Shelter Backpacks Sleeping Bags Accessories Materials FAQs Payments About/Photos
-January 2012-

There is currently a waiting list of about 3 weeks for backpacks, shelters, and sleeping bags. If you need a quicker delivery please ask when you place your order and we will prioritize it. All of our gear is made locally right here in in our workshop.

All accessory items are in stock and are shipping in a day or two as usual. Thanks! Joe & Sheryl
About ZPacks

ZPacks is run by yours truly, Joe Valesko. I have been backpacking and building my own gear since the 90's. I started ZPacks.com in early 2005 after finishing my 2004 Appalachian Trail thru-hike. I have since gone on to thru-hike the Pacific Crest Trail in 2007, and the Continental Divide Trail in 2009.

In 2010 ZPacks went from hobby to job. My wife Sheryl and I started working on gear full time.

As of 2011 we finally moved out of the garage and into a workshop. Several of our friends have joined the production team full time.

Everything is built right here by us. We take your orders, build your gear, and ship it out. Gear is often custom made right when you order, and usually ships in just a day or two.

Sheryl and I are originally from upstate NY, but are currently located in Palm Bay, FL 32909. If you would like to contact us our email address is at the bottom of the page.

Some of our Adventures:

Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike - 2,174 miles / 142 days (View Map)
When: May 17th through October 7th 2004
Trail Name: "Lightweight Joe"
Base gear weight: About 8 lbs of almost entirely home-made items.
Photos: I carried disposable cameras on this trip. Here are a few scans:
Samurai Joe's Picasa Web Album

Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hike - 2,663 miles / 147 days (View Map)
When: April 29th through September 22nd 2007
Trail Name: "Samurai Joe"
Base gear weight: About 5 lbs (Gear list)
Photos: Samurai Joe's Picasa Web Album

Continental Divide Trail Thru-Hike - 2,651 miles / 154 days (View Map)
When: June 17th through November 17th 2009
Trail Name: "Samurai Joe"
Base gear weight: Average about 6 lbs (Gear list)
Photos: Samurai Joe's Picasa Web Album


Shipping is just $3.95 in the U.S., $9.95 Internationally and up.