Drop/Durston Pack
- Thread starter theoctagon
- Start date
Odd Man
Thru Hiker
ULTRA Collection — Challenge Outdoor
www.challenge-outdoor.com
WilliamC
Thru Hiker
So, here it is...
TinTin
Thru Hiker
$250
Odd Man
Thru Hiker
Odd Man
Thru Hiker
Sage colour for the
Likes:
Looks much better than the v1.
Side pockets being different sizes.
Reverse tightening double strap belt (I believe Atom did this before)
Ultra 200
Bound seams = highly water resistant (?)
Concerns:
Not sure if the vertical zip pocket will add value or just weight.
Shoulder and waist straps seem a bit thin for something rated for 45lbs
Fixed shoulder pockets. (I prefer at least 1 zip shoulder pocket)
Shoulder straps connecting at the top might rub on the neck (?)
At 22" torso length, might be a bit short me personally
Ultra. A decent frame. That extra side pocket thing. At a good price (the best price really).
dandurston
Section Hiker
Ha ha.....I ran out for a quick photo and made the mistake of filling the pack with only a sleeping bag. There was almost no weight in it, so it was riding up when I took the picture.
dandurston
Section Hiker
Some of the main things are:
1) The frame/load carrying/comfort is very good. You'd be hard pressed to find another pack under 2 lbs that has load lifters, reverse pull hipbelt, dual strap hipbelt, and horizonal frame structure. That's not just to carry big loads - it makes carrying medium loads more comfortable.
2) Ultra 200 fabric. This is a super durable woven UHMWPE fabric that is getting a lot of excitement because it is about 5x more durable for less weight versus traditional nylon pack fabrics. This material is quite expensive though, so $250 is a very low price for this material. Other frame Ultra packs are $325 - $500.
3) This is a bit personal preference, but I think the pocket design is very good. Very useful hipbelt pockets, comes with shoulder strap pockets that are great for phones, and the side zippered pocket is really handy for larger items.
4) High end build quality. All the main seams are double stitched and folded and it's from same factory as Arcteryx packs.
TinTin
Thru Hiker
I guess you don't have to use the side zippered pocket if you don't want to and that would leave more volume for stuff in the main side pocket.
Am I right in thinking that the all up volume of a large pack, ie main compartment and various outer pockets is likely to be 55L plus?
The target audience for this is, I guess, very unlikely to use anywhere near its weight carrying capacity and so are going to get a very comfortable pack for a c15lb base weight. Or to put it another way, if you are going to carry 45lbs you're not going to go looking for the lightest possible pack to carry it in.
Enzo
Thru Hiker
That looks like a massive improvement from the first design to me.
Looks way cooler too.
If I was looking for a pack for longer/heavier carries, I'd be very tempted!
Only thing Prema facia that I'd want to look at is the size of the mesh pocket, looks like it could have come up further?
Totally agree pleated non stretch mesh is the way forward.
Looks way cooler too.
If I was looking for a pack for longer/heavier carries, I'd be very tempted!
Only thing Prema facia that I'd want to look at is the size of the mesh pocket, looks like it could have come up further?
Totally agree pleated non stretch mesh is the way forward.
dandurston
Section Hiker
For the zippered side pocket, the side zipper and top opening are competing for the same volume, so you want to be a bit thoughtful (e.g. you can't simultaneously jam it full from both openings). I usually do my fuel bottle in the stop and then there is still enough space for hats/mitts in the side.
I'm hesitant to put a total capacity including the external pockets because it's pretty subjective/hard to measure how much you can stuff into the external pockets but other companies typically count about 15L, so yeah it would be about 55L per that approach.
Yes if you actually carry 45 lbs (20kg) all the time you'd probably want to invest a bit more weight in the pack too. For example, even though the Kakwa 40 can handle it you might prefer something with larger/more thickly padded hipbelt so your hips have it easier. The target here is those 20-35 lbs loads (10-15 kg) where the dual strap/reverse pull hipbelt, load lifters, and horizontal frame structure all help to get it carrying nicely instead of pulling on your shoulders in odd ways.
There are full daisy chains on the shoulder straps that run under the shoulder strap pockets, so it is quite easy (but committing) to simply cut off the shoulder strap pockets and put whatever style you prefer on there.
The pocket elastics on the side pocket and front pocket are not easily replaceable. We are sewing them 100% inside a hem of Ultra 200 to protect them from harm, and then they are not adjustable partly for that reason and partly because I think it's best/simplest for us to adjust the tension to be just right from the factory, instead of making it user adjustable with a cord lock, where it becomes more complicated/slightly heavier/more prone to damage.
Jaco
Ultralighter
It looks like a great pack, fixing the minor niggles with the DD40 and making it prettier, if less distinctive 
Going by experience with the X-Mid 1P at USD $240, the pack will be about £300 (~$375) to receive in the UK. The international returns policy makes me cautious to see what the experience is for the early-adopters, at the risk of missing out on a chance to buy.
Going by experience with the X-Mid 1P at USD $240, the pack will be about £300 (~$375) to receive in the UK. The international returns policy makes me cautious to see what the experience is for the early-adopters, at the risk of missing out on a chance to buy.
TinTin
Thru Hiker
Which puts it squarely in the Atompacks Mo territory rather than the absolute bargain it would be if you lived in the US.