Tag: Polyester webbing

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Working with X-Pac X10 is tough

I had a ton of fun doing this project. I have to say, working with X-Pac X10 was harder than I expected. The 360g/sqm fabric is extremely stiff, but the look and feel of that fabric is totally worth the effort. I wouldn’t try to do anything too complicated with it though.

X10 is heavy, stiff and dense, but boy is it beautiful….

The design itself worked great, and I am very pleased with the result. The only flaw I have found so far is that the the lowest compression strap has a tendency to slip below the bulky content I stuff in the secondary compartment, which – in itself – is not a problem, but weakens the overall strength of the secondary compartment held mostly by Velcro. I was hoping that using the front flap’s daisy chains to weave the strap through would help, but I think the strap is just to low on the pack. If I was to do it again, that would be the only thing I change: move the lowest compression strap above the shoulder straps’ attachment.

The lower red webbing with he quick-release should have been higher.

This pack feels like a tank with proper reinforcements where abrasion often takes place and layers above layers of Cordura on top of the natural stiffness of the main compartment. This combination makes for an extremely sturdy pack, and I don’t feel like having to be kind to it anytime soon.

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The Ballast Pack

The Ballast pack is designed for the lightweight multi-day hiker/trekker. Designed to shave off unnecessary weight, but still keeping a sturdy construction, reinforcing area prone to wear, and providing proper gear attachments and a removable top lid.

This pack’s main compartment offer approximately 35L for your main load, and the two side pockets offer in excess of 2 liters for quick access items like water, rain gear and so on. Additionally, the removable top lid offers in excess of 3L of sealed volume secures with a strong zipper on the side.

Amongst other attachments, the packs offers two vertical daisy chains on the front panel which can be laced with shock cord if need be, one trekking pole attachment with quick release on a side panel, a dual ice axe loop on the front, and an extra strong set of daisy chains and D-rings on the bottom for securing tents, sleeping pads, or anything you’d like.

For padding, the back panel has an embedded (non-removable) full-length 4mm closed cell foam pad, with an additional 4mm CCF band and 3D mesh on the hip. The shoulder straps take a minimalist approach to 4mm closed-cell foam and 3D mesh, but will work well for loads up to 8kg.

And since you’re probably interested in some specs, here you go!

Volume35+5L
Dimensions80x28x18cm (roll-top closed, without lid)
Weighttyp. 500g (no lid)
max. 600g
Carriescomfy. 8kg
max. 10kg
FabricsDyneema/Nylon Ripstop (black on black), 1000D Cordura
ClosureRoll-top + Velcro
Quick Release Top Lid (removable)
Strap padding
4mm CCF padding + 3D Mesh
Hip Belt4mm CCF padding + 3D Mesh padding on the hips
25mm strap with 2-sided quick release buckle
Pockets2+1 (one on each side, different heights, inverted inclination + top lid zipper pouch)
Attachements– Vertical daisy chains (x2) on the front panel for gear or shock cord
– Gear loops on the front panel (4x on each end of the daisy chains)
– Compression strap with quick-release (x1) and with ladder lock (x1)
– Strong Shock cords with LineLoc to secure side pockets content.
– Daisy chains (x2) on bottom, with D-rings (x4)
– Daisy chain on each shoulder strap
– Loop inside for a water bladder
– Top lead attachment can be converted to straps.
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Building one panel at a time

There is something to be said about simple designs. In this case, building the Slumber pack as a very simple “brick” shape made the construction of each panel a breeze, and completely independent from one-another, at least until the final assembly.

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Feature breakdown of the Slumber pack

It’s always difficult to make a distinction between nice-to-have and must-have features. Here is a breakdown you might find useful in your deliberations.

A3mm Cord load lifter with LineLoc.
BCam side release buckle on 15mm strong webbing.
CDaisy chain out of strong 15mm webbing.
DSide compression systems out of cord, hook, and LineLoc quick release buckle.
ESide pockets (different heights for different purposes).
FHip belt out of 25mm webbing and high-quality quick release.
G+HGear loops out of 15mm strong webbing.
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The Slumber Pack

The ABC Slumber is a 20+ liter pack designed for short overnight hikes, while carrying limited supplies, and maybe a bivy and sleeping bag combo. It’ll fit a deflated sleeping pad (which can be strapped on-top or below the pack), a good 2 liters of water, some warm layer(s) and rain protection. And of course, a small first aid kit, because you should never hike without one!

On this version, the main body is built out of X-Pac LiteSkin LS07. It’s not the most abrasion resistant fabric, but it offers good protection against the elements for a lightweight laminated fabric. For better wear resistance, the pack is reinforced at the most exposed parts with low denier non-coated Cordura. Here are some more specifications:

Volume20+2 Liters
Dimensions60x28x12 cm (closed roll-top)
Weightmax. 390g (without padding)
Carriescomfy. 5kg
max. 7kg
FabricsX-Pac LiteSkin LS07, Cordura
(LS07 only comes in one color/pattern)
ClosureRoll-top + Velcro
Strap padding10mm CCF padding + 3D Mesh
Hip BeltNo padding.
25mm strap with 2-sided quick release buckle
Pockets2 (one on each side, different heights, inverted inclinaison)
Attachments– Daisy chain on the front panel for gear
– Daisy chains on roll-top for securing pack
– Gear loops on the front panel (middle + bottom right)
– Compression cords with hook and quick-release (x2)
– Compression cords on the bottom panel
– Daisy chain on each shoulder strap
– Loop inside for a water bladder
Specs sheet for my fellow gear junkies

The design relies on using a sleeping bag inside the pack as padding and therefore does not necessarily need a foam pad to protect your back. If you need to protect your back better, I’d recommend using a 10mm high quality closed cell foam (for example Evazote EV50) cut to dimensions.

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