I was thinking of ordering the Ray Way backpack kit. Has anybody made it yet?

No. Decided against it after seeing the two Fanatic-Fringe Packs. Both of their packs have made appearances on this BackpackingLight.com website. One seems to have become the preferred pack of BPL Staffer Carol Crooker. Unless you are intent on making your own, either of the Fanatic-Fringe packs would do just as nicely. Fanatic-Fringe is a great company to do business with.

Yes, it really doesn't make much sense to make a pack as there is very little difference in price between the kit and a ready-made pack. It's just that I always learn something valuable when I make a kit like that, something I can use later when I have to fix it or make another one.

Yes. I made the pack as my second sewing project ever (the first being a Ray-Way tarp). Ray's instructions and illustrations are clear. It's a first-class kit.

My final pack weighs 9.7 ounces and I am thrilled with it.

After completing my own, I decided to purchase another kit for my wife. Instead of sewing it for her, I am teaching her how to sew. She's catching on quickly and I can see that the finished pack will be a lot more meaningful to her.

I thought that you had a good reason for wanting to make your own pack. You certainly can't put a price on the knowledge and satisfaction you will get from doing so. Good for you!

I made a pack using Ray's instructions from his book (beyond backpacking). Mine worked out great and was a great pack. I don't have experience with Ray's kits, but they get decent reviews. You might be able to save some money by going through a fabric store to buy your materials and use Ray's book for the instructions (my copy hangs out at the library). Among others, www.owfinc.com will probably have what you want.

If you change your mind, you wouldn't go too wrong with the fanatic fringe packs.

Good luck,
Jay
MYOG

Edited by jham on 01/10/2006 06:54:43 MST.

I bought the kit from RayWay and completed his pack. The instructions are first rate. He gives you just enough materials to complete the project with very little waste.

Since making the ray way pack, I've applied what I learned to make a series of other types of packs. I've made a G6 type silnylon pack (2000 cu in) that weighs in at about 6 oz and a spin cloth version of the ray way pack that weighs in at about 5.

The ray-way pack is hard to beat, however. After making several packs I've given all of them away accept my RayWay pack, my Granite Gear Nimbus Lattitude, and my Golite daypack.

Since they did away with the masters kit on the jardine website I've been shopping for materials instead of buying a whole kit. After making a few varients, I've got some ideas on a final pack design.

I would agree with one of the previous posts, however. The Fanatic Fringe packs look really good for the same type of money.

Did you buy the DVD about how to make the pack? Or are there written directions that are sufficient?

I just followed his instructions ... I did make two of his stuff bags and a quilt as my first sewing projects before I started on the pack.

have you considered a Gossamer Gear G4 pack kit instead of Ray way?

I didn't know they made one. I'll look at their site. Thanks.

The Gossamer Gear site has a pdf file with directions to make a pack. I will print it out later and see if I can figure it out.

Shannon,

Try this link for the G4 pack.

http://www.questoutfitters.com/patterns-PACKS.htm

sorry, I forgott to mention the kit was sold at quest outfitters, for about $25 I beleive

Does anyone have the RayWay Backpack DVD?

Thanks,

Nick

I do, but i don't think it is needed. I would gladly trade it.

-Tim

I have made the quilt,tarp/net tent and pack kits.My pack weighs in at 8.5 oz. I love the pack and quilt.My wife found the tarp/net tent entrance too weird for her.I, on the other hand will more than likely,order the 1 person version kit.

I really did enjoy going through the building/crafting process quite a bit.

Patrick

Gossamer Gear has instructions on how to make the original G4 on their website and that's free. Just thought you might want another option...

Click here

Jay,

I am also building a ray-way style backpack based on the instructions in Beyond Backpacking/Trail Life.

I need some clarification on two things though:

1.) What are the dimensions of your shoulder strap reinforcement panels, how many of them did you use, and made of which material?

2.) Did you attach the shoulder straps to the reinforcement panels with four rows of zig-zag stitches (as suggested in the book) or did you use x-box stitches instead? Same for the strap attachment that spreads the load at the bottom.

Others are welcome to chime in also :)

Thanks,

Nick

I've been working on a rayway pack and am a current owner of a second gen Golite Breeze. There are a couple of differences and I'm leaning towards the updated golite breeze, but would like to hear opinions from people who preferably have both packs and have compared design differences...

1) shoulder strap buckle is attached to the hip tab on the rayway pack (extra webbing goes up and out away from hip) while the golite has the buckle attached on the shoulder strap/padded area near the chest with extra webbing going down. Thoughts on this one?

2) the mesh pocket stops a couple inches short of the top on the rayway where the golite goes all the way up to the edge of where the extension collar starts. porque?

3) the "Y" top/back webbing pack closure on the rayway versus the single strap connecting the the clip sewn into rough webbing at the base of the extension collar.

any opinions on these three features would be greatly appreciated. Holla