Black Diamond Beta Light 45 vs Zpacks Arc Zip Ultra 62
Quick take: The Zpacks Arc Zip Ultra 62 costs $1 less; the Zpacks Arc Zip Ultra 62 carries more (62 vs 45 liters); the Zpacks Arc Zip Ultra 62 is lighter (1.49 vs 1.98 lbs).
| Spec | Black Diamond Beta Light 45 | Zpacks Arc Zip Ultra 62 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $450 | $449 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Ultralight Pack | Ultralight Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 45 L | 62 L |
| Weight | 1.98 lbs | 1.49 lbs |
| Max Load | Not specified by the manufacturer | Not specified by the manufacturer |
| Torso Fit | See manufacturer sizing | See manufacturer sizing |
| Material | Ultra 200 and Ultra 400 with 4-way stretch mesh | Ultra fabric with waterproof taped seams |
| Back Panel | 2 removable stays with thin foam padding | Tensioned carbon fibre arc frame |
| Adjustable torso | No | No |
| Ventilated back | No | No |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | Yes | Yes |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | No | No |
| Fits BV500 bear can | No | No |
| Warranty | Manufacturer warranty; terms not published | Manufacturer warranty; terms not published |
Pros & cons
Black Diamond Beta Light 45
- ✓Combines Ultra 200 and heavier Ultra 400 so the tougher laminate sits where wear happens.
- ✓Two removable stays allow the pack to be stripped for lighter trips.
- ✓4-way stretch mesh holds external loads better than flat mesh.
- ✓Black Diamond's retail presence and support are far stronger than any cottage brand's.
- ✓31.7 oz is competitive with cottage packs of similar volume.
- ✓Ultra laminates are waterproof rather than merely water-resistant.
- ✓Easier to buy, return and warranty than a made-to-order cottage pack.
- ✓Hipbelt pockets included.
- ✗$450 is the most expensive ultralight pack here, by $50 over the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra.
- ✗45 L is modest capacity for the price.
- ✗OutdoorGearLab notes design elements that still need refinement -- this is a first-generation product.
- ✗No published maximum load figure.
- ✗Ultra laminates are hard to field-repair.
- ✗No adjustable torso.
- ✗Black Diamond has far less ultralight pack heritage than the cottage brands it competes with.
- ✗Heavier than the Bonfus Framus while carrying 13 L less.
Zpacks Arc Zip Ultra 62
- ✓Front zip access solves the top-loader problem without giving up the carbon arc frame.
- ✓The tensioned arc genuinely lifts the pack off the back, which no other frame here does.
- ✓23.9 oz for a framed, waterproof 62 L pack is an excellent ratio.
- ✓62 L handles a bear canister and a long food carry comfortably.
- ✓Waterproof Ultra fabric with taped seams throughout.
- ✓Carbon stays are stiffer per gram than aluminium.
- ✓Zpacks' arc suspension has been refined across many generations.
- ✓Hipbelt pockets included.
- ✗$449 is the most expensive ultralight pack in this catalog alongside the BD Beta Light.
- ✗A full-length zip is the most likely component to fail on any pack.
- ✗No published maximum load figure.
- ✗The arc frame requires correct tensioning to work, which takes some learning.
- ✗No adjustable torso.
- ✗Ultra laminate is difficult to field-repair.
- ✗Only one volume is offered, unlike the Arc Haul's four.
- ✗Carbon stays can snap rather than bend under severe overload.