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

There is currently a waiting list of about 6-8 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.

Accessory items are generally in stock and currently shipping in a weekday or two.    Thanks! -Joe & Sheryl
ZPacks™ "Exo" Backpack

Description:
The "Exo" is an ultralight external frame backpack made from a new 2.92 oz/sqyd Cuben Hybrid fabric. The material is the same tough 1.43 oz/sqyd Cuben Fiber as our 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:
Exo with Carbon Fiber Frame - 12.8 ounces (363 grams), $259

Main body (2,200 ci) + Mesh center pocket (550 ci) + Side pockets (250 ci)
Total volume-  3,000 Cubic Inches / 50 Liters

The Exo has the same dimensions as our Blast 30.  The main compartment is roughly 12 inches wide x 6 inches deep x 29 inches tall.

Standard Features on the Exo backpack:

  • An ultralight external carbon fiber frame keeps the pack stiff so that most weight is carried on the hips instead of the shoulders. The entire frame can be removed or replaced.

    You can move the shoulder straps up or down the frame to find your perfect torso height.

    This Exo Video shows some of the pack features, and how to adjust the frame.
     
  • 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.
     
  • 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.
     
  • 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.
     
  • 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.
     
  • Roughly 3,000 cubic inch (50 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. The main compartment is large enough to fit most bear canisters standing on end.

Torso Height:
The torso height is adjustable up or down by you from 18 to 21 inches.  You can also choose a taller frame which allows the straps to move up to 22 or 23 inches.

Torso height on this pack is measured from the center of the padded belt to the cross bar which the shoulder straps are attached to.

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.

Color
Initial Torso Setting
Belt Length
Notes


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

Zippered Belt Pouches
These pouches clip securely to the daisy chain on your padded belt. They have a waterproof zipper for easy access and minimal seams for water resistance. 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 same Cuben Hybrid material as the Exo packs.

Weight .75 oz / 21 grams each  Price: $19.95 each / $38 per pair
 
Zippered Belt Pouch
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 1.26 oz/sqyd Cuben Fiber.

More Details Here

Weight: .3 oz  /  8.5 grams each   Price: $21.95 each / $41.95 pair
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: .4 oz / 11 grams each   Price: $15 each / $29 per pair
 
Quantity
Sleeping Pad Holsters
These triangular holsters allow you to store a folded sleeping pad or sit pad against your back for padding. The sleeves free up pack real estate inside your pack and allow you to remove your pad on breaks.

These are attached with adjustable elastic bands and will fit just about any pad. A Gossamer Gear Nightlight Torso Pad is shown. The holsters are detachable.

Weight: .55 oz  /  15 grams    Price: $15 per pair.
 
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 are sewn to your shoulder straps. These can be helpful to pull the top of the pack in towards the shoulders, and they give you something fun to adjust while you walk.

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 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:
$


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