I had mine about 6 months and the laminate inside started coming apart. They swapped it with no issue other than asking for photos of the effected area for a new version with Ultra 200X. The upgraded Ultra fabric has a thicker laminate, X-shaped reinforcement threads (ala X-pack). It's a significant improvement and so far no de-lam. I too came from an Arc Blast, love it, and do love this new one.
Thank you for the review. I am researching UL backpack. People recommend Kakwa and Zpacks. if you compare kakwa and zpack, which one is more comfortable and better?? .
Couldn’t agree more! Bought my DFC Blast in 2017 & it’s still going strong. I have owned 20+ packs tried the once and went right back to the arc. I did since get the new 40L arc because my job doesn’t allow me much time off so I tend to be a weekend warrior. But if your gear is ULish I don’t think there’s a more amazing pack out there
Thanks for showing us, brother. I’m thinking of getting one, man. I have a Sea to Summit Pro Down sleeping bag. It’s like over a pound. Take care, dude. Stay safe out there.
@@hittinpure1 For multi-day trips I started out with around a 60L pack. Usually beginners start out with more gear so the need more volume. Later on, as they gain experience, they start to get a sense of the things that they don't need and start streamlining. As I dialed in my system, I eventually switched to a 40 L pack. I hope that helps. Thanks for commenting and thanks for watching. 🙂
Great review brother! Quick question- What was your torso measurement and what size frame did you go with? My torso measures 19.5”, which is right between a small and medium frame size and I can’t decide which to go with.
I'm pretty sure that I am 18 in from the top of my iliac crest to my c7 vertebrae. It's been a while since I measured. I do know that a z-packs small frame does not fit me. If I were you I'd go with the medium.
Regarding water proofing of theses sorts of bags. In the Army we sprayed everything (assualt packs, rucks, bivvies etc) with a goretex. Are these sorts of materials and backpacks suitable for the same application? I am considering getting this pack or something like it as i get older and my joints voice thier displeasure with my life choices.
So these backpacks are made of a material called ultra 200 which is already a non-permeable waterproof material that is also fully seam taped. Hope that helps. Thanks for commenting and thanks for watching 🙂
Hi Lou. Thanks for watching. The water bottle pockets may be a struggle for some. I have long arms and I can reach them but I wouldn't call it easy. I have a great set up for a water bottle on my shoulder strap. I carry my water filter in one of the water bottle pockets. and just fill my front bottle as I stop. This also gives me an extra pocket to store my alcohol stove in.
Hi there, This is actually the 60 liter version of the backpack. It has plenty of room for a thru-hike. With the right combination of ultralight gear you can definitely do a thru-hike with a 40 liter pack. Thanks for coming and thanks for watching 🙂
I love these pack but they are--simply too expensive. My 40 liter Jansport long trail pack, see vid on channel, is only 26 oz and cost $40, on sale. There 'IS' a better way.
I agree, they are very expensive. My Dan durston pack is really a great pack as well and cost only $160 and it already had the pockets that zpacks charges extra for. Don't get me wrong, I really love this Arc haul Ultra, but I can definitely understand not wanting to pay for it. As for the Jansport, I'm intrigued. I'll have to check out your video on that. Thanks for commenting and thanks so much for watching. 🙂
@@EpicOutdoorz That price for the Jansport was when I bought it for $2.50 from the 2nd hand store, thats what they were going for then, new. It's a young persons pack but fits me comfortably and I'm 6'3". Young person packs are now going for $60 to $120. Still, way cheaper. I found my 40 liter Jansport carried all I needed on the pct back in 1999. No side pockets, no waist belt pockets. Yep. It did the trail and I'm still using it. They have life time guarantees. Any good companies 40L would do.
@TicaHikes You will sweat no matter what pack you're using. Even with the claimed of Great Ventilation. Our bodies are suppose to sweat and get smelly when doing physical work.
This pack is a piece of junk. Life lesson. When you are asked to buy a car without test driving there is a reason. Zpack does just that with their packs. We spent $1,000 for two packs that would not carry any weight. To add to the problem every time we called Zpack they came back with a different lie of the weight it will carry. The response was always in ratio to what weight we said we were carrying. When we said we had 25 lbs we were told it would carry 30. When we said 30 in a different call they said 35. This pack would be nothing more than a very expensive day pack. We hiked the whole AT and saw one other Zpack. When we saw that young land again, she had traded hers in for another pack. PLEASE DO NOT BE SUCKED IN BY THE FAKE VIDEOS THAT ZPACK PUTS ON RUclips. These not unbiased reviews. If you see a video that just praises this bag and sounds like an infomercial, I will guarantee that is exactly what it this.
I'm sorry to hear you had a poor experience with Zpacks. I actually did hike the entire Appalachian Trail with a Zpacks Arc Blast. My experience with them has actually been pretty good. Just to be clear, I am not affiliated with Zpacks in any way. I never recommend gear that I have not put through its paces. I hope you ended up finding a pack that's more to your liking. Thanks for commenting, and thanks for watching 🙂.
Great review. I really like your presentation style. Lots of detailed relevant information presented concisely with no fluff.
I had mine about 6 months and the laminate inside started coming apart. They swapped it with no issue other than asking for photos of the effected area for a new version with Ultra 200X. The upgraded Ultra fabric has a thicker laminate, X-shaped reinforcement threads (ala X-pack). It's a significant improvement and so far no de-lam. I too came from an Arc Blast, love it, and do love this new one.
Great review! Thanks. I always look for reviews that discuss the structural support. The changes in the stays look great so ty for pointing them out!
Thank you for the review.
I am researching UL backpack. People recommend Kakwa and Zpacks.
if you compare kakwa and zpack, which one is more comfortable and better?? .
Couldn’t agree more! Bought my DFC Blast in 2017 & it’s still going strong. I have owned 20+ packs tried the once and went right back to the arc. I did since get the new 40L arc because my job doesn’t allow me much time off so I tend to be a weekend warrior.
But if your gear is ULish I don’t think there’s a more amazing pack out there
Thanks for showing us, brother. I’m thinking of getting one, man. I have a Sea to Summit Pro Down sleeping bag. It’s like over a pound. Take care, dude. Stay safe out there.
great video! thank you...question....what size do you recommend for 2-3 day trips?...i am new to the game
@@hittinpure1 For multi-day trips I started out with around a 60L pack. Usually beginners start out with more gear so the need more volume. Later on, as they gain experience, they start to get a sense of the things that they don't need and start streamlining. As I dialed in my system, I eventually switched to a 40 L pack. I hope that helps. Thanks for commenting and thanks for watching. 🙂
Thanks for the review!
Great review brother! Quick question- What was your torso measurement and what size frame did you go with? My torso measures 19.5”, which is right between a small and medium frame size and I can’t decide which to go with.
I'm pretty sure that I am 18 in from the top of my iliac crest to my c7 vertebrae. It's been a while since I measured. I do know that a z-packs small frame does not fit me. If I were you I'd go with the medium.
@@EpicOutdoorz Appreciate the tip man! Thank you!
Regarding water proofing of theses sorts of bags. In the Army we sprayed everything (assualt packs, rucks, bivvies etc) with a goretex. Are these sorts of materials and backpacks suitable for the same application? I am considering getting this pack or something like it as i get older and my joints voice thier displeasure with my life choices.
So these backpacks are made of a material called ultra 200 which is already a non-permeable waterproof material that is also fully seam taped. Hope that helps. Thanks for commenting and thanks for watching 🙂
Great video Great information 👍
Good review mate.
Epic, thanks for the review. Is the water bottle easy to reach while wearing the pack, or do you need to be double - jointed?
Hi Lou. Thanks for watching. The water bottle pockets may be a struggle for some. I have long arms and I can reach them but I wouldn't call it easy.
I have a great set up for a water bottle on my shoulder strap. I carry my water filter in one of the water bottle pockets. and just fill my front bottle as I stop. This also gives me an extra pocket to store my alcohol stove in.
Is this the 40L version? It looks really small and do you think one could do an AT thru with 40 litres?
Hi there, This is actually the 60 liter version of the backpack. It has plenty of room for a thru-hike.
With the right combination of ultralight gear you can definitely do a thru-hike with a 40 liter pack. Thanks for coming and thanks for watching 🙂
I love these pack but they are--simply too expensive. My 40 liter Jansport long trail pack, see vid on channel, is only 26 oz and cost $40, on sale. There 'IS' a better way.
I agree, they are very expensive. My Dan durston pack is really a great pack as well and cost only $160 and it already had the pockets that zpacks charges extra for. Don't get me wrong, I really love this Arc haul Ultra, but I can definitely understand not wanting to pay for it. As for the Jansport, I'm intrigued. I'll have to check out your video on that. Thanks for commenting and thanks so much for watching. 🙂
@@EpicOutdoorz That price for the Jansport was when I bought it for $2.50 from the 2nd hand store, thats what they were going for then, new. It's a young persons pack but fits me comfortably and I'm 6'3". Young person packs are now going for $60 to $120. Still, way cheaper. I found my 40 liter Jansport carried all I needed on the pct back in 1999. No side pockets, no waist belt pockets. Yep. It did the trail and I'm still using it. They have life time guarantees. Any good companies 40L would do.
Hi! I am torn between the Zpacks Archaul and the Durston one. Will the material on the Durston pack make my back sweat very much?
@TicaHikes You will sweat no matter what pack you're using. Even with the claimed of Great Ventilation. Our bodies are suppose to sweat and get smelly when doing physical work.
straps sucks ! Need cut n replace
Hi there. Which straps are you referring to?
This pack is a piece of junk. Life lesson. When you are asked to buy a car without test driving there is a reason. Zpack does just that with their packs. We spent $1,000 for two packs that would not carry any weight. To add to the problem every time we called Zpack they came back with a different lie of the weight it will carry. The response was always in ratio to what weight we said we were carrying. When we said we had 25 lbs we were told it would carry 30. When we said 30 in a different call they said 35. This pack would be nothing more than a very expensive day pack. We hiked the whole AT and saw one other Zpack. When we saw that young land again, she had traded hers in for another pack. PLEASE DO NOT BE SUCKED IN BY THE FAKE VIDEOS THAT ZPACK PUTS ON RUclips. These not unbiased reviews. If you see a video that just praises this bag and sounds like an infomercial, I will guarantee that is exactly what it this.
I'm sorry to hear you had a poor experience with Zpacks. I actually did hike the entire Appalachian Trail with a Zpacks Arc Blast. My experience with them has actually been pretty good. Just to be clear, I am not affiliated with Zpacks in any way. I never recommend gear that I have not put through its paces.
I hope you ended up finding a pack that's more to your liking. Thanks for commenting, and thanks for watching 🙂.
Wow, someone really holds a grudge. This exact same comment appears on other Zpacka Arc Haul reviews