Stone Glacier - Side Zip Mod

[Yellowknife]

One of my concerns when I started using a Stone Glacier Terminus, was the access to the daily use gear. With only two small pockets, my spotting scopes, lunch, jacket, etc. end up in the main bag. The Solo pack has an awesome panel loading system the makes all that stuff easy to get at, but the Terminus is a top loader, and you are forced to dig to get things. Not a huge deal in truth, but not the handiest system either. One possible option is to add pockets, but I really like the streamlined, simple design and wanted to retain that as much as possible. My goal was just to make access to the main bag easier.

I've never been a fan of the "sleeping bag compartment" type zippers on packs. Just never had a need to rapidly access my sleeping bag I guess. However, I do have a Sitka Bivy pack that was given to me a while back that has a vertical side zipper, and I really really like that feature. After a little debate with myself as to the best location, I decided to add a 16" zipper to the left side.



Zipper is a #8 Ykk and should be pretty sturdy. When I really have it stuffed, the compression straps should help take the pressure off.



Now my 85mm spotting scope can slip inside when used in day hunting mode, and I can easily access my commonly used gear without hanging pockets on the outside.



The pack weighed in at 3 lbs, 15 oz before the mod, and 4 lb 0 oz after, so the weight penalty was minimal. I did give up some water resistance on that side, and a water resistant zipper may have been a better choice, but I didn't have one handy so a #8 YKK it was. Since I can't sew to save my life, a local shop put it in for me in less than an hour. Based on my previous experience with vertical zippers, I'm pretty sure I'm to like it.

Yk

 

[Jager]

Good move YN, that is the one thing I wasn't keen on, although I am a fan of a sleeping bag compartment, preferably accessed from the side.

 

[Darren Best]

I wish he had made the Terminus a panel loader too, it's one of my favorite features of the Solo.

 

[Matt Cashell]

This is awesome!

I have considered doing the same thing.

 

[blb078]

I actually thought about this too, but I couldn't see how it would be more efficient for me. Either way I'd be undoing two compression straps whether it's from the top or the side and I'd still have to dig around to find something. I found it easier just to stick w/the top because if something was on the opposite side of the side entry I'd still have to move things around or take stuff out to access it unless I put a zipper on each side which I thought about too, but I kind of like the simplicity of the top loading.

 

[fillthefreezer]

thats a great idea! i have a climbing pack that has side "slash zips" and it does make getting to rain gear and stuff easier than digging if you pack smart

 

[Matt Cashell]

I agree FTF, side zips, and panel access are awesome, IMO.

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

I like it, have considered it for my Longhunter.

 

[bbrown]

I like it - curious how much they charged you to sew that in? It looks very well done.

 

[Yellowknife]

I actually thought about this too, but I couldn't see how it would be more efficient for me. Either way I'd be undoing two compression straps whether it's from the top or the side and I'd still have to dig around to find something. I found it easier just to stick w/the top because if something was on the opposite side of the side entry I'd still have to move things around or take stuff out to access it unless I put a zipper on each side which I thought about too, but I kind of like the simplicity of the top loading.

If you are good with just the top loading, you should stick with it, as adding additional access also adds complexity and potential failure points.

Personally, I've used both systems and find the side access to be very convenient, especially in day mode. Getting stuff from the top requires loosening the compression side straps anyway, and then fishing around in a 26" deep bag with the snow collar and top in the way. With side access, I'm only dealing with about 12" of depth and it something I can easily do with the pack beside me on the ground as I'm glassing.

Pockets of course can be even more handy, but that's not the direction I wanted to go with this.

Cost for the mod was $40

YK

 

[aron]

That looks like a well worth $40 upgrade as the top only access is one of the biggest turn offs for me on the terminus pack.

 

[Yellowknife]

Update:

I've been using (and some would say, seriously abusing) the pack over the last week. More snowshoe backpacking through some nastiest, thickest old burned black spruce jungles. I have to say the side zip meets all expectations and was used constantly throughout the day. Sleeping bag went on the bottom, tent on the right, food and ditty bag on the left near the zipper where I could get at them, and jacket/hat/gloves on and accessed from the top. A much more efficient system than digging for things from the top. For a hard use pack, I like it.



Yk

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

This is awesome! I think I am going to do this to my new High Camp 7K. I really like my side access on my KUIU Icon and think this will really improve access into the main bag for me.

 

[Yellowknife]

At first I thought the additional access was going to be best used when the pack was partially loaded, but after living out of it on the trail I've discovered that it really comes into it's own when loaded to the gills for a multi-day trip. Compared to my partners top load only pack, I never had to unpack anything I didn't want when we stopped. Snacks, lunch, jacket, and ditty bag were all right where I could get them, without having any pockets hanging off. Since I spend too much time crashing through dense trees and brush, the slick pack bag was what I was looking for.

Also ended up using it as a more convenient way to load the sleeping bag and tent. Liked that too, although it wasn't the reason I installed the zipper.

Yk