Aussie made ultralight mountain climbing pack
On the high finish of Katoomba Avenue, there’s a serious-looking post-war constructing anchored to the Blue Mountains retail panorama. It’s residence to native outside retailer, Summit Gear, staffed by path runners, climbers, and canyoners, it shares the same old suspects of Icebreaker, Patagonia, La Sportiva, Mont, Out of doors Analysis, Salomon, and many others.
At first look, you can be forgiven for pondering Summit Gear is like each different gear store. However go searching and also you would possibly begin to discover one thing totally different. Pay attention more durable and all will change into clear…
Native Design and manufacture
What you received’t discover on this store are partitions laden with backpacks from Osprey or others. THIS is what makes this little-Mountains-business-that-could, totally different. Oh and once I say pay attention, I imply it. In a quiet second on this former financial institution constructing, you would possibly hear sounds leaking from above of stitching machines, room-filling reducing machines and the scratching of chins of passionate outside folks making an attempt to design higher, smarter gear. Or because the tagline of their new sub-brand, Whippa, reads:
Lighter, Stronger, Higher.
Whippa, 2024
Pack Design + Bespoke to order
Summit Gear has been making its bomber cordura packs for yonks. Well-liked with hard-core-ish, off-track, crusty bushwalkers and canyoners, they’ve a fame for near-indestructible development in a paired-back, no-frills design.
Look intently on the packs worn by NSW Ambulance, CareFlight, NPWS and different emergency companies and also you’re more likely to see the Summit Gear emblem behind their designed-for-task smarts. Summit Gear have labored direct with businesses and different industries designing fit-for-task packs, satchels, pouches and numerous equipment for the office.
Their operation is agile sufficient to sketch up concepts, run collectively mock-ups and check n’ tweak for a various vary of shoppers with very explicit wants.
Recognising a altering market, the necessity to produce lighter weight and ultralight packs and the authorized challenges they could encounter in the event that they tried to register the Summit Gear model internationally, they launched a brand new sub-brand, Whippa, in Might 2024. I’ve been testing their Overland 60L Ultralight mountain climbing pack for 2 months.
Overland 60L Ultralight
First Impressions
Visually, the Whippa vary attracts on the straightforward, streamlined design of Summit Gear’s conventional packs: one giant high load compartment and an uber-generous entrance pocket. The bells and whistles of this child aren’t apparent on the surface, however humble, nicely thought out design and use of contemporary, light-weight but sturdy supplies and a body sheet imply the tune and dance is within the 940 grams and a snug carry below load.
Supplies
Design & Development
I really like a roll-top pack and that is no exception. The approx 26 cm of throat is simply one of many choose-your-own-adventure* components within the 60 litre ultralight fashion I examined. Add or subtract to your load, shrink down as you eat meals or increase to hold sudden extras (like taking over further water for dry stretches), I examined the pack in quite a lot of methods, together with as a day pack when guiding (40L would been sufficient for substantial group first help package, thermos, poo package, radio, private gear, and many others) and overnighters.
Match and Adjustment
The 10mm closed cell foam padding (with sneaky weight-saving and respiration holes) supplies simply the correct quantity of consolation for the 6cm shoulder straps and 9.5 cm hip straps. I like the selection of a forward-tightening belt buckle and snazzy minimalistic buckles that work high quality when sporting gloves. Load Lifters, teamed with the full frame-sheet are key to getting a snug and well-distributed carry with the Whippa Overland. Take a look at the BTS video with Rob Inshaw as he describes how this works.
Consolation
In weight and cargo exams, I discovered (oddly) that it was extra snug when packed as a full, streamlined load, as a substitute of a half-empty day pack. When half empty, it felt as if it pulled away from the physique, no matter adjusting load lifters, shoulder straps and hip belt. It was as a full load, round 12-14 kg, that it actually felt evenly distributed and was at its most cozy.
Hip Belt Pockets
Beneficiant hip-belt pockets have been designed to carry even the most important smartphone (circa 2024), giving easy accessibility for images or navigation apps. The usage of the robust UltraStretch material is wise with its 4-way stretch and tear/abrasion resistance. That and the additional pleats means there’s nonetheless house for all these snacks, lip balm and hanky (sure, hanky folks).
Again Pocket
The again pocket of the Whippa Overland is among the apparent locations the design strays away from the traditional stretchy mesh exterior pocket, as seen in ultralight opponents Z-Packs, Hyperlite or Durston. I’ve walked behind many mates carrying these (and what’s left of the mesh these manufacturers use) testomony that they weren’t designed with hauling packs via thick banksia, hakea and different wonders of the Aussie Bush.
Casting off that problem, Rob’s crew have used the identical most important material (both Dyneema or Extremely 200x), with a cosy becoming storm flap, offering a beneficiant (about 27 cm x 15 cm x 37 cm) stow all, fast-access pocket.
This provides considerably to the general capability and is ideal for moist objects like rain jackets or tent fly. Oh, and it suits a 14″ laptop computer (not that I take a type of with me into the bush!).
Aspect Pockets
UltraStretch material (which was so robust their machines struggled to chop it they usually wanted to make use of graphite shears to complete the job correctly) and partially hidden compression straps (with G-hook attachments) guarantee your 1L bottle stays comfortable. Placement and stitching meant I didn’t need to dislocate a shoulder to take a swig.
Webbing (Straps)
It’s essential to notice that the webbing (straps) they’ve used all through are notably robust and don’t slide via the clips like conventional webbing can. This would possibly take a little bit of getting used to as it’s essential put some oomph into tensioning them.
Behind the Scenes with Whippa
I headed above the store in Katoomba for a BTS chat with Rob Inshaw to study extra about Whippa and the Overland 60.
I didn’t check them, however Whippa supply just a few fries with that if you happen to’re after additional capability with an 8 litre Ultralight Expedition Hood (removable mind) with weatherproof zipper. There’s additionally a helmet internet that works with the 35L and 55L variations of the pack and unsurprisingly, Whippa’s Canyon pack collection. Made attainable via the small attachment loops, you may as well use these to your personal DIY attachments.
Below Testing – My expertise
How I examined it – I used the Whippa Overland 60L for two months earlier than scripting this assessment. I used it for not less than 2-3 quick hikes (1-3 hrs) every week with <7 kg, 4 full-day walks (8 hrs, 8 kg) and an overnighter (12 kg). To check consolation below weight, I additionally over-loaded it with 20 kg for one of many quick walks.
What I preferred
- Powerful light-weight materials that seem like as sturdy as they declare
- Again pocket – the characteristic I assumed I wouldn’t like… however cherished. It held every thing that I’d usually put right into a pack mind/hood and extra. I like that I didn’t lose issues in it like I generally do within the awkward form of a zipped mind pocket attributable to the way it wraps/bends across the high of a pack.
- Weight – <1kg for 60 litres in a sturdy bundle
- Construction – the interior body sheet offers the pack construction that usually isn’t present in ultralight or light-weight packs. No one likes a floppy pack ;).
- Simplistic Huge Bucket high loader roll-top with G-clip
- It’s a tidy pack with streamlined attractiveness
- Distinctive customer support from native Australian small enterprise
Issues to think about
- Although the material is waterproof (Whippa describe the pack as ‘weatherproof’) and the seams have been taped sealed (what does that imply?), when utilizing it in Tassie drizzle I discovered that whereas the objects inside stayed largely dry, moisture acquired in across the base once I put the pack on the bottom throughout breaks. In future I’d merely use a water-proof pack liner or dry luggage (as I do with my different packs).
- The stiff webbing straps took a little bit of getting used to
- Value – As at June 2024, the pack prices $619 AUD
Conclusion
When you’re trying to lighten your multiday pack and enterprise into the land of ultralight gear (and have the funds), the consolation delivered by the framesheet and cargo lifters, will make a straightforward transition.
Providing the selection of Ultra200x (as a substitute of Dynmeema) for the principle material is a good possibility for people who do plenty of off-track/scrub or rock scrambling.
It’s essential to know that it’s nonetheless an funding and like all gear, it’s essential maintain your package, not actively trash it.
