I have over 30 years backpacking experience, starting with Scouting as a youth. I am currently the High Adventure Leader for a Scout Troop. I try to get out once or twice a month, plus at least one week-long trek each year. My trips are of two types. First, I am hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in sections, and generally use a lightweight approach on these typically solo trips. Other trips involving family involve more traditional backpacking equipment. Terrain varies from sea level to 14,000 feet (4,300 m), desert to mountain, and trail to cross country, occasionally including snow travel.

This is the second of three reports of the Integral Designs Silcoat Backpack. The first report described the product in detail. The final report will discuss further experiences.

Product Description:

Integral Designs Silcoat Backpack
http://www.integraldesigns.com)
A stuff sack that doubles as a small day pack
Received May 20, 2005
Integrated stuff sack doubles as an inside pack pocket
MSRP US $50
Silicon-impregnated ripstop nylon with back of 200 denier pack cloth
Top drawstring closure
18 inches (46 cm) tall
Width 9 inches (23 cm)
Stated capacity 25 liters (1,500 cu in), with a limit of 12 pounds (5 kg)
Shoulder straps of 2-inch (5 cm) nylon webbing with ladder-lock adjustments
Removable 1-inch (2.5 cm) nylon web belt with a buckle
Stated weight 4.5 ounces (125g), measured weight 4.6 ounces (131 g) with the belt and 3.6 ounces (104 g) without

Test Conditions

The field test was primarily conducted on a week-long backpack in the mountains of the Angeles National Forest in Southern California. Elevations ranged from 2,200 to 9,500 feet (700 to 2,900 m). Weather was mostly clear and sunny, with one day of brisk winds. The temperature ranged from 35 to 90 degrees F (2 to 32 c).

Field Test

First things first: this is not a backpack for overnight use, nor is it for a long day hike. Rather, it is intended as something lightweight to throw in your big backpack for occasional use on side trips. Its biggest benefits are low weight and small packed size. This is offset by a lack of padding on the straps and on the back, and a weight limit of 12 pounds (5 kg).

I started out using the Silcoat Backpack as a stuff sack for my sleeping bag. I expected the pack would keep my sleeping bag dry. I planned to use it for short trips away from the main trail - a short side trail to get water, a trip to the restroom, and so on.

The Backpack made a nice stuff sack for my sleeping bag (although not entirely waterproof because of the drawstring closure). Practicality, however, quickly reared its head. First, my top-loading pack fits best when I carry my sleeping bag at the bottom of the pack, so I had to empty my pack completely to get it. Then I had to remove the sleeping bag from the pack and put it in a plastic bag while I was on my side trip. I soon decided a change in style was needed, and used the Backpack instead to carry my essentials, including a light jacket. This way the Backpack could be more accessible in my large pack, and already be packed with most of what I would carry anyway.

Comfort. The Backpack rides very high on my 22-inch (56 cm) torso and the hip belt, when fastened, goes directly across my chest like a sternum strap would. I did not (and cannot) use the hip belt. I found if I packed it carefully, using my jacket and such as padding against my back, the pack was fairly comfortable. However, because the pack rides so high, after just a short time I find it putting strain on my (admittedly bad) back. I found it very comfortable, instead, to just toss it over one shoulder. I used it as such for trips up to a mile (0.6 kg) at a time.

Capacity. The volume of the Backpack is probably determined more by the need to make the physical dimensions of the Backpack fit the typical hiker rather than to provide 25 liters (1,500 cu in) of space. In fact, there is enough volume to easily load more than the recommended 12 pound (5 kg) limit.

Ease of storage and access to cargo. Inside the top of the pack is a pocket approximately 6 inches (15 cm) square, which can hold small items when used as a pack and otherwise serves as the pack's stuff sack. This pocket has no closure. Other than this pocket, everything goes into the main bag. I find a small ditty bag helps keep small items from being lost in the bottom of the Backpack.

Waterproofness. I have had no opportunity to test the Backpack in the rain. The "best" I had was a heavy dew one night, and I left the Backpack outside my shelter that night. No moisture entered the Backpack. It appears that a hard rain could result in some water entering the drawstring closure if exposed long enough.

Durability. I tossed the Backpack around without care, especially while in camp. The double stitched and flat-felled seams show no damage, nor did the pack fabric itself.

Summary. Used for its intended purpose, the Silcoat Backpack offers an easy way to carry a day pack on a long backpack with very minimal extra weight. I especially appreciated it at a hiker hostel, using it between the bunks and shower.

Read more reviews of Integral Designs gear
Read more gear reviews by Bill Jeffrey

Field Report

All material on this site is the exclusive property of BackpackGearTest.org.
BackpackGearTest software copyright David Anderson