BackpackGearTest.org Review - /reviews/Packs/Pack Accessories/Simblissity Unslack Pack/Gail Staisil/Field Report

Locations/Conditions

During the last two months I have tested the UnSlack Pack during several spring backpacking trips. They included two trips to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, a trip to the Fox River Pathway and a trip to Grand Island National Recreation Area. Total days of backpacking during this time period amounted to thirteen days. In addition the UnSlack Pack was tested during frequent day hikes and trail runs. Testing locations included deciduous and pine forest, open plains, lakeshore and steep rocky trails. The testing conditions were at low elevation or altitude 600 ft (183 m) to 2000 ft (610 m), with mostly semi-cool to warm conditions and mid-to-high range humidity (50-95 percent). Temperature ranged from a low of 26 F (-3 C) to a high of over 80 F (27 C). Mostly dry conditions prevailed.

Field Test # 1 - Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore April 26-28 2006

I attached the UnSlack Pack to the shoulder strap of my Granite Gear Stratus Latitude 4800 cu in (79 L) backpack for this trip. The webbing on my backpack is easily removed from the buckle so I just slipped the UnSlack Pack in place without having to undo the elastic drawcord and mini cordlock. I debated about putting my camera in the main pocket but since the weather was without precipitation and I didn't plan on bushwhacking I decided that this would be the optimal time to test the camera in the main pocket.

Velcro on Mesh Pocket Equals Security

The mesh pocket that overlays the main pocket on the UnSlack Pack held my sunscreen and lip balm. This pocket has unbelievably sticky Velcro that kept attaching to my light fleece gloves whenever I went to retrieve an item from the mesh pocket. It does have a small loop to pull the Velcro apart but I would still get my gloves stuck every time I wanted to use one of the products. On a positive note if there is anything I can't bear to lose it probably should go in this pocket.

The main pocket has a snap in the center with a lighter Velcro strip across the top edge. I never seemed to nail the snap just right so I decided that I would loop my camera strap through the D-ring on the pack itself. This is the same D-ring that I had threaded the attachment strap through to hold the UnSlack Pack in place. My camera strap is actually a narrow long aftermarket strap measuring 19 in (48.26 cm) of length that I purchased so I could wear the camera around my neck if desired. By looping it through the D-ring I could still retrieve my camera and use it while it was attached to the pack. Of course if I took the pack off and wanted to use the camera I had to undo the loop. Regardless I would have removed the camera from the pocket anyway. I didn't find this to be an inconvenience as it allowed me the security of not losing my camera. Even though this was not a bushwhacking trip per se, I had to circumnavigate through brush often as many trees and limbs had fallen in the winter and spring months evidently due to heavy ice damage. This is usual along the lakeshore in the spring as the winter brings an awesome amount of wind and freezing ice. Much of the lakeshore trail stands on a 200 ft (61 m) bluff and the extreme northerly winds and waves spray water relentlessly on top of the cliffs. Throughout my three days of travel the UnSlack Pack stayed nicely in place. After replacing an item back in the UnSlack Pack I had to reposition the elastic drawcord or it would end up towards the bottom of the pack.

Field Test # 2 - Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore May 4-7 2006
Tester wearing UnSlack Pack

Since I had just recently used my 4800 cu in (79 L) backpack the week before the UnSlack Pack was still attached and ready to go. I started off with my camera in the larger main pocket and a few incidentals in the mesh pocket. During the length of the trip I was forced to put on more layers of clothing. I shifted my camera to my chest pocket on my fleece jacket as it was protected from the elements especially cold that wears down the rechargeable batteries on my camera. Since I have changed to the new system of using the Unslack Pack for my camera, I haven't found any useful place to put the extra picture card and extra battery that I used to carry in the insulated camera case with the camera. On my last trip I put them in a stow sack with all my other incidentals but on this trip being a creature of habit I completely forgot the card and extra battery. Therefore I was worried about exposing the camera to unnecessary cold weather. I instead put a Ziplock of trail mix in the large pocket and this was readily available when I needed nourishment without taking off my pack.

Attachment Strap Rotation

Even though I wore a light wool layer, a midlayer of fleece and a windbreaker, I suddenly felt an irritating spot under my shoulder strap. Sure enough when I felt the UnSlack Pack attachment strap the buckle had rotated to the back side which was causing the irritation. This was the first time it moved out of position so I guess I can't complain too much. It will be interesting to see if it rotates more with lesser clothing in the hotter weather. I felt sort of like the "Princess and the Pea" fairy tale story but it is surprising how a little buckle can be irritating in the wrong spot.

Field Test # 3 - Fox River Pathway June 3-5 2006

This was an unseasonably hot trip for this time of year. The temperatures were approximately 80 F (27 C) or above. I primarily wore a sleeveless shirt during the trip and it was a good test to see if the UnSlack Pack was irritating to my arm in anyway. Other than the bungee cord lock rotating around to rub my arm at one point I didn't even notice it was part of my pack as it is so lightweight. Most likely if I would have pulled the cord lock tighter this wouldn't of happened.

During this trip I continued to lash my camera strap to a D-ring on my pack for extra protection. I literally take more than a hundred pictures during a three-day trip so unsnapping and snapping the chest pocket becomes tedious as the compression cord has to be adjusted as well. Although the Circumferential Compression Mounting System works well for security and eliminating bounce it is necessary to perform a two-step process every time. I just get lazy so I just use the compression system and not always the snap to secure the camera.

Field Test # 4 - Grand Island National Recreation Area June 9-11 2006 UnSlack Pack attached to Gregory G

Transfer of UnSlack Pack

For this trip I switched my backpack to the Gregory G Pack. It has a much smaller shoulder harness so I wondered if the UnSlack Pack would rotate more easily. I did notice the presence of it more readily as it hung over the sides of the narrow strap. I had to undo the cordage and cordlock to put the UnSlack Pack on the shoulder strap of the harness. Feeding the ends of the cord through the cordlock went quite easily. Because the G Pack has smaller shoulder straps the attachment strap of the UnSlack Pack is rather long so it sort of hangs in the way. I know this can be shortened however I would hesitate to do that after the test period as it wouldn't be functional for different size packs if I altered it.

Security

I began the trip with the camera in the main pocket but decided to transfer it to one of the pockets on the mesh waist belt of the G Pack for more convenient access. I then carried my snacks in the main pocket of the UnSlack Pack and my lip balm, sunscreen, an extra camera battery and a memory card (encased) in the mesh pocket. This arrangement worked out rather well for me as I don't have to access those items repeatedly like I do with the camera or snacks. The mesh pocket also offers the most security for items as the Velcro is extremely grippy. There isn't any way that I could lose anything from this pocket as it takes a bit of a tug to open it even with the handy braided grasp loop.

Dayhiking and Trail Running Field Tests
UnSlack Pack attached to waist pack belt

UnSlack Pack attached to waist pack belt

For day hiking I have used the UnSlack Pack on several occasions to hold my water bottle. While day hiking the UnSlack Pack was attached to the shoulder harness of my hydration backpack. Because the UnSlack Pack can only hold a 20 oz (0.59 L) bottle of water I still filled my 100 oz (2.96 L) water reservoir partially full. It did seem to be redundant to have two water sources in one pack but it is the only smaller type of pack that I use for day hikes of less than 10 mi (16 km).

For trail running I attached the UnSlack Pack with the hipbelt accessory cordage as provided. The hipbelt kit wasn't really necessary as the belt of my waist pack is narrow at 1.5 in (3.81 cm) and I didn't need the longer length of accessory strap and compression cordage. I don't normally drink much water during my trail runs but I always carry water in addition to a few safety supplies for possible emergencies. The UnSlack pack attaches to my waist pack belt on the front in a horizontal position. After dropping my bottle a number of times I realized that this is not the best position for the UnSlack Pack. I tried threading the cordage through the top loops on the back of the pack and pulling the compression cord higher on the bottle but it was still too unstable. This may be due to the narrow belt on my waist pack or the length of the water bottle so I will experiment with this further during the long-term testing period. When it does stay in place it is easy to retrieve the water bottle while running but it is almost impossible to restash the bottle without stopping for a minute to adjust the stretch cords. Overall when I use my normal behind-the-waist position for my waistpack I have to turn the waist belt around to obtain water so the UnSlack Pack's position was actually more convenient in the front location.

Reviews > Packs > Pack Accessories > Simblissity Unslack Pack > Gail Staisil > Field Report

Reviews > Packs > Pack Accessories > Simblissity Unslack Pack > Gail Staisil > Field Report