@LMayofTexas Thank you! I'm happy you've enjoyed them and appreciate you watching them. Which Pa'lante packs do you have? I've found their packs to work really well for me and have been happy with them.
@@matjobin I’ve been using a V2 and I have a desert pack in Ultra. I’m going to check out the new UL soon. It looks like a great pack. My other packs include a Lite AF Curve 30, an Atom Plus, a Nashville Cutaway and a Durston Kakwa 40 for winter gear. The Pa’lante packs are super comfortable. I will say the Nashville Cutaway is very similar and the Durston pack is really nice if I need to take a bear canister.
I replaced my Palante with a Volpi Fastpack. You should check it out. He’s in the process of adding two more shoulder strap pockets, and a bottom pocket. It’s much more comfortable than my V2, and only weighs 11 oz.
SoldierCloudStrife, Nice! I had looked at those packs when I saw Volpi featured on GGG. At 11 oz it sounds like you went with the Ultra 100 material? Looks like a nice pack. I've been very happy with my V2 and have found it to be very comfortable. I'm looking forward to many more miles with it!
@@matjobin I did! After I got it I reached out to him for the customizations because I love it so much. I think you’re in NorCal also? If you have any trips planned and ever want to see it, let me know.
@@CharmingGecko Awesome! I'd be interested to hear how the Ultra 100 works out for you. I'm in New England, but I have some hiking planned out west in the future. Thanks for the offer! I'll let you know.
Thanks for the video! I just got a VERY similar pack. Atompacks Atom30 in 210 Robic Extreema (Gridstop). It has a 25l main compartment and is 14.4oz. I really like the color of yours, mine is the standard black though it pops nicely. Everything else is very similar, the Atom does have two attachment points for a 1'' webbing hip belt or to attach a fanny pack to. Price was $169. Sidebag looks interesting and certainly better than having the fanny pack swing around down there... Enjoy the packs!
Thanks for watching Snfguy! How do you like your Atom30? I had an Atompack a few years ago: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-guQBjOnRZLE.html. I really liked it and I ended up getting some of its characteristics on a custom SWD pack later on. Yeah, the sidebag is great!
@@matjobin I haven't taken it out much tbh. Next year for the Camino or TMB it should be perfect. I did thru hike the PCT with an Atom+ 40l in Liteskin and loved it. Great, versatile pack.
@@pblount007 The Ultralight is an 18” torso and my V2 is a 19” torso, but they make it in a 17” torso too. My Ultralight is about 26L internal capacity and the V2 is around 37L internal capacity. Both packs have a depth of about 5.5” from the front of the pack to the back panel. The width of that back panel tapers on both packs so it’s a bit wider near the top. From seam to seam it’s around 11”. The taper near the bottom of the V2 is around 10” and around 9” on the Ultralight. The shoulder straps taper too. They are around 3” near the shoulders/chest and gradually decrease to 2.5” going down. Thanks for watching. I appreciate it!
Nice review of both the pack and the Sidebag. How do you think the Sidebag would perform in lieu of a Fanny pack when used on the trail with the V2 or Desert Pack? I own both of those packs and am thinking about adding a little volume for shoulder seasons or possibly when carrying a bear canister.
Thanks wanttogo! I've actually used the Sidebag with my V2. So far I've tried clipping mitten hooks to the Sidebag and then the other end to the daisy chain along the shoulder straps of my V2 (similar concept to the HMG Versa with their packs). I found it to carry smaller quick access items well. I currently don't own a Desert pack, but I'd imagine it would work similar.
@@matjobin thanks for the quick response. I was thinking I would sling it across my shoulder, left or right as it’s designed to be worn and possibly add a small cushion pad for the top of the shoulder. Can the strap be separated into its two parts by easing one end back through the buckle? It appears the respective ends are sewn to the bag and only the stabilizing strap is fully removable? Do you think the current Redwood Stretch Woven version would have the most give or stretchiness of the three versions currently offered? Thanks.
@@wanttogo1958 You’re welcome! That sounds like it could be a good option too. I haven’t tried it that way yet though. The top shoulder strap is sewn to each end of the bag, but it can easily be split in half by threading the webbing through the buckle. The top buckle is also the standard G-hook like used on the top strap of the V2 so it can be easily unclipped. The lower stabilizing strap is completely removable with a carabiner style clip on one end and a smaller G-hook on the other end. I think the sidebag with the stretch woven fabric would have more stretch than the gridstop or the Ultra mesh that I have. I’ve found the Ultra mesh to loosen up a little overtime, but still keep things pretty snug and secure. Hope this all helps.
@@matjobin thanks for the details. I may give the Sidebag a try then. I enjoy your content and appreciate all of the effort you put into it. Take care and good luck with your hiking in 2023.
man the sand colour looks much nicer here than it does on their website, it looks more earthy or khaki or something here, on their site it put me off cause it looked like a really weird colour/saturation.
To be off topic, I'm curious how you are finding the Etowah TNT tarp. Is the size treating you well? I asked them about the 9x9 and they kindly listed it. Have you had any puncture problems in the mylar only gaps in the thread pattern?
@drytool, It's not too off topic since I had mentioned it in the video =). I only have 11 nights out using it so far, so it's still too early for me to tell with the limited use. The trip I mentioned in this video got down to the low 20s at night. Aside from some minor frost, the tarp performed beautifully and was easy to work with (I also swapped the guy line from 1.3 mm to 2mm so it was easier to work with while wearing gloves). I also had the tarp out in 40 mph wind gusts and torrential downpours. I had used a half pyramid at that time and it performed well then too. Most of the other conditions I've had it out in so far have been benign with temps in the 30s. The tarp also isn't as translucent as dyneema which is something I wish it had. One of the nights I was out with the tarp was under a full moon and it blocked the brightness greatly, almost giving it a dark orange tint when viewed through the fabric. I haven't experienced any punctures in the mylar yet with packing, pitching and all of the seams/reinforced areas have been holding up well. It still has that plastic sound that I had mentioned in my video of the tarp, but I expect it to soften and get quieter as I continue to use it. Happy to hear that 9x9 is being offered now! It was a customization request I had made when I purchased mine which they kindly accommodated. I've been finding that I really like the 9x9 size for my 5'10" frame and the different pitches it allows. Though I still prefer my 7x9 Zpacks flat tarp for the weight, translucence, material and packability. I don't think that will change, but I'm looking forward to continuing to use the Ultra TNT and seeing the results.
@@matjobin Thanks Mat, very informative. I love your videos and hope your channel continues to grow. The 9x9 is still custom, but, at least it's listed now. I'm guessing that means it is still made to order, so it probably takes a little longer to get one, but not much longer at all, from what Etowah told me.
@@drytool Happy to help. Thank you! I'm happy and humbled by your comment. I really appreciate it. I don't know what their current lead time is, but it took about a week/week and a half for me to get mine.
Thanks wolfeadventures! I'm hoping it does, but only time will tell. Since I always use a Nylofume pack liner, I'm not too concerned. Though it lacks the water resistance of Ultra or DCF, it makes up for it with the better abrasion resistance. I still prefer the Ultra 200 fabric on my V2 though.
