Canvas or ripstop?

Hi guys, some help needed.

I went to Backpacker's factory today and am going to be buying a Thar. However, I can get it in either of 2 materials:

1) Canvas nylon. This is what the very original packs were made of. It is stitched using 1000 strands per thread/ stitch (something like that).

2) Ripstop nylon. This is a newer material (with the little squares to stop tears from spreading) This is stitched with only 210 strands per thread/ stitch.

The production manager assured me that both have the same strength stitching, since the Ripstop has fewer strands but then a higher quality thread is used. She also said that she has never had any customers unhappy with the ripstop material being not up to scratch. Finally, she told me that her boss was a German quality control checker and so he personally checks all materials, so only material of the highest quality is used.

The huge advantage of the ripstop is that it is much lighter (and thinner). A
ripstop bag is about 400-500g lighter than the canvas type.

So, some advice please. Which material should I go for and why? In your opinion, is the good old Canvas better and hence worth the extra weight? How have you guys found ripstop material?

Thanks guys! I need to get back to them with my order asap as they are closing very soon for the holidays, so any replies will be fantastic!

I assume the pack i had was canvas nylon and they do last forever. You can also pm st2 on his email, as he has had two of these packs and still uses one today. I will drop him a line so that he can help out with your query.

I would go with the canvas option as i think it would be slightly stronger to abrasions or cuts from sharp rocks, especially f you have to haul your pack up rock areas.

Thanks ST2

I also thought the canvas option at first, but the smaller weight of ripstop is sounding attractive....

Any other experiences with ripstop material out there on the forum? Such as durability and strength to resist abrasions etc??

Hmm - Canvas or Ripstop?

For lower berg walks, even to contour I use 100% cotton shorts with a turnup cuff. Shin high army boots - high polish, a tweed jacket and deerstalker cap. Thick woolen jersey gets carried in a fairly lightweight 3 gallon canvas day-bag. The leather straps haven't really lasted, so I have substituted shoelace in places. I have never concerned myself with the weight, as each can of spam consumed makes it lighter by the hour!

The garments above are really not sufficient for heights above 8000ft however. Here the shorts will do, however chamois leather trousers are best. Thicker woolen socks are needed for the boots. A close-knit woolen balaclava is needed due to the frighttfully low temperatures.
When it comes to canvas items I find the tent a bit heavy, althought the canvas backpack (11 gallon) with the lightweight aluminium frame is a nice carry as it stops the fairly narrow canvas covered leather straps from cutting into my shoulders.

Ripstop? Never heard of this 'ripstop' stuff son! Be careful is all I can say - you never know with all this modern technology.



Truly dude! The fact that Backpacker is still going is a serious winner! Move with the times. I know you have a GPS AND a Smartphone.

And please send me that link to Backpacker, as well as any other contacts.

Shot. Enjoy the bag!

@ st2What a tome! I expect at least something now on my blog, given you have the time to be so exceedingly eloquent. By the way, what is your newer one made of?

Perhaps 400-500g is worth the ripstop. But is it really that much of a weight saving, if i was you, i would take a scale and weigh them both. The claimed weights of things are often not accurate, i have seen this with bike and camera parts! If the saving is less than two hundred grams I would still go with the canvas one. If not, I think that both will last a long time, and as Intrepid says, the rest of the packs harness system will likely die before the material dies and will need replacing anyhow.

Go and look at the packs, you might base your decision just on the look of the two materials, but take a scale anyway!

@st2 just remember, you cant post sarcastic comments on my blog. As the owner i decide what is allowed through first. By the way, I don't own a GPS. Speaking of things electronic, did you eventually get both your two-way radios to work?

Here is the link www.backpacker.co.za/mountaineering/that-95

Nope.

I own both canvas & ripstop bakpacks.

The canvas will last "forever" & is a very 'handy feature" when the pack is hauled up (or down) rocky sections.

My ripstop pack is a Deuter 75 & I once had something making a pointy edge in the top compartment & I went into a cave. It left a mark for sure! I was a bit upset as the pack was fairly new at that stage. Now I think twice before I make any such moves into caves / rub against rocky sections.

Can't remember even worrying that something like that would happen to my canvas bag(s)

@ Interpid: How about sending your pack to backpacker for a 'tune up"? Sure they'll be able ( / delighted) to help.