Reviews by User: AZCanyonHiker (4)

This is the second generation of Z packs. The first Z pack was great, This Z pack is fabulous. Super lightweight and still rock solid even with heavy loads. Rated to 35 sure, but I've carried nearly 45 pounds in this pack with no discomfort. At 45 pounds the pack tends to bend adding extra weight to your shoulders, but if you are packing in a heavy load and packing out much lighter, the bending is worth it for a few miles (it pops right back to the original shape immediately, old Z pack could not do this well). Enough room for 2 bladders inside if you carry that much water. Hipbelt easily holds a camera and snacks in mesh pockets. And best yet!, when pack is fairly empty in your tent, it makes an unbelievable comfortable pillow backside up, under your sleeping bag.

After setting up this Bivy in my living room, sliding in my pad and my winter bag, it was nearly impossible to get in the thing myself. I am 6'1", 200 pounds and need to be Houdini to get my head under the hooded beak. Lengthening the zipper 18 inches, or using a waterproof center zipper like the Bugaboo might help. I loved the quality in the construction and the roominess once inside, but disliked the claustrophobic feeling of the hood. You are completely cut off from the world around you on even when using the mesh only.

This is the second generation of Z packs. The first Z pack was great, This Z pack is fabulous. Super lightweight and still rock solid even with heavy loads. Rated to 35 sure, but I've carried nearly 45 pounds in this pack with no discomfort. At 45 pounds the pack tends to bend adding extra weight to your shoulders, but if you are packing in a heavy load and packing out much lighter, the bending is worth it for a few miles (it pops right back to the original shape immediately, old Z pack could not do this well). Enough room for 2 bladders inside if you carry that much water. Hipbelt easily holds a camera and snacks in mesh pockets. And best yet!, when pack is fairly empty in your tent, it makes an unbelievable comfortable pillow backside up, under your sleeping bag.

I own the Megalite and the Kodiak Super Microfiber and bought this bag for my 7-year-old. His previous bag was a Big Agnes 48" bag. But since I had to carry it, I went lighter; I bought the 5'6" length. He loves it, it keeps him warm, and he can grow into it for several years. I love it because I no longer have to carry the extra load. The 20 degree rating is fairly accurate in windy conditions, inside a tent you will probably need to unzip a little. If it gets below 20, my kid just slides all the way in. Western Mountaineering has produced high quality, full length zipper bags for many years; I can't imagine travelling in any backcountry without one.

I have used this tent on many trips in Grand Canyon and found it to be my favorite. Even with extreme wind I was able to pitch this tent on a narrow ledge (pointing feet to the wind). I have not tried this tent in snow yet, but assume it will perform equally as well as my SL2 and SL3. Even though the tents are mesh, with the fly on they stay quite warm with no condensation. Wide enough to bring your pack inside to use as a pillow, and still fits my 6'1" 205#'s with a little room to spare at the feet and more than enough space on each side.