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The Ultimate Direction SpeeDemon Pack is a medium sized, lightweight pack designed
with adventure racing in mind, though it could certainly fit well with the
needs of weight conscious backpackers as well. For its relatively small
size, the pack offers an impressive array of features, some of which I have
not seen before in a pack design including a patented adjustable suspension
system, a unique water reservoir system, removable bottle holsters and easy
to access hip mounted pouches for storing additional items.
Multiple Hydration Features:
 Many
packs on the market today feature internal water reservoir pockets and the
SpeeDemon is no exception. It has an inner pocket sewn inside the pack
against the back pad which allows a water bladder to be stored inside and
kept upright. I personally like these types of pockets since they keep the
bladder oriented correctly in the pack ensuring that water fills the entry
port of the drinking tube (allowing water to flow consistently while keeping air
out). What is unique, however, is the design of the water reservoir that
comes with the pack. The reservoir is made of a clear, flexible type of
plastic that has gradation levels and cleaning instructions stenciled on the
side. Unlike other bladders I've seen which have some type of screw on cap,
the Ultimate Direction (UD) reservoir has a roll top closure (not unlike a
dry bag) and a hook and loop fastening system to ensure it does not
come unrolled when secured. The reservoir also has a plastic strip
internally connecting the two opposing sides of the bag. At first, I was
unsure what purpose this served, until I filled the reservoir with water.
Unlike some other bladders which become cylindrical when full (a shape that
tends to roll away when the bladder is placed on an uneven surface like a
smooth rock), the plastic strip keeps the bag from expanding into a
cylindrical shape, helping to ensure that it remains more stable when placed
on a slanted or uneven surface.
In addition to a unique bag, the reservoir has a neoprene covered
drinking tube and distinctive UD designed valve. The valve is made of a
flexible rubber installed in a circular plastic housing. When not in use the
valve can be secured by pushing it into the housing. To drink, you pull it
out with your teeth and create suction to draw out the water (you do not
bite it like other valves on the market).
In order to ensure the drinking tube is routed to a location convenient
for the user, the pack features elastic keepers which zig-zag down the
shoulder straps. The drinking tube is placed underneath these straps to hold
it in place in front of the hiker's chest.
 As
part of the testing of the pack, I will determine how well the reservoir
performs in the field including whether the neoprene sleeve helps reduce
heating due to exposure from the sun and whether the bite valve is leak
proof and easy to drink from.
For adventure racing, long day hikes or hiking in warm climate (like the
Sonoran Desert where I live) staying hydrated can mean the difference
between a pleasant day hike and a death march. In addition to the reservoir
described above, the SpeeDemon also has two removable holsters which mount
to each of the shoulder straps of the pack allowing storage of two water
bottles (bringing the total number of available water sources within
immediate reach of the wearer to three). The removable 'U' shaped holster
attaches to plastic clips on the pack with elastic cord. There is another
elastic cord permanently connected somewhat higher on the shoulder strap to
secure the top of the water bottle.
As can be seen in the photo above, the water bottle sits immediately in
front of the hikers upper arm when inserted into the holster. It's too early
to tell whether this might inhibit the natural swing of the arm when hiking.
This is something that will be examined in the course of this test series.
Suspension System:
 The
SpeeDemon does not have a rigid suspension system (typically seen as
aluminum stays or a plastic frame sheet). Instead it has a flexible frame
consisting of two pieces of semi-rigid 'S' shaped foam sewn into either side
of the pack. The foam gives the pack some shape and support while still
remaining lightweight. The fit of the pack is adjusted to the user by
what the manufacturer calls it's "Torso Link Suspension System". The system
allows the upper back pad and shoulder strap assembly to be raised or
lowered relative to the pack using hook and loop fastener strips located
behind the back pad and within the pack body. Raising the suspension is
designed to produce a better fit for hikers with longer torsos.
The S-shaped shoulder harness is designed for a comfortable fit and also
has a unique design by which the lift webbing of each of the two straps is
continuous. After passing through the quick release fastener of the shoulder
strap, the webbing is routed to the bottom of the pack where it passes
around a plastic tube before leading up to the quick release on the other
side. This design ensures that any weight from the shoulder straps is
distributed equally on each shoulder and also allows the shoulder straps to
move with my body as my shoulders rise and fall as part of a normal stride.
An example of how the shoulder strap assembly functions can be seen in the
animated graphic at right.
In addition to the suspension system described, the pack has an
adjustable sternum strap which can be raised or lowered along a continuous 6
inch (15 cm) piece of webbing located on the shoulder straps. The shoulder
strap also has load lifter straps connecting the upper portion of the straps
to the pack body. Load lifters are designed to pull the weight of the pack
up off the hikers shoulders allowing the pack's hip belt to carry the bulk
of the load.
My key concern with the suspension of the pack is whether it transfers
the pack load off the shoulders to the hips. I don't like carrying weight on
my shoulders and don't like packs that constantly pull back on the front of
my shoulders. The foam does not provide as much rigidity as I'm used to seeing in
a framed pack design.
Materials / Design:
The main body of the pack is constructed from 70D nylon which is coated
with white Hypalon on the interior. The coating is designed to make the
material waterproof, while the white coloring allows easier visibility into
the packs recesses. The water resistance of the pack is enhanced by the
waterproof zippers used for both the main compartment and top mounted
storage pocket. One potential weakness in the water resistant design may
have been the drinking port which allows the drinking tube to run from the
packs interior through an exit port in the center of the pack just behind
the wearers back. But the manufacturer has thought of everything. To avoid
leakage through this opening, UD has placed an elasticized shingle (same
principle as a roof shingle) over this port to protect it from rain. To
prevent spilled liquid or any rain that penetrates the pack's defenses from
pooling in the bottom of the pack, adding weight and soaking your gear,
drain holes have been placed in the bottom of the main compartment to allow
any pooled liquid to escape.
Other features of the pack's design includes a 3D AirMesh back panel and
shoulder straps to enhance ventilation, a reflective logo and elastic
keepers for all straps so that they can be rolled up and stored instead of
hanging loosely or failing about in a strong wind.
Gear Storage:
 Gear
storage options on the SpeeDemon are in no short supply. In addition to the
wide mouth opening on main compartment (the zipper extends 3/5 of the way
down the body of the main compartment) the pack has a large bungee
compressible mesh stow-it pocket on the back which is suitable for a helmet
or wet clothing. There are also two mesh side pockets, a top mounted easy
access storage pocket
and two removable hip belt mounted pouches which are the perfect size for a
snack or a small point and shoot camera.
The pack also features a dual trekking pole/ice axe storage system which
consists of the standard loops at the bottom of the pack, plus two elastic
keepers to hold the upper portion of the pole or axe against the back of the
pack.
Accessory straps located on each side and on the bottom of the pack could
allow for lashing of additional gear if needed, and complete the storage
options available with the SpeeDemon.
Construction:
The SpeeDemon pack utilizes single stitching throughout with double
stitching used in a few areas, such as on the zippers. All seams on the pack
are either secured with binding tape or folded to ensure no raw edge of the
fabric is exposed. Stress points, such as the load lift attachment point are
secured with bar tacks. All webbing is lightweight 3/4 inch (2 cm)
grossgrain, except for the water bottle holsters which are made from 1 inch
(2.5 cm) and 1.5 inch (3.8 cm) flat webbing. Workmanship appears high
throughout the pack. I can find no flaws in the pack's construction.
Initial Impression:
Many new pack designs start with a standard pack and maybe add a new feature
or tweak an existing one. Ultimate Design seems to have preferred instead to
build a new kind of pack from the ground up. The result is a pack that has
features and a design very different from anything I've seen before. My
initial impression on pulling the pack out of the box was one of confusion.
Questions like: What is that? What does that do? Why did they do that? came
to my mind as I found new features or designs that were not familiar to me.
Only after studying the pack, trying it on and thinking it through did I
begin to see the thought process that went into the packs design. UD clearly
put a lot of effort into this pack, coming up with unique solutions to the
standard problems posed by pack design. The question is, do these design
features just make it different or do they make it better? I will attempt to
answer these questions and more as part of this test series. Stay tuned! |
