Initial Report: Integral Designs Silcoat Backpack
Date: May 19th, 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)

Product Description

The Integral Design Silcoat Backpack arrived in good order via Canadian expedited parcel, as it is manufactured in Canada.  The backpack was received folded into a sewn-in integrated stuff sack on the inside top of the pack body.  The sack measured 5 x 5 x 1 in (13 x 13 x 2.5 cm) and contained (in addition to the pack) an information card of specifications and features packaged within.

The backpack body is constructed of lightweight gray silnylon with the exception of a panel worn next to the wearer's back.  This panel is black in color and is made from a mid-weight polyurethane coated 200 denier pack cloth as shown in the photo above.  The bottom of the pack is constructed to endure additional wear, thus it is manufactured with a double layer of the lightweight gray silnylon.

Shoulder straps are 2 in (5 cm) webbing connected to ¾ in (2 cm) webbing and adjustable buckles.  Waist belt is 1” (2.5 cm) webbing with an adjustable buckle that is attached to the pack by sliding through the lower portion of the black pack cloth.  Removal of the waist belt is as simple as pulling the belt through the back panel's full length sewn-in channel. 

As per the photo above, the top is cinched closed via a cord, toggle, and inner flap.  The cinch cord’s exit/stress point is backed up with black pack cloth and a metal grommet.  This is a design that provides durability and user friendly characteristics.

Seams are all of excellent stitching and not like some common stuff sack.  They are folded and double-stitched in what appears to be a flat felled seam.  Even the cinch cord channel is double stitched.  The bottom is stitched and backed up with a second stitch over seam tape.  Shoulder straps are stitched between two layers of pack cloth.  Considering that silnylon does not have a tendency to fray, the detail to stitching and construction is superb.

As for the waist belt, I foresee no use for it and will likely be testing without it.  The pack is too short to transfer weight to the waist/hips so the belt seems rather worthless, nevertheless it is commonplace to see a waist belt on day packs.  I’ve just never appreciated a belt on a day pack.

Test Plan

The Silcoat Backpack is my answer to consolidating hiking gear.  I generally carry a decent sized silnylon stuff sack to store my sleeping bag in when it's raining.  I use it to organize gear prior to setting up my tent, and as a bag for hanging food.  For winter camping, I use a silnylon stuff sack for storing/organizing pack gear while loading or unloading the larger backpack and for organization inside the tent. 

I generally have the need for a day pack and often have to substitute.  I often use my ultra light hiking pack or stuff sack over the shoulder as a day pack.  During the winter, I bring a small 10 oz (280 g) day pack.  This Silcoat Backpack appears to be the perfect solution for my day pack needs.

There are several features of the Silcoat Backpack that I will be considering and testing, such as the volume, comfort, functionality, and durability.

As mentioned above it will serve multiple purposes for me; that of a day pack, stuff sack, organization bag, and bag for hanging food.  Functionality and durability of these test objectives will be observed and noted.

Testing will be primarily backpacking in central Idaho, eastern Washington, and a trek around Mount Rainier in Washington. 

Most of my May trekking will be dry weather as it will be close to Boise, Idaho where I live, but starting in June it will be the lower Eagle White Cap Wilderness and a couple treks into the lower Idaho Sawthooth wilderness.  July will start with a traverse across the Idaho Lost River Range and then extended weekends into the Idaho Sawtooth wilderness.

The first week of August is a trek around the rainy Mount Rainier National Park, via the Wonderland trail.  Then it is off to northern Idaho’s Montana border for a week or a trip to Glacier National Park.

September will be Oregon Eagle Cap Wilderness for a week, and then on to the Idaho Pioneer mountains, Idaho White Cloud mountains, and Idaho Frank Church Wilderness for early October. 

Summary

Pros:

• Lightweight

• Volume

• Construction

Cons:

• None at this time

Tester Information & Background

Name: Andy Rad

Gender: Male

Age: 47

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 light weight 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.