Aussie made ultralight mountain climbing pack
On the prime finish of Katoomba Avenue, there’s a serious-looking post-war constructing anchored to the Blue Mountains retail panorama. It’s dwelling to native out of doors retailer, Summit Gear, staffed by path runners, climbers, and canyoners, it shares the standard suspects of Icebreaker, Patagonia, La Sportiva, Mont, Outside Analysis, Salomon, and so forth.
At first look, you can be forgiven for pondering Summit Gear is like each different gear store. However go searching and also you may begin to discover one thing totally different. Pay attention tougher and all will turn into clear…
Native Design and manufacture
What you received’t discover on this store are partitions laden with backpacks from Osprey or others. THIS is what makes this little-Mountains-business-that-could, totally different. Oh and after I say hear, I imply it. In a quiet second on this former financial institution constructing, you may hear sounds leaking from above of stitching machines, room-filling chopping machines and the scratching of chins of passionate out of doors people making an attempt to design higher, smarter gear. Or because the tagline of their new sub-brand, Whippa, reads:
Lighter, Stronger, Higher.
Whippa, 2024
Pack Design + Bespoke to order
Summit Gear has been making its bomber cordura packs for yonks. Standard with hard-core-ish, off-track, crusty bushwalkers and canyoners, they’ve a status for near-indestructible building in a paired-back, no-frills design.
Look carefully on the packs worn by NSW Ambulance, CareFlight, NPWS and different emergency providers and also you’re prone to see the Summit Gear brand behind their designed-for-task smarts. Summit Gear have labored direct with businesses and different industries designing fit-for-task packs, satchels, pouches and numerous equipment for the office.
Their operation is agile sufficient to sketch up concepts, run collectively mock-ups and take a look at n’ tweak for a various vary of purchasers with very specific wants.
Recognising a altering market, the necessity to produce lighter weight and ultralight packs and the authorized challenges they may encounter in the event that they tried to register the Summit Gear model internationally, they launched a brand new sub-brand, Whippa, in Could 2024. I’ve been testing their Overland 60L Ultralight mountain climbing pack for 2 months.
Overland 60L Ultralight
First Impressions
Visually, the Whippa vary attracts on the easy, streamlined design of Summit Gear’s conventional packs: one giant prime load compartment and an uber-generous entrance pocket. The bells and whistles of this child aren’t apparent on the skin, however humble, effectively thought out design and use of contemporary, light-weight but strong supplies and a body sheet imply the music and dance is within the 940 grams and a comfy carry underneath load.
Supplies
Design & Development
I really like a roll-top pack and that is no exception. The approx 26 cm of throat is simply one of many choose-your-own-adventure* components within the 60 litre ultralight model I examined. Add or subtract to your load, shrink down as you eat meals or develop to hold surprising extras (like taking up extra water for dry stretches), I examined the pack in a wide range of methods, together with as a day pack when guiding (40L would been sufficient for substantial group first support equipment, thermos, poo equipment, radio, private gear, and so forth) and overnighters.
Match and Adjustment
The 10mm closed cell foam padding (with sneaky weight-saving and respiratory holes) gives simply the correct amount of consolation for the 6cm shoulder straps and 9.5 cm hip straps. I like the selection of a forward-tightening belt buckle and snazzy minimalistic buckles that work tremendous when carrying gloves. Load Lifters, teamed with the full frame-sheet are key to getting a comfortable and well-distributed carry with the Whippa Overland. Take a look at the BTS video with Rob Inshaw as he describes how this works.
Consolation
In weight and cargo assessments, I discovered (oddly) that it was extra comfy when packed as a full, streamlined load, as an alternative of a half-empty day pack. When half empty, it felt as if it pulled away from the physique, no matter adjusting load lifters, shoulder straps and hip belt. It was as a full load, round 12-14 kg, that it actually felt evenly distributed and was at its most comfortable.
Hip Belt Pockets
Beneficiant hip-belt pockets have been designed to carry even the most important smartphone (circa 2024), giving quick access for photographs or navigation apps. Using the powerful UltraStretch material is wise with its 4-way stretch and tear/abrasion resistance. That and the additional pleats means there’s nonetheless area for all these snacks, lip balm and hanky (sure, hanky folks).
Again Pocket
The again pocket of the Whippa Overland is likely one of the apparent locations the design strays away from the traditional stretchy mesh outdoors pocket, as seen in ultralight rivals Z-Packs, Hyperlite or Durston. I’ve walked behind many buddies carrying these (and what’s left of the mesh these manufacturers use) testomony that they weren’t designed with hauling packs by way of thick banksia, hakea and different wonders of the Aussie Bush.
Casting off that difficulty, Rob’s group have used the identical essential material (both Dyneema or Extremely 200x), with a cosy becoming storm flap, offering a beneficiant (about 27 cm x 15 cm x 37 cm) stow all, fast-access pocket.
This provides considerably to the general capability and is ideal for moist gadgets like rain jackets or tent fly. Oh, and it matches a 14″ laptop computer (not that I take a type of with me into the bush!).
Aspect Pockets
UltraStretch material (which was so powerful their machines struggled to chop it and so they wanted to make use of graphite shears to complete the job correctly) and partially hidden compression straps (with G-hook attachments) guarantee your 1L bottle stays cosy. Placement and stitching meant I didn’t should dislocate a shoulder to take a swig.
Webbing (Straps)
It’s vital to notice that the webbing (straps) they’ve used all through are significantly powerful and don’t slide by way of the clips like conventional webbing can. This may take a little bit of getting used to as it is advisable to put some oomph into tensioning them.
Behind the Scenes with Whippa
I headed above the store in Katoomba for a BTS chat with Rob Inshaw to be taught extra about Whippa and the Overland 60.
I didn’t take a look at them, however Whippa supply just a few fries with that if you happen to’re after additional capability with an 8 litre Ultralight Expedition Hood (removable mind) with weatherproof zipper. There’s additionally a helmet internet that works with the 35L and 55L variations of the pack and unsurprisingly, Whippa’s Canyon pack collection. Made doable by way of the small attachment loops, you can even use these in your personal DIY attachments.
Beneath Testing – My expertise
How I examined it – I used the Whippa Overland 60L for two months earlier than penning this evaluate. I used it for at the least 2-3 quick hikes (1-3 hrs) every week with <7 kg, 4 full-day walks (8 hrs, 8 kg) and an overnighter (12 kg). To check consolation underneath weight, I additionally over-loaded it with 20 kg for one of many quick walks.
What I preferred
- Robust light-weight materials that seem like as strong as they declare
- Again pocket – the characteristic I believed I wouldn’t like… however cherished. It held every thing that I’d usually put right into a pack mind/hood and extra. I like that I didn’t lose issues in it like I generally do within the awkward form of a zipped mind pocket because of the way it wraps/bends across the prime of a pack.
- Weight – <1kg for 60 litres in a sturdy bundle
- Construction – the interior body sheet offers the pack construction that usually isn’t present in ultralight or light-weight packs. No person likes a floppy pack ;).
- Simplistic Large Bucket prime loader roll-top with G-clip
- It’s a tidy pack with streamlined beauty
- Distinctive customer support from native Australian small enterprise
Issues to think about
- Although the material is waterproof (Whippa describe the pack as ‘weatherproof’) and the seams have been taped sealed (what does that imply?), when utilizing it in Tassie drizzle I discovered that whereas the gadgets inside stayed principally dry, moisture received in across the base after I put the pack on the bottom throughout breaks. In future I’d merely use a water-proof pack liner or dry luggage (as I do with my different packs).
- The stiff webbing straps took a little bit of getting used to
- Price – As at June 2024, the pack prices $619 AUD
Conclusion
In the event you’re seeking to lighten your multiday pack and enterprise into the land of ultralight gear (and have the finances), the consolation delivered by the framesheet and cargo lifters, will make a simple transition.
Providing the selection of Ultra200x (as an alternative of Dynmeema) for the primary material is a superb choice for people who do loads of off-track/scrub or rock scrambling.
It’s vital to know that it’s nonetheless an funding and like all gear, it is advisable to care for your equipment, not actively trash it.
