Custom Bag with Dyneema

[Ten Bears]

Has anyone had a custom bag made with Dyneema ? I would like to make a modified SG 6200 SA in Dyneema with waterproof zippers and a custom back mount for my bow/with right side zip nalgene holder.

After seeing the really nice custom bag Rugged put together for someone on here my head has been spinning with ideas.

What grade Dyneema would be needed for a solid built pack ? And what kind of weight saving could I get by switching fabric, if possible ?

 

[AK Troutbum]

Last year I put together a semi custom CF bag for a SG frame. I just wanted something as light as possible for my son to use on his sheep hunt, so I bought a dry bag from Zpacks and had a few modifications made to it so it would strap onto a SG frame and still keep the load sling option for hauling meat while also hauling gear in the pack/bag. For comparison, the bag itself is approx. the same size as the Sky5900 main bag.
http://www.zpacks.com/accessories/airplane_case.shtml

For something more durable though, you probably need to go with some kind of composite fabric hybrid.

 

[Ten Bears]

I was hoping you would chime in, when I search through threads regarding dyneema you always have quality input and experience. That bag was the exact sq/yd specs I was looking at for a bag, thanks for saving me the trouble of finding out it's a tad under-tough.

Do you have any recommendations of another fabric that I could use for this project that could shave a bit of weight?

 

[AKShooter]

I've made about 10 bags the last couple years, looking for the weight savings you speak too. By far the lightest option was with the DF composite fabric. The XPac's are nice too. Both are waterproof, both can be tapped.

But what I'll offer is zippers, pockets, webbing, buckles account for most of the weight believe it or not. My DF for the new stone glacier pack is rolltop, no zippers, uses the lightweight webbing where need. It weighs ounces, guessing in to 10 range for a multi-day sheep pack. It is a top loader, but only way you are really going to get much weight savings. Takes about 2 yards to make a pack. So a DF at 3.0 per yd, VS the cordura at 6 per, is only 6 ounces.

Bag below, only webbing is at attachments, using the speed buckles, back does match to the SG frame, just not pictured. Not my first choice for alder bashing, it will puncture fairly easy, but tapes just as easy too

 

[AK Troutbum]

I was hoping you would chime in, when I search through threads regarding dyneema you always have quality input and experience. That bag was the exact sq/yd specs I was looking at for a bag, thanks for saving me the trouble of finding out it's a tad under-tough.

Do you have any recommendations of another fabric that I could use for this project that could shave a bit of weight?

You might be surprised at just how tough that airplane bag is. There are several manufactures of Dyneema/hybrid packs and you might be able to get one of the manufactures to customize something for you, I don't know. Here are a few worth looking at though.
https://mountainlaureldesigns.com/shop/packs/
https://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/collections/packs
https://www.gossamergear.com/collections/all
https://www.yamamountaingear.com/backpacks/
http://www.zpacks.com/backpacks.shtml

Zpacks also sells fabric.
http://www.zpacks.com/materials/waterproof-fabric.shtml

 

[AK Troutbum]

I've made about 10 bags the last couple years, looking for the weight savings you speak too. By far the lightest option was with the DF composite fabric. The XPac's are nice too. Both are waterproof, both can be tapped.

But what I'll offer is zippers, pockets, webbing, buckles account for most of the weight believe it or not. My DF for the new stone glacier pack is rolltop, no zippers, uses the lightweight webbing where need. It weighs ounces, guessing in to 10 range for a multi-day sheep pack. It is a top loader, but only way you are really going to get much weight savings. Takes about 2 yards to make a pack. So a DF at 3.0 per yd, VS the cordura at 6 per, is only 6 ounces.

Bag below, only webbing is at attachments, using the speed buckles, back does match to the SG frame, just not pictured. Not my first choice for alder bashing, it will puncture fairly easy, but tapes just as easy too

That looks great right there!
Here’s what I did with the airplane bag.

And here’s what it looked like right before packing in.

We did a fair amount of bushwhacking, and here’s what it looked like packing out.

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[Beendare]

I have a 10-12yr old McHale that has the bottom and back panels and shoulder straps of Dyneema...its bulletproof, literally. Wears like iron...and squirrels can't chew through it [like my old MR cordura pack I dropped on a stalk]

Now Dan has been making packs for many years and this isn't the same Dyneema tent type fabric I've seen on the fabric sites, its woven tight and without the mylar backing.

 

[Kevin_t]

We have built some packs with the 2.92 ounce variant . Durability was not up to what we were looking for long term. IMO the best of the lightweights that does not break the bank is X21RC ( which is our gray fabric ) that we use on the divide / Unaweep etc

A lot of weight is in zippers and pockets.

Pure Dyneema or spectra is tuff stuff . We built a few pure woven spectra packs for the Spectra brand for the ISPO show in Germany.

Here is a short vid

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[Jimbob]

If you do some research on lightweight DIY packs you'll get loads of info on different fabrics. I am going to purchase a Kifaru frame and sew my own pack. I am choosing fabrics based on cost, weight, durability. Ultimately a mix of those will determine what I buy.

Like mentioned above weight really adds up from buckles, straps and zippers. You can save just about 0.5 ozs if you switch from a 1"side release buckle to a 3/4" gatekeeper, plus the 3/4" strap will save a bit of weight over the 1".

So a simple roll top bag with as few straps and pockets as possible is how you can save significant weight.

Look-up xpac varieties to compare weight and durability, then compare with 500d cordura and dyneema varieties.

I liked the specs of X21RC but the waterproof coating is not as durable as VX21.

I am going to make a bag for a kifaru lite frame and I will use VX21. It seems durable enough and it gives me some weight savings over the 500d plus its waterproof.

 

[Kevin_t]

The waterproof coating is 2x as think on X21RC but it has no scrim . The scrim does not save the coating it adds stitch holding for barracks etc ... however if you stick everything in the seam as we do then there is no issue . Besides who would want a bunch of barracks on a waterproof material


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[Jimbob]

The waterproof coating is 2x as think on X21RC but it has no scrim . The scrim does not save the coating it adds stitch holding for barracks etc ... however if you stick everything in the seam as we do then there is no issue . Besides who would want a bunch of barracks on a waterproof material


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Man, I just need to keep reading, always more info available. I read a few reports of the .5 mil layer of X21RC "wearing out" but that sounds like it is an isolated thing. Do you think the scrim would protect against abrasion if for some reason that was happening on the inside of a pack?

Also, what materials are you using for your large packs (broadwing/saker)? X42?

 

[Ten Bears]

That looks great right there!
Here’s what I did with the airplane bag.

And here’s what it looked like right before packing in.

We did a fair amount of bushwhacking, and here’s what it looked like packing out.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

First off, CONGRATS to you and your son. That must have been an incredible trip.

Nice job on fitting that Zpacks to the SG frame.

 

[Ten Bears]

Thanks all for the replies.

I have dug through all the links and a few more (dyneema project, rocky woods, seattle fabrics) and I am going to have to read more about this. Looking for a solid combo of weight savings with durability. Cost really isn't a factor as I am looking at this like it's a long term bag based on coming to terms with what I want in a bag after a couple years trying new stuff.

Some of the reading is over my head on the differences between the fabrics so I might order some samples to get hands on them.

Do you guys recommend anyone to sew up and help design a custom bag ?

 

[mrbillbrown]

Thanks all for the replies.

I have dug through all the links and a few more (dyneema project, rocky woods, seattle fabrics) and I am going to have to read more about this. Looking for a solid combo of weight savings with durability. Cost really isn't a factor as I am looking at this like it's a long term bag based on coming to terms with what I want in a bag after a couple years trying new stuff.

Some of the reading is over my head on the differences between the fabrics so I might order some samples to get hands on them.

Do you guys recommend anyone to sew up and help design a custom bag ?

Give David at Native Textiles a shout. He's done custom pack work and modifications for several of us and his work is excellent.

 

[Kevin_t]

Man, I just need to keep reading, always more info available. I read a few reports of the .5 mil layer of X21RC "wearing out" but that sounds like it is an isolated thing. Do you think the scrim would protect against abrasion if for some reason that was happening on the inside of a pack?

Also, what materials are you using for your large packs (broadwing/saker)? X42?

X42 on the larger , x33 and x50 are great options as well

Occasionally the laminate can develop some bubbling , but it is not really something that affects any certain one . They are good at replacing it as well. Some people prefer the white scrim for looks but reality is at least how we build packs it isn't needed ... and if I wanted to add a couple ounces to a pack I'd favor a heavier face fabric for the weight . X33 and vx21 weigh about the same ... but I'd take the performance of x33 all day long on rocks . VX21 or X21 are great for general stuff and bushwhacking but not ripe hauls / talus scree



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[fngTony]

Thanks all for the replies.

I have dug through all the links and a few more (dyneema project, rocky woods, seattle fabrics) and I am going to have to read more about this. Looking for a solid combo of weight savings with durability. Cost really isn't a factor as I am looking at this like it's a long term bag based on coming to terms with what I want in a bag after a couple years trying new stuff.

Some of the reading is over my head on the differences between the fabrics so I might order some samples to get hands on them.

Do you guys recommend anyone to sew up and help design a custom bag ?

If you search the backpacking lite podcast they have an interview with someone explaining dcf fabrics. Way over my head but a couple listens and it starts to sink in.

 

[Jimbob]

X42 on the larger , x33 and x50 are great options as well

Occasionally the laminate can develop some bubbling , but it is not really something that affects any certain one . They are good at replacing it as well. Some people prefer the white scrim for looks but reality is at least how we build packs it isn't needed ... and if I wanted to add a couple ounces to a pack I'd favor a heavier face fabric for the weight . X33 and vx21 weigh about the same ... but I'd take the performance of x33 all day long on rocks . VX21 or X21 are great for general stuff and bushwhacking but not ripe hauls / talus scree



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Great stuff. Thanks Kevin.



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