Shelter Backpacks Sleeping Bags Accessories Materials FAQs Payments About/Photos
-May 2013-
Due to overwhelming demand all Backpacks, Sleeping Bags, and Tents/Tarps are currently shipping out in around 5 to 6 weeks.  Jackets and Ponchos are shipping in about 3 weeks. If you need a quicker delivery please ask when you place your order and we will prioritize it. All of our gear is made in the US right here in our workshop.

Accessory items are generally in stock and normally ship within a week. Thank you! -The ZPacks crew

Joe and Matt will be attending Trail Days in Damascus, VA as a vendor Friday May 17th and Saturday May 18th. Stop by and meet us and check out some gear in person!
ZPacks™ "Arc Blast" Backpack
new June 2012!

Description:
The Arc Blast is our most comfortable backpack yet! It has an arched carbon fiber frame with a mesh back panel forming an air gap against your back. The air space keeps your back cool and also provides a buffer from any pointy items in your pack. No extra padding necessary.

The pack is constructed from tough 2.92 oz/sqyd Cuben Hybrid fabric. The material is just like the Cuben Fiber on our regular Blast backpacks, except with a protective layer of 50 denier Polyester on the outside. The outer layer gives it even more strength, prevents fraying, and gives it a nice solid color. The material and design can handle loads up to 30 lbs (14 kg).

Specifications:
Arc Blast Backpack - 15.5 ounces (440 grams), $279

Main body (2,400 ci) + Mesh center pocket (550 ci) + Side pockets (250 ci)
Total volume-  3,200 Cubic Inches / 52 Liters

Dimensions:
12.25" wide x 6.5" deep x 30" tall (31 cm x 16.5 cm x 76 cm).

Standard Features on the Arc Blast backpack:

  • Our ultralight Flexed-Arc carbon fiber frame keeps the pack stiff so that most weight is carried on the hips instead of the shoulders. The frame pieces and mesh back panel can be easily removed or replaced.

    The frame is curved to allow air flow and keep your back cushioned from the pack's contents. You can adjust the curve by tensioning the mesh back panel. The recommended arch is about 2.5" (6 cm), but feel free to experiment.
     
  • Roll top closure (like our dry bags) keeps water out, and lets you roll down the top as your gear load shrinks.
     
  • Comfy 3/8" thick padded contoured shoulder straps and padded belt. Both the straps and the belt have a daisy chain for clipping on items, and an adjustable position sternum strap is also included.
     
  • Side pockets are sized to fit 1 or 1.5 liter bottles. They are positioned low on the pack and slanted forward for easy access without removing the pack. The pockets have drainage holes at the bottom, and elastic that you can cinch tight at the top.
     
  • Large stretchy mesh center pocket is great for quick access items. Mesh also lets you dry wet clothing and gives you a clear view of your gear.
     
  • Two sets of compression straps on each side of the pack let you squish down the pack volume and also allow you to stand tall items like trekking poles in the side pockets.
     
  • A top strap, and base straps allow you to lash on extra items to the top or base of the pack.
     
  • A centrally located Hydration Port is included to string out a drinking tube over either the left or right shoulder. A water bladder can either be hung from an internal hang loop, or laid horizontally on top of your gear.
     
  • Roughly 3,200 cubic inch (52 Liter) volume is enough for extended trips. The pack can be compressed down with the roll top and side straps for short trips, or use the top strap and base straps to lash extra stuff to to the outside for long carries.
     
  • All standard Bear Canisters, including the Bearikade Expedition and the BearVault 500 will fit in the upper half of this pack standing on end. There is enough extra girth to either wrap a foam pad around the canister (if you use one), or stand a Medium stuff sack vertically beside the bear canister.
     
  • All ZPacks gear has a one year warranty against defects in materials or workmanship. Returns or exchanges are welcome, even on custom gear.
     
  • For more info check out the Backpack FAQs.

Torso Height:
Stand up straight. Measure in a straight line from just below where you want the belt to ride on your body to the top of your shoulder. You can view a graphic helping to show you how to measure here.

Example: I am 5' 9" tall and I normally wear my backpack belt at the same spot I would wear a belt on my pants. My measurement is about 21" from the bottom of my pants belt to the top of my shoulder.

The default / medium torso height on this pack will fit a 20" to 21" torso as measured. Taller and shorter torso heights can be selected.

Belt Length:
The default padded belt will fit 30" to 40" hips. Larger or smaller belts can be selected.

Ordering:
Don't forget to scroll down through the additional options!

There is a waiting list for this item, see the notice at the top of the page.

Arc Blast Backpack - 15.5 ounces (440 grams), $279
Color
Torso Height
Belt Length
Notes

click for larger photos.
The photos above are Tan, below are White:

Read an Arc Blast Backpack Review by PCT Hiker Spider Legs:
Arc Blast Review
-----------------------------

"The Tour De Mont Blanc was amazing! The Arc Blast did exceptionally well carrying all of my gear and food for 8 days of travel through the French, Italian, and Swiss Alps!" --Ben Smith
Add Options:
Backpacks are typically built right when you order with the options you specify. Returns or exchanges are always accepted, even on custom built packs.
 


Click for larger image

Belt Pouches
These pouches clip securely to the daisy chain on your padded belt. These have taped seams and are completely waterproof from falling rain. They open with a single clip at the center. Each pouch has about 1 liter of volume and is perfect for maps, snacks, hat and gloves, gadgets, you name it.

These are detachable and can be used on non-ZPacks backpacks as well. They are symmetrical and can be switched left or right.

Made from the 2.92 oz/sqyd Cuben Hybrid material for extra durability.

Dimensions: About 6" wide, by 2" deep, by 5" tall.

Weight .75 oz / 21 grams each  Price: $19.95 each / $38 per pair
 
Belt Pouches
Location
Color
Shoulder Pouches
These clip to your shoulder straps and are an excellent spot for your camera, GPS, phone, sunglasses, or other items that you want to grab quickly. Mesh on the front of the pouch gives you additional storage for small items like chap stick, keys, etc. They can also be used for .5L water bottles to counter balance a small pack.

These are detachable and can be used on non-ZPacks backpacks as well. They are symmetrical and can be switched left or right.

Made from black 2.92 oz/sqyd Hybrid Cuben Fiber.

More Details Here

Weight: .5 oz  /  14 grams each   Price: $21.95 each / $41.95 pair
Hybrid Shoulder Pouch
.5 ounces each
Quantity
Color
Multi-Pack - Four in One Backpack Lid / Chest Pack / Belt Pack
This four-in-one backpack accessory can be attached to the top of your pack as a lid, carried on your chest as a front pack, or worn at your waist as a fanny pack, or carried over your shoulder as a satchel.  About 3.5 liters / 215 cubic inches volume.

Made from 2.92 oz/sqyd Cuben Hybrid fabric.

More Details Here

Weight:
2.8 ounces - 80 grams   Price: $39.95
 
Multi-Pack
Color
Top Side Pockets
A second set of mesh pockets can be attached above the standard side pockets. Each pocket has a sleeve at the top and bottom, and your pack's side straps go through the sleeves to hold these in place. Since these are not sewn to the pack you can still stand a tall item like a trekking pole, umbrella, or a fishing pole behind the pockets. The pockets can be taken off or added later.

The dimensions are roughly 6" wide x 3" deep x 8" tall. They are a good fit for:
-A 1 Liter or smaller pot
-A 1 Liter water bottle
-A water filter
-A poncho or light jacket
-Hat and gloves
-A NeoAir sleeping pad.

Weight: .5 oz / 14 grams each   Price: $15 each / $29 per pair
 
Quantity
Ice Axe Loops
A pair of loops are tied on at each side of the pack for securing one or two ice axes, one at each corner. The head of each axe secures through a loop at the bottom, the handle is kept tight at the top with a shock cord band. The loops can all come off when you aren't carrying axes.

Weight: .1 oz  /  3 grams    Price: $3
 

Load Lifter Straps
A pair of load lifter straps can be sewn to your shoulder straps. These can be helpful to pull the shoulder straps up, and pull the top of the pack in towards the shoulders.

Weight: .2 oz  / 5.7 grams    Price: $6

Shock Cord Lashing
3/32" Shock cord is criss-crossed along the front of the backpack. It can be used to compress the pack, or to strap on items. The shock cord can be detached when not needed. It does get in the way of the center pocket a bit which is why it is left off by default.

Weight: .5 oz  /  14 grams    Price: $6

Roll Top Dry Bags
Up to 6 size medium roll top bags will fit inside the body of the pack, and up to 3 more can be strapped on to the top or bottom for long carries. That's alot of capacity! Put your heaviest items (food, water) on the inside of the pack, and lightweight items (tent, clothes, pad) on the outside if you run out of internal space.

The medium or large rectangle sizes are a good fit for this pack.

Click here for more details on roll top bags

Our Medium, or Large Rectangle size cuben stuff sacks and food bags are also a good fit.

A medium cuben fiber Pack Cover, or a Pack Liner are also sized for this pack.
Custom Options
If you have made special arrangements you can enter a description and amount owed in the boxes below. You can also use this box to add notes to your order, just leave the amount at $0.

Description:
Amount:
$

 
Free Shipping on U.S. orders over $100!
Otherwise shipping is just $3.95 in the U.S., $15.95 Internationally and up.

Contact Us:
Matt Favero receives your orders, oversees production at our shop, and ships out your orders. For questions about your order, due date requests, and changes to existing orders, please email Matt:


Joe Valesko founded ZPacks in 2005. He designed and tested all the gear, and has thru-hiked over 9,400 miles including the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and Te Araroa Trail. For any questions about our gear, recommendations, feedback, and custom project quotes please email Joe: