makes sende

That’s a good question. I’m pretty sure i got medium stays to go with my medium pack. I notice it doesn’t seem as tall behind my head with the new pre-bent stays.  Feels better though. I also notice the top of the new stays come out of the pocket sleeves sometimes when the pack is unpacked. Now I’m wondering if i should try some tall size stays to compare.

I’m now debating if I should just get the arc air in 60 versus the arc haul. Besides the two liters and robic vs grid stop I’m not sure if the arc haul is the better choice. The arc air seems like the arc haul v2.

I’m thinking robic vs grid stop is probably a equal wash. The other other difference is the mesh panel on the arc haul but it looks like the arc air has accomplished the same effect

Totally selfish response: Get the Air and report back your experience :)

Seriously, the Haul has been out since 2015 and extensively discussed on BPL: plusses, minuses, fit, load carrying limits, hacks…you name it-we talked about it.   The Air is new and experience with it is low.  In that respect it requires a bit of a leap of faith.  That said, as a long time Haul user, I would not hesitate to purchase the 60L Robic Air.

The Air seems to have kept most of the Haul’s positives and addressed most of the (few) weak points.  The belt appears unchanged and that is either a positive or a negative depending on the user.  I find the belt totally adequate with the addition of the lumbar pad (which I consider required).  ZPack’s claim of the Haul being able to carry 40 lbs is in my experience purest Bull Shank.  It carries beautifully into the low 20s and works well up to about 27 lbs.  I would expect the Air to perform similarly.

The only possible step back I see is a reduction is side compression but…the accessory attachment points might be a DIY compression opportunity.

I agree with all you listed. Those were my thoughts as well. It’s just the leap of faith in an untested new pack. Like the current arc haul is updated version of the original.  I guess the question is is the mesh back worth going with the haul

Zpacks has historically been very good about accepting returns.  If you really don’t like the pack you would likely be out some shipping.  This would be true of almost any cottage company.

Some like the mesh back, some don’t.  I don’t love it, but I don’t hate it.  If the Air works as advertised, I think it would be an improvement.

I hadn’t thought about swapping pre-curved stays, that’s a pretty clever idea. Could always order one size longer and trim as needed. Might just have to do that. I bet it shaves an ounce or so off the pack, UL win-win!

Still working on the SMD hip belt swap. My seamstress (mom) just can’t be bothered with it at the moment :)

Here is the Vintage Hikers video referenced above.  The ends of the Arc Air stays are not simply chamfered, they also have a rather sharp bend at the end.  This can be seen more clearly starting at the 4:30 mark.

Also note that the mods VH made were to an Arc Blast, not an Arc Haul.  While VH says that Joe advised them on making the swap, ZPacks now advises against attempting this mod on the Arc Haul.

Currently the Med and Small Arc Air replacement stays have gone out of stock in the last 4 days…it seems this mod may have become quite popular.  Owners of a tall Arc Blast may still be in luck as those appear in stock at this moment.

Of course I would love to hear from anyone attempting this mod on an Arc Haul…ZPacks may simply rather sell a new backpack than parts to upgrade an old one :)