Shameless plug: Paradox Evolution review on BPL

[DaveC]

Back in August Nathan from Paradox contacted me about reviewing their new pack. I used it all hunting season from September through December, putting a bit over 300 miles on it (including some plain backpacking trips, and some training/testing dayhikes).

My review was published earlier this week over on BackpackingLight:

You will need to either be a member and buy the article to read it.

In summary, I found the pack outstanding. The articulating frame, which is flexible at low loads and rigid at big ones, is the real deal, which I did not expect. I'm not aware of any other pack which comes close to doing the same, and that achievement alone would merit very high marks. Thankfully there's more. The hipbelt was exceptional, especially for someone like me with no butt and little in the way of hips. The construction quality is very high, the materials cutting edge, and the design has just enough features to do whatever you want (I tested the VX-21 4800 bag and Base Talon). Paradox has since fixed my two main issues (shoulder harness padding and the need for a stiffener in the rolltop). For my style of backpack hunting, I can't think of much it doesn't do, and do very well.

 

[5MilesBack]

When you say they addressed the shoulder harness padding issue, does that mean that they have more padding now? I've had mine since Sept as well, I might have to look into the more padding.

 

[DaveC]

My feedback was more pliable padding and slightly wider overall.

 

[RockChucker30]

The V2 harness is a bit wider, has a little different foam and we faced it with 3d mesh. All of those improve comfort IMO.

Dave you did a great job with the review. The level of detail is amazing.

Nathan

 

[flatfoot]

Best review ever. Provided detailed analysis, showed salient comparisons and noted weakness of review. Thanks for your work.

 

[kickemall]

Best review ever. Provided detailed analysis, showed salient comparisons and noted weakness of review. Thanks for your work.

I have to agree, incredible detail. One thing bothered me, and maybe you can clear that up, is the following quote, "Of course, none of these weight saving details matter if the pack doesn’t carry big load well." The Paradox Evolution does this significantly better than the others." Which others? You listed a Kifaru Bikini and a Mystery Ranch pack are those the ones your referring to? More importantly, you stated that you never packed more than 80 lbs. so is that quote based on 80 lbs. and no more? I'm really not doubting that the Paradox is at least equal to the others just wondering how you came to that conclusion with 80 lb. loads and compared to what. Once again, excellent reveiw and thank you for dong it.

 

[DaveC]

One thing bothered me, and maybe you can clear that up, is the following quote, "Of course, none of these weight saving details matter if the pack doesn’t carry big load well." The Paradox Evolution does this significantly better than the others." Which others? You listed a Kifaru Bikini and a Mystery Ranch pack are those the ones your referring to? More importantly, you stated that you never packed more than 80 lbs. so is that quote based on 80 lbs. and no more? I'm really not doubting that the Paradox is at least equal to the others just wondering how you came to that conclusion with 80 lb. loads and compared to what.

Good catch. That phrase shouldn't be there. Best I can recall, it's an artifact from an early draft when I compared the Paradox to hunting packs and backpacking packs in one segment. That was too clumsy, and I split the section into two and expanded each. I presume I must have been talking about why the extra weight of the Paradox might be worthwhile when compared to something like a ULA Catalyst. I should have edited more closely there.

Thanks for reading, and reading well.

 

[kickemall]

Thanks DaveC. It was a good read and very worthwhile review. Take care.

 

[Ramcam]

Excellant review on BPL Dave best i have ever seen.And you sold me on the hipbelt i have the same issues.

 

[Manosteel]

Sounds like a good review too bad I will never read it... Unless you post it here

 

[5MilesBack]

Hey Dave, on the hipbelt thing........do you have a problem with the 3 piece belts with pad? I too have no butt and possibly flat back, and cannot stand a lumbar pad. So just wondering if it's an anatomical thing.

 

[DaveC]

Hey Dave, on the hipbelt thing........do you have a problem with the 3 piece belts with pad? I too have no butt and possibly flat back, and cannot stand a lumbar pad. So just wondering if it's an anatomical thing.

I don't have a huge sample size, but I think it might be. The Dana Arcflex I used to have required me to cinch the belt tighter than was strictly comfortable with loads above 45 pounds (or so). For loads 40 pounds and under, my normal lightweight backpacking packs with belt and lumbar pad seem to work just fine.

 

[luke moffat]

Great review Dave. Followed your stuff on BPL for 4 or 5 years now. Always enjoy your thoughts on things!

 

[Mike7]

Unable to read the full review, but read all about the Paradox Pack design from the website, and find the the whole description of the "non-3 piece" belt interesting. Sounds more like a design similar to my old Dana Designs pack and my wife's Golite pack.

I wonder if the kind of belt one does best with has to do with anatomy as stated above (I don't have a flat back). And I wonder if some companies just execute certain belts better whether they are 3 piece or not.

I have had a few packs over the years with various different belt types (Dana Designs, Kelty, Camp Trails, Kifaru are the ones I can think of) but so far have never been able to carry a heavy load comfortably (over 80 lbs) without a good lumbar pad. In fact, I had to add some closed cell foam to my Kelty Tioga external frame in the past for carrying game (it felt great below 80 lbs though).

 

[RockChucker30]

Anatomy has a part to play in whether a particular belt works for you or not, but the larger piece is how the frame and belt are designed.

Three piece belts generally load transfer to the lumbar, meaning that if you don't have a lot of curve in your lumbar to resist that load then the belt will deform and slip. This causes discomfort at heavy weights.

The load transfer on our belt is spread out and a combination of other small but important design elements means the belt doesn't deform or slip under heavy loads.

In short, a three piece belt will work fine for some back profiles, and not work as well for others. Our belt should work for nearly any back profile.