What do you think of ARK for a pack name? Other suggestions? -It's may be time to rename and update the Zip.
Any design tweak suggestions for the Zip?
Thanks

Hi Ron,

since you already offer the "Revelation" and the "Prophet", what about "Priest"? ;-)

Valentin

I remember seeing the name Zip and thinking it was a panel loader with a zipper. The change might be good, at least for me!

I agree- stick to the theme. How about the Zen, or the Messiah? Enlightenment? Ha!

the "Zap"

The "Pariah"

I cant think of any tweaks for the Zip, I mean its pretty well thought out for what it is. I would think you would need to basically make a whole new pack if you need something different. I still would like to see what you could come up with if you made a serious bushwhack pack but used your experience and creativity to get it lighter than anything else out there.

I would go for "Dreamliner" ... heavenly cruising on longer trips. "Ark" seems a bit too short and agressive to me.
S.

Edited by svenklingemann on 04/24/2008 07:34:11 MDT.

Maybe call it the "Newton" b/c users will be pushing the laws of gravity with it.

As for changes, the only thing I find I would want differnt on my SuperZip would be more points to hold compressions strap's under the side pockets like you have on the front. Not sure how much weight if any it would save but making the entire pack compressible with one non-stretch bungee and the biners at the bottom would be much easier and probably lighter than using bungee's and the middle compression strap the way it is now.

No new name comes to mind, even after quite a bit of thought. Having just received the Zip... maybe I ordered too soon ;) ... I would only sugggest not going any heavier since the Super Zip is out there already. As you know, a main consideration when I chose the Zip over the Super Prophet was because of the mesh side bottle pockets, and I especially liked the latest configuration.

Edited by Quoddy on 04/25/2008 06:34:43 MDT.

hi ron.

i've been thinking about what my ideal pack for summertime 3-5 day trips (including snow travel, off trail scrambling, peak bagging) would be, and it's pretty close to the super zip, i think. i currently use a golite ion, and i really like it, but would love to a pack similar to it with some changes (but as SIMPLE, LIGHT, and DURABLE as possible). i would love:

a pack with just a BIT more volume than the ion. that could be with just a bit of an extension collar. i like that the pack looks small enough to be a daypack, instead of a backpack. good for stealth activities!

a tall, narrowish pack to fit my 6'3 length and stay out of the way for scrambling, etc. the ion does that well.

maybe the entire pack from dyneema gridstop or whatever. i like how tough the ion is.

a drawstring and fold over closure, with a strap to compress down (unlike the ion zipper). that gives a bit of room for a SMALL extension collar.

with stretch side pockets (like the vapor trail) or perhaps mesh (though a bit worried about snagging). i don't really like the ula relay pockets how the mesh sticks out and is ready for snagging. i never had any problem putting a 1L aqua fina bottle into the vapor trail side pockets.

NO front pocket, just a bungee system on the length of the front to lash on an insulation layer or to strap trekking poles to for scrambling.

one permanent ice axe loop, and simple way to attach it at the top (removable velcro loop?).

probably no circumferential compression straps, since the pack will be full always anyway (since it's so little). the sleeping bag at the bottom can always be uncompressed more to take up more volume as food disappears from the pack.

no hydration bladder sleeve or port. water bottles are carried in the side pockets and/or inside.

simple, relatively wide, and perhaps removable (on/off) waist strap.

DEFINITELY a good, adjustable sternum strap, with integrated whistle (if it's loud enough).

daisy chains on the shoulder straps.

good system to affix 1 or 2 waist belt pockets securely.

no internal pockets or key lanyard.

black or grey in color.

relatively cheap. the ion's price point at $45 is great. obviously, an MLD upgrade will cost more, but try to still hit a $99 or something point.

and how about a name? something to conjur up the lightnes and simplicity? "Free" or "Free Solo"? Instead of "Zip" how about "Zoom"? or Zephyr, Zenith, Zero!

so, that sounds pretty close to the super zip and some ula stuff, but not quite. looking forward to your next iteration!

thanks!

Edited by DaveT on 04/24/2008 11:56:45 MDT.

I'm with Valentin on this one. You've got Revelation and Prophet, so you may as well continue with the theme. I'm sure you can find loads of suitable names in the OT -- or even in Lord of the Rings!

Edited by ben2world on 04/24/2008 11:51:48 MDT.

I would go with the Exodus.

i second exodus

As a happy Zip owner, i wouldn't change too much. I would like a roll-top closure though. Maybe make it all dyneema as long as it didn't increase the weight greatly.
As for the name, how about The Message?

How about the MLD "Oracle"

from MW online:
1 a: a person (as a priestess of ancient Greece) through whom a deity is believed to speak b: a shrine in which a deity reveals hidden knowledge or the divine purpose through such a person c: an answer or decision given by an oracle2 a: a person giving wise or authoritative decisions or opinions b: an authoritative or wise expression or answer

I just have to say that any pack named the ARK had better be GY-NORMOUS!!!!!!! and waterproof.

On another note: Ron, I love your stuff! Your Grace solo tarp has served me well!!!

Thanks!

Passionphish

Matt, Ha Ha... funny stuff.

Ron,

Love your products.

I 2nd the vote for staying on theme with the name scheme.

Exodus sounds cool and has my vote.

P.S. If you start your own UL Religion, maybe you can file for tax free status? :)

Exodus is an awesome name, but you might have to do a couple things to the pack to increase it's "cool factor" so it would live up to that name, such as only having the pack available in all black, with red trim, with chromed hardware. Like someone said, a pack called the ARK had better be ginormous and waterproof or it will be a little confusing to people why you named it that. Similarly, I initially thought the Zip was a panel loader, so maybe go easy on the misnomers unless in fact the new pack will be Ark-sized..

A waterproof UL pack would be pretty cool, though. I don't know if there's seam tape for silnylon, but it would be nice to be able to dispense with pack covers and liners..

For improvements to the Zip, you might give the option of built-in hipbelt pockets. I know you have accessory hip belt pockets available, but it seems like there's an extra layer of fabric with a system like that.

Edited by beenay25 on 04/24/2008 14:32:36 MDT.

Welp, it is Passover, so I vote for Exodus too!

The Methuselah

The Nebuchadnezzar

Edited by ChrisMorgan on 04/24/2008 14:46:54 MDT.