Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra

The Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra carries weight well because of how it transfers pack weight to the hips. The pack has two curved carbon fiber stays that run down both sides of the pack and, with use of the load lifters, transfers weight from the shoulder straps to the hipbelt. Horizontal carbon fiber stays help stabilize the load.

Zpacks rates the Arc Haul to carry 18.1 kg (40 lb) and I have carried 15.9 to 18.1 kg (35 to 40 lb) in the Arc Haul many times comfortably. The adjustable torso also helps the Arc Haul carry weight well, because a pack that fits well carries weight more effectively.

The shoulder straps are S-shaped and very comfortable. The hipbelt uses thin and light foam, but it is comfortable enough for an ultralight pack. The hipbelt hugs the hips nicely and carries weight well. The hipbelt uses dual pull-forward straps on each side, so you can tighten the top and bottom of the belt separately. I would prefer a single pull per side for ease of use.

The back of the pack has a suspended mesh panel that holds the pack away from the back and lets air move along the back, which helps anyone who sweats a lot. With a full load, my back pushes the mesh in until it touches the pack, which pretty much eliminates the benefit of the mesh panel.

Overall, the Arc Haul is very comfortable for an ultralight pack.

The Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra has an adjustable torso. The shoulder straps sit on a strap that works like a conveyor belt, so they can be moved up or down to change the torso length. It comes in three frame sizes: short fits a 40.6 to 48.3 cm (16 to 19 in) torso, medium fits a 48.3 to 58.4 cm (19 to 23 in) torso, and tall fits a 58.4 to 66 cm (23 to 26 in) torso.

Each shoulder strap can also be adjusted on its own. Independent adjustment helps anyone with one shoulder lower than the other fine-tune the fit. The conveyor-belt system is the lightest torso adjustment system I have used that still works well. The shoulder straps are interchangeable and come in a standard length, small length, and vest-style. The vest-style straps provide more contact with the body for when using the pack without a hipbelt, has three built-in pockets per strap, but weighs 90 g (3.2 oz) more than the standard straps.

The hipbelt is interchangeable and comes in four sizes. Small fits 63.5 to 76.2 cm (25 to 30 in) hips, medium fits 76.2 to 88.9 cm (30 to 35 in), large fits 88.9 to 101.6 cm (35 to 40 in), and extra large fits 101.6 to 139.7 cm (40 to 55 in).

The side pockets on the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra are easy to use and can store two 1 L water bottles each. I can reach back, grab a bottle, take a drink, and put it back while hiking. With many packs I cannot reach my water bottles in the side pockets easily while hiking.

The large mesh front pocket has a moderate amount of space for storing gear. Wet gear dries well in it because air moves through the mesh more than if the pocket was made of a solid stretchy fabric.

Hipbelt pockets and shoulder strap pockets are both sold separately as add-ons. I use a small shoulder strap pocket to carry bear spray and always use two hipbelt pockets. I think hipbelt pockets should be included with the pack instead of needing to be purchased separately. Two cinchable loops on the bottom of the pack are great for storing a camp chair or closed-cell foam mat. The Arc Haul has no dedicated hydration sleeve but a drinking tube can run out the corner of the roll top.

The roll top closure lets me adjust the volume. The 50L version holds 37 L in the main body. Extending the roll top adds room for more gear. Rolling it down compresses the pack when I carry less gear.

The Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra is made with Ultra 100X fabric. Ultra fabric has a woven UHMWPE face laminated to a waterproof backing. I have found it very durable and after a full summer as one of my main packs, it shows no wear.

Zpacks has had a reputation for durability problems with its packs, especially previous versions of the Arc Haul. Zpacks has worked hard to improve the finish and long-term durability of its gear and out of 205 reviews for Arc Haul packs on Zpacks’ site, none of them mention durability issues. I think Zpacks has addressed durability issues with their recent products.

The Arc Haul is still an ultralight pack and the buckles, straps, and other small parts are not robust. It is not the right pack for anyone who does not take care of their gear or who carries a lot of weight on long expeditions. I have carried 18.1 kg (40 lb) in it, but doing that often will put a lot of stress on the pack.

Zpacks covers defects in materials and workmanship with a two-year limited warranty. A pack that is cared for will last a long time.

The fabric on the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra is waterproof and all of the seams are taped. I still use a pack liner but I do not need a pack cover to keep water out of the fabric.

The Arc Haul is modular. The hipbelt and shoulder straps can be swapped between sizes and for different options. Hipbelt pockets, shoulder strap pockets, and numerous other accessories can be added. The side compression straps and the top and base straps are removable. I rarely use the compression straps on the 50 L version because I usually fill the pack.

There are very few ultralight packs with a ventilated back and the Arc Haul does a decent job of keeping your back from getting sweaty. The effectiveness of the ventilation is reduced when the pack is filled though.

The adjustable torso and independently adjustable shoulder straps are the most innovative features. They give a custom fit at a very low weight.

The Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 50L, made with Ultra fabric and hipbelt pockets attached, weighs 715 g (1.6 lb) on my scale. Zpacks advertises it at 626 g (1.4 lb) for the medium torso and medium hipbelt but that does not include the hipbelt pockets, which weigh 24 g (0.8 oz) each.

The carbon fiber frame and Ultra fabric keep the weight low. The hipbelt, frame, and foam on the shoulder straps make up most of the weight, and they are also what make the pack comfortable.

The Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra excels at comfort, adjustability, and features for an ultralight pack. It carries 18.1 kg (40 lb) at a very low weight.

The Arc Haul is the pack I bring when I want a balance of ultralight gear and a few comfort items. It is for the hiker who wants a full featured ultralight pack and is willing to pay a high price for it. It is not for anyone who does not take care of their gear.