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We have done a lot of fabric testing and comparison. Thus far, most purchase options seem to be a combination of a pleasant color and then people either choose durability, or weight. Below is a list of fabrics we have used and some of our observations.

XPAC Fabrics
- VX07 - Waterproof, thinner material. Lightweight at 4.9 oz per yard. In a pack bag the weight savings is generally 3 ounces. I have found it fine for normal usage, busting brush etc, but not great for rock abrasions.
- VX21 - Waterproof , mid weight material. Great for busting brush, ok for rock stuff but still could get abraded.
- X33 - Waterproof, about the same weight as VX21 without the internal layer. Cordura faced, and better for exterior rock abrasion. Interior is not as good as VX21 due to the layer missing, although it is important to note it is Cordura and I don't think the interior layer is needed. Availability Multi Cam only
- VX42 - DP claims this is better than the X33 or even the D40. It is a 420 D Cordura face with a thin / slick weave. In my testing , I would put this a bit above X33 or 500 D Cordura in rock abrasion testing (I tested all of these with a sandstone rock and swatch of fabric doing basically a scratch off style abrasion). This fabric adds about 3 ounces per pack bag , above the VX21. Available in black only. This would likely be fine without the interior scrim layer as well.

Cuben - 2.92 ounce per yard. There are a few cuben pack fabrics available, all are the same concept, some with a more robust exterior face. The saves about 6 ounces over VX21 in pack bag. As far as durability I would find it fine for brush busting, it will be rock abrasion that gives it issues. I would consider it about midline between VX07 and VX21.

210D Double Ripstop - 3.9 ounce per yard. Not as light as cuben, but lighter than VX07. Thinner, much more like a recreational lightweight pack fabric. I would find it fine for busting brush most of the time. Once again it will be usage in rock that gets it.

500 D Cordura - Our suspension components use this. It is a tried and true workhorse fabric, although in my testing I would think VX42 out performs it for serious use.

So if you wanted to stick with xpac, from a durability stand point, 42 is the way to go. Or maybe a good weight/durability compromise would be to use vx42 for the side/bottom panel(s), and 21 or 33 for the back and front.Seems they would be protected by the frame and talon. Assuming you didn't want an all black pack during, say, bear season;)

Correct. VX42 seems really robust, more so than 500 D cordura and X33 (which is 330d Cordura). Before the testing, I was taking the word of lab tests

So far I love my Cuben Evo. It has only gone packrafting a couple of times with some bush wacking but no scrambling yet. That will come in the summer. Let's see how the pack will hold up to that.
Great pack so far. Thanks!

Great info Kevin - this really helped me for picking my pack fabric.

Any plans on offering the lid in the 210 tan fabric?

We do already , just add a note on the order

Kevin, you mentioned that the vx33 and vx42 don't have the internal "scrim" layer. What is that? And what does the inside of these two fabrics without the internal layer look/feel like?

Thanks

In term of noise, do you think the x33 and vx21 are about the same? I was wondering if the cordura faced x33 might be a little quieter. I bowhunt a lot and that was one of my concerns. Not a deal breaker either way, but just wondering.