Near Zero Packs and Gear

[hikeaz]

https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/inn ... DZt-ax0huM

https://nearzero.co/

[TooOld2Hike_EP]

@hikeaz
I presume that the patent is for the compartmentalizing of the backpack? 'Cause my Gregory already has the big U-shaped flap. (Which I have never used while backpacking. And if one uses a bag liner for rain protection, the flap is useless.)

I would rather have an unobstructed sack. Gives me more freedom how to arrange things. (Which I am still experimenting with.)

And since my tent is one of the lightest things that I pack, I don't understand why I would want to oriented it vertically in my pack, in the prime real estate where I want to pack the heavier things.

[nonot]

Looks like a hybrid of a Gregory and an Osprey pack. The compartmentalization seems like a useless feature but is removeable. I actually like many of the features of the pack compared to my existing packs, but you need to watch the video as their website and the article is rather poor in describing the pack. Assuming Joe allows the link to the video, I've pasted it below:

[ youtube video ]


Wonder if the founder is on HAZ, he is reported as a local to central AZ?

[trekkin_gecko]

pack weight?

[LosDosSloFolks]

@trekkin_gecko
3 pounds

[LindaAnn]

Interesting concept. Seems like a good compromise between cost and weight for new or casual backpackers. The bundles would make it easy for folks who don’t want to put a lot of time or effort into their initial setup.

Of course, you don’t have to pack your gear the way they suggest. I’ve never had a problem with packing my tent vertically, and it’s easy to remove first when I get to camp, especially in bad weather.

Hopefully the company does well.

[TooOld2Hike_EP]

I like the large front hip pouches. I wish my (old) Gregory had large pouches.

[trekkin_gecko]

i like it
bigger than my zpacks pack
plus you can strap an entire yard sale on the outside

[big_load]

It's not for me. I don't like big zippers on a pack - I prefer a big empty bag. I understand how the opposite would attract some people, especially those who don't backpack a lot that might benefit from some packing tips.

FWIW, one of my hiking buddies had a long pack zipper fail early in a five-day trip in Colorado. It started small-to-mid sized, but was completely wrecked for the last two days. It was still a fun trip, but less so for him.

[xsproutx]

Yeh, not quite sure who this is marketed to/what they're doing that's really different. Advertising 3lbs as "ultralight weight" is... an interesting strategy. I also find the fact they're offering so many SKUs of tents/packs/pads/etc after apparently 5 years in business as a bit suspect. Almost makes me think it's a white label operation for most of it. Not exactly a bad thing, but when you're trying to advertise as a small family cottage business, it's a big odd. I see a couple SKUs on that that look suspiciously like an existing product available for white labeling.

Particularly when you factor in that covid screwed up all supply chains in a huge way for 2.5 years in that, I just don't know/see how they could make that many SKUs happen as a new company. Possible the founder is super rich and was able to use that to prioritize time at factory with enormous minimums that would compete with existing businesses and shipping lanes but that doesn't seem likely?

With that said, they are apparently expanding and having some success, which I always support for local outdoor industries. I'm just not seeing what's there to make it something that will really succeed. Feels like someone is tossing money for short term gains that won't last.

[RedRoxx44]

I just scored an old Go Lite Odyssey 90L pack; I'm tired of cramming everything into my 55 L backpack and won't use all of it but should be nice to have some space to cinch down. It's in good shape, some of the straps are a little stiff but rubbing a little fabric softener into them has them adjusting easily. I hope to eventually do some long trips into places like the Winds so good to have for the extra food etc.

[big_load]

I just scored an old Go Lite Odyssey 90L pack; I'm tired of cramming everything into my 55 L backpack and won't use all of it but should be nice to have some space to cinch down. It's in good shape, some of the straps are a little stiff but rubbing a little fabric softener into them has them adjusting easily. I hope to eventually do some long trips into places like the Winds so good to have for the extra food etc.

Finding a GoLIte anything in good condition counts as a score now. I'll be sad when my GoLite Selkirk down jacket wears out because that warmth to weight ratio is hard to duplicate.

[azbackpackr]

@big_load
I don't backpack too much any more, still use my GoLite Quest when I do. Plus, I have the umbrella I found at the top of the Pt. Huitzel Route, back in 2011.

[rcorfman]

Advertising 3lbs as "ultralight weight" is... an interesting strategy.

That was my thought too, especially when three of my bags combined weigh less than that.