New Arcteryx Alpha FL40 and revised 30l packs

Fabien Mwrote:

Cool! Once you have used it a bit I would be interested to hear your opinion.

All in all it’s pretty good. The fabric seems more durable than the Alpha FL 45. The small bottom is perfect. 

I’m a 17.5 inch torso so I ordered a small which works well although when I lower the pack to put weight on the hip belt the straps run pretty low down my shoulder blades so there is some sway if it’s packed to the top. Some simple load stabilizer straps would help. 

Sean Raineywrote:

All in all it’s pretty good. The fabric seems more durable than the Alpha FL 45. The small bottom is perfect. 

I’m a 17.5 inch torso so I ordered a small which works well although when I lower the pack to put weight on the hip belt the straps run pretty low down my shoulder blades so there is some sway if it’s packed to the top. Some simple load stabilizer straps would help. 

Glad you like it so far. Its a 30 liters minimalist backpack, the best way to carry it is pretty "high" on your back so you can reach the gear loops of your harness easily. You don' t need load lifters also because its designed to work with a reasonably heavy load (I never pack it heavier than 8 kilos).
This kind of pack is really designed for the climb more than anything else. Once you re climbing you should have almost nothing in the pack, that's the philosophy behind it and I think its a good one, people carry way too much useless stuff.
On my side I even got rid of the hip belt and use the sternum strap only so I don't lose the pack if I fall while climbing ;)

Fabien Mwrote:

Cool! Once you have used it a bit I would be interested to hear your opinion.

These packs ever go on sale? Do you know the differences between the black ice and the whiteout?

RWPTwrote:

These packs ever go on sale? Do you know the differences between the black ice and the whiteout?

I bought my 30L from Mountain Steals on sale and used the first time order 10% off coupon for a total of 100.13. The Black Ice and Whiteout are the same aside from the fabric and coating. 

Sean Raineywrote:

I bought my 30L from Mountain Steals on sale and used the first time order 10% off coupon for a total of 100.13. The Black Ice and Whiteout are the same aside from the fabric and coating. 

Nothing new to report about the black ice?

Fabien Mwrote:

Nothing new to report about the black ice?

It seems to be holding up well on the Moab sandstone :) Im fairly certain I will be able to use a 45L size medium.

Can't get exped over the border right now so if I purchase the FL40 I can replace the frame with a Removable back padding?  What material do they use?

RWPTwrote:

Can't get exped over the border right now so if I purchase the FL40 I can replace the frame with a Removable back padding?  What material do they use?

It seems to be the same bonded foam as the 45 which isn’t to bad. Actually one of my favorite things about the FL45 is the way the shoulder straps are bonded near the top of the back panel. Very stable. The Exped is pretty close as the foam panel is pretty snug inside it’s sleeve.