Paradox Packs - The Difference
Posted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 6:46 amOn another forum, someone asked us to articulate what the difference is with a Paradox vs. other packs. We thought, it may be a good idea to repost the information here with a couple edits. We think this draws a pretty clear line and distinction with our core concepts.
At the most basic level we believe in efficiency. We accomplish this with a sturdy frame and top notch belt that prevents suspension torso collapse coupled with very weather proof pack bag designs and a top notch compression system. I believe we have accomplished all of those. The belt and frame have always worked well, we did adjust the harness a bit and updated harnesses have been shipping for awhile. Now, I believe our latest refinements to the pack bags result in pack bags that are as fine as any. The roll top above has a full side access zipper, that is covered. The roll top is a secure weather proof closure and the fabric is forever waterproof. What this results in, is a pack that will gain very little water weight as compared to others, a pack bag that blood washes right out, a pack bag that you can just put your gear in without putting it in extra stuff sacks to keep your gear dry. We have made pack rain covers obsolete in our design, which is a good thing, because honestly they were a failed idea to begin with. You had the choice to carry the extra weight or not, if its a drizzle and you don't put it on, your pack will gain weight and your gear may get wet. If you put it on, now you have reduced access to the bag. Our design is so much better for real backpacking use. The compression system is highly adaptable, and can compress almost anything. Thus far it's carried a complete whitetail, a rescue litter, truck tires and whatever else.
Yes our system is very different than most and really draws on the last 40 years of design, with many changes , some obvious and some subtle such as tailoring and tabs. I had NO desire to make a pack like everyone else, as we saw most of those designs as a failure, that were based as much on ways to cheaply produce gear as anything. It's a copy cat league, so everyone else followed along and tried to improve designs that were fundamentally flawed with a band aid approach. I could go on for a long time on many of the failed design aspects and what I would consider band aids to make them work (such as a rain cover for your pack) but I won't waste your time. We take great pride in the fact that we believe the Paradox is the only pack that really can carry 15 and 150 lbs equally as well (within reason) due to it's design. We also take great pride in our construction details and feel the pack will stand the test of time with the best of them. Every single piece of the pack is easily replaced. There is not a catastrophic failure point that renders it useless. So far, and it won't always be this way, I have assembled and inspected every pack, put them all on my back before they ship.
A note on pricing.
Now we understand the Paradox is not inexpensive , however we feel in comparison to other packs that are known to offer good load hauling capability and be sort of lightweight, we feel it is priced very competitively. I was in REI the other day, and most of the better Osprey and Gregory packs retail in the $350 plus area, so the price premium is not that much for a much sturdier and more adaptable platform. As consumers, we have been trained that almost everything is discounted so we rarely pay the list retail price. However, how many people buy one of these packs and actually are happy with the fit comfort and capability ? I'm not really referring to one specific pack, I just know that a lot of times, consumers will go through a lot of retail packs, because they are not happy with any of them. We do feel the Paradox offers good value for what it is.
At the most basic level we believe in efficiency. We accomplish this with a sturdy frame and top notch belt that prevents suspension torso collapse coupled with very weather proof pack bag designs and a top notch compression system. I believe we have accomplished all of those. The belt and frame have always worked well, we did adjust the harness a bit and updated harnesses have been shipping for awhile. Now, I believe our latest refinements to the pack bags result in pack bags that are as fine as any. The roll top above has a full side access zipper, that is covered. The roll top is a secure weather proof closure and the fabric is forever waterproof. What this results in, is a pack that will gain very little water weight as compared to others, a pack bag that blood washes right out, a pack bag that you can just put your gear in without putting it in extra stuff sacks to keep your gear dry. We have made pack rain covers obsolete in our design, which is a good thing, because honestly they were a failed idea to begin with. You had the choice to carry the extra weight or not, if its a drizzle and you don't put it on, your pack will gain weight and your gear may get wet. If you put it on, now you have reduced access to the bag. Our design is so much better for real backpacking use. The compression system is highly adaptable, and can compress almost anything. Thus far it's carried a complete whitetail, a rescue litter, truck tires and whatever else.
Yes our system is very different than most and really draws on the last 40 years of design, with many changes , some obvious and some subtle such as tailoring and tabs. I had NO desire to make a pack like everyone else, as we saw most of those designs as a failure, that were based as much on ways to cheaply produce gear as anything. It's a copy cat league, so everyone else followed along and tried to improve designs that were fundamentally flawed with a band aid approach. I could go on for a long time on many of the failed design aspects and what I would consider band aids to make them work (such as a rain cover for your pack) but I won't waste your time. We take great pride in the fact that we believe the Paradox is the only pack that really can carry 15 and 150 lbs equally as well (within reason) due to it's design. We also take great pride in our construction details and feel the pack will stand the test of time with the best of them. Every single piece of the pack is easily replaced. There is not a catastrophic failure point that renders it useless. So far, and it won't always be this way, I have assembled and inspected every pack, put them all on my back before they ship.
A note on pricing.
Now we understand the Paradox is not inexpensive , however we feel in comparison to other packs that are known to offer good load hauling capability and be sort of lightweight, we feel it is priced very competitively. I was in REI the other day, and most of the better Osprey and Gregory packs retail in the $350 plus area, so the price premium is not that much for a much sturdier and more adaptable platform. As consumers, we have been trained that almost everything is discounted so we rarely pay the list retail price. However, how many people buy one of these packs and actually are happy with the fit comfort and capability ? I'm not really referring to one specific pack, I just know that a lot of times, consumers will go through a lot of retail packs, because they are not happy with any of them. We do feel the Paradox offers good value for what it is.