[CmdrSprinkles]

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 as durable as the stitching

4. The reason you pay for a "real" bag is for durability. That doesn't look like it would survive narrow trails that well. I am also sceptical as to how it would hold up on flights where you are forced to gate check all your luggage.

And before someone cites the ikea rope bag: Rope bags are generally what you use when you are climbing an hour or two away from the car/camp, at most, over fairly simple terrain. Farther or more strenuous than that and you are going to want a better more hands-free way of carrying that in addition to your gear.

Like I said, this backpack is cool and a nice fashion statement. But don't rely on it.

And if cost is the issue: Keep an eye out for sites like ebags. Can usually find great discounts and coupons throughout the year to get a solid Osprey (or whatever brand you prefer. I like Osprey) for on the order of 100 bucks. And while that is expensive (it actually isn't), understand that it should be lasting you at least 2-3 years, if not more.

[elcapitan]

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.

[jdietrich]

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

[chrisseaton]

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?

[ClifReeder]

Indeed - I've hiked almost 3k miles carrying an umbrella. Worn rain gear is a compromise between breathability and waterproofness - even if you keep the rain out, you'll sweat and it's trapped inside. Umbrellas keep rain off you, are very breathable, and double as sun protection when it's really hot. Only downside is when it's windy and rainy, so it's nice to have a poncho too.

[masklinn]

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

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.

[dublinben]

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 <20 lbs) regularly omit the waist strap to save weight.

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.

[CmdrSprinkles]

My point is more that this looks like it might not even have one trip durability. Even your example are two very durable materials designed to not tear. This is cheap plastic...

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.

[brbsix]

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).

[CmdrSprinkles]

The example/use-case he gives is loading it with 25 pounds of clothes, water, and rocks to test it before a multi-day hike. That gets into the range where all of that matters. Which was the point of my post.

In fact, taking something like that on a multi-day hike is a good way to earn yourself a Darwin award.

[morganvachon]

I took that as he was load-testing with more weight than he would actually carry. If it can carry the 25 pound test weight with no issues, it can carry his (just guessing) ~15 pound average load just fine.

[CmdrSprinkles]

Even if we assume there is a logical load, durability is still a huge issue. Ignoring the narrow path issues I mentioned other posters pointed out that polypropolene (sp?) deteriorates rapidly in the sun.

All of which is a HUGE problem on a multi-day hike.

Understand what your gear can and can't do. I have a really nice (Patagonia) backpack that I take with me when I go into town on the weekends and to work when I don't need a laptop. It is also great for going to the gym and for multipitch climbs where we are maybe ten minutes from a car. It is durable as hell and I can tie a small static rope to it if I am going to go up a chimney.

But it is tiny and it doesn't have a particularly secure top (draw string closure with a buckle). So if it is raining, I leave it at home. And if I am more than ten or fifteen minutes away from the car, I'll take my normal hiking backpack with me so that I can actually carry supplies and extra gear.

Does that make it bad? No, not at all. But it does mean there are some huge caveats to it.

[lostlogin]

Where in the world are you that you change bags when it's raining? us your walk very long or the rain particularly heavy?

[morganvachon]

Scrolling up, you seem to be exceedingly concerned for this guy and his backpack, almost to the point of an obsession. Maybe you should try to contact him directly to offer your insights?

[CmdrSprinkles]

Are we really at the ad hominem stage of things? Over discussions of the suitability of a sewn together plastic bag on a 3-day hike?

[lorenzhs]

Obviously this isn't in the same league as a good functional backpack, but that's not the point, is it?

Regarding your first point, I find a waist strap much more important, but then again, with a few more hours of work, a chest strap could easily be added.

[CmdrSprinkles]

I would argue that adding the picture of "Look, it can hold 25 pounds of rocks" implies it might be. And I know that the more tech oriented communities often don't appreciate ergonomics and have a tendency to just say "Oh cool, I can stick it to the man and save money!".

And this is one of those cases where there are some huge caveats.

[avar]

I think having a waterproof backpack for any serious hiking is a losing proposition. It's better to individually waterproof things you put in the bag that can't get wet, not the entire pack.

[CmdrSprinkles]

Critical stuff you definitely double bag. But stuff like extra layers or even a sleeping mat are things that can get wet but probably shouldn't and adding the extra bulk of waterproofing them just isn't worth it (to me).

True waterproofing generally isn't worth it. But not having to worry about a light-moderate rain or getting too close to a river/waterfall (obviously not submerged ,but just getting sprayed) is very nice. For the heavier stuff, you should probably throw a tarp/poncho/whatever over even the waterproof bags anyway.

Although my personal feeling is that if I am caught out in a heavy enough rain that just wearing my softshell and relying on zippers isn't sufficient then I don't want to be hiking anyway and should be looking for shelter.

[avar]

I've done most of my hiking in Iceland, weather's very erratic, just because it's pouring doesn't mean you need to seek shelter, it's just rain.

I found that everyone I hiked with who tried to waterproof their backpack would end up with things soaked anyway. Frequently having to open the bag in the rain means the insides inevitably get soaked, it's much harder to even semi-waterproof a much larger area than having a waterproof duffel bag for the small stuff.

Gives you a lot of flexibility too, e.g. I've crossed rivers and then just dragged the backpack over to the other side via rope.