Finally, a prototype that's sorta ready for a few photos :)

Don't have a release date yet. We have one more prototype cycle scheduled. We may do a small production run for July 1 delivery if there is interest, given our sorry economy which needless to say should drive us all to the mountains anyways!

Weight range 1.2-1.8 lbs, volume 46L+ (we're also working on a similar but simpler and lighter 32L+ version). Great fit, aesthetics, function, solid load carrying ability, a new and very durable silnylon fabric developed just for packs, built in a factory that specializes in packs so construction quality is superb. I'm excited about this one!

This prototype has dual daisy chains, axe/trekking pole strap, removable bivy pad, padded belt, zip pouches on the hip belt and shoulder straps (4 total), haul loop, upward-tapered (bigger at top) packbag, 42L capacity, fabrics on the "more durable" side of things, and comes in at 23 oz.







So some questions.

1. Do you guys want a hydration sleeve?

2. Keep, or skip, the shoulder strap pockets?

3. Keep all three outside mesh pockets, keep just the two side pockets (and replace the center pocket with a bungee system), or keep the center pocket and ditch the side pockets?

4. Proto above has a cinch closure - simplest and lightest option that preserves the max capacity of the packbag, but not weather resistant. Do you need a flap, roll-top closure, etc., or can you live with simple/light for the top?

Now the big questions: fit.

5. Do you like short torsos where the hip belt crosses your belly, or long torsos where the hip belt crosses your iliac crest?

6. Provide "load lifter straps" (which don't really lift the load off the shoulders) which provide some latitude in fit, or skip'em and provide more pack sizes to dial in fit to your torso length, then bring the shoulder straps right over your collarbone crest?

My 2 cents!

1. No hydration sleeve

2. Skip or maybe include just 1 shoulder strap pockets

3. Keep just the two side pockets

4. flap, roll-top closure,

5. long torsos (Im 6'4" and hard to fit)

6. More pack sizes to dial in fit to your torso length.

And my 2 cents...

1. No hydration sleeve
2. (indifferent re: shoulder strap pockets)
3. All 3 external pockets
4. Roll-top
5. Long torso
6. More sizes, no lifter straps

-Mark

What's the maximum suggested weight capacity?

Any kind of frame, other than a pad?

Forecasted price range?

Country of production?

1. optional hydration sleeve

2. at least one shoulder strap pocket

3. three outside pockets

4. roll-top closure.

5. not answering that one.

6. load lifters

Edited by Coldspring on 03/12/2009 19:17:41 MDT.

1. No hydration sleeve

2. Keep the shoulder strap pockets, unless it moves the price up a lot. Bigger belt pockets.

3. Keep all three pockets, make side pockets EASILY accessible for water bottles.

4. Roll-top closure,

5. Long torso

6. Load lifters. I still use those on packs that fit.

1) Yes- hydration sleeve
2) One/No shoulder pockets
3) all three external pockets
4) Roll-top with beefy enough strap to hold snowshoes or bear bucket in place
5) Long Torso
6) Load lifters if they will reduce cost

Edited by redmonk on 03/12/2009 13:08:36 MDT.

1. Do you guys want a hydration sleeve?

No

2. Keep, or skip, the shoulder strap pockets?

Skip

3. Keep all three outside mesh pockets, keep just the two side pockets (and replace the center pocket with a bungee system), or keep the center pocket and ditch the side pockets?

2 2 side mesh pocket + bungee

4. Proto above has a cinch closure - simplest and lightest option that preserves the max capacity of the packbag, but not weather resistant. Do you need a flap, roll-top closure, etc., or can you live with simple/light for the top?

roll top


Now the big questions: fit.

5. Do you like short torsos where the hip belt crosses your belly, or long torsos where the hip belt crosses your iliac crest?

long torso

6. Provide "load lifter straps" (which don't really lift the load off the shoulders) which provide some latitude in fit, or skip'em and provide more pack sizes to dial in fit to your torso length, then bring the shoulder straps right over your collarbone crest?

load lifters

"you guys"? Guys??? Hmmmph. Or is this the western generic version of the southern generic y'all?

1. No hydration sleeve
2. Keep shoulder strap pockets
3. All 3 external pockets, with the back one stretchy enough to hold a wet tarptent
4. Roll-top
5. Not sure
6. More sizes, no lifter straps

Edited after reading Bob's post below. Even though this new pack sounds great, I have no plans to buy one because I really, really, really like my ULA Relay and Circuit.

Edited by rosierabbit on 03/12/2009 16:46:15 MDT.

Thanks for keeping the lightweight movement, well, MOVING!

I too am for longer torso stuff (in this and everything else in the BPL line.)

1. NO hydration sleeve.

2. NO shoulder strap pockets.

3. Keep all three outside mesh pockets AND add a bungee system in the center. Hip belt pockets are a must.

4. Roll-top, roll-top, roll-top.

5. "On" the hips, like a belt.

6. I think the right design can forgo the need to use load lifter straps, but it's tough to get it right in packs designed for the masses...hence why they exist in the first place.

1. No
2. Skip
3. keep all three pockets but make the side ones smaller. They're too deep. Or make one deep and one short. I like to put a fly rod on one side and platy on the other.
4. I'm a fan of the roll top.
5. Long
6. No load lifters. More options would be nice. Especially Combos between bag/belt sizes. I use GG Large bags but Medium belts.

1. Yes
2. No
3. Keep all three mesh pockets
4. Yes..more packing options
5. Long torso
6. I like load lifters- good for big guys

2 Cents Worth

Edited by Creachen on 03/12/2009 14:23:56 MDT.

1. no hydration sleeve

2, no shoulder pockets (they get in the way)

3. 2 side plus bungee (need someplace to strap odd-sized things on; not everything fits well in pockets). I also don't like angled openings - things fall out too easily.

4. rolltop (or put grommeted holes in hte bottom of hte packbag so rain can flow out)

5. long

6. keep load lifters (if this pack will have any kind of frame to transfer weight. They're meaningless without same.)


Suggestion: I alway find it difficult and uncomfortable to reach behind me to handle a water bottle. Why not attach a removeable 1 liter water bottle holder to the hipbelt between the packbag and the hipbelt pocket? Being removeable, it could be placed on whichever side (or both or not at all) desired.

I also question the wisdom of (and any perceived need for) competing with the existing cottage industries on major items like packs. BPL already has enough problems maintaining the quantity and quality of their inventories.

Edited by wandering_bob on 03/12/2009 14:40:21 MDT.

1. Yes - Hydration sleeve
2. Skip shoulder pockets, but having them as "optional" would be a big plus.
3. Keep all three mesh pockets, though one side pocket could be "short" to accomodate item removal while wearing the pack.
4. Don't need a flap. Roll top works well. Cinch is not a deal breaker.
5. I like "real" hip belts at the iliac crest for efficient load-bearing.
6. Add more pack sizes and drop the load lifter straps.

1. NO! hydration sleeve

2. SKIP, the shoulder strap pockets.

3. Keep ALL THREE outside mesh pockets.
Make them expandable to allow stuff to go in! They look a little tight. If they are fully packed you need to be able to get a water bottle and something else on both sides. Also the front pocket need to expand to except a wet tarp, clothes, rain gear,etc.

4. ROLL-TOP, it rain in the Northwest!

Now the big questions: fit.

5. LONG TORSOS were the hip belt crosses your Iliac crest. I blown disk requires all the weight to be on the hips!

6. I think this is a tough one. It would be best to offer more pack sizes, but then you have a inventory issue. How do you plan for all the possible size options? I think this one might be a business decision? I would prefer a perfect fit!

Thanks for asking

Edited by bestbuilder on 03/12/2009 14:41:58 MDT.

1) no hydration sleeve
2) detachable shoulder strap pockets and detachable shoulder strap water bottle holder designed to mate well with this pack and sold as a separate purchases.
3) keep all three pockets. Pleat them so as to be able to handle moderately bulky items
4) roll top closure
5) long torso
6) yes, I find load lifters are useful in a frameless pack IF your keep the pack full

I consider a functional compression system to be key to keeping the pack full and rigid. Route the compression system inside the pockets

Make the hip belt pockets larger than shown.

edited

Edited by jcolten on 03/12/2009 14:43:57 MDT.

1. YES on hydration sleeve

2. Keep the shoulder strap pockets

3. Keep the two side pockets and replace the center pocket with a bungee system

4. A flap (my preference) or a roll-top

5. Short torso

6. Neutral on this one

1. No hydration sleeve

2. Skip the shoulder strap pockets

3. Keep all three outside mesh pockets

4. Roll-top closure

5. Long torsos where the hip belt crosses your iliac crest?

6. Provide "load lifter straps AND provide more pack sizes

No hydration sleeve.

Skip shoulder strap pockets (excess weight, excess cost), but include one or two tapes across the straps to hook a camera case to.

Dispense with all mesh pockets: they snag and add weight.

Simple sleeve throat of adequate length rather than roll-top (lighter), with light flap over the top. Both waterproof.

Dual daisy chains - why? better to put gear inside the pack and save the weight. But, a couple of attachment points should be provided instead.

Webbing attachments straps across at the top - yes, definitely.

Torso length - not on the belly!

Pockets on hip belt: delete. Awkward things anyhow, and usually don't hold much. Extra cost & weight as well.

Load lifter straps needed, but use light 20 mm tape rather than full webbing. (I use this light binding tape myself and it has been reliable for many years.)

If you have lots of torso lengths instead you will spend a fortune on shipping 4 sizes out and getting 3 of them back to restock.

My 2c

Cheers

So, fewer quality articles. Things always out of stock in the store. Art commissioning. Now gear manufacturing. Ryan,Can we focus!? Where are we going? And I don't want a reply from Roger.

Have it built in the USA and it'll have a cult following. Build it in Vietnam, or somewhere around there, and everyone will hate it.