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Unaweep arrived today

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2016 2:54 pm
by stoopn
My Unaweep 4800 arrived today, less than 10 days after placing my order!
This is the first time I'm so impressed by a product that I feel I need to write about it - not because I previously made bad gear choices, but because this backpack is just above everything I ever had in my hands.

This thing seems to be made for my back. I never had a backpack (with frame) that was fitting so well and close to my back. But the most impressive thing is the hipbelt/suspension for me. I don't know if it is the relatively small amount of padding, the way the belt attaches to the frame, or the absence of a lumbar pad - but this thing just won't slip and stays in place. Testing it with a small load of 35lbs for an hour or so now, it transfers the weight so well to the hips that I really don't know why I should keep shoulder straps on the pack... :-) It's only a preliminary test, but I can tell this is way better than any other pack I ever tried/used.

The design is really good. I can compress this down so much it can serve as a spacious day pack. I really like the fact that the bag is minimalistic but allows, from a design point of view, tinkering/adding pockets etc. It just seems to me this pack will be able to do just about everything, and all of it in a really good way. Fantastic job, Seek Outside!

One thing I was wondering about are the two screws used to attach the hip belt. While they are not in contact with the pack bag, they are relatively close and I was wondering if anyone ever noticed any issues with abrasion. In any case, it is easily fixed by wrapping the screws with some tape.

Again, this is really a superb product and I'm looking forward to put it to use very soon.

Re: Unaweep arrived today

PostPosted: Fri Jul 15, 2016 6:03 pm
by Philip.AK
I have a lot of miles on my Unaweeps (I have a couple of setups) and never had any abrasion from the nut on the fabric. I did lose a bolt in the middle of a trip. I lashed hip belt strap to the frame with some cord and carried on without any problems. I replaced the #10 screw and nut with stainless when I got home. The nylock nuts will lose their 'grip' with multiple removals/installs.

I have done a lot of mods to my packbags. It is a great platform for tweaking. I added a full-length stretch mesh pocket, daisy chains, compression straps, etc. Seam sealing with Aquaseal has made the bag essentially 100% waterproof.

Re: Unaweep arrived today

PostPosted: Sun Jul 17, 2016 9:10 am
by stoopn
Thanks! I'm glad to hear abrasion never was an issue for you. I might wrap it anyway for peace of mind and not to loose the bolt.

I'm thinking about adapting an old day pack with removable straps to be used as a day talon with the Unaweep. Width and height of the daypack closely match the talon dimensions, so it seems I essentially need to sew a few buckles to the day pack to make it work. Not as great as the SO Day Talon, but I like some diy work.

Seam sealing is on the list of planned mods, although I'm not sure yet which sealer to take. I've seen Xpac-specific recommendations for Seamgrip and Aquaseal on backpackinglight.com (https://backpackinglight.com/forums/topic/108197/) so I'll probably go with whichever is easier to get. How is Aquaseal holding up on your pack? Any durability issues so far?

Re: Unaweep arrived today

PostPosted: Sun Jul 17, 2016 10:09 am
by Philip.AK
Aquaseal and Seamgrip are essentially the same stuff, the Seamgrip is just a little thinner (runnier). I use Aquaseal because that's what I can find locally. It is very durable/permanent as it soaks into the fabric. You can use it as armoring if an area starts to wear. I stuff a few pillows and an inflatable sleeping pad into the bag and the blow the mattress up to really stretch all the seams on the bag nice and tight, hang the bag from the ceiling so that I can spin it around, and then seal all the major panel seams from the outside. After that dries, I turn the bag inside out and repeat the process with those seams that you can't get from the outside (like where I sewed stuff directly to the face fabric). It works great.

Re: Unaweep arrived today

PostPosted: Sun Jul 17, 2016 12:03 pm
by stoopn
Great advice, thanks a lot Philip.AK! I hope to get some sealer this week and give it a try.