Best Backpacking Backpack Ever? | Zpacks Arc Zip Ultra

In this video I go over what makes the Zpacks Arc Zip Ultra the BEST backpack for hiking, overnight trips or multi-day adventures. ~ If you enjoyed my video please LIKE & SUBSCRIBE.
I have been using a Zpacks Arc Haul Zip for 7 years and 2,000 miles and recently got the Arc Zip Ultra. I have been using the pack now for 90 days and discuss the major and minor differences with this pack. I am hopeful and expect to get another 7 years and 2,000 miles out of this pack.
This is the best backpack for John Muir Trail, JMT, Pacific Crest Trail, PCT, Continental Divid Trail, CDT, North Country Trail, NCT, Ice Age Trail, IAT, Appalachian Trail or the AT.
Let me know what you think of my backpack review in the comments section.

[@MountainsCallingMe]

Are you buying or have you bought this pack? What do you think? Is there something else that is better???

[@mbmurphy777]

Nice thorough review. Thanks.

[@MountainsCallingMe]

Thanks for watching!

[@a.w.thompson4001]

Zpacks's modularity is the bomb-diggety. You can be lean and mean or add 8 different zipper and non-zipper pouches to organize everything.

[@MountainsCallingMe]

Agree! 😃 💣 It has a place for everything! I also clip or strap a lot of stuff to the outside. Especially in winter.

[@karmaisaqueen]

I like the color of that pack, and nice features!

[@MountainsCallingMe]

Thanks. Its a great pack!

[@enriquediaz7547]

This bag seems conducive to EDC & travel too! Thanks!

[@MountainsCallingMe]

For sure! Over the years I have used my prior generation version of this pack for air travel as well. The compression lines on each side can make it smaller too, and I use it for day hiking (just did that yesterday). And also used it during a 24hr trail race. I love this pack!

[@joaquinmunoz5576]

Do 1L Smart water bottles interfere with the top add on mesh pocket? Seems like the height of the 1L Smart water bottles might rub against the top pocket. Great video, very informative. I recently ordered the Arc Haul Ultra, can’t wait to use it on my planned trips to the Trans-Catalina Trail and the Backbone Trail.

[@MountainsCallingMe]

Thanks for your comment. Glad you found it useful! :) It might depend on what you have put in those mesh pockets. I have used 1L smart water bottles and didnt notice it being a problem. These days I use Befree 1L. And when that is full it sticks up to the bottom of the mesh pocket. It just brushes up against it and doesnt affect it at all. If you had the mesh pocket jammed super full I would expect that to just "rest" on top of the bottle cap. The mesh pocket comes with shock cord attachment for the two attachment points closest to your back. Those enable the pocket to flex outward some. You can adjust the length of those lines and the other two to give it more room to move away from the pack. If all those are really tight then you cannot jam things in as easily behind the pocket. On my left side I use the pocket to hold the top part of my poles and tripod so they dont fall out when I lean over. I hadnt heard of the Backbone Trail. Checking it out now...looks like an interesting route. I'm adding that to my list of trips to try and do. Any critical tips you can share? Do you plan to go east-to-west or west-to-east? This looks like an area I can get an Uber or Lyft easily to get back to my starting point.

[@joaquinmunoz5576]

@@MountainsCallingMe I think I’ll add the side top pockets, looks like they’ll work perfectly. I’m in early planning stages for the Backbone Trail. Hoping to do it in October.

[@bearinmind101]

Hey, are you selling the older arc zip? I'm looking for a backpack to bring traveling with me and that looks so cool!

[@MountainsCallingMe]

Hi. I would love to help you out, but I need to hang on to the old pack so visitors can use it. Last July my step-son used it on a trip we did in Yosemite. Thanks for watching! 👋

[@TheBackpacker1974]

Do the side lower water bottle pouches allow you to cinch them up?

[@MountainsCallingMe]

No. They do have some elastic around the top rim, which helps keep things secured in them

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

I had the Arc Blast for a while. It is an amazing pack. I may try the Ultra next. New follower here. Crow

[@MountainsCallingMe]

Thanks subbing and for your comment. Zpacks make great packs! At various times in past 5 years I considered getting an Arc Blast to try, but I always held off because I knew I would miss the zipper pocket too much. I may be an Arc Zip lifer... or until something better comes along. :)

[@GatorReeves]

Deciding between arc haul and ula circuit. Btw, this is the video that gave you 1k subscribers. :)

[@MountainsCallingMe]

Thanks for watching and subbing! 1K! 🏆🎖️🎫 The pack is still solid with 18 months of use. I will be using it for 28 days backpacking in Alaska this summer. My favorite feature is how the arc keeps the pack off my back so I stay cooler and sweat less.

[@GatorReeves]

@@MountainsCallingMe the arc is the main thing I want, but my base weight is close to 20 lbs, so with a liter of water and 4 days food, I'm worried about the carrying capacity.

[@MountainsCallingMe]

If you end up getting the Arc I would encourage adding the belt pouches and top side pouches. This gives lots of extra space. I keep gloves and snacks in the belt pouches and stuff I need easy access to in the top side pouches like puffy or solar panel so I can quickly set it up and charge any time I stop for a break and not need to dig inside the pack. I also clip my pad on the outside and tent on the top using the V strap. With all of that I am able to use the full size Bearikade Expedition bear can inside the pack vertical along with my quilt, airpad, clothes, stove, etc. When I needed more room I have also clipped my cookset on the outside of the pack in a mesh sack. I have always been able to get all my stuff inside or attached to it in some form. The size has worked well for me.

[@GatorReeves]

@@MountainsCallingMe thanks for the info! I probably would just get the FUPA instead of the belt pouches, as I like everything right in front of me. But the top mesh pockets are a definite.

[@muenkruen]

For world tour Thailand to India by walking what size are you think for this trip?

[@MountainsCallingMe]

Hi. 👋 thanks for watching. I am a huge fan of the Arc Zip Ultra. This pack is 62 liters - not including the add-on hip belt pouches and top side pockets. Adding the belt pouches and top side pockets increases volume by additional 7 liters. Plus you can strap things to the outside of the pack. I recommend the top V-strap as I believe it allows more stable hold on things strapped to the top of the pack versus the default single strap. The nice thing about this pack is that its super light - and if you dont fill it up entirely there are draw-strings on each side that can cinch to keep stuff inside from shifting around while you hike. Walking from Thailand to India sounds like an epic adventure - and I would not hesitate to use this pack for that if it were me.

[@brianlaguardia9122]

How much weight would you suggest this pack can manage reasonably?

[@MountainsCallingMe]

My prior generation of this pack I had loaded up to 40LB when hiking the sierra high route in 2019 in 11 days with no resupply - much of that being food. The first ~2 days was not super comfy till I ate enough food to bring down the weight. I would not recommend exceeding 35LB unless you have to for short amount of time. My typical pack weight for shorter trips is usually under 30LB. Happy trails! 🎒😃

[@brianlaguardia9122]

@@MountainsCallingMe Thanks, I look to this bag for hiking with photo equipment - where the zipper would help access - but I am concerned if it is already uncomfortable with 40 lbs (although I am not sure I should expect more from an ultralight pack)

[@Nunyabizn3ss]

Not sure what I enjoyed more, the clear, well presented, and thorough nature of this video; or this here jig. 5:53

[@MountainsCallingMe]

Thank you for your comment and kind words! 🙏🫶 I had a lot of fun making this video. 😃

[@carlsagan6776]

I’m preparing a worldtour Hike and i think it will be my backpack if samaya doesn’t make one for this,,,

[@MountainsCallingMe]

World tour hike sounds amazing!!! It is a great pack. Happy trails and thanks for commenting. 😃🫡

[@davefoff]

Zpacks website says pack weighs 23.6oz... you said 2 lbs.?

[@MountainsCallingMe]

👋 Their website lists the weight of the base pack. I have the 2 belt pouches, top side pockets and a shoulder pouch w/ zipper, ice axe loops. I just got it out and weighed it - it is 28.8oz with these add-ons, 1.8lbs.

[@davefoff]

@@MountainsCallingMe thanks for clarifying!