MYOG - Pack Shoulder & Belt Pockets
I sold off my Gossamer Gear Mariposa pack this summer, as I wanted a new pack. Mariposa is a great pack, but there were couple of things, which didn’t work for me. I don’t like the fabric they use. Apparently it’s very resilient, but the floppiness makes is harder to pack or search items inside the pack. The pack is not very water resistant either because of the fabric. Packs with DCF/Ultra/UltraX are more water resistant or even waterproof, which lessens the need for protection inside the pack, which I like, as I use DCF pack cells and sacks rather than a large pack liner, but I digress.
I had shoulder pockets custom made by the talented AlpineLiteWorks with the attachment system compatible with Granite Gear Blaze (which I sold when I bought the Mariposa) and Mariposa. Since then I’ve bought a new pack which uses more universally used daisy chain for attaching pockets.
Shoulder pockets
The shoulder pockets were designed by myself together with AlpineLiteWorks and then made by him and I’d like to say they are pretty special. They were made of Xpac VX21, X21 & stretch mesh.
They are XL size to accommodate a power bank and a large phone like iPhone Pro Max with a bumper case. Because of the size of the pockets, they are quite deep, so the zip will come down to one side about 1/3 of the way.
Another thing special about these pockets is that they are not the same on both sides. The zip will only come down on one side, so the lower side of zip is the centre side, which allows easy access to inside the pocket with the opposite hand, single hand action. When the pocket is open, the zip is on the outer edge of the pocket, and to close it, just pull the zip towards centre & down. In the photo, they are the wrong way around, as the zipper pulls would hang facing each other when closed and both are attached on the shoulder straps.
The stretchy pocket is large enough to hold the phone
There’s a cable port, which allows keeping the power bank inside the zipped pocket and charging the phone in the stretchy pocket or keep the phone inside the zipped pocket and run the earphone cables through the port protecting the phone.
Inside the zipped pocket there are two elastic bands to keep the power bank from bouncing around.
On the left is the original attachment system designed to with Granite Gear and Gossamer Gear packs. On the right is the upgraded version which fits most packs with daisy chain system. I essentially just undid the stitching on any of the seams which were holding the old attachment loops and sewed the new webbing loops & elastic bands on their place. The plastic G locks I was able to order from SWD packs (thanks Brandon).
Here’s the modified pocket sitting nice & tight on it’s place.
Belt Pockets
I’ve had AlpineLiteWorks make me XL belt pockets for my Arc Haul, as the standard Zpacks ones were on the small side and a bit flimsy in the way they attach to the belt, requiring two handed operation. ALW added extra elastic band, so there’s the pocket attaches more securely on the belt. He also added a stretch mesh pocket in the front for wrappers & other rubbish. The material is Ultra200.
The modification only required changing the two loops and repositioning them a bit higher. Below you can see the original pocket and under it the modified one again with the G locks from SWD.
Here is the pocket attached to the belt. As I have a 34” hip belt, I can just about get away with the XL size belt pocket.
Couple of additional mods, both reversible on the pack. Firstly, I like to add guy loops on the ends of the hip belt straps to make tightening the belt quicker and easier, as the loops are easier to find by feel and easier to operate with cold/wet fingers compared to just straight webbing.
I also made a little webbing loop with D ring eyelets. The sharp end of the trekking poles fit nicely in there and there’s a shock cord loop with a cord lock at the top to strap the poles in tight. I used to carry poles tips up on the side pockets, but after couple of times moving the pack almost putting my eye out, I needed another place to store the poles when not in use. This works well, is quick & easy to use and looks pretty smart.
