Zpacks Arc Haul Extremely 60 Ultralight Backpack Overview

Backside Line

The Zpacks Arc Haul Extremely 60 excels as an ultralight backpack for lengthy journeys. Its major strengths are an exceptionally secure carry and long-term sturdiness. Throughout our rigorous testing within the Rocky Mountains and in a managed surroundings, we have 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 stand up to the harshest circumstances.

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

Whereas the Arc Haul Extremely’s premium value displays its high-end supplies and distinctive ultralight development, it affords glorious worth for dedicated ounce-counters in search of top-tier efficiency. Weight-conscious thru-hikers and skilled ultralight fanatics will respect its distinctive weight-to-capacity ratio.

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

consolation

After placing the Zpacks Arc Haul Extremely to the take a look at on the path, we discovered it supplies a formidable stage of consolation for its minimalist design. We examined the Arc Haul Extremely with hundreds as much as about 28.5 kilos and have been happy with how properly 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 move, preserving your again noticeably drier. Anybody who has skilled the dreaded again sweat will respect this design.

The shoulder straps and hip belt provide reasonable padding – sufficient to cushion with out including pointless bulk. Nonetheless, throughout lengthy days on the path, we did discover some occasional rubbing on the decrease again. The outside body parts 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 respectable consolation, particularly for ounce-counters who respect a close-fitting, responsive carry. Whereas it will not be the cushiest choice, it balances help, 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 prime strap with loads of size.

The big entrance stretch pocket is made with a see-through mesh so you’ll be able to simply see each bit of drugs. The facet pockets are giant, safe, and straightforward to achieve whereas carrying the pack, so you’ll be able to hydrate on the go. The pack doesn’t come normal with hip belt pockets, however they’re out there from Zpacks as an add-on characteristic.

A novel characteristic of the Arc Haul Extremely is the non-stretchy exterior Dyneema straps. Either side has a strap that zig-zags up the whole size of the pack. On the underside of the pack are two extra straps with line-loc changes, best 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 important gear like GPS gadgets. Though the Arc Haul Extremely lacks a couple of group options that come normal on different packs, most can be found at Zpacks.

Water Resistance

On the subject of defending your gear from the weather, the Arc Haul Extremely doesn’t disappoint. In our water publicity take a look at, the pack was nearly 100% waterproof and can seemingly keep that means for a very long time. 

The pack’s major physique is laminated with a water-resistant backing, which creates a bodily moisture barrier as an alternative of a water-resistant coating that wears off over time. The first pack materials, Extremely 100X material, has a formidable 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 susceptible factors.

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

Development

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

In the event you have been to tear this sturdy material by some means, 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 plenty 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 definitely not a deal breaker, it’s one thing price noting for anybody who’s specific 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 alternative 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 could discover the Arc Haul Extremely’s minimalist design and streamlined characteristic set much less interesting. 

Contemplating some options that come normal on different packs, comparable to hip belt pockets, are an extra price for the Arc Haul Extremely, the value level is kind of steep. Nonetheless, it’s a worthy funding for critical ultralighters who worth Zpack’s premium supplies, modern development, and area of interest market focus.

Informal backpackers or these on a tighter finances could discover higher worth in additional inexpensive, versatile choices with a broader vary of options and creature comforts.

What Different Ultralight Backpacks Ought to You Contemplate?

If Zpacks is just 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 Overview: The Southwest carries weight extraordinarily properly, is waterproof, and sturdy, and comes with a couple of extra exterior pockets. The 55 is barely smaller in quantity, nevertheless it additionally is available in a 40L and 70L choice.

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

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