"Samurai" Joe's Current Pack List
"Samurai" Joe Valesko
Joe Valesko founded Zpacks out of his apartment in 2005. He has been designing and testing all of our gear ever since.
A Triplecrowner, Joe has over 10,000 long distance miles under his belt, including the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Continental Divide Trail, Te Araroa, Tour du Mont Blanc and much more.
You can check out a complete list of Joe's Adventures here.
Plex Solo Tent
$599.00Weight 11.7 oz (332 g)The lightest of the light, our sub-12oz Plex Solo is easily the lightest full-featured one-person tent in the world. Designed for adventurers who value weight but aren't willing to sacrifice performance or comfort, the Plex Solo is the ultimate shelter for weight-conscious hikers looking to redefine boundaries and push limits.
Easily pitching with a single 52" (132 cm) trekking pole or tent pole, the Plex Solo Lite has a small footprint that can squeeze into the tightest backcountry campsites.
Available in two different Dyneema® Composite Fabric canopy and floor weights.
Plex Solo Tent
-
Features
Sleeps 1
-
Set Up
1 Trekking Pole or 52" Tent Pole
-
Floor Size
28" to 38" x 90" (71 to 97cm x 2.3m)
-
Weight
11.7 oz / 332 g
Arc Haul Ultra 60L Backpack
$399.00Weight 21.6 oz (611 g)I’m on the Appalachian Trail right now for the last 30 days and am 100% happy so far. Awesome pack. Probably best on trail.
The Arc Haul Ultra backpack is designed for comfort and durability at an unbeatable weight. Made from Ultra 100X material, the Arc Haul is innovatively designed for long days between resupply. Whether you are thru-hiking or out for a week, this ultralight backpack is a workhorse from the Sierras to the Smokies.
Transfer your pack’s weight to your hips with our curved carbon fiber Arc Frame system, and enjoy the air gap between your back and the pack to keep you cool.
Dial in the perfect fit with our patented adjustable torso height, interchangeable shoulder straps and belts, and tons of modular add-ons. The Arc Haul Ultra will allow you to tackle long days on the trail with a durable ultralight backpack designed to fit you.




Arc Haul Ultra 60L Backpack
-
Capacity
60L
-
Features
Curved Arc Frame | Adjustable Torso | Interchangeable Belt and Straps
-
Material
Ultra 100X
-
Weight
22 oz / 624 g
Shoulder Pouch
$32.95Weight 0.63 oz (18 g)Keeps your cell phone secure and handy when you need it for navigation or to take a picture. Pouch weighs next to nothing; a must for every serious hiker. I highly recommend this product.
Shoulder Pouches are the ideal place to keep your small camera or phone in reach for taking quick photos. The main compartment of the shoulder pouches are a good size for your wallet, car keys, map, headlamp, mittens, sunglasses, candy bars, pack towel, GPS, or any other items you would like to have within easy reach. The pouches carry comfortably on your shoulder, and you will hardly notice them there.
The small exterior mesh pocket can be used to store your small items like lip balm, emergency whistle, or a compass.
Belt Pouch
$32.95Weight 0.85 oz (24 g)The belt pouches on Zpacks are one of the many selling points for their products. They are roomy, easy to access and are superior to that offered on any other pack I've used!
Be prepared for whatever the trail may bring by keeping your essentials close in hand with our belt pouches. These pouches clip securely to a padded belt, like on our Arc backpacks. There is plenty of space for a headlamp, folded maps, snacks, hat and gloves, gadgets, you name it.
If your backpack has a webbing belt, try Belt Pouches with Pads.
6.4" Carbon Fiber Stake
$4.50Weight 0.22 oz (6.2 g)Easy to place into all terrain. Great holding capability.
Increased surface area make these Carbon Fiber Stakes a great choice for soft terrain. Made with a Carbon Fiber shaft with a metal tip and metal end cap, these stakes have the best holding power to weight ratio of any of the stakes we carry. These stakes have an orange cord through the end to make them easy to see and easy to pull out of the ground.
The thick diameter allows them to grip the ground better than thin titanium. These are excellent in loose soil, and they have also proven to be very functional in typical dirt. On packed ground or on bedrock lay them sideways and anchor with rocks.
These are the only stakes that can reliably be carried through airport security. We have carried these stakes through US airport security a dozen times with no issues. Our experience with metal stakes is they are confiscated about half the time. Please report if you have any trouble with these.
Stake Sack
$14.95Weight 0.12 oz (3.4 g)It’s nice to my stakes, which are always pop up and get loose from the top.
Keep your stakes organized, and protect your tent from punctures and dirt with this durable stake sack. This stake sack is constructed from extra thick 1.6 oz/sqyd Dyneema® Composite Fabric to prevent punctures. Fold the top down over your stakes and use the shock cord drawstring to keep them snug like a rubber band.
Travel Utility Zip
$49.95Weight 0.92 oz (26 g)Its greater thickness and single zip access affords easy drop in holstering of my Galaxy Note 8 with cover into the “main” compartment, and its secondary compartment allowed for my passport and vaccination card. The third compartment worked for storing cash and my ticket/boarding pass.
Our ultralight Travel Utility Zip keeps your most important items secure and in easy reach while on the move. A zippered compartment allows you to keep your essentials organized and features separate internal pockets for your passport, Field Notes, and a pen.
The Travel Utility Zip is a great place to keep your phone, plane ticket, cash and headphones while on the go.
An adjustable neck strap makes sure your critical items never fall out of your Travel Utility Zip or get left behind.
Need a different size? Check out the rest of our Zip Pouch collection.
Find more of our Crossover Collection here.
Medium-Plus Pillow Dry Bag
$59.95Weight 1.6 oz (46 g)It worked very well on a recent three day weekend trip. Just what I was looking for to help cut down on weight and also be multifunctional.
Bring a pillow on every adventure you take without adding extra weight or bulk. Identical in size to the Medium-Plus Dry Bag, our Medium-Plus Pillow features soft micro fleece sewn to one half of the interior. Simply flip the dry bag inside out (as shown) and fill it with your spare clothes and gear to use as a pillow!
Need a different size? Check out the Medium Pillow or the rest of our Dry Bag collection.

Medium-Plus Pillow Dry Bag
-
Dimensions
7" x 13" (18 x 33 cm)
-
Volume
500 in³ (8.2 Liters)
-
Weight
1.6 oz / 46 g
Zpacks Octa Fleece Hoody - Pullover
$119.00Weight 4.7 oz (134 g)From alpine ascents to campsite relaxation, the ultralight Octa® Fleece Hoody redefines what a fleece can do. Built with advanced Octa® fleece, it delivers exceptional durability, breathability, and a warmth-to-weight ratio that’s hard to beat.
Featuring a soft, fluffy interior for unmatched comfort, a half-zip for quick temperature control, and a fitted hood to lock out the cold the Octa® Fleece Hoody is designed for performance and versatility.
The spacious kangaroo pocket is perfectly positioned for use with a backpack belt, keeping essentials or trail snacks within easy reach.
Also available in a full-zip version.
Check out the rest of our Octa® Fleece Collection here.
Men's Vertice Rain Jacket
$299.00Weight 5.4 oz (152 g)Could be the best rain jacket on the market. Keeps you dry from the rain outside and dry on the inside as it is very breathable.
When the skies are overcast and the rain is pouring down, our ultralight Vertice Rain Jacket offers superior protection and breathability. Our Vertice material is optimized to be lightweight without compromising on durability, and it is among the lightest possible choices for waterproof hyper-breathable rain gear.
Also available in Women's Sizes.
Be sure to check out the rest of our Vertice Rain Gear.



Zpacks Men's Vertice Rain Pants
$149.00Weight 2.5 oz (72 g)Kept me dry in a heavy downpour and they are so small I can pack them along just in case.
Master the elements with the Men’s Vertice Rain Pants. Gone are the days of getting soaked with hot, humid and unventilated rain gear. Our Vertice Rain Gear Collection is optimized to be lightweight without compromising on durability, or breathability, and it is among the lightest possible choices for waterproof hyper-breathable rain gear.
Also available in Women's Sizes.
Vertice Rain Mitts
$69.95Weight 0.74 oz (21 g)They performed quite well on first try hiking in snow and rain mix. Hands were warm and dry while hiking with trekking poles.
Cold, rainy hikes are no match for our Vertice Rain Mitts. Our Vertice fabric is optimized to be lightweight without compromising on durability, and it is among the lightest possible choices for waterproof-breathable rain gear.
Be sure to check out the rest of our Vertice Rain Gear.
Zpacks Ventum Wind Shell Jacket
$119.95Weight 1.9 oz (55 g)Amazingly light but cuts the wind and holds the heat in with a layer underneath!
The right layer can make all the difference. That's why the Ventum Wind Shell is purpose-built for those moments when a base layer alone isn’t enough, but an insulated jacket would be overkill.
A whisper-light layer that blocks the bite of the wind while staying highly breathable on the move, the Ventum Wind Shell starts at just under 2 ounces and disappears into your pack until you need it.
Pairs well with an Octa Fleece Hoody to cut the wind and trap in warmth. Ounce for ounce the Ventum Wind Shell has the best warmth to weight ratio of anything we sell.Whether you’re logging miles on a thru-hike or pushing big days in unpredictable weather, the Ventum Wind Shell keeps you focused on the journey, not your layers.
Zpacks Octa Fleece Hat
$29.95Weight 0.63 oz (18 g)The Zpacks Octa® Fleece hat delivers impressive warmth without the bulk, ensuring you stay cozy whether you're tackling a windy trail or your morning commute.
Ultralight by design and featuring a double layer of fleece around the ears, this hat locks in heat where it matters most while remaining breathable and easy to pack. Warmth without compromise—no matter where the day takes you.
For a heavier weight 4 season option, check out our Brushtail Possum Beanie.
Check out the rest of our Octa® Fleece Collection here.
Zpacks Octa Fleece Neck Gaiter
$29.95Weight 0.69 oz (19.5 g)When the morning air has more bite than your trail mix, the Zpacks Octa® Neck Gaiter has your back (and your neck, face, and occasionally your hair). This ultralight wonder isn’t just a gaiter, it’s a shape-shifting sidekick ready to tackle whatever the trail throws at you.
Need warmth? Done. Sunburn defense? Check. Bad hair day camouflage? Absolutely. Think of it as a multi-tool for your head except way softer, lighter, and less likely to pinch your fingers.
Check out the rest of our Octa® Fleece Collection here.
Conductive Brushtail Possum Gloves
$29.95Weight 1.3 oz (36 g)Excellent! I have the worst circulation and have tried literally every glove and mitten on the market. My hands and fingertips freeze within a few minutes of being in the cold wether it's mild or below zero. These gloves keep my fingertips warm! I do not have to wear anything else.
Winter weather can be harsh, but when the digits drop yours don’t have to feel the chill. Made from a combination of New Zealand's brushtail possum fur, and New Zealand Merino lamb's wool, these Brushtail Possum gloves provide plenty of warmth when you need it most.
Featuring conductive ends on both the index finger and thumb, these gloves will allow you to use your smartphone and other touch screen devices without having to remove them.
These gloves are a great companion to the Brushtail Possum Socks, and can be used as a liner under our Vertice Rain Mitts
*Gloves are non-returnable if they have been removed from the packaging.Brushtail Possum Socks
$29.95Weight 3 oz (85 g)These are absolutely the warmest socks. I take them backpacking to put on when I get into camp and they keep my feet toasty.
When the campfire just isn’t enough to keep you warm and your feet need a little extra help heating up, Brushtail Possum Socks are an ultralight must have. Made from a combination of New Zealand's brushtail possum fur, and New Zealand Merino lamb's wool, these socks are sure to keep your toes nice and toasty.
These socks are very thick and warm! They are rugged enough to hike in on cold days, and they also make excellent sleep socks. They are great for winter sports as well.
For extra warmth pair these socks with our Brushtail Possum Gloves!
*Socks are non-returnable if they have been removed from the packaging.
Medium-Plus Dry Bag
$37.95Weight 0.71 oz (20 g)Perfect size for my 40-degree sleeping bag and the clothes I sleep in. Fits perfectly into the Arc Blast sideways. I love how all of the Zpack bags keep my Arc Blast organized and tight to my back, and I never have to worry about anything getting wet!!
Keep your gear dry and dust-free without adding any more weight than you have to. This size will fit multiple clothing items or an average-sized ultralight sleeping bag. It fits well horizontally in most backpacks.
Need a different size? Check out the rest of our Dry Bag collection.
Medium-Plus Dry Bag
-
Dimensions
7" x 13" (18 x 33 cm)
-
Volume
500 in³ (8.2 Liters)
-
Weight
0.71 oz / 20 g
Carbon Fiber Staff
$99.95Weight 8.2 oz (232 g)The staff is a delight. It’s sturdy, light and easily packed. We’ve tried to think of ways that it might be improved, but we’ve come up short and will just have to keep thinking.
Our Carbon Fiber Staff allows you to support your full weight using two hands on rough terrain, while keeping one hand free on more moderate sections. This staff is an ultralight, extremely strong alternative to Zpacks Trekking Poles. It can fold down for compact packing, or can be folded to the correct height to prop up any of our tents.
A5 Hat Clip Flashlight (USB-C)
$36.95Weight 0.78 oz (22 g)The RovyVon Aurora A5 is the minimalist headlamp that ultralight hikers have been dreaming of. The A5 can be clipped to a hat brim for hands free night hiking or reading, or toggle to lantern mode to light up your whole tent with red or white light.
The clip can also connect to our clasp lock trekking poles to light up the ground when night hiking, or to light up your tent when the trekking pole is used as a tent support.
The clip is magnetic and can be stuck to our magnet tent door toggles on tent models that have them, or to other metal surfaces.The RovyVon A5 features a 330mAh battery with USB-C charging.
