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Long Term Report - Ultimate Direction SpeeDemon Race Pack
August 16, 2005
Name: David Sowards-Emmerd
Age: 28
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 8'' (1.73 m)
Weight: 155 lb (70 kg)
Email Address: drunken_marmotATyahooDOTcom
Los Altos, California, USA
Backpacking Background:
I began backpacking semi-frequently about four years ago, soon
after moving to California. I generally take weekend (1 night)
trips, and occasionally take 3-4 day trips. Most of my
backpacking is at moderate altitude, 6,000'-12,000'
(1,800-3,650 m), in conditions ranging from dry desert to hail/heavy
snow in the mountains. In winter and spring, I split time between
Southern California (SoCal) deserts and snowshoeing/skiing/snowcamping in
the Sierra/Cascades. Summer and fall I tend to stick to the high country.
I have reduced my packweight down to less than 50 lb (23 kg) over
the past year - including food/water and a bear barrel. I'm trying to
include more mountaineering, climbing and bouldering in my trips.
Manufacturer's Website:www.ultimatedirection.com
MSRP: not listed
Manufacturer's Description:
''The lightweight SpeeDemon is loaded with race-specific features including a 96 oz. reservoir, removable easy-access front bottle holsters, and a S-shaped shoulder harness for a comfortable fit. The patented adjustable Torso Link Suspension System adjusts to multiple torso lengths. Also includes a stow-it pocket sized for a helmet, reflective bungee, waterproof zippers and more.
Style #: 4330
Storage Capacity: 2300 cu. in./37.7 L
Fluid Capacity: 96 oz./2.8 L Reservoir w/Kicker Valve
Weight: 2 lbs. 7 oz./1.1 kg
Dimensions: 23''h x 11''w x 8''d / 58.4h x 27.9w x 20.3d cm
Fabric: 70D Nylon baby rip stop with hypalon coating, 210D Nylon, 3D AirMesh
# Features Internal reservoir pocket
# Removable front mount water bottle holsters
# Adjustable Torso Link Suspension System adjusts to different torso lengths
# 3D AirMesh back panel and shoulder straps for optimal ventilation
# Lightweight material with sturdy hard foam frame
# Waterproof, white hypalon coated interior for better visibility into pack
# Easy access wide mouth opening on main compartment
# Large bungee compressible mesh stow-it pocket
# Large top mounted easy access storage pocket
# Big mesh side pockets
# Waterproof zippers
# Adjustable sternum strap
# Load lifting shoulder straps for maximum comfort
# Shingled tube exit port
# Zig-zag Tube Run on shoulder straps
# Drain holes in bottom of main compartment
# Bottom mounted accessory straps
# Strap Secure webbing control on all straps
# Dual trekking pole/ice axe storage system
# Reflective logo''
Specifications (as measured by tester):
Weight (total) 2.2 lb / 1.0 kg
Weight (one removable hip pocket) 0.9 oz / 26 g
Weight (one front bottle holder): 0.6 oz / 18 g
Weight (hydration bladder w/ tube insulator) 6.7 oz / 191 g
The SpeeDemon arrived on February 2, 2005.
Product Description:
The SpeeDemon is a rather large, bright red, adventure racing pack. For a detailed description of the SpeeDemon and the included accessories, see my Initial Report. For details of the first few months use of the pack, see my Field Report.
Field Testing:
I've carried the SpeeDemon on many more dayhikes, training hikes, geocaching trips with my wife, and work-related trips to Stanford and San Francisco (combination bike, train, and walk commute). Additionally, I used the SpeeDemon as my carry-on luggage for a 1.5 week trip to Arkansas. During that trip, in addition to everyday use, I also brought it along on a canoeing trip on the Buffalo River. After capsizing a few times, I can report that the haul loop is quite robust (this kept it fixed to the canoe in rushing water) and the drain holes/grommets in the bottom of the pack also work well. Finally, I've used the SpeeDemon to carry a old, compact but heavy laptop.
I haven't had the chance to use this pack on another overnighter, since I simply can't get a bear canister and gear to fit inside this pack in a reasonably comfortable manner.
The Accessories:
Hydration Bladder:
I've had two minor issues with this so far. First, the 'extra' layer of plastic at top of the bladder (near the fill opening) has deteriorated and is about ready to fall off on its own (see photo). Second, the internal 'stabilizer' flap detached on the glued side (the other end is welded) when I added recently boiled water to the bladder - we were melting snow for four and needed a place to store two pots of water. After the testing period, I will simply trim out this excess plastic. The kicker valve has needed cleaning a few times from external 'buildup', but otherwise is excellent. It still leaks a few drops when the bladder is under a lot of pressure in the pack (e.g. when bending over or crouching and a bear canister is pushing into the bladder). Even still, this is my favorite hydration bladder valve so far. After at least half of my trips, I have immediately dried out the bladder for storage, other times I just leave what's left - sometimes almost nothing - in the bladder and forget about it. I have not noticed any funny tastes originating from the bladder (I have put some bizarre tasting water in it though...). Only once did the bladder leak on the way to the trailhead (from the 'sealed' top opening). I'm not sure what caused this, but probably just that my pack was packed very tight and carrying it out to the car squeezed it a bit too much since the actual spillage was very little (I do not believe it was condensation).
Waistbelt Pockets:
I love these things! I have taken them on almost every hike during the testing period, attached one way or other to whatever daypack or backpack I was carrying. They are a very convenient size for my small camera, snacks, a Leatherman, keys, etc. However, I do worry about setting down the SpeeDemon when I have something fragile like a camera in one of these pockets. A padded version of this pocket would be nice - but for me it's only a slight inconvenience to pad my camera before putting it in the pocket. Also, a clip to secure keys would be another nice feature - either in the top pocket of the pack, or in one of the waistbelt pockets.
Shoulder Strap Bottle Holders:
I still haven't found a use for these. I simply don't carry water bottles on the front of my packs, and I don't find these attachment points to be compatible with my gps/camera, etc.
The Pack Itself:
The main pocket provides excellent access due to the very long zipper. However, this means the top pocket has further to fall when the main pocket is unzipped. Overall, the compression is a bit lacking since it really relies on the thin bungee cords on the front of the pack. Inside, the hydration sleeve is definitely big for the bladder, but I haven't noticed the bladder shifting around in the pack. Also, I actually prefer this since it means it's easy for me to slide a freshly filled bladder into the pocket instead of my usual routine of bouncing the pack up and down to get the bladder in. The top pocket is a nice size for my essentials, but it tends to sag a lot unless the pack is full. One improvement I'd like to see added is a small security pocket or keychain clip added inside this pocket.
I still find the side pockets very annoying. When carrying a small load, the side compression straps need to be cinched tight to keep the contents of the pack from shifting, and this means I have to loosen these and re-tighten them each time I want to access something in the side pockets. Not to mention unrolling the extra rolled up webbing before it can be loosened. Luckily, between the hydration bladder and the waistbelt pockets, I don't find the need to access these side pockets unless I feel the need for a wide variety of food on the trail. The only times I've used water bottles in the side pockets is when I'm carrying a laptop in the pack, and it's very tricky getting the bottles back in the side pockets when the pack is full. So much so that I've resorted to using a Platypus in these cases - the edge can be slid underneath the edge of the pocket as a starter and it much easier to get in/out of the pocket overall.
Finally, I feel the front flap could probably be replaced with just bungees instead of bungees and a fabric panel. I usually just carried a jacket or pad in this pocket and bungees alone would be adequate. I will make this modification after the testing period is over.
Suspension:
I'm not quite sold on the 'pass-through' shoulder straps yet, but I don't have any major complaints about them. The 'Zig-zag Tube Run' works well, but I find the hydration bladder hose is long enough that I need to either double the tube back up through the shoulder strap bottle holder bungee or weave it underneath the sternum strap (preferred). The upper stabilizer straps are difficult to reach, but do a decent job of keeping the pack against my back. The waistbelt is light and comfortable, although after a day of hiking, I run out of webbing to snug it up on my hips as tight as I'd like. Overall, the suspension definitely puts a noticeable amount of the weight on my hips.
Comfort:
I've found the pack to be quite comfortable both with and without a shirt. Ventilation is good and it dries out quickly. My one complaint would be that when the pack is well loaded, the webbing on the bottom of the shoulder straps has a twisting effect and can create a hot spot (see photo).
Wear and Tear:
The shoulder straps, waistbelt, and back panels are noticeably discolored from use without a shirt, but otherwise seem like new. There are a few discolorations - from what I'm not sure - on the red fabric, but otherwise it has held up much better than I expected. The bottom of the pack shows very little wear - just a bit of fuzziness at the bottom of the suspension foam on one side. However, I should note that I typically have the bottom 'cinched down' so that the bottom fabric is barely exposed. The heat shrink tubing that is used to connect the bungees and zipper pull cords has also held up well. I was concerned mainly about these on the shoulder strap bottle holder bungees (the ones fixed on the pack) since I often hang my thumbs from these when hiking.
Sidenote:
I noticed a SpeeDemon sitting in a bin at the San Francisco REI the other day, and it had an extra piece of webbing at the bottom of the front flap/panel. This is not on my pack, nor is it visible in the pack photo on the manufacturer's website.
Conclusions and Continued Use:
Overall, I've been happy with this pack and very surprised as to how well it held up. It could use another set of compression straps, but I find the current setup adequate. My opinions and suggestions for improvement remain the same since my Field Report, so I will not repeat them here. I will continue to use this pack after the testing period for lightweight overnighters and occasionally as a daypack. I will also continue to use the hydration bladder and waistbelt pockets frequently.
Read more reviews of Ultimate Direction gear
Read more gear reviews by David Sowards-Emmerd
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