It's interesting how subtle differences matter for usage. It's also very use specific. I'd like to see the measurements so I'd know what could fit in them. As usual another great video I enjoy and appreciate!
I asked Jo to make me these pouches for my Arc Blast when I ordered it in February, not sure if they were the first ones he tried? He said they're not waterproof but I wasn't too bothered, anything I need to keep dry goes in a mini ziploc anyway. The pockets Jo had at the time just looked too big and I really didn't like the fold down closure. So far the new pockets have worked really well, easy to open and close with one hand and plenty big enough for gorp and electronics. I have a grumble with the Arc Blast though, I just can't reach the side pockets to grab my water bottle when it's on my back. Although I don't normally use a bladder I wish I'd left the port in mine now. I'll try something on the shoulder strap one day but I think a bottle in face will do my head in.
Chad Poindexter Thanks for the link Chad, I'll check that out. Now I can reach my bottles fine with my ULA packs, I have and older CDT and more recently the Ohm 2.0 I bought a couple of years ago, no problem getting the bottle out or back in solo. With the AB I have to get a hiking buddy to grab my bottle for me. I'll figure something out though, might run a tube from a bottle in the side pocket, up the side of the frame and onto the shoulder strap.
Got a killer deal on a Virga 2 and was deciding on what kind of pockets to put on and remembered your video. I reached out to Joe to see if he could make some modifications to the pockets since the Virga 2 doesnt have daisey chains on the belt. Do you think there will be an issue with them doing a lot of sliding by just adding two bigger loops like the center one? I'm wondering if maybe they might need some kind of cord lock to help with that.
Chad...the common complaint that I've read....even with that new zipper is that the zipper still leaks. I have no idea if that is true. Maybe an update could be a piece of material that flaps over the zipper. I don't know.
+Roaming Gnome Yes, over time and with enough use, the aqua guard zippers (or whatever they are called) can wear in/out and begin to let a little water in. It hasn't happened to mine (although, I unfortunately haven't used them a ton, and when I do and it's raining I am usually under my umbrella, so that helps shield it from a lot of rain) but it is the nature of things... Personally, I would have been fine had it stayed along the side at the top and also had a rain flap covering the zipper...
Chad, can you please show in detail how the hipbelt attached to the pack. how the frame piece is held to the belt and pack. if you don't want to do a video could you send some pics?
+Eric Hughes The hip belt on my pack is not one solid piece. Instead, it is like 2 wings, sewn at each edge of the pack. I added the lumbar pad though, which may give the appearance of being a solid belt... Also, I know for the Arc Hauls. the hip belt is attached differently to the pack so that it integrates with the frame more. Admittedly, I haven't kept up with them lately to say if the Arc Blast are still attached the same way as when I bought mine, or if they are also attached like the Arc Hauls. It may be visible on the ZPacks page, however, if not, a quick email to the ZPacks crew would answer any question you have. Also, if you haven't already, I have a first look video of the pack here on my YT channel too. Around the 6:40 mark you can see how the belt is attached to the pack. As for the frame, there is a little keeper pocket sewn on each side of the top of the pack and the bottom. The carbon frame is inserted into these pockets. To create the Arc, there are cords attached to the top and bottom on each side which can be cinched tight, which pulls the tabs closer to each other, creating the arc. Hope his helps!
Will these work with any hip belt or does it have to be a zpacks backpack? Mine is a Teton scout 3400. Hope it will, because I'll definitely invest in one
It should work with most any other hip belt. There are 2 elastic straps on the back of the pocket (although mine in this video shows only 1... the current versions have 2 though, which is a better solution IMO). Simply slip the hip belt through these straps and it should fit. There are also loops on each side of the hip belt pocket to allow you to tie them off to the hip belt (if there are straps or loops or something similar on the hip belt too).
Serafin Hikes I typically change out all the zipper pulls for a reflective cord. It would be simple to make it longer when doing so as it’s just a looped cord.
I just made my first order of many last night with Zpacks after watching your videos... Thank you Chad!!!!
Stick has cost me a lot of money with his videos.
Thanks for looking out for us, I would have thought they were smaller too.
It's interesting how subtle differences matter for usage. It's also very use specific. I'd like to see the measurements so I'd know what could fit in them. As usual another great video I enjoy and appreciate!
Superb. Got a couple of black ones coming in July😉
Nice video showcasing differences in pockets.
I have two of the black ones with zippers for my arc haul zip. I love them.
I asked Jo to make me these pouches for my Arc Blast when I ordered it in February, not sure if they were the first ones he tried? He said they're not waterproof but I wasn't too bothered, anything I need to keep dry goes in a mini ziploc anyway. The pockets Jo had at the time just looked too big and I really didn't like the fold down closure.
So far the new pockets have worked really well, easy to open and close with one hand and plenty big enough for gorp and electronics.
I have a grumble with the Arc Blast though, I just can't reach the side pockets to grab my water bottle when it's on my back. Although I don't normally use a bladder I wish I'd left the port in mine now. I'll try something on the shoulder strap one day but I think a bottle in face will do my head in.
Chad Poindexter
Thanks for the link Chad, I'll check that out.
Now I can reach my bottles fine with my ULA packs, I have and older CDT and more recently the Ohm 2.0 I bought a couple of years ago, no problem getting the bottle out or back in solo. With the AB I have to get a hiking buddy to grab my bottle for me. I'll figure something out though, might run a tube from a bottle in the side pocket, up the side of the frame and onto the shoulder strap.
Cool! Thanks for the review.
Got a killer deal on a Virga 2 and was deciding on what kind of pockets to put on and remembered your video. I reached out to Joe to see if he could make some modifications to the pockets since the Virga 2 doesnt have daisey chains on the belt. Do you think there will be an issue with them doing a lot of sliding by just adding two bigger loops like the center one? I'm wondering if maybe they might need some kind of cord lock to help with that.
I seemed to have missed the velcro version of the last version.
The green color on black hip belt will look sweet!
This review is like Goldilocks and the Three Bears: This one's too big, this one's too small, this one's just right.
:)
Chad...the common complaint that I've read....even with that new zipper is that the zipper still leaks. I have no idea if that is true. Maybe an update could be a piece of material that flaps over the zipper. I don't know.
+Roaming Gnome Yes, over time and with enough use, the aqua guard zippers (or whatever they are called) can wear in/out and begin to let a little water in. It hasn't happened to mine (although, I unfortunately haven't used them a ton, and when I do and it's raining I am usually under my umbrella, so that helps shield it from a lot of rain) but it is the nature of things... Personally, I would have been fine had it stayed along the side at the top and also had a rain flap covering the zipper...
Chad, can you please show in detail how the hipbelt attached to the pack. how the frame piece is held to the belt and pack. if you don't want to do a video could you send some pics?
+Eric Hughes The hip belt on my pack is not one solid piece. Instead, it is like 2 wings, sewn at each edge of the pack. I added the lumbar pad though, which may give the appearance of being a solid belt... Also, I know for the Arc Hauls. the hip belt is attached differently to the pack so that it integrates with the frame more. Admittedly, I haven't kept up with them lately to say if the Arc Blast are still attached the same way as when I bought mine, or if they are also attached like the Arc Hauls. It may be visible on the ZPacks page, however, if not, a quick email to the ZPacks crew would answer any question you have.
Also, if you haven't already, I have a first look video of the pack here on my YT channel too. Around the 6:40 mark you can see how the belt is attached to the pack. As for the frame, there is a little keeper pocket sewn on each side of the top of the pack and the bottom. The carbon frame is inserted into these pockets. To create the Arc, there are cords attached to the top and bottom on each side which can be cinched tight, which pulls the tabs closer to each other, creating the arc.
Hope his helps!
Nice Chad thanks!
look really think cheap umbrella type material?
Will these work with any hip belt or does it have to be a zpacks backpack? Mine is a Teton scout 3400. Hope it will, because I'll definitely invest in one
It should work with most any other hip belt. There are 2 elastic straps on the back of the pocket (although mine in this video shows only 1... the current versions have 2 though, which is a better solution IMO). Simply slip the hip belt through these straps and it should fit. There are also loops on each side of the hip belt pocket to allow you to tie them off to the hip belt (if there are straps or loops or something similar on the hip belt too).
Stick's Blog thanks!!
The string on the zipper needs to be longer. It's crazy difficult for less flexible folks to get into the new ones
Serafin Hikes I typically change out all the zipper pulls for a reflective cord. It would be simple to make it longer when doing so as it’s just a looped cord.
Junk