On backpacks, I’m a huge fan of exterior storage. I’ve settled on a popular arrangement: A large interior storage compartment for items I likely won’t need while hiking during the day, a large outside pocket for items I might need when stopped, and dual side and hipbelt pockets for items I’ll definitely need while on the move like water bottles, maps, snacks, and other great to have at hand items. The Zpacks Multi-Pack builds on this idea by adding a large additional storage option with a variety of possible configurations. When my hipbelt pockets began to become too packed for convenient access and with no place to really contain a larger than pocket-sized camera, in 2013 I began to test out the Zpacks Multi-Pack as a potential solution. Zpacks later added factory-taped seams to the Multi-Pack feature set, and I've been utilizing some version of the Zpacks Multi-Pack on trips into the backcountry for more than the past 10 years.

Zpacks is a manufacturer of lightweight, forward-thinking backpacking gear founded by Joe Valesko in 2005. A lot of Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF) is used by Zpacks, and the Multi-Pack previously made use of 2.92 oz / sqyd hybrid DCF, which is DCF with a protective polyester facing for addition durability and protection from the main enemy of lighter weight Dyneema Composite Fabrics – abrasion. While the Multi-Pack seen here is made from the original hybrid DCF, more recently Zpacks is making the Multi-Pack out of a 3.3 oz / sqyd Ultra 100 fabric, which is similar in that you have an outer face fabric (in this case made of Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene / UHMWPE) laminated to a waterproof lining.

The pack features a water resistant zipper, the seams are taped from the factory, and it comes with an arrangement of quick release buckles, straps, and cord locks that allow for multiple (Multi) ways to attach the pack to your backpack / person and utilize its storage in the field. An internal loop allows you to secure items like keys with a carabineer if you’d like. With all accessories, the measured weight for my Multi-Pack came in at just 3.15 ounces (the listed weight for my Multi-Pack was 2.9 ounces). Not bad for 215 listed cubic inches of total storage. The Multi-Pack is currently available in black and retails for about $75.

Using the Zpacks Multi-Pack

I’ve used the Multi-Pack as a chest pack to carry a camera and photo gear, lunch, as a fishing tackle pack, and for any other odds and ends I like to have close at hand on backpacking trips as well as day hikes. I’ve also used it as a "sling bag" on day hikes away from a basecamp where it’s worked great for carrying fishing gear, a 32 ounce water bottle, a snack, and a small camera comfortably, but close to maxed out. It can also be easily attached to the top of a backpack as an impromptu lid, or worn around your waist. In all situations, the Multi-Pack has adapted quite well.

Attempting to go as light as possible, I initially tried the Multi-Pack as a chest pack and only utilized the 2 top attachment points, attaching the pack to the D-Rings near the top of the shoulder straps on my ULA Circuit backpack. This worked well, but on any incline or decline the bounce became too much to handle as the pack swayed back and forth away from my body and I’d resort to holding the pack in place with my hands as I hiked. This was quickly solved however. Utilizing the cord lock attachment system, which works quite well, I attached the 2 additional provided straps and buckles to the hipbelt stabilizer straps of my pack, or to the hipbelt of my REI Flash 22 for day hikes (attaching where the hipbelt meets the pack body in each case). The resulting 4 anchor points at each corner of the Multi-Pack essentially eliminate bounce.

All 4 straps are easily adjustable while on the move as well – set the height of the pack higher on your chest or lower close to your hipbelt by adjusting the 2 top straps first, then tighten to take out the slack of the 2 lower straps for stability. Taking out the slack on the 2 lower straps is all that’s needed – over tightening makes for an uncomfortable squeeze. To take off your backpack, all you have to do is disconnect the quick release buckles on one side – the other side can remain attached in a semi-permanent arrangement. All 4 attachment points remain attached directly to the backpack.

Consequently, shouldering your pack again can be done in one smooth motion and requires just a few extra seconds than without the Multi-Pack entirely. Snap the top of the Multi-Pack to its top shoulder attachment point, then clip the bottom in on the same side and you’re ready to go. On the trail, it’s very stable used this way on the flats, uphill, downhill, and even scrambling off-trail. With this method and by disconnecting the lower straps and clipping the opposing quick release buckles together, you can then easily convert the Multi-Pack to a shoulder bag or waist pack in less than a minute if needed.

On the Trail

The zipper is easy to use, but does require two hands to open and close – You can easily just grab one of the loops on either side of the zipper for assistance, and for me this has become second nature. For the most part, items will even stay inside while hiking with the pack unzipped, the only time I’ve ever had anything fall out was when leaning over with the Multi-Pack unzipped to take a photograph close to the ground. With the laminated fabric construction, water resistant zipper, and taped seams, the contents of the Multi-Pack are well-protected from precipitation.

However, for full protection Zpacks does recommend an additional liner, and a gallon Ziploc (or dry bag like those offered by Zpacks or something like a Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil dry bag) does the trick nicely. I usually just keep this rolled up in the bottom of the Multi-Pack, and only utilize it when needed for sketchy looking stream crossings or especially rainy days. In fact, on one trip I arrived at camp on an overcast evening. I leaned my pack against a log and walked down a hillside towards the nearby lake to filter water, but found myself unable to access the lakeshore due to lakeside cliffs. That’s when the skies opened up and a steadily increasing rain began to fall. By the time I located a route to the shore a quarter mile away, filtered 4 liters of water, and trekked back uphill to my pack I was soaked, my waiting pack was soaked, and so was the outside of the Multi-Pack.

However even without a liner, I was quite relieved to find that my camera and everything else inside the Multi-Pack was dry. The main weakness so far as water protection is concerned is where the two zipper sliders meet; you won’t want to rely on the Multi-Pack for complete protection throughout longer and heavier rains or underwater dunks. Therefore, use of a liner of some type is advised if what you’re carrying can’t get wet. As a side benefit, the Multi-Pack also provides great protection from additional elements. I’ve drug the Multi-Pack through the dirt and backpacked in Utah where sand finds its way past nearly any defense. In all circumstances everything inside, namely in my case a camera, have remained well protected.

With waterproof fabric right on your chest, on warm days I did find that the Multi-Pack would increase the sweat factor slightly, but in my case, it hasn’t been an issue. The fabric doesn’t absorb much water, and as long as I didn’t over tighten the bottom straps I found that enough air circulated to keep things comfortable even while hiking hard on the uphills. In any event, the Multi-Pack dries quickly and combined with fast drying synthetic clothing it’s been a non-issue for me with temps up to the high 90’s. In colder weather of course, no worries.

The cord lock attachment system works well and best of all, is adaptable to nearly any pack and can be attached to any D-Ring, loop, strap, buckle, etc. The system is secure, and they’ve consistently remained attached and in place save for one occasion. In that instance I did have one connection work its way loose during a trailside lunch break, however it was of course quickly noticed as I shouldered my pack and reached for the missing strap that now lay on the ground. Occasionally checking the tightness of the cord locks would be a suggested practice. Despite loading up the Multi-Pack with a fair amount of weight (I’m usually carrying about 2.5 to 3 pounds), the quick release buckles have worked as expected. Even when taking my backpack off / putting it on where for moments all the weight has been supported by just one buckle, the buckles as well as the cord lock attachment points have never released under load unexpectedly and the contents of my Multi-Pack have remained protected and safe.

One downside is that the inside of the zipper is rough, and if you’re packing the Multi-Pack with enough stuff that something is contacting the zipper towards the top from the inside, as you hike the zipper will wear against that item. After hundreds of miles, my camera now shows this superficial wear, so either pack items you might be worried about towards the bottom or pack them in another bag or liner. As a liner is suggested for maximum water protection anyway, it also works well for this purpose.

Durability

I haven’t been especially careful with my hybrid DCF Multi-Pack during use and it’s held up quite well over many years of use – most notably the fabric of the Multi-Pack hasn’t worn through (inside or out) in any spots and water resistance has been retained. And with newer Multi-Packs utilizing Ultra 100 with its 100 denier UHMWPE face fabric, compared to the 50 denier polyester of the hybrid DCF previously utilized, abrasion resistance should be improved on newer versions of the Multi-Pack. The zipper on my Multi-Pack operates like new, all accessory straps, buckles, and cord locks have suffered no failures. That said, as a chest pack, pack lid, sling bag, or waist pack the Multi-Pack does lead a fairly sheltered existence. I’d say in this case, Zpacks struck a good balance – the Multi-Pack is light but can still hold up to years of service in the hands of most users.

True to its name, the Zpacks Multi-Pack offers storage versatility and adds just a few ounces to your gear list.

Conclusion

Overall, the Zpacks Multi-Pack really hits the sweet spot on convenience, durability, weight, and at $75, the price isn’t too bad either. It adapts to most backpacks small and large, and you’ll gain additional storage options with a system that conveniently adapts to your needs on the trail while conveniently keeping things close at hand. Equally well suited for a variety of situations from backpacking to day hikes…to most likely whatever your situation may be. It’s not overbuilt, but still does a great job at protecting gear from the elements when needed. When I first purchased the Multi-Pack it was something that I at first considered an optional item on my hikes, but now for hikes lasting from a trip of just a few hours to backpacking trips lasting days, it’s never left behind.

You can find the Zpacks Multi-Pack here at Zpacks.com, and you can find additional exterior storage options Zpacks offers – from add-on belt pouches to their Front Utility Pack all on this page.

Editor's Note: This review originally appeared in Issue 17 of TrailGroove Magazine. You can read the magazine article here featuring additional photos, pros and cons, and our rating for the Zpacks Multi-Pack.