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Ultralight IKEA-Bag Backpack

sandiegomitch.com

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Re: Ultralight IKEA-Bag Backpack

#21

Post by riskable »

beilabs wrote: post #5

Don't leave those ikea bags out in the sun, they fall apart rather...quickly....

I came here to say this... Those FRAKTA bags (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/17228340/) are 100% polypropylene (thin strands, even). Polypropylene breaks down under ultraviolet light. The fact that the weave of the cloth is made from fine strands of polypropylene means that it will break down very quickly in the sun.

There's a "fix" though that should be good enough for a camping trip or two! Coat the bag with a powerful sunscreen. I'm not talking about those "SPF 50" spray bottles--those will wear off pretty fast. No, use Butt Paste:

http://www.buttpaste.com/

Yes, it's diaper rash cream but it's 16% zinc oxide which is the primary ingredient in many sunscreen lotions/sprays. Even better, because it's a thick cream it will actually stick to that slippery blue Ikea polypropylene fabric and do a decent job at protecting it from the sun.

Re: Ultralight IKEA-Bag Backpack

#22

Post by collyw »

maxerickson wrote: post #10
lorenzk wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

He paid $6 for the bags, so it may have been cheaper this way and/or more convenient.

Oh, it was obviously cheaper. But he spent 25 hours stitching. If I were doing that, I'd spend $25 getting the properties I wanted.

If your hourly rate is $10 dollars an hour, then that works out as a fairly expensive bag!

Re: Ultralight IKEA-Bag Backpack

#23

Post by chrisseaton »

maxerickson wrote: post #4

It's probably more interesting that it is self made than it is interesting that it is made out of IKEA bags. I find making it from the bags an odd choice, fabric with particular chosen qualities would probably be $10-$20 a yard.

Cordura, which is what most robust backpacks are made of, is surprisingly expensive.

Re: Ultralight IKEA-Bag Backpack

#25

Post by dublinben »

CmdrSprinkles wrote: post #6

Interesting as a DIY project, but I would strongly advise not using this for anything where functionality matters (camping, hiking, travel, etc). For just going to work/school it is a great fashion statement, but there are serious concerns 1. no chest strap to help distribute the load. I see a waist strap which is nice, but chest is generally the bare minimum 2. Those seals (stiches) aren't waterproof 3. It is only a…

Your criticisms are pretty off the mark for ultralight backpacks. Nobody is expecting lifetime durability from a backpack weighing only 17 oz. Frameless bags (capacity Some people want to buy a 5 lb backpack made of 1000D nylon that will outlast them. Other people want a 5 oz backpack made of an exotic material like Cuben or silnylon that will let them achieve a baseweight of under 15 lbs.

Re: Ultralight IKEA-Bag Backpack

#26

Post by jdietrich »

CmdrSprinkles wrote: post #6

Interesting as a DIY project, but I would strongly advise not using this for anything where functionality matters (camping, hiking, travel, etc). For just going to work/school it is a great fashion statement, but there are serious concerns 1. no chest strap to help distribute the load. I see a waist strap which is nice, but chest is generally the bare minimum 2. Those seals (stiches) aren't waterproof 3. It is only a…

For anyone interested in a serious DIY ultralight backpack, I'd suggest taking a look at Ray Jardine's "Ray-Way Backpack Kit". Jardine was a pivotal figure in the modern ultralight backpacking movement; his designs have been used successfully by countless AT and PCT through-hikers.

http://www.rayjardine.com/ray-way/Backpack-Kit/index.htm

Re: Ultralight IKEA-Bag Backpack

#27

Post by maxerickson »

chrisseaton wrote: post #23
maxerickson wrote: post #4

It's probably more interesting that it is self made than it is interesting that it is made out of IKEA bags. I find making it from the bags an odd choice, fabric with particular chosen qualities would probably be $10-$20 a yard.

Cordura, which is what most robust backpacks are made of, is surprisingly expensive.

Yeah, I checked prices for ripstop nylon when I posted. Cordura doesn't seem to be a whole lot more expensive than I said.

http://www.rockywoods.com/Fabrics-Kits/1000D-Cordura-Nylon

Re: Ultralight IKEA-Bag Backpack

#28

Post by dublinben »

chrisseaton wrote: post #23
maxerickson wrote: post #4

It's probably more interesting that it is self made than it is interesting that it is made out of IKEA bags. I find making it from the bags an odd choice, fabric with particular chosen qualities would probably be $10-$20 a yard.

Cordura, which is what most robust backpacks are made of, is surprisingly expensive.

It's also incredibly heavy. There's a reason why no ultralight backpacks use the 600-1000D Cordura that more robust bags are made of.

Re: Ultralight IKEA-Bag Backpack

#29

Post by elcapitan »

CmdrSprinkles wrote: post #6

Interesting as a DIY project, but I would strongly advise not using this for anything where functionality matters (camping, hiking, travel, etc). For just going to work/school it is a great fashion statement, but there are serious concerns 1. no chest strap to help distribute the load. I see a waist strap which is nice, but chest is generally the bare minimum 2. Those seals (stiches) aren't waterproof 3. It is only a…

Because I'm a little into ultralight backpacking:

> 1. no chest strap to help distribute the load. I see a waist strap which is nice, but chest is generally the bare minimum

UL backpacks usually don't have a lot of features, because they are built around the asumption that you optimize every single item for weight (best case by just leaving it at home). So it's not a specific property of that design, but in general for all UL packs that they leave features away that are meant for heavy load backpacking.

Re: Ultralight IKEA-Bag Backpack

#30

Post by brbsix »

CmdrSprinkles wrote: post #6

Interesting as a DIY project, but I would strongly advise not using this for anything where functionality matters (camping, hiking, travel, etc). For just going to work/school it is a great fashion statement, but there are serious concerns 1. no chest strap to help distribute the load. I see a waist strap which is nice, but chest is generally the bare minimum 2. Those seals (stiches) aren't waterproof 3. It is only a…

I can't verify at the moment (the site isn't responding when I tried to open it back up), but isn't this a backpack for ultralight backpacking as opposed to an ultralight backpack for (traditional) backpacking? If so, you're working with sub-20lb loads where chest/waist straps are no longer essential. Durability also no longer a top priority. The needs and expectations of an UL pack are vastly different from those of a traditional pack (which is what you seem to be describing).
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