Shelter Backpacks Accessories Materials FAQs Payments About/Photos Bargain Bin

-September 2010- We just started taking orders again for backpacks, shelters, etc. There is currently a waiting list of about 4-6 weeks. Backpack and tent orders are custom built one at a time, but not necessarily in the order received. If you need your gear by a certain date for a trip just let us know and we will make sure it arrives on time. Materials and accessory items are in stock and are shipping in a day or two as usual.  Thanks!  Joe & Sheryl

Materials used in ZPacks Gear

.6 oz/sqyd Cuben Fiber Fabric. This is the material used in in our cuben fiber stuff sacks, tarps, and tents. The material is constructed of a grid of spectra threads laminated to a thin transparent polyester membrane. It is not coated, but it is waterproof. The material has high tensile strength, however the polyester membrane has a bit lower abrasion and puncture resistance than silicone nylon. Very expensive compared to other materials unfortunately! All colors are light and semi see-through. Good for stuff sacks, tarps, and rain gear for those willing to be gentle with their gear. Not recommended for backpacks! Available by the linear yard. The roll width is 54" $26 per yard Color: Leaf GreenWhite Olive Drab 1.5 oz/sqyd Cuben Fiber fabric. This is the material used in the "Blast" backpacks. It has more than twice the spectra thread count of the .6 oz version, and twice as thick a polyester membrane as well. It has very high tensile strength (over 100lbs / inch), and excellent abrasion and puncture resistance. Much stronger than sil-nylon or the .6 oz Cuben fabric. Tip: The spectra threads in Cuben material are aligned vertically and horizontally, but not diagonally. Any pressure points on your gear (pocket corners, strap attachments, loops, etc) need to be reinforced with diagonally aligned material otherwise the vertical and horizontal threads can pull apart. Here is a Video that shows the relative tear strengths of sil-nylon, .6 oz/sqyd cuben, and 1.5 oz/sqyd cuben. Available by the linear yard for those of you wishing to build your own gear. The roll width is 54" $29 per yard Color: Leaf Green click for full size .7 oz/sqyd Ultralight Insect Netting (Nanoseeum). This is the netting used in our Hexamid tents. Regular "No-see-um" bug netting weighs about 1 oz/sqyd. This ultralight version weighs 30% less without noticeable difference in performance. It is sometimes referred to as Nano-see-um. It has extremely small holes which block even the smallest of insects. Available by the linear yard for those of you wishing to build your own gear. The roll width is about 62" $8 per yard Color: Navy Blue   Webbing, buckles, zippers,  silicone nylon, breathable fabric and other materials can be found at www.owfinc.com Patterns, kits, down, synthetic insulation, Dyneema fabric, specialty fabrics, and more can be found at www.thru-hiker.com

Shipping is always just $3.95 in the U.S. Global orders are $9.95 and up.