Initial Report: Integral Designs Silcoat Backpack
Date: July 24th, 2005 Manufacturer Name: Integral Designs Website: http://www.integraldesigns.com/	Product Information Manufacturer: Integral Designs Model: Silcoat Backpack Year of Manufacture: 2005 Color: Gray Size: N/A Capacity: 1500 cu in (25 l) Dimensions:          Diameter: 10 in (25 cm)          Height 18 in (46 cm) MSRP: $50.00 (US) Listed Weight: 4.5 oz  (125 g ) Measured Weight:           Main sack: 3.6 oz (100 g)          Waist belt 0.9 oz (25 g)          Total  4.5 oz (125 g)

Field Review

The Integral Design Silcoat Backpack is a minimalist daypack, thus no frills, padding, or anything that would attribute to added weight.  Bearing this in mind, the pack is more of an oversized stuff sack with shoulder straps.  Objects in the pack do protrude and irritate my back unless selectively packed or padding/clothing is organized in the pack to isolate such objects from my back.

I have used the daypack on several occasions with up to 7 lbs (3 kg), and found that it was reasonably comfortable.  Considering there is no padding on the 2 in (5 cm) shoulder straps they do dig into shoulders after a while.  This is to be expected with any basic rucksack where the primary focus is lightweight and small compression.  Weighing in at 4.5 oz (125 g) and stuffing down to 5 x 5 x 1 in (13 x 13 x 2.5 cm), it definitely fits the minimalist design. 

I sealed the seams with silicone/paint thinner mix, and have used it inside my main backpack as a sleeping bag stuff sack.  This has eliminated the need to carry a plastic bag for foul weather.  It isn’t totally waterproof, due to top opening, and shoulder strap attach points, but by far meets my needs as a waterproof sleeping bag stuff sack.  Too many times I’ve had water work its way out of a wet tent stuff sack into the sleeping bag, but this is no longer an issue with this daypack as an added barrier.

Quantifying the pack’s durability this early in testing is difficult.  Other than some limited bushwhacking, the pack has not been subjected to conditions that would stress construction, fabric, or design. 

This pack as been a nice addition to my backpacking gear.  It has been pleasant to hit camp and day hike without having to sling a stuff sack/draw string over my shoulder, or rig up my pack’s top lid as a shoulder bag or fanny pack.

Summary

Pros:

• Lightweight

• Waterproof material

Cons:

• None at this time

Test Plan

Summer trips include treks into Boise/Payette National Forests, Saw Tooth Wilderness, a week on the Wonderland Trail in rainy Mount Rainier National Park, and a trip into Glacier National Park.

Fall trips include Oregon Eagle Cap Wilderness for a week, Idaho Pioneer Mountains, Idaho White Cloud Mountains, and Idaho Frank Church Wilderness for early October. 

Tester Information & Background

Name: Andy Rad

Gender: Male

Age: 48

Height: 6 ft (1.83 m)

Weight: 165 lb (75 kg)

Email: aisrad@cableone.net

I started backpacking 21 years ago, most were short three-day trips, but are now generally five-day.  By backpacking, I’m referring to summer, winter camping, and fall hunting.  About half my trips are lightweight solo and the other half with my family.  I used to own a llama, thus allowing me to continue backpacking with my small children.  In recent years I’ve substituted a collie for the llama. When I’m not with the family I tend to take less-traveled trails or bushwhack the hard mountainous terrain in and around Idaho.  The majority of my trips are in central Idaho, with a few into northern Idaho, eastern Idaho, and eastern Oregon.