Zpacks Arc Zip Ultra 62 vs Zpacks Women's Arc Zip Ultra 62
Quick take: The Zpacks Women's Arc Zip Ultra 62 is lighter (1.5 vs 1.54 lbs).
Which one to buy
Harness fit is the only real difference. Both versions of the Zpacks Arc Zip Ultra 62 cost $449, hold 62 L in Ultra 100X, ride the same curved carbon arc frame, and open along a full-length front zip like a suitcase. The women's version, released in July 2025, swaps in Zpacks' women's straps and hipbelt. Neither comes with hipbelt pockets; they're an add-on for both.
Pick by which harness fits your shoulders and hips. Everything about the unisex pack applies to the shared design. The zip is the most failure-prone component on any pack and the least waterproof path through an otherwise taped bag, so keep it clean and never force it over an overstuffed load. In return, it lets you pull a bear canister out without unloading everything above it, and 62 L takes a canister plus a long food carry. The arc frame takes some tensioning practice, which is best sorted out on a shakedown hike rather than day one of a thru-hike. Both come in one volume only, neither has a hydration sleeve or a rain cover, and both carry Zpacks' two-year warranty, so the decision really does come down to how the straps sit on you.
Zpacks Arc Zip Ultra 62
For hikers whose shoulders and hips suit Zpacks' standard straps and belt.
Zpacks Women's Arc Zip Ultra 62
Best for women and smaller-framed hikers who want the same zip-access Arc pack with Zpacks' women's straps and hipbelt.
| Spec | Zpacks Arc Zip Ultra 62 | Zpacks Women's Arc Zip Ultra 62 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449 | $449 |
| Rating | — | — |
| Type | Ultralight Pack | Ultralight Pack |
| Frame Type | Internal Frame | Internal Frame |
| Capacity | 62 L | 62 L |
| Weight | 1.54 lbs | 1.5 lbs |
| Max Load | 40 lbs max (30-35 lbs comfortable) | 40 lbs |
| 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 | No |
| 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 Zip Ultra 62
- ✓Panel zip access, uncommon among sub-2 lb framed packs.
- ✓Women's-specific straps and belt at the same price as the unisex pack.
- ✓40 lb rating for long food carries.
- ✓Adjustable torso height within each frame size.
- ✗24.7 oz is about 3.5 oz heavier than the roll-top women's Arc Haul Ultra.
- ✗$449 base, $499 with vest straps.
- ✗A long zip is one more failure point than a roll-top.
- ✗Only one volume offered.
Zpacks Arc Zip Ultra 62 vs Zpacks Women's Arc Zip Ultra 62: common questions
Does the Women's Arc Zip Ultra 62 cost more than the unisex version?▾
No. Both are $449. The women's version changes the straps and hipbelt, while the bag, frame, 62 L volume and front zip are the same as the unisex pack.
Is the front zip on either Arc Zip a weak point?▾
A full-length zip is the most failure-prone part of any pack and the least waterproof path through the bag. Keep it clean and avoid forcing it over an overstuffed load, and you get suitcase-style access.