Zpacks Arc Haul Extremely 60 Ultralight Backpack Evaluation

Backside Line

The Zpacks Arc Haul Extremely 60 excels as an ultralight backpack for lengthy journeys. Its important strengths are an exceptionally secure carry and long-term sturdiness. Throughout our rigorous testing within the Rocky Mountains and in a managed atmosphere, we had been impressed by its distinctive suspension system, ample pocket house, and dependable water resistance.

The Arc Haul Extremely is known as after its modern curved carbon fiber body, which permits for good air flow and secure weight distribution. The pack’s roomy pockets and exterior attachment factors present environment friendly gear group and entry. Its sturdy Extremely material with laminated waterproof backing will face up to the harshest circumstances.

Nevertheless, the pack’s minimalist design might not go well with everybody. Some hikers might desire extra padding or pocket choices. Though they’re out there as an add-on, the dearth of devoted hipbelt pockets is perhaps a disadvantage for some.

Whereas the Arc Haul Extremely’s premium value displays its high-end supplies and distinctive ultralight building, it provides glorious worth for dedicated ounce-counters searching for top-tier efficiency. Weight-conscious thru-hikers and skilled ultralight lovers will recognize its distinctive weight-to-capacity ratio.

Be sure you take a look at our complete information to the perfect ultralight backpacks, with top-performing packs for numerous climbing kinds and budgets.

consolation

After placing the Zpacks Arc Haul Extremely to the check on the path, we discovered it gives a powerful stage of consolation for its minimalist design. We examined the Arc Haul Extremely with masses as much as about 28.5 kilos and had been happy with how effectively it dealt with and transferred weight to the hips. The pack hugs near your physique, transferring with you and eliminating annoying pack bounce.

One standout characteristic is the modern curved carbon fiber body and suspended netting. By creating an air hole between your again and the pack, warmth can escape, and a breeze can circulation, preserving your again noticeably drier. Anybody who has skilled the dreaded again sweat will recognize this design.

The shoulder straps and hip belt provide reasonable padding – sufficient to cushion with out including pointless bulk. Nevertheless, throughout lengthy days on the path, we did discover some occasional rubbing on the decrease again. The outside body components with horizontal and vertical stays give this pack a stiffer really feel.

All in all, for an ultralight pack designed to shave ounces, the Zpacks Arc Haul Extremely delivers first rate consolation, particularly for ounce-counters who recognize a close-fitting, responsive carry. Whereas it might not be the cushiest possibility, it balances assist, breathability, and weight financial savings.

Performance

The Arc Haul Extremely makes use of a easy but efficient organizational design. The principle compartment closes with a conventional roll-top design and a single high strap with loads of size.

The massive entrance stretch pocket is made with a see-through mesh so you may simply see every bit of substances. The aspect pockets are massive, safe, and straightforward to achieve whereas carrying the pack, so you may hydrate on the go. The pack doesn’t come commonplace with hip belt pockets, however they’re out there from Zpacks as an add-on characteristic.

A singular characteristic of the Arc Haul Extremely is the non-stretchy exterior Dyneema straps. Both sides has a strap that zig-zags up your entire size of the pack. On the underside of the pack are two extra straps with line-loc changes, perfect for carrying moist gear, tents, or cumbersome foam sleeping pads.

Lastly, the shoulder straps and hipbelt are stitched with steady daisy chain webbing for attaching crucial gear like GPS units. Though the Arc Haul Extremely lacks just a few group options that come commonplace on different packs, most can be found at Zpacks.

Water Resistance

With regards to defending your gear from the weather, the Arc Haul Extremely doesn’t disappoint. In our water publicity check, the pack was just about 100% waterproof and can possible keep that method for a very long time. 

The pack’s important physique is laminated with a water-proof backing, which creates a bodily moisture barrier as an alternative of a water-proof coating that wears off over time. The first pack materials, Extremely 100X material, has a powerful water resistance ranking of over 20,000 mmH₂O.

To additional improve its weatherproofing, the Arc Haul Extremely’s seams and attachment factors are meticulously taped, creating an impenetrable seal that forestalls water from seeping by means of weak factors.

Whereas no pack is totally submersible, this stage of water resistance gives ample safety for many backpacking situations.

Building

The Arc Haul Extremely achieves a powerful strength-to-weight ratio. The pack is among the lightest we examined, weighing 0.4 ounces per liter of capability, and nonetheless manages a sturdy 100-denier building materials all through. This stability is because of the extraordinarily light-weight and extremely tear and abrasion-resistant properties of Extremely 100X material. 

In case you had been to tear this sturdy material someway, the graceful floor is simple to restore with adhesive patches. Strategic reinforcements in high-stress areas, such because the shoulder straps and base, additional contribute to the pack’s long-term sturdiness.

The mesh on the entrance pocket of the pack has a 4mm gap diameter, which makes it see-through with out compromising lots of sturdiness. It’s not as sturdy as Dyneema mesh used on some packs, however the holes are sufficiently small to keep away from most snagging or tearing hazards.

A minor gripe of the sturdy Extremely material is that it’s fairly stiff, noisy, and crinkly. Whereas actually not a deal breaker, it’s one thing price noting for anybody who’s explicit about material really feel.

Ought to You Purchase The Zpacks Arc Haul Extremely 60 Ultralight Backpack?

The Zpacks Arc Haul Extremely 60 is an distinctive selection for ultralight backpackers and thru-hikers who prioritize weight financial savings with out compromising sturdiness. Its thoughtfully designed characteristic set, together with ample storage choices, secure suspension, and dependable water resistance, caters to uber-ultralight backpackers tackling long-distance trails and difficult backcountry adventures.

These new to ultralight backpacking or people preferring extra sturdy, closely padded packs might discover the Arc Haul Extremely’s minimalist design and streamlined characteristic set much less interesting. 

Contemplating some options that come commonplace on different packs, corresponding to hip belt pockets, are a further price for the Arc Haul Extremely, the worth level is sort of steep. Nevertheless, it’s a worthy funding for critical ultralighters who worth Zpack’s premium supplies, modern building, and area of interest market focus.

Informal backpackers or these on a tighter price range might discover higher worth in additional reasonably priced, versatile choices with a broader vary of options and creature comforts.

What Different Ultralight Backpacks Ought to You Take into account?

If Zpacks is simply too area of interest on your style, take a look at our wide selection of choices in our full information to ultralight packs.

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55 Evaluation: The Southwest carries weight extraordinarily effectively, is waterproof, and sturdy, and comes with just a few extra exterior pockets. The 55 is barely smaller in quantity, nevertheless it additionally is available in a 40L and 70L possibility.

Durston Kakwa 55 Evaluation: The Kakwa 55 has an analogous really feel to the Arc Haul Extremely – secure and inflexible – prioritizing sturdiness over luxurious consolation. The Kakwa will even prevent a big quantity of cheddar. 

Atom Packs the Pulse EP50 Evaluation: Though about 10 liters smaller by quantity, the Pulse EP50 strikes a wonderful stability of climate resistance, sturdiness, consolation, and performance. Nevertheless, it doesn’t carry heavy masses in addition to the Arc Haul Extremely.