Arc Haul zip vs arc haul
or
arc blast vs arc zip
I'm slowly gearing up to do some section hiking
one of the things I have yet to do is upgrade my pack. I'll want something light, and I'll want something with a ventilated back. Pretty much seems to leave me between osprey and zpack. I had all but settled that on balance between price and weight I'd go with an osprey
But
doing some reading lately and I'm reconsidering just going for it and spending to save some weight.
I haven't bought yet because I haven't completely settled on my other gear upgrades. Still need to lighten my shelter (currently using an REI half dome2), and I know that I don't want to carry too much in some of these packs...
anyway, I understand that the zipper is a potential leak point, and potential failure point. I guess it also adds a tiny bit of weight....
but one thing I have never liked about my current pack ( a cheap Teton Sports) is the top load. I have always thought my next pack would have the front load zipper just so that I can get at thing in the pack without digging everything out
but now that I'm thinking more about weight.
Anyone out there with hands on experience with their zip packs care to comment?