Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L - Shakedown and review

First impressions and shakedown hike with the brand new Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra.
zpacks.com/products/arc-haul-...
Spoiler Alert - Its GREAT!

[@jonathanbrown2190]

Hey man this was a great review, thanks for putting it together. I only found out about this pack today and I instantly liked the look of it, so it’s fortuitous that you posted this only 1 day ago! I’m going to buy it for sure. I’ll be getting the front pack add-on as well for a little more storage space for food, electronics, etc. And you’re right, the jet black colour is pretty strong! I haven’t seen many packs with a colour scheme like it. Anyway thanks a lot man🙏🤝 all the best to you.

[@arkansasoutdoorschannel1867]

Thanks a lot for the nice review! I hope you like yours as much as I do. I plan on getting a water bottle pouch for the shoulder strap soon.

[@samsmith8870]

That's for the review! I've always wanted one of those but their warranty, at that price point, sucks. If I were doing a 2000 mile thru-hike that would be a different story because they cover that.

[@josiebones1]

Great first impression. I just got the version with the Ultra 100 and can't wait to get it out on the trail! This review answered some questions for me so thank you. If you get further insights as you use the pack please keep us updated. Keep the great vids coming.

[@arkansasoutdoorschannel1867]

I took the pack on a 50 mile hike last weekend and it did great! I am still in love with the pack.

[@terwils7492]

Have you had the Ultra 100 out on a hike yet? How durable do you think it will be? I'm highly considering the 100 over the 200. Thanks

[@josiebones1]

@@terwils7492 I can't say that I have had it out anywhere that would really test the durability of the fabric. That being said the fabric appears to be quite a bit more durable than the fabric on my Osprey Exos and evens appears more durable than the fabric on my GG Blaze 60. I do spring and fall hiking around a lot of sandstone which is really abrasive to pack fabrics and going off of limited experience I'd be more confident with the Ultra 100 than the other two. I don't feel like it has to be babied as much as other ultralight fabrics. Long answer short only time will tell but at this point I'd go with the Ultra 100 again.

[@terwils7492]

@@josiebones1 Thanks for getting back so soon. I went ahead and purchased. I take care of my packs and careful when going through tight squeezes as much as possible, so sounds like the 100 is a good choice.

[@danielparsons2859]

My Arc Haul 70L pack arrived yesterday. My first impressions agree with this video (magical).

[@arkansasoutdoorschannel1867]

Its crazy just how well these bags carry weight

[@wildwolf8983]

Hi there, I am debating to get 60L or 70L can you provide some feedback now that you have had your zpack 70L for 10 months?

[@Colby168]

@@wildwolf8983Dan Becker says to go with the 70 in one of his load out reviews of his Grand Canyon trip. I think the review was about 6 months ago.

[@martinclennon4640]

I have the older model arc haul 62l robic fabric with fiberglass flexible rods. on the older packs, the flexible rods are impossible to keep from slipping causing the pack to ride higher on one side versus the other. how stiff are the carbon fiber rods? are you experiencing any slippage on the mesh webbing that touches your back? thanks

[@SummitSeeker546]

Another terrific review. We clearly are on the same page. I just bought the Plex Solo Tent and have been going back and forth on whether to get the Blast or the Haul. Im leaning toward the Haul for multiple reasons. Primarily I like the fixed curve carbon fiber frame, web back, Ultra fabric, and lighter weight for a larger capacity. Can you see the Haul easily handling 35lbs-40lbs? We frequently do 6-10 day trips and the weights can get up to 40lbs.

[@arkansasoutdoorschannel1867]

I would think it should handle the weight just fine. Just double check what Zpacks says for the max weight. Im still loving mine!

[@shawnbrady7954]

Thank you for this review! I was wondering, if you wouldn't mind sharing: What is your torso height and what size torso (short, medium, or tall) did you end up getting on the pack?

[@arkansasoutdoorschannel1867]

No problem! I have a 20.5"-21" torso. I have a 46" chest. I ordered the medium pack.

[@glenloewen7507]

I just bought one in the 70L size. I plan to do the PCT with it in the next year or two, and wanted to get used to it prior to the big journey. With the add-ons, this pack was crazy expensive, so I really hope I have the same conclusion you have. There will be days it will be loaded with 5-8 days of food and/or long water carries. 🤞

[@arkansasoutdoorschannel1867]

Good luck on your thru hike! I have 8 more years until I can do a thru hike.

[@Pablito46]

Does it have a separate internal compartment to hold a water bladder? Thanks for the review!

[@kylesueltenfuss7922]

no

[@jaimesd1374]

Thank you for the great review! How durable do you think the pack will be? Do you think it’ll hold up?

[@arkansasoutdoorschannel1867]

Yes, definitely it will and has held up great. I have used it for about 500 miles so far. Which is not much if you are a thru hiker but for a weekend warrior thats a lot of miles and trips.

[@jhonyermo]

Hell no

[@jantomaszrogala4230]

thank you for the review, very informative and interesting. how tall are you and which size did you got, does it fit you right?

[@arkansasoutdoorschannel1867]

I'm 5'11" and I got the med. It fits very well. I love this pack and I take it even if a smaller one would work.

[@jantomaszrogala4230]

@@arkansasoutdoorschannel1867 tks

[@johnhanson8374]

Nice review. What size hip belt did you go with?

[@arkansasoutdoorschannel1867]

I believe that I have a medium

[@DanielSmith-bo3eh]

Great review. Just got mine. You will probably think this is a strange question but, I like that hat you're wearing. What type of hat or name / make? I want one! Thanks again.

[@arkansasoutdoorschannel1867]

Randi Jo summer wool cap. Randijofab.com

[@Colby168]

I see there’s an extra lumbar pad you can get. Did you add that? Or do you think the hip belt is good as it comes?

[@arkansasoutdoorschannel1867]

I just have the normal hip belt and I love it. This is still the best pack Ive ever used.

[@barondavis5692]

You seem really enthused with the pack. What other packs are you comparing it to?

[@barondavis5692]

Oops. I posted the question before I got to the end. Thanks for the review.

[@arkansasoutdoorschannel1867]

Thanks for watching. Every view helps.

[@christimartin8512]

The only things I do not love about my Arc Haul is 1. It isn’t the most comfortable pack, but it makes up for that in lightness. 2.) the pockets are unreachable, while wearing the pack, so I can’t get my water bottle out by myself. I solved that by putting a bite tube in my water bottle.

[@arkansasoutdoorschannel1867]

It is kind of hard to get the water bottles in and out. I just bought a shoulder strap bottle holder. I can reach it with no issues. When that one is empty I switch it for the one in the pack pocket.

[@wildwolf8983]

Could you provide pros and cons ? now that it has been a year since this video first got released.

[@arkansasoutdoorschannel1867]

No cons. The pack is still great and is the most comfortable pack I’ve ever worn.

[@wildwolf8983]

@@arkansasoutdoorschannel1867 thanks for the quick feedback.

[@aurtisanminer2827]

Of course they come out with this shortly after I get a new pack. Lol.

[@arkansasoutdoorschannel1867]

Same happened to me. I just bit the bullet and got it anyway

[@aurtisanminer2827]

@@arkansasoutdoorschannel1867 I was torn between the arc blast and the ULA circuit at the time. If they had the EPL/ultra fabric at the time that would have been a deciding factor for me. I do love my circuit in x pac and am not disappointed with my decision, but that suspension back is most likely more comfortable.

[@jes3249]

What color is your pack??

[@arkansasoutdoorschannel1867]

Black

[@thebackpackingninja5644]

Glad you are liking the pack! I have the 50L DCF Arc Air (not a haul) and really enjoy it. For those interested, check out my review here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3vZc4hol7yijrM. I love the load lifters too, they work really well for me on my pack. Mine doesn't have a trampoline but don't see a need for it in my case.

[@jhonyermo]

Ain't it won't last long either. Good luck.

[@arkansasoutdoorschannel1867]

Still going strong so far.

[@dougwarren612]

This pack is a piece of junk. Life lesson. When you are asked to buy a car without test driving there is a reason. Zpack does just that with their packs. We spent $1,000 for two packs that would not carry any weight. To add to the problem every time we called Zpack they came back with a different lie of the weight it will carry. The response was always in ratio to what weight we said we were carrying. When we said we had 25 lbs we were told it would carry 30. When we said 30 in a different call they said 35. This pack would be nothing more than a very expensive day pack. We hiked the whole AT and saw one other Zpack. When we saw that young land again, she had traded hers in for another pack. PLEASE DO NOT BE SUCKED IN BY THE FAKE VIDEOS THAT ZPACK PUTS ON KZbin. These not unbiased reviews. If you see a video that just praises this bag and sounds like an infomercial, I will guarantee that is exactly what it is.

[@arkansasoutdoorschannel1867]

I'm sorry you had bad luck with yours. Mine has been great and I can promise you I'm not paid by Zpacks. I like their tents and their tarps as well.

[@dancoursey5447]

Looks like somebody has an agenda. Posts the same rant on every video...