Reviews > Packs > Pack Accessories > Simblissity Unslack Pack > Thomas Vickers > Long Term Report

Simblissity UnSlack Pack Long Term Report

August 30, 2006

Tester Background:
I grew up in the piney woods of southeast Texas. Camping was a quick trip into the mosquito-infested woods behind the house. My style has evolved and over the last 4 or 5 years, I have begun to take a lighter weight approach to hiking gear (I still use sleeping bags and tents, just lighter versions). While I have flirted with lightweight hiking, I feel that I am more of a mid-weight hiker now. My philosophy is one of comfort, while carrying the lightest load possible.

Slacking with the UnSlack Pack:
I used the Simblissity UnSlack Pack at least 3 days a week during this last phase of the test.  For most of this period it was attached to my GoLite daypack, but I also took a risk and attached to the  one in (2.5 cm) wide web belt that I wear with my hiking pants. This allowed me to test the UnSlack Pack in the 'sideways' mode.  I hate to carry keys and other items in my pockets while I walk, so I figured that this might be a good way to do things.  The results were not spectacular, but it did keep me from digging in my pockets looking for the items that I needed.  Everything stayed put till I needed it and then I loosened the shockcord and dug them out. Access on my belt was just the same as on my packs' shoulder straps.

Overall, the UnSlack Pack is a great addition to my day hiking gear. I have used it on a couple of different daypacks and a lumbar pack and found that it fits them all pretty well.  I had hoped that I could carry a little more stuff in it when on overnight camping trips, but the small size prohibited me from "overpacking".   Basically, I wanted enough room to keep stuffing stuff in, even if I didn't need all the 'stuff'.  So I had to make choices that were good for me. I had to either pack snacks or gizmos in the UnSlack Pack, but I couldn't do both.  In the long run I feel that this was more of a blessing than a problem. 

The UnSlack Pack has held together really well and performed just like the website claimed and as I had hoped it would.  There were no big disappointments with this item, but there was a great deal of "learning to deal with the UnSlack Pack."  Once I figured out my routine for loosening the UnSlack Pack, opening it, getting my gizmo out, and retightening it, I was good to go.  I just had to remember to stick to the routine or the UnSlack Pack tended to slide down a bit from where I wanted it on my pack.

Fit:
1. Does it attach easily to all my packs?
Pretty darned easily. My only gripe is that the shockcord looks difficult to thread through the cordlock, so I always removed the shoulder strap from the pack and attached the UnSlack pack by sliding it over the loose end of the shoulder strap.   I do this for other external pockets, so it really wasn't a big deal. I can get it all done in less than five minutes.

2. Does the Circumferential Compression™ mounting system hold the UnSlack Pack secure in all locations? Are there areas on a pack that it doesn't hold well? Does it live up to its promise of being 'bounce free'?
When tightly cinched the UnSlack Pack doesn't move. It stays put no matter where I hang it on the pack.  If I loosen the UnSlack Pack to get at its contents and don't cinch it back down, then it will bounce and slide a bit.  It was a matter of learning to keep it cinched and when I did, it performed as advertised.

3. What is the largest circumference belt/strap that the UnSlack Pack can be attached to without resorting to the Hipbelt Kit?
I carried it exclusively on shoulder straps and my belt and never had to resort to the Hipbelt Kit.  The straps and shockcord provided with the UnSlack Pack were more than big enough to deal with my every day hiking needs.

Usage:
1. How much can it hold? My goal would be to carry snacks, digital camera, and gps in the UnSlack Pack. Is this possible?
My usual load in the UnSlack Pack was a digital camera, cell phone, pen, and keys.  Sometimes this included a GPS, but with all my gadgets in place, there was not room for snacks.  I found that it was an either or situation for me. I could carry snacks or gadgets and I usually opted for gizmos over food. 

2. How easy is it to access the contents of the UnSlack Pack while I am wearing the pack it is attached to? Does it hold the contents securely?
Learning how to use the UnSlack Pack while moving was essential. I had to loosen the shockcord, open one of the pockets, remove what I wanted and recinch the shockord or it would slide down my shoulder strap. The sliding was less of an issue when standing still, but I had to make sure I recinched the UnSlack Pack after getting my gizmo out or it would move/bounce when I started moving again.  Once it was cinched down and closed securely, nothing fell out. It went through a lot of bouncing and nothing was lost.

3. Can I attach it to a belt and still access it and its contents? (waist belt, no pack) Will it hold my running supplies if I can wear it on a belt? (Music player, gps, etc…)
I used the UnSlack Pack this way several times and I mainly carried my digital camera, cell phone, and house keys. It rode securely and I could put it where I liked it on my belt so that I could get to what I needed when I needed. 

4. Does it keep its contents dry? If the UnSlack Pack gets wet, how long does it take to dry?
I used the UnSlack Pack on several rainy days and anything that I kept in the back (nonmesh) pocket stayed dry. This was especially nice because I really didn't want to get my new digital camera wet and the UnSlack Pack helped me do this. It also never really got wet when rained on. The mesh of the front pocket would get soaked, but it dried very quickly when the sun came out.


Durability:
1. How durable is the UnSlack Pack? Will it hold up to snagging and pulling by branches?
I never really had any snag issues.  The location of the UnSlack Pack on my shoulder strap meant that it was usually protected from poking branches by my hands or arms when I used them for self defense against trees.  As far as durability, there have been no rips, tears or stitching issues.

2. How well do the closure system, attachment system, and any other moveable/usable parts hold up to constant use/opening/closing?
It is very durable. That is a good thing for me. I opened, closed, snapped, unsnapped, cinched, uncinched, attached, removed, and reattached the UnSlack Pack too many times to count.  Nothing has given out over the course of the test. One thing that has really impressed me is that the metal snap on the UnSlack Pack has not only held up to my use, but it still snaps shut VERY tightly. I figured it would have loosened up a bit by now, but that is not the case. 

Closing Thoughts:
I really enjoyed testing the UnSlack Pack.  It provided me with a small add on pocket that I could attach to any pack I own.  I also liked the fact that when out walking or just diddling around camp, I could attach the UnSlack Pack to my belt and keep my gizmos handy.  It is small, but I don't see that as a problem. If I wanted a big pocket to cram stuff in, there are plenty of them on the market.  The UnSlack Pack is perfect for small things that need to be dry, but handy. 

Reviews > Packs > Pack Accessories > Simblissity Unslack Pack > Thomas Vickers > Long Term Report