Zpacks Zero

Good ol' times: Strong UL Dyneema zPacks Bag—highly customizable and 300g / 11 oz with pad and several pouches

Hey, here is my all-time favorite UL bag pack.

It comes from a time when zPacks was still young, creative, and growing, and here they offered high customization options. 

I did customize a specific version, which I still rate higher than all new packs I have tried (e.g. zPacks Nero, HMG 2400, Hyberg...)

Since the other review is quite good, I will only describe the major modifications I ordered.

• In the back: upper and lower DCF captures for a pad
• Hipbelt with strong padding
• Shoulder padding
• Mesh net outside, similar to all new bags like Nero, Arc...
• 2 UL DCF Hip belt pouches
• 2 UL shoulder pouches

I myself did do some MYOG adjustments:

• Velcro and snaps on top of the pack (like most of newer packs have)

Summary:

It is my favorite pack for 2-3 day hiking and currently I use it quite a bit for skiing in backcountry / skitouring.

The Zpacks Zero is a frameless, ultralight, customizable pack made of Cuben Fiber. Consisting of only a pack body and shoulder straps, to begin with, Zpacks allows you to add features, that you deem necessary, to make the pack as full featured (or minimalist) as you’d like.

My favourite options available are the back pocket, the sleeping pad straps, and the key pocket.

If I were looking to omit some features I would leave off the webbing belt and not have the seams taped.

I’ve made a video to highlight the options available, and feature the options that I ordered (and why)...

Quick note on customer service:

My inquires about certain features and customization were all answered incredibly quickly. The various staff members that I emailed with were very patient and helpful in ensuring I was getting the type of pack that i wanted.

The turnaround time from ordering to shipping my pack was quite long, much longer than expected. My pack was ordered June 10, 2015, and shipped Sept 4, 2015 (over 12 weeks). I did know there was going to be a wait period, but at the time of order the site was quoting anywhere from 6-8 weeks, so almost double the stated time. I also was never given an update on expected shipping date or production time after ordering, so you’re kinda out in the cold on that one.

The only pack I need.

I paid $120 for mine, about 10 years ago now.

I can't kill it.

If I'm not using it on-trail I'm using it for my Big City life, going to CostCo and the library and everywhere with it.

Simple ruck. It has a couple of detachable mesh pockets on the straps and one big stretchy mesh pocket across the front of the pack.

Despite having a closet full of packs this is the only one I use.