Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L Backpack Review | Filmed In Iceland!

Filmed in Iceland, I take a deep dive into the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L Backpack, discussing all of its features, add ons, and how it has helped me to manage my chronic pain.
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[@obiewon]

Thanks Abbie, really great, thorough review. That's made up my mind to pull the trigger so mine is on the way!

[@barracudaswim]

Abbie I have watched your videos for years and you have inspired me to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Thank you!!!!! This may sound like a ridiculous question but I love you hat and would love to know where you purchased it. Keep inspiring.

I'm eyeing the 70l to cut almost 3kg(!) from my very fancy Deuter pack exactly for hiking Iceland. This was exactly the review I was looking for, thank you!

[@christyperkins8985]

Abbie, thank you so much for that in-depth video (with the amazing scenery) Your description about the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra is by far the most informative video yet! I've subscribed to your channel and will follow you across the pond! Happy Trails!

[@christimartin8512]

Thanks for the review! I have that pack as well, and love it! I have spinal pain as well, so I was looking for the lightest pack possible. I did wind up adding an additional lumbar pad, sold separately, and I found that to be very helpful! Happy hiking!

[@dorothej6643]

Really helpful perspective on a very light pack, thanks Abbie :-)

[@jessewaller3435]

Amazing and engaging review, thouroughly enjoyed it!

[@Adventure-Outdoors]

Nice review mate, looks like a good pack. I bought the Mariposa 60 earlier this year which I know you have used, found it ok but I managed to rip the elastic back pocket within a couple of days on the WHW. Looking forward to the Iceland video, I'm heading out to do the same trail later on this month. Take care 👍

[@rtk3543]

Good honest review Abbie, buying a backpack is a personal choice like all things in life, judging by the comments here some people don't get it.

[@lindahiggins7744]

Very informative video, thanks Abbie xx

[@SimpleHelp22]

Right so your looking to buy a nearly £400 rucksack? Stop kissing her ass

[@Dutch-Hiking-Man]

Great review Abbie👍😉⛺️⛰️

[@mako5708]

Thanks for great review. One best reviews for ZPacks backpacks here :)

And a final thought on this video - my back also isn't improving, so I've been thinking about a hiking trailer that's pulled via a hip harness. Those look strange and probably wouldn't do the weirdest terrain, but ... Maybe something to look into! Stay strong out there.

[@samsmith8870]

Superior Wilderness Designs makes an Utral 400 weave framed pack called a Rugged Long Haul. It still only comes in at around 2 lb/.9 kg. I've been taking a hard look at it but the wait time is crazy. My reluctance to go with Zpacks is the feedback I've gotten about the seams and other failure points over time. Plus their warranty isn't very good at that price point.

[@kerry1383]

Hey Abbie, thanks for sharing the review. I’ve been on the fence for a while. Regarding your back pain: have you considered moving from a tent to a hammock? Granted, your destinations and/or camp selection will have to change somewhat, but it might allow you to stay on trail for a few years more and continue to enjoy the outdoors.

[@MichaelAndersen_DK]

I've gone with the rolltop too (although a ULA pack, slightly heavier but cheaper) and I really love it. What do you think of the side pockets with regards to one-hand use? Is it also going to be a switch to the Zpacks Duplex tent? And I see you came to CPH (my hometown) at 4:27. Cheers!

[@leelowder8824]

If you need even more durability, I have a Seek Outside Unaweep 4800 made of Ultra 400. Quite pricey but I use it for work (surveyor) and carry it through uncut forests and it has held up very well.

Oh my that one looks amazing as well. Just when I thought I knew what I wanted.

[@leelowder8824]

@LarsMarowskyBree it definitely has more weight to it but I don't think you can harm it. Haha

[@kevinedward-jt2vs]

When hiking, are there any squeaks from the pack and frame?

[@biagiosadventures7204]

Hi Abbie, good and helpful review. However, I am traveling to southern Italy and I plan to hike when I am there. Can you share your experience, tips, and advice on what you can take with you and the airport experience? my trip is on the 7th Sept and hopefully, you are able to share before I go. Thanks in advance and keep the video coming as they are great!👍👍👏👏

[@okitsuichiro]

Great vid!! Big thanks from Japan. I'm gonna buy the same 60L one. I also love your hat style. It looks sooo cool but also looks made of leather. Do you sweat even in Iceland, don't you? How do you handle it with the leather material hat?

[@rebeccarussell939]

When on the tracks is it wise to bland in with the scenery or stand out for easy if you need to be able to spot someone

[@DravinD81]

On my bad back days (if I'm doing a trip) I swap from a 42L pack to a small backpack, large lumbar pack +ribz pack and a drop leg pack to get most of the weight off my back. Granted this probably won't work for cold weather winter camping. There are a couple older (read OLD) KZbinrs who can't carry all the weight on their back and show the shifting of weight locations they go through to be able to keep hiking.

[@almor2445]

Hi Abbie, I hope you're safe in Iceland with the volcano going off! You mentioned wanting a new challenge. Can I recommend the Welsh 3000s? 15 peaks in less than 24 hours with no transport. Good luck! I'm sure you could do it. :)

[@davidpederson2124]

Hey Abbie can we please see a full video of your Iceland experience?

[@marietravell3939]

Can you recommend a rucksack that isn't horrific cost wise, but is comfy for back pain, but only for day trips up mountains? I have chronic back pain, but love hiking. However, we hike as a family, so the kids also carry stuff, but me and my husband carry extra for all of us....

[@davidalexander287]

Very good review and interesting to look at in the future. Nice you take the water bottle out, but can you put it back 😅

[@Daytona2]

Really appreciate that it's had some serious use before reviewing it. ...but £326 / $399 is a rip off. There's no way it cost anywhere near that to make. It's not an "investment", it's a fast depreciating asset.

[@backpackartist]

The fabric used in that pack costs over double the cost of a more mainstream fabric, and packs like this are typically made by hand rather than mass produced in a Far Eastern sweatshop. That price is paying for a handmade pack, with the most advanced materials, and with a finished weight something like a third (or maybe even less) than a comparable capacity pack from a high street shop. For someone who hikes a lot (e.g. for their living) it's probably a fair investment and will work out a lower per mile/per day cost than a more cheaply produced lower quality pack will. As to the fast depreciating asset, look on any of the online marketplaces and see how quickly a pack like this sells at a reasonable amount of its original cost. Owners of these tend to look after them too. The typically long wait times to get a pack new, often mean people will pay almost the price of a brand new one to pick up a second hand one immediately. So whilst $399 IS a lot for a pack, there's plenty of people prepared to be as you put it "ripped off" to own one. However, I do wonder if Abbie would have been prepared to buy this pack if she hadn't got it for free.

[@chrishamilton2527]

@@backpackartist You also need to factor in the import fee's which are hefty

[@tamarmolerick3814]

Great review. Always wanted one but the cost, after adding import fees put me off.

[@TS-bu7bz]

Good for you going straight to Hvanngil. Alftavatn got quite crowded when I was there. Love the review, but went with Hyperlight Mountain Gear. Keep up your good work 👍

[@jaimemaia3990]

Really loved this video, beautifly edited, very informative and your athenticity and good energy are contagious. Thank you and try some yoga for your back if you haven t already :

[@wildwolf8983]

So, in summary do you recommend the z pack or not?

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

Yes :) I love it!

[@Badflo78]

Hi. Nice review But isn't it 582 g for medium size? You told 556g I think about the 70 l version. Because if I really need space for a winter expedition it could be useful. But if I go in the summer do you think this oversizing could be an issue? Because if I buy such an expensive bag I like to use for all saisons. Maybe the 60 l by using all outside capabilities would be big enough too?

[@tomwheeler7816]

sound s brill but as i am 64 it would not be a good investment at that coast but for the younger ones it would be ,a very good review so if the company would like to give this old soldier a freebee he wont say no

[@walkaboutphilpots3795]

Get some Lava footage ;)

[@teutates619]

Sorry, but Denier hasn't got to do with the density of the weave, or yes it consequently has, but theoretically your explanation is not correct. Denier is a unit for 9000 m of a single strand of a fabric, where the reference is 9000 m of a single strand of silk. 30 Denier means a fibre is 30 times heavier than the comparative silk strand. A microfibre is ≤1 denier. The finer the filament used, the tighter it will be woven, true, and eve more so, the thinner and more flexible the resulting fabric is. Also... the more fragile it is, even though that depends on other characteristics like tensile strength. An example of a stellar material in that sense is Dyneema, which can be used as a material for the total of the weave of a fabric, or for parts of the fabric (Rip stop lines can be Dyneema in a thin fabric that is woven out of another material, in order to add that property of strength to stop a fabric from ripping beyond an initial tear. A heavier strand and thus most probably thicker one, or better said: denser... that is used for let's say a shell jacket will be less flexible but more durable and impact resistant.

[@chrishamilton2527]

Ouch …… why not promote British cottage industries? I know you got it as a freebie but why not promote someone like Atom Packs (based in Cumbria)? Yes, I’ve got an interest as I have ordered an Atom Mo 60.

[@AbbieBarnesWILD]

I also use the Mo. I make sure to get many months of use out of my kit before I review it, so this will be out in autumn :)

[@HikerBobOfficial]

@@AbbieBarnesWILD Hey Abbie, I reviewed this pack myself and have used it in The Cairn Gorms and Pyrenees. Your review is really detailed, and was easy to watch. With regards to Atom Packs, the 60l pack they do is priced at £345 and the weight is 890g, the archaul is 556g and is a similar price. In terms of the weight it's minimal but with a back issue I can fully appreciate where you are coming from. With relation to comfortability I understand that angle too as this is the most comfortable pack I have used too. I weigh 115kg so my backpack choice is absolutely paramount! There is nothing wrong with reviewing this pack and singing its praises. Keep doing what you are doing 👏 I genuinely hope your back gets better and please don't stop hiking ❤️⛰️🥾

[@paulwells4372]

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

[@ChaoticReality2024]

Yea cheers mate I guess out here saving all us sinners with bible verses on the internet 👍😂

[@paulwells4372]

@@ChaoticReality2024 Thanks 🙏🏻