Zpacks Arc Zip Ultra 62 vs Zpacks Women's Arc Haul Ultra 60
Quick take: The Zpacks Women's Arc Haul Ultra 60 costs $50 less; the Zpacks Arc Zip Ultra 62 carries more (62 vs 60 liters); the Zpacks Women's Arc Haul Ultra 60 is lighter (1.32 vs 1.54 lbs).
Which one to buy
The extra $50 for the Arc Zip buys a front zipper, but it also costs you the women's harness. The Zpacks Women's Arc Haul Ultra 60 costs $399 and pairs the Arc Haul's 60 L Ultra 100X bag and curved carbon frame with straps that are narrower and a couple of inches shorter, plus a V-style padded hipbelt for curvier hips. It weighs 1.32 lbs, is rated to 40 lb with 30-35 lb comfortable, and comes in four volumes from 40 to 70 L. The Arc Zip Ultra 62 is $449 with a unisex harness, one volume and a full-length front zip that opens the bag like a suitcase.
For most women, the fitted harness matters more than zip access, and the Women's Arc Haul is both cheaper and lighter. On the Arc Zip, the zip is the most failure-prone component on any pack and the least waterproof path through an otherwise taped bag, and it needs care, never forced over an overstuffed load. In return it lets you pull a bear canister without unpacking everything above it, which a roll-top like the Women's Arc Haul can't match.
Both frames need tensioning practice, so sort that out on a shakedown hike. Neither includes hipbelt pockets; Zpacks sells them as an add-on. Zpacks backs both with a two-year warranty.
Zpacks Arc Zip Ultra 62
For hikers comfortable in a unisex harness who want front zip access and an easier way to reach a bear canister.
Zpacks Women's Arc Haul Ultra 60
A good match for women and smaller-framed hikers who want a fitted harness, a choice of volumes and $50 back.
| Spec | Zpacks Arc Zip Ultra 62 | Zpacks Women's Arc Haul Ultra 60 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449 | $399 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Ultralight Pack | Ultralight Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 62 L | 60 L |
| Weight | 1.54 lbs | 1.32 lbs |
| Max Load | 40 lbs max (30-35 lbs comfortable) | 40 lbs (30-35 lbs comfortable) |
| Torso Fit | Short 16-19 in , Medium 19-23 in , Tall 23-26 in | Adjustable, Short 16-19 in / Medium 19-23 in / Tall 23-26 in |
| Material | Ultra 100X 3.3 oz/sqyd, taped seams | Ultra 100X |
| Back Panel | Tensioned carbon fibre arc frame | Curved carbon-fibre Arc Frame |
| Adjustable torso | Yes | Yes |
| Ventilated back | Yes | Yes |
| Raincover included | No | No |
| Hipbelt pockets | No | No |
| Removable lid | No | No |
| Hydration sleeve | No | No |
| Fits BV500 bear can | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | Zpacks two-year limited warranty against defects in materials or workmanship | Zpacks two-year limited warranty |
Pros & cons
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.
- ✓24.7 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.
- ✗$449 puts it among the most expensive ultralight packs on this site, level with the BD Beta Light 45 and the Arc Pro 60.
- ✗A full-length zip is the most likely component to fail on any pack.
- ✗The arc frame requires correct tensioning to work, which takes some learning.
- ✗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.
Zpacks Women's Arc Haul Ultra 60
- ✓Shoulder straps are narrower and shorter, the usual fit complaint with unisex harnesses.
- ✓A V-shaped padded belt wraps a curvier hip better than a straight belt.
- ✓No price premium over the unisex pack.
- ✓Four volumes from 40 to 70 L.
- ✓The Arc Frame's curved stays keep the bag off the back.
- ✗Weights are published only for the 60 L.
- ✗Vest straps raise the price to $449.
- ✗Ultra 100X is light, but it is a thin fabric for off-trail bushwhacking.
Zpacks Arc Zip Ultra 62 vs Zpacks Women's Arc Haul Ultra 60: common questions
Is the Arc Zip Ultra 62 worth $50 more than the Women's Arc Haul Ultra 60?▾
Only if zip access matters more to you than fit. The Women's Arc Haul has narrower, shorter straps and a V-style hipbelt, while the Arc Zip adds a full-length front zip that needs careful handling.
Can I get the Arc Zip Ultra 62 with women's straps?▾
This model comes with a unisex harness. Between these two, the Women's Arc Haul Ultra 60 is the one with narrower, shorter straps and a V-style belt, and it costs $50 less.