Arc Blast

Wants to like their Arc Blast, but the hard horizontal bottom frame bar cuts into their lower back when they cinch the belt at 15-25 lb, even with the extra lumbar pad.

Pushed their new 2017 Arc Blast to 34 lb total on a five-day trip and used it 10 days on the Wind River High Route starting at 28 lb, with no issues.

Something similar happened with their Arc Blast's rods, and Zpacks sent new ones free when they emailed.

Switched to an Osprey Exos on the PCT when their Arc Blast disintegrated.

Their Arc Blast 55 DCF is so comfortable that it felt like carrying 3-4 lb, more so than a Sub-Nero at under half its weight.

Owns an Arc Blast 55L alongside Arc Haul 60L and 70L packs and finds them very comfortable, even with significant back problems; the Arc Blast carries a little less than the Haul because its back stays are less rigid, with 35 lb or less the sweet spot.

Has an older Arc Blast and thinks its stated max load is exaggerated: 30 lb is the most they can carry comfortably on its minimalist frame and hip belt, and it works best with a base weight around 10 lb; they still dust it off for long carries in the 25 to 30 lb range.

Got their Arc Blast in 2018 and has used it for hundreds of miles and a dozen-plus trips in the Los Padres, SEKI and on the PCT; calls it the best pack they've had. It is durable through bad bushwhacking, comfortable even with lots of water or 11 days of food, and fits a Bearikade Expedition, though the trampoline arc gave them back pain so they fill the gap with a foam pad.

Has an Arc Blast from around 2018 that weighs about 23 oz with two hip-belt pouches and a shoulder pouch, and likes it a lot.

Hiked the AT and CDT with the same Arc Blast, but had problems with the back mesh and broke a carbon stay falling on the pack in the Whites; for a bombproof pack they would pick ULA instead.

Has owned two variations of the Arc Blast and used one on a 2016 thru-hike; both were among the most comfortable packs they have carried, riding perfectly at 25 lb or less and still fine on occasional 30 lb days.

Went through two Zpacks Arc Blasts that shredded in a quarter of the time their ULA Ohm 2.0 has lasted.

Their older DCF Arc Blast went a long time before leaking, and when it did the leaks were small.

Has owned their Arc Blast for almost six years and it is still the lightest way for them to comfortably carry their loads: 1 lb, 60 L and 30+ lb, with some taped-over fraying.

Used an Arc Blast for six months on the 2019 PCT; it is still in decent shape for another thru-hike, though the large stretch mesh pocket has many patched holes.

Bought their Arc Blast used and it is 2,000 miles in, including half the CDT; they are extremely pleased with it in every aspect.

Their Arc Blast has made it 3,000 miles across the AT, CT and Long Trail and is still usable; it has worked so well they are hesitant to get anything else.

Used the Arc Blast on the 2017 AT and had a number of durability issues, likely from overloading it, including the belt ripping off.

Their black Arc Blast bought in December 2016 has about 550 miles and 45 days, including a JMT thru-hike, and literally looks as good as new.

Put their Arc Blast through an entire thru-hike and still uses it; some internal thread tearing from rough handling, but they are happy with it for its weight and water resistance.

Has owned the Mariposa and the Arc Blast and much prefers the Arc Blast; they find the Arc Blast and Arc Haul the most comfortable UL packs, under 25-30 lb.

Really loves their Arc Blast; they release the arc so it sits against their back, and the waist belt is very comfortable.

Has an Arc Blast and loves it so far, though Zpacks has not replied to some of their emails.

Owns and loves both the Arc Blast and the Mariposa, using the Arc Blast in summer because the Mariposa's foam back pad soaks with sweat.