In the last post I shared a few words about one of the best challenges you can try on the cheap. All you really need is an old (or new) Ikea shopping bag (the Frakta), your scrap bin, and a sewing station. The following pictures are the result of the challenge. What do you think?
Since this whole thing was “just for the fun of it”, I though I’d use the opportunity to snap a different kind of pictures for once, so I convinced Mrs. ABC and our dog to help me spice things up. Bonus: I can now prove that I build real-size bags, and not just miniatures.
Unfortunately, I did not take a lot of pictures of the pack while I was in the workshop. I was in a bit of a rush, and then I gave the bag away to the friend who challenged me. So what you see is what I got.
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.
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:
Volume
20+2 Liters
Dimensions
60x28x12 cm (closed roll-top)
Weight
max. 390g (without padding)
Carries
comfy. 5kg max. 7kg
Fabrics
X-Pac LiteSkin LS07, Cordura (LS07 only comes in one color/pattern)
Closure
Roll-top + Velcro
Strap padding
10mm CCF padding + 3D Mesh
Hip Belt
No padding. 25mm strap with 2-sided quick release buckle
Pockets
2 (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.
