31–40 of 136 posts
Earlier quoted context omitted.
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
There seems to be quite an IKEA hacking community. For anyone who has managed to miss it until now, the classic LACK Rack: https://wiki.eth0.nl/index.php/LackRack
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
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.
As for dropping the straps: You are right. A light backpack doesn't need them and I even removed them from my "taking a train into the city" backpack. But considering that one of the example pictures was a "look how durable this is! It carries 25 lb of rock with no issues", it is a factor.
Hence, if your use case is that you need something that looks nice while you go to school or walk around town, this is great. If you need any form of durability because having your bag break and needing to carry stuff by hand isn't an option: this isn't.
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…
In fact, taking something like that on a multi-day hike is a good way to earn yourself a Darwin award.
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 b…
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…
Chest straps don't distribute the load, they prevent the shoulder straps moving to the outside. It's a comfort thing (depending on where you prefer your shoulder straps to be) and not necessary at all. For hiking the waist strap is in fact the bare minimum, the primary load-bearing should be the hips, not the shoulders.
And this has limited relevance for ultralight since there should be very little load in the first place.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
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
Do all those backpacks have umbrellas on them? Do people hike with umbrellas? Why does every single bag have them? Are they part of some kind of system for something specific?
Earlier quoted context omitted.
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
Do all those backpacks have umbrellas on them? Do people hike with umbrellas? Why does every single bag have them? Are they part of some kind of system for something specific?