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 predominant strengths are an exceptionally steady carry and long-term sturdiness. Throughout our rigorous testing within the Rocky Mountains and in a managed surroundings, 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 steady 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 could not swimsuit everybody. Some hikers could want extra padding or pocket choices. Though they’re accessible as an add-on, the dearth of devoted hipbelt pockets is perhaps a downside for some.

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

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

consolation

After placing the Zpacks Arc Haul Extremely to the take a look at on the path, we discovered it offers 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, shifting with you and eliminating annoying pack bounce.

One standout function 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 circulate, maintaining your again noticeably drier. Anybody who has skilled the dreaded again sweat will recognize this design.

The shoulder straps and hip belt provide average 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 is probably not 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 may simply see every bit of drugs. The facet pockets are giant, safe, and simple to achieve whereas carrying the pack, so you may hydrate on the go. The pack doesn’t come customary with hip belt pockets, however they’re accessible from Zpacks as an add-on function.

A singular function of the Arc Haul Extremely is the non-stretchy exterior Dyneema straps. All sides has a strap that zig-zags up the complete size of the pack. On the underside of the pack are two further straps with line-loc changes, very 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 vital gear like GPS gadgets. Though the Arc Haul Extremely lacks a couple of group options that come customary on different packs, most can be found at Zpacks.

Water Resistance

In the case 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 just about 100% waterproof and can probably keep that approach for a very long time. 

The pack’s predominant physique is laminated with a water-proof backing, which creates a bodily moisture barrier as a substitute of a water-proof coating that wears off over time. The first pack materials, Extremely 100X material, has a powerful water resistance score 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 stops water from seeping by means of weak factors.

Whereas no pack is totally submersible, this stage of water resistance offers 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. 

For those who had 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 value 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 function set, together with ample storage choices, steady 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 strong, closely padded packs could discover the Arc Haul Extremely’s minimalist design and streamlined function set much less interesting. 

Contemplating some options that come customary on different packs, comparable to hip belt pockets, are an extra value for the Arc Haul Extremely, the worth level is kind 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 finances could 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 Contemplate?

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

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 55 Overview: The Southwest carries weight extraordinarily effectively, is waterproof, and sturdy, and comes with a couple of extra exterior pockets. The 55 is barely smaller in quantity, however it additionally is available in a 40L and 70L choice.

Durston Kakwa 55 Overview: The Kakwa 55 has an analogous really feel to the Arc Haul Extremely – steady and inflexible – prioritizing sturdiness over luxurious consolation. The Kakwa may also prevent a major quantity of cheddar. 

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