The Q10 has an elaborate suspension system, as shown in the two photographs at the beginning and end of this section. Within the pocket with the hook and loop (i.e. Velcro-style) closure shown in the first photo are two diagonal fiberglass stays, the ends of which fit into pouches. This in itself provides a high degree of rigidity (at a fairly minimal weight) and appears to be the “BiSect suspension” noted in the manufacturer's product description. A pair of roughly S-shaped framesheets supplies further structure. These are riveted to the rear of the pack (two of the rivets can be seen in the picture above). They are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE). They are black, which generally means that the material has been treated with stabilizers to prevent deterioration from exposure to ultra-violet radiation (i.e. it's likely resistant to sun exposure). The framesheets combined with the stays help make the pack body very resistant to deformation under load.
The waist belt of the pack is in two sections. These are linked to the pack by sheets of hook and loop fastener, and are thus highly adjustable (to the tune of about 4 in, 10 cm). Thus the belt can be adjusted easily according to preference, and works well with waists slender and otherwise. This is especially crucial in ensuring that the wide, padded portion of the belt (the “SquashPod”) hits the hip at the correct spot for optimum weight transference. The waist belt exits beneath the framesheets.
There are two load-stabilizer straps on each side of the pack body. One pair feeds horizontally to the belt, and is attached to the pack near the base of the bottle pockets. There's another pair that extends to the belt diagonally (via slits in the framesheet). When these two sets of straps are cinched tight (each strap has an independent ladder lock buckle), there's very little sway in the pack, making the load stable and extremely comfortable to carry (provided the pack is not over-loaded). The waist belt terminates in a 2 in (5 cm) nylon webbing strap, and fastens with a hefty side-release buckle.
As a final touch, a pair of large foam-padded flaps covers the suspension. These are also hook and loop fastened. The larger flap matches the curvature of the waist and spine, hugging it closely but comfortably. This arrangements adds still more resistance to deformation. For a lumbar pack, this is probably about as good a suspension as one will find, and the fact that it is extremely stable makes it ideal not only for hiking but recreations such as climbing and backcountry skiing where balance is of the essence. There is a small penalty paid for this comfort and support, and that's the weight of the pack—not that great, yet substantial enough given the small volume—but given my history of back injury I feel this is a minor issue.
Details of suspension structure (over-exposed to show black-on-black details)
Pack
I suspect that the volume of the Q10 may be under-estimated by Arc’teryx, based on some back-of-an-envelope calculations I made, but even if accurate, it's very adequate for a lumbar pack. The exterior is constructed from a sturdy nylon—630D Superpack—something of a staple in the Arc’teryx line of packs. This has (though the manufacturer's description does not mention this) a DWR finish, though it is not by any means intended to be totally waterproof, as I was told by a representative of the firm when I inquired on this point. The main zipper (which utilizes a YKK double-pull zip, making access easy in either direction) is urethane-covered, and so is also water-resistant. It's also smooth in operation, not always the case with zips of this type.
The interior of the pack contains a slim zipped pocket, which can be seen in the top photo. This is useful for stray flat odds-and-ends, but is not a feature I find especially useful. Since there is also a pocket for the stays on the interior wall of the pack (i.e. where it sits against the back), the bag is essentially lined on both sides. The high-wear area at the bottom of the pack is made from a panel of very rugged nylon. The interior of the pack has a key-chain hook mounted to the seam of this panel, though the placement (while certainly secure) leaves something to be desired, as I have to half-empty the pack to get at my keys when I use it.
The front of the pack has a Hypalon sleeve (see photo below) that's described as a bottle holster, although as there are already two side water bottle pockets sufficient to handle two substantial water bottles (quart/liter), this is somewhat redundant for the stated use unless one is traveling in dry country. Depending on how full the main body of the pack is, there's room in the sleeve for lunch, some light clothing, or even a summer sleeping bag in a compression sack. If used for its stated purpose, it can house a 2 qt/2 L Platypus, so it's possible to carry almost a gallon, or 4 liters.
Items held in the sleeve are secured by an elastic cord that passes through a series of brass grommets (on the sleeve and on a series of tabs attached to the pack body) that can be held taut with a spring-loaded cord lock. Two webbing straps with small side-release buckles extend from the rear of the pack and attach to the top of the sleeve. A jacket or similar light piece of gear may be slipped underneath them. With all this, the sleeve (emblazoned with the Arc’teryx logo) is a pretty secure area to store items. Though the additional volume it provides is not large, it is very useful to have easy access to gear carried there.
The side water bottle holders each have an elasticized cord (riding rather too low for a standard Nalgene) to help retain water bottles, as well as mesh sides. The mesh is unfortunately not that robust, but more on that later. Overall, the construction and design of the pack are first-rate.
Pack body (over-exposed to show black-on-black details)
I purchased my first Q10 in early spring of this year, and immediately set to work testing it. Early on, I established that although with ingenuity and very light gear I could jam in enough to use it as an overnight pack, it was not particularly comfortable to do so. Assuming that I'm carrying about 2 qt (2 L) of water in the side pockets, that's already a load of approximately 4 lb (1.8 kg), not counting the weight of the pack, before any food or shelter. This is my typical water load, at least in terrain where I know I am likely to be able to replenish my supply.
The most that may be carried in even modest comfort with this pack is, in my experience, between 10 and 12 lb (4.5 to 5.4 kg). That leaves only 6 to 8 lb (2.7 to 3.6 kg) for food and gear, after water. At the higher figure, I find the pack feels uncomfortable periodically and needs occasional readjustment (I usually do this about once an hour under these circumstances). Even for a dedicated minimalist, this is not a good pack for camping overnight, nor is it intended to be. The Hypalon sleeve is indeed handy, but if it is overly heavily laden, the resulting lever arm creates problems with the suspension.
A far better plan, one that I have used for several short backpack trips, is to carry my water, day food and the gear that I'm most likely to use on the trail in the lumbar pack, and to also carry an ultralight daypack. I generally use the GoLite Breeze, but any pack that does not require a waist-belt is a candidate. My tarptent, sleeping bag and the bulk of my food go in the daypack, together with any additional water needed. A silnylon poncho, windshirt, and (sometimes) a down shirt for stops (if the weather calls for it), plus lunch, navigation aids, snacks, first aid kit and the “ten essentials,” go into the Q10, along with anything else useful and lightweight.
The lumbar pack helps support the very light load in the daypack, the base of which sits on top of the Q10. This entire arrangement is both comfortable and utilitarian, and puts no weight to speak of on my shoulders, due to the support, as the lumbar pack causes the daypack to ride high. I find this generally more convenient than taking a single, larger pack for short trips. It offers ease of access and a very comfortable “carry.” In theory, I could probably manage at least three or four days at a stretch in this manner, although with the greater weight I'm more likely to reach for a backpack with a hip-belt, such as the Granite Gear Virga, a personal favorite. I thought I'd come up with an original idea in combining the two packs, but I'm reliably informed that some AT through-hikers (a creative group) caught onto this idea years ago.
As a simple daypack the Q10 is a delight, more than adequate for three-season hiking (and certainly a pack to be considered for cross-country skiing, though this I can only surmise until winter), but for one major shortcoming. The mesh used on the side water-bottle pockets is, in my opinion, of inferior quality. It's of a fairly loose weave, and when stretched taut over a bottle, there's a tendency for a passing branch to snag and tear it. This has happened with irritating frequency on bushwhacks, but even on trail hikes it has been a concern.
Finally, when one of the cord-pulls on a water bottle pocket detached while I was tightening the cord (I now treat these too as fragile), I sent the pack back to the retailer (having previously contacted Arc’teryx to alert them to my concerns, with indifferent results) and I obtained a replacement Q10. I'm now very careful with the mesh, and in due course I intend to sew on a permanent silnylon covering. This deficiency is a great shame and a fairly serious issue in what is otherwise a remarkable piece of gear. The propensity for damage may be partly a function of the kind of hiking I do, but I do expect equipment of this quality to be capable of dealing with hard use! This is not an ultralight pack made of fragile materials that should be babied, or a street bag masquerading as a pack. This is my one major quibble with the otherwise sound design.
I have used the Q10 in the Catskills, both on and off trail, at elevations to 3800 ft (1160 m). Temperatures have ranged from 45 F to 80 F (7 C to 27 C) and weather conditions from cold rain to bright, warm sun. Although I've owned the pack for only three or four months, I have done several backpacks, some heavy bushwhacking and numerous extensive trail hikes over difficult wooded and mountainous terrain. It has, despite my cavils, become my favorite summer daypack.
Summary
The Arc’teryx Q10 lumbar pack is well designed and (within its load range) is extremely comfortable, albeit not exceptionally light for the volume. It is well thought out and (with the major exception noted) appears to be manufactured with quality materials and considerable care and attention to detail. A three-season daypack par excellence, it's also a good adjunct to an ultralight pack for multi-day trips. At a pinch it may (provided only minimal shelter, e.g. a poncho tarp, is required) be used for overnights.
