The magic of the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L (shop now) is that you get a full external frame backpacking backpack for only 22 oz. It’s designed with the new and best-in-class Challenge Ultra fabric, which is waterproof, and has a better durability-to-weight ratio than Dyneema. Arc Haul is our top choice for crushing long on-trail mileage.

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• Weight: 21.9 oz
• Price: $399
• Materials: Challenge Ultra 200
• Frame: External Curved Carbon Fiber Stays, suspended mesh back panel.
• Load Capacity: 40 lbs
• Internal Volume: 47L
• External Volume : 13L
• Pros: Very ultralight. Exceptional load transfer. Comfy. Waterproof. Ventilated. Good pockets. Best-in-class materials. Wide articulated shoulder straps.
  
• Cons: Expensive. Frame durability is modest. Hip belt pockets sold separately.

Features

We love Arc Haul’s ultralight take on the old-school full-external-frame design. This offers exceptional load transfer from shoulders to hips, and makes it one of the comfiest packs in our guide. The Arc in its namesake refers to the curved carbon fiber air stay frame configuration, which keeps the surface off your torso via a taut Lycra panel for excellent back aeration while preventing any lumps from jabbing.

While on the whole, this pack makes for a great daily driver, we don’t recommend Arc Haul for extensive off-trail hiking, canyoneering, or extra-rugged pursuits. You can’t have a 22 oz full-frame pack with making compromises, and while the frame’s durability-to-weight ratio is high, it’s total durability is modest. We would describe it as tough-not-rugged.

If the frame is headline news, Arc Haul’s next biggest story is the seriously excellent suite of external storage. A massive mesh pocket adorns the front, and two large side pockets fit water bottles, rain gear, or whatever else.

At $399, this is already one of the most expensive ultralight backpacks, yet even so, we feel it’s worthwhile to add in a pair of modular  Belt Pouches for $30 a pop.

Verdict

From a technology and engineering perspective, the Zpacks Arc Haul 60L is far and away the most impressive ultralight backpack. It is comfortable, has large user-friendly pockets, and is likely the single best option to reduce your base weight.