Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L.

The Gavler Review.

Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L Review: The Ultralight Pack Six Outlets Agree On

The Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L ranks number one on Gavler's Best Hiking Backpacks list with a 9.1, and the consensus behind that score is unusually strong: Gavler's data cites six independent outlets — GearJunkie, OutdoorGearLab, Adventure Alan, Backpacker, CleverHiker, and Switchback Travel — all naming it their overall ultralight pick in the same season. CleverHiker's own hands-on review, tested in the Rocky Mountains, doesn't hedge: it's "a no-brainer" for committed ultralight backpackers, with one clear catch — at $399 plus optional add-ons, it's the priciest pack on Gavler's list.

What it is

The Arc Haul Ultra's headline feature is its curved carbon-fiber frame, which suspends the pack body away from your back on a mesh panel. That air gap solves the sweat-shirt problem that plagues flat-against-the-back packs, and it's the mechanical reason the pack can carry 40-pound loads at 21.7 ounces without feeling unstable. The body is built from UHMWPE Ultra fabric — waterproof, more abrasion-resistant than first-generation Dyneema DCF, and genuinely durable on maintained trail.

CleverHiker's testing adds real texture to the spec sheet: the front pocket uses a see-through stretch mesh so you can spot gear without digging, side pockets are large and easy to reach while hiking, and non-stretch Dyneema straps zig-zag up each side of the pack for lashing wet gear or a bulky foam pad externally. Continuous daisy-chain webbing on the shoulder straps and hip belt gives you attachment points for a GPS unit or other critical gear — small details that show up in extended field use rather than a spec table.

In use

CleverHiker tested the Arc Haul Ultra with loads up to about 28.5 pounds and came away impressed with how the pack "hugs close to your body, moving with you and eliminating annoying pack bounce" — a direct result of that suspended-frame design. The suspended mesh back panel delivered on the ventilation promise too, keeping backs "noticeably drier" than a standard flat-panel pack.

Water resistance is where this pack separates itself from the rest of Gavler's list. CleverHiker's dedicated water exposure test found the Arc Haul Ultra "virtually 100 percent waterproof," attributing it to the laminated Ultra 100X backing (rated over 20,000 mmH₂O) and meticulously taped seams. That's a meaningfully different result from the same test run on the Durston Kakwa 55, which leaked through its hydration port and seams despite similar waterproof-fabric marketing — a real, measurable point of separation between the two packs.

The trade-offs CleverHiker found in extended use were honest rather than dealbreaking: "occasional rubbing on the lower back" over long days, and a fabric that's "quite stiff, noisy, and crinkly" compared to softer nylon builds. Neither compromised function, but both are worth knowing before you commit $399 to a pack you haven't tried on.

Strengths

The editorial consensus behind this pack is unusually broad, and Gavler's data is right to call it out — six independent best-in-class picks in one season is rare in outdoor gear reviewing, where most products split opinion at least somewhat. CleverHiker's testing backs that consensus with specifics rather than just agreement: a 4.7-out-of-5 rating, praise for the pack's "incredibly stable carry" under load, and confirmation that the waterproofing claim holds up under actual testing rather than just marketing copy.

Durability held up too. Despite weighing in at 0.4 ounces per liter of capacity — among the lightest ratios CleverHiker has tested — the 100-denier Ultra fabric resisted tearing and abrasion through the Rocky Mountain testing period, and any damage that does occur is repairable with adhesive patches rather than requiring a full fabric replacement.

The trade-offs — who should skip it

Price is the most obvious barrier, and it compounds: hip belt pockets, a feature that comes standard on most competing packs, are a separate add-on cost at Zpacks. CleverHiker was direct about who this excludes: "casual backpackers or those on a tighter budget may find better value in more affordable, versatile options with a broader range of features."

Comfort is the second real limit. This is a minimalist pack by design, and CleverHiker's testing confirmed it: "not the softest or most comfortable" is a fair characterization, with moderate padding that prioritizes weight savings over cushioning. Hikers new to ultralight backpacking, or anyone who prefers a heavily padded, traditional-feeling carry, will likely find the fit stiff rather than plush.

How it compares

The Durston Kakwa 55, ranked 12th on the same list, is the value alternative CleverHiker points to directly, noting it has "a similar feel to the Arc Haul Ultra — stable and rigid" at a price that "will also save you a significant amount of cheddar." What you give up is the Arc Haul Ultra's superior, tested water resistance.

The Gossamer Gear Mariposa 60, ranked 10th, is the pack for hikers who want more built-in padding and comfort over raw weight savings, at the cost of the Arc Haul Ultra's carbon-frame stability and genuinely waterproof construction.

The Gavler verdict

Six independent outlets naming the same pack their top ultralight pick in one season is a rare, meaningful signal, and CleverHiker's hands-on testing backs it up point for point — real waterproofing, real stability, real durability. The price is steep and the comfort is minimalist by design, but for a thru-hiker planning to log thousands of miles, this is the pack you buy once. Casual weekenders should look at the Kakwa or Mariposa first.

Common Questions

Is the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L worth it in 2026?

For committed ultralight backpackers, yes. It ranks number one on Gavler's Best Hiking Backpacks list with a 9.1, backed by six independent editorial best-in-class picks. CleverHiker's own verdict calls it 'a no-brainer' for 'committed ultralight backpackers looking for a cutting-edge pack that can handle long trips in extreme terrain' — but the price and minimal padding mean it's not for casual hikers.

Is the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra actually waterproof?

Yes, more so than most packs in its category. CleverHiker's water exposure test found it 'virtually 100 percent waterproof,' crediting the laminated Ultra 100X backing and taped seams. That's a genuine point of separation from cheaper Ultra-fabric packs like the Durston Kakwa 55, which leaks at the seams and hydration port in the same kind of test.

Does the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra come with hip belt pockets?

Not standard. CleverHiker flagged this directly: hip belt pockets are 'available from Zpacks as an add-on feature,' which adds to the pack's already premium price. Budget for that extra cost if on-the-go pocket access matters to you.