Zpacks Arc Blast Review
Description
Zpacks Arc Blast 55L - http://www.zpacks.com/backpacks/arc_blast.shtml
CDT Section Gear List - https://darwinonthetrail.com/2017/04/01/darwins-2017-cdt-section-hike/
AT Gear List - https://darwinonthetrail.com/2016/05/03/darwins-2016-at-gear-list/
*** WAYS TO SUPPORT THIS CHANNEL ***
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darwinonthetrail
(Help Support my 2018 PCT Thru with a pledge as low as a $1/month)
Visit our Etsy Shop! - https://www.etsy.com/shop/TravelandTrail
Get some Sweet Darwin Onthetrail Swag at : https://shop.spreadshirt.com/Darwinonthetrail
*** Gear Used to Shoot this Video! ***
- Camera -
Canon EOS T6i - http://amzn.to/2kACQOU
- Lense -
Canon EFS 24mm - http://amzn.to/2mSAXSn
- Sound -
TakStar Shotgun Mic - http://amzn.to/2kMsAnM
- TriPod -
Targus 360 Trigger Tripod - http://amzn.to/2kMsU5Y
------- Music By: Thunder/Dreamer & Lost Summer --------
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!
Contact information:
Website: www.darwinonthetrail.com
Instagram: Darwin_Onthetrail
facebook: www.facebook.com/darwinonthetrail
Tags: Zpacks,Arc Blast,Cuben Fiber Pack,UL Gear,Gear Review,AT,Appalachian Trail,AT Thru-Hike,PCT,PCT Thru-Hike,Pacific Crest Trail,CDT,Backpacking,Hiker Trash,Hiking,Camping,Adventure,Long Distance Hiking,UL Backpacking
Video Transcription
hey guys it's Starling here with a full gear review of the z-pak Sark blasts 55 liter pack
[Music]
okay so now that I have had this pack for about a year and put it through a lot of different hikes I felt like it was finally time to give you my full review and final thoughts on the Z packs Ark blast so let me start off by saying I am not endorsed or sponsored at all by Z packs and they did not give me this pack I bought it with my own money and as you can guess I love it between doing a lot of small backpacking trips here in New Mexico going out to do a hundred and twenty miles section of the Continental Divide Trail I put this thing through its paces and absolutely loved it and it's going to be the pack that I am going to be using on my PCT through hike next year alright so that's enough of me talking about how much I love this pack let's break down some of the specs and the features of the arc blast so the overall weight dry of the arc blast is 21 ounces it has a full weight load capacity of 35 pounds and the overall capacity is 55 litres the arc blast is made of a 2.9 to Dyneema composite material which is also known as Cuban fiber
now the 2.9 to Dyneema composites they use is super thick and super tough so it can stand up against a lot the main tough load compartment of the pack is 42 liters each side pocket is 2.5 liters of piece and the center mesh pocket is 8 liters totaling 55 litres now that we know it's capacity and what it's made of let's talk about some of the features the arc blast is a top-load single compartment bag that has a roll-top closure similar to a dry bag so it helps keep water out the front has a large mesh pocket to keep other items and I usually keep my diddy bag my toilet paper and my water filter out here on the sides of the pack there are two large pockets to be able to store water bottles in or trekking poles or any other items that you see fit and up the side there are compression straps that you can use to cinch down the entire side of the pack and really compress the load inside the pack features a thick padded shoulder strap and hip belt to give you maximum comfort while you're hiking unlike some of the other Cuban fibre packs on market it features a standard adjustable sternum strap and load lifters the hip belt also features a V style webbing that allows you to dial on the fit with four separate adjustable straps the arc blast also features a conveyor belt shoulder strap to allow you to adjust your torso height and probably one of the coolest features of the pack and how it got its name is the amazing flex arc frame that allows you to adjust how the pack sits off your back depending on the load the carbon fiber stays allow you to curve the pack with tension and create better air flow so your back isn't super sweaty so the arc blast is super customizable and you can get a ton of different features added on to the pack like these massive belt pouches a shoulder pouch or a few other accessories you can add on to the arc blast the arc flash is custom made to order
depending on your size and measurements and it comes in four different colors so the price for this bad boy is three hundred and twenty-five dollars for the base model before you add those features and you can find it over on z packs website you want to find out some more information about this pack or order one I'll leave a link in the description box below so you can go check it out for yourself again I absolutely love this pack and its really been holding up to what I've been putting it through I can't wait to get it out on the PCT next year if you haven't how to change it go over and check me out on Instagram posting a lot of new photos lately of some of the things that snows and I have going on throughout the week plus some pictures from some past hikes if you found any value in this video go ahead and hit that like button subscribe to my channel if you haven't already and as always guys thanks for watching [Music]
you
[Music]
About the Author
Darwin Onthetrail
At the end of 2014 my wife Snuggles & I decided to quit our jobs, sell 95% of the things we own, & leave our home town for good in search of adventure, culture, & the true meaning of happiness. We bought a van, traveled all over the country & hiked the entire Appalachian Trail (2189.2 miles). We are still seeking adventure in new places, meeting new people, trying new food & drink, & discovering all that we can.
This Channel has developed into a main hub for aspiring hikers & current hikers to gain info on a wide variety of Trail Topics. With a series of Trip Videos, Q&A, Tip Videos, & Gear Reviews, I aim to get you out on the trail and hiking more!
Hike On,
Darwin
More articles from this author
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 2) NC/TN
- 2016 AZT Thru-Ride - Part 2 (Rim to Rim to Flagstaff)
- BRS UltraLight Stove Review
- Riding the "Cobble" of Southern Indiana
- Wind in the Canyon
- Virginia's Three Ridges
- 2016 AT Thru Hike Gear List
- Sleeping Pads
- The Road Back to the AT (Week 1)
- Stick Pic Full Review
- Rocky Mountain Morning...
- Kurgo Max Dog Pack Full Review
- Power on the Trail / Giveaway!
- Grand Canyon Rim to Rim Hike (in 1 day)
- Cold Weather Gear on the Appalachian Trail
- Ask Darwin Q&A #17 + Announcement!
- A Stroll through Gand Teton....
- Santa Fe Rail Trail
- Ask Darwin Q&A #24 (Answers)
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Massachusetts)
- AZT: What Happened & What's next?
- 2016 AZT Bikepacking Gear List
- Aug 2015 National Parks Tour
- Hoka Challenger ATR Review
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 5) Pennsylvania
- Ask Darwin Q&A #8 (Answers!)
- Osprey Mutant 28 Full Reveiw
- 2016 AZT Thru-Ride - Part 1 (Utah Border to Grand Canyon)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #14 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #11 (Answers!)
- 2015 in Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #19 (Answers)
- Sleep Systems on The Appalachian Trail
- CNOC Vertex Carbon Cork Trekking Pole Review
- DIY Pot Cozy & Cook Pouch for the Trail
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (New Hampshire)
- Gear I'm Done With!.... For Now
- HydroBlu Versa Flow Review
- Gear to Leave at Home during a Thru-Hike
- Exploring The Sandia Mountains of New Mexico
- AT Thru Hike Budget
- Cheap BackCountry Meals
- Ask Darwin Q&A #12 (Answers!)
- Staying Healthy on the Trail
- Cuben Fiber Gear, Is It Worth It?
- My Three Favorite Pieces of Backpacking Gear
- Ask Darwin Q&A #6 (Answers!)
- Six Moon Designs SkyScape-Trekker Full Review
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Katahdin)
- Cave Exploring in Missouri
- Thru-Hiking Solo vs with a Group
- 5 Things the Appalachian Trail Taught Me
- Ask Darwin Q&A #7 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #20 (Answers)
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 3) Virginia
- Snow Peak 700 & Litemax Cook System
- Gear for the PCT: My Big 3
- Best Footwear for the Trail?
- Gear I Won't Hike Without
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Maine Part 1)
- Gear I wish I'd had during my Thru-Hike
- Outdoorsman Lab UL Sleeping Pad Review
- Wheeler Peak Winter Attempt
- AT Thru Hiker Slang
- Ask Darwin Q&A #16 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #3 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #15 / Giveaway Winner Announced!
- Headlamps VS Flashlights
- Ask a Hiker #2 (Post AT) Questions Answered!
- Going Stoveless! Pros & Cons
- Bugs On the Trail & How to Deal with Them
- Black Diamond Alpine Ergo Cork Trekking Pole Review
- Snowshoeing in Cumbres Pass Colorado
- Ask Darwin Q&A #29 (Answers)
- Ask a Hiker #1 (Questions Answered!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #23 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #27 (Answers)
- Training for a Long Distance Trail
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 4) WV/MD
- Appalachian Trail Etiquette (Top 5)
- Altra Lone Peak 3.0 Review
- Reasons You Might Quit Your Thru-Hike
- Ask Darwin Q&A #21 (Answers)
- Post Thru Hike - Sea to Summit Aeros UL Pillow
- Gear to Lighten your Load on a Budget! (Part 2)
- GooseFeet Gear Down Sock Reveiw
- Gear to Lighten your Load on a Budget!
- Pearl Izumi X Alp Launch II Full Review
- Travel & Trail Vlog (Episode 1 - Goodbye New Mexico)
- Base Weight & Why It's So Important!
- Sleeping Bags VS Quilts
- How the Appalachian Trail Ruined my Life / Post Trail Depression
- We're Restoring a Vintage Camper?
- Tips for Hiking in the Desert
- Scariest Backpacking Trip Story
- How to Save Money during a Thru-Hike
- Surly ECR (Bikepacking Bike) Full Review
- Should I Document My Thru-Hike?
- Ask Darwin Q&A #25 (Answers)
- CDT Section Hike - Part 2 (Silver City, NM to Doc Campbell's)
- Thru-Hiking Tricks of the Trade
- Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Full Review
- Coffee on the Trail
- BikePacking the Caja Del Rio
- Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #13 (Answers!)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #22 (Answers)
- AZT Bikepacking Food Resupply
- First Aid & Toiletries on an AT Thru Hike
- Ask Darwin Q&A #26 (Special Edition!)
- Altra Lone Peak 3.5 Review
- CDT Section Hike Gear List
- The Road Back to the AT (Week 2)
- CNOC Vecto Water Container Review
- AegisMax UL Sleeping Bag Review
- How I Pack My Gear
- Gear for the PCT: Clothes Set-Up
- Travel & Trail Vlog (Episode 0 - Test Footage)
- Over 42,000 Sub GIVEAWAY!!!
- Bikes & Brews in Southern Indiana w/ Mike Boren
- AT Thru Hike Food Resupply
- Ask Darwin Q&A #4 (Answers!)
- BikePacking: Clipless vs Platform?
- Sawyer Squeeze Gravity System
- Ask Darwin Q&A #30 (Answers)
- BlitzWolf 9000 Review
- Travel & Trail Vlog (Episode 0.5 - PCT Days)
- Exploring Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks
- Ask Darwin Q&A #18 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #31 (Answers)
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Vermont)
- 2016 AT Thru Hike Gear List (Snuggles Edition)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #28 (Answers)
- Dirty Girl Gaiters Full Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #9 (Answers!)
- Osprey Escapist 18 Full Review
- How to Prevent Blisters & Foot Injuries on the Trail
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 1) Georgia
- The Appalachian Trail 2015 (Part 6) NJ/NY/CT
- CDT Section Hike - Part 1 (Lordsburg, NM to Silver City)
- 2015 AT Thru Hike Post Gear Set-up
- Ask Darwin Q&A #10 (Answers!)
- The Road Back to the AT (Week 3)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #5 (Answers!)
- Sandia Mountain Snow Storm
- Typical Pennsylvania on The Appalachian Trail
- Salomon X Ultra Hiking Shoe Full Review
- Top 5 Favorite Places on the Appalachian Trail
- New Gear for the AT & PCT Thru Hike
- Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike 2016 (Maine Part 2)
- Zpacks Nero Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #34 (Answers)
- Enlightened Equipment Torrid Apex Jacket Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #35 (Answers)
- Gear I Carry on a Day Hike
- Arizona Trail 2017 - Part 1
- AZT Post Hike Gear Set-Up (7lbs 11oz)
- How I Afford My Lifestyle
- Ask Darwin Q&A #32 + GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED!
- Ask Darwin Q&A #33 (Answers)
- Ultralight Vs Traditional Packs - What's the Best for you?
- Tent Vs Bivy - What's the Best Shelter for You?
- Ask Darwin Q&A #36 (Answers)
- Gear to Lighten your Load on a Budget! - Part 3
- Ask Darwin Q&A #39 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #38 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #41 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #40 (Answers)
- Travel & Trail Vlog (Episode 2 - Canyons, Trees, & Trails)
- The Trowel - Necessary or Nonsense?
- Arizona Trail 2017 - Part 2
- Ask Darwin Q&A #37 (Answers)
- My Favorite Backpacking Gear of 2017 (Top 10)
- Cold Soaking/Stoveless Backpacking - Is It Right For You?
- Ask Darwin Q&A #43 (Answers)
- Back Again - A Rim2Rim2Rim Hike w/Neemor
- Ask Darwin Q&A #44 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #42 w/ Neemor
- Ask Darwin Q&A #45 (Answers)
- A Thru-Hike Before A Thru-Hike?
- Gear for the PCT 2018 - Electronics & Ditty Bag
- The Perfect UL Headlamp? - UCO Air 150 Review + MOD!
- Ask Darwin Q&A #46 (Answers)
- Hike Your Own Hike - An Ode to the Hiking Community
- Ask Darwin Q&A #47 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #50 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #48 (From the AT!)
- Pinhoti Trail Thru-Hike Gear List (11lb 5oz)
- Gear I Would NEVER BRING on a Long Hike!
- How to Plan Your 1st Thru-Hike
- Where Our Gear Is Born... Ep.1 - Zpacks
- Ask Darwin Q&A #49 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #51 (Answers)
- UGQ Bandit Quilt Review
- Ask Darwin Q&A #52 (Answers)
- Pinhoti Trail Thru-Hike 2018 : Part 3
- Pinhoti Trail Thru-Hike 2018 : Part 2
- Pinhoti Trail Thru-Hike 2018 : Part 1
- Ask Darwin Q&A #53 (Answers)
- Gear for the PCT 2018 - Desert Protection
- Ask Darwin Q&A #56 - The End?
- Vargo BOT Review - IS IT WORTH IT?
- Ask Darwin FINAL Q&A - #57
- Ask Darwin Q&A #54 (Answers)
- Ask Darwin Q&A #55 (Answers)
- Post Pinhoti Trail Gear Thoughts & Failures
- VAN TOUR, GIVEAWAY, & THANK-YOU'S!
- PCT Thru-Hike Gear List (FINAL)
- Gear for the PCT - Cook System & Water Storage
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 6 - Water and Windmills
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 17 - Good Days and Bad Days
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 12- Passes and Postholing
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 16 - Hiking On
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 10 - Mt. Whitney and Beyond
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 9 - Into The Sierra and Back To The Stove
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 4 - Back on Trail
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 13- A Few Rough Days
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 20 - Hello Washington!
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 3 - Trail Injuries
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 7 - Still In The Desert
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 2 - Every Available Mile
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 8 - Gateway To The Sierra
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 1
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 19 - Death By Mosquito
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 11- Blizzards, Bailouts, and Beaches
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 14- End Of The Sierra...Sorta
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 5 - Famous Places
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 18 - Crossing Into Oregon
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 15 - Refuel: Food, Beer, and Rest
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Extras & Outtakes
- Post PCT Q&A
- ZPacks Duplex 3,000+ Mile Review
- AT or PCT - Which Trail is Better?
- PCT 2018 Thru-Hike: Episode 21 - Another Beginning’s END
- Gear I Would CHANGE on the PCT
- So, What's Next? The CDT?
- Post PCT Thru-Hike Gear List
- Food on the PCT
- A Quick Message... AT & PCT 50th Anniversary!
- PCT Video Editing Q&A
- Blue Ridge Parkway Bike Tour: Part 1
- EE Torrid APEX Jacket 3,000+ Mile Review
- Blue Ridge Parkway Bike Tour: Part 2
- My Favorite Backpacking Gear of 2018 (Top 10)
- Advice for Future PCT Hikers
- Something A Little Different + GIVEAWAY!
- Total Cost for the PCT, Mental Game, & My “OTHER” Trail Name... Q&A
- Katadyn BeFree 500 Mile Review
- Best Cameras For The Trail?