Mt. San Jacinto Outdoor Recreation

When I was shopping for my last pack I contacted Chris Zimmer, a custom pack builder with almost a cult following of loyal internet customers. He rates his packs for around 30 pounds. Pricewise he was on par if not cheaper than many foreign production made made packs. I wanted something heavier and begrudgingly went elsewhere. When I wanted pockets made for my now once new pack, I went back to Chris. I ended up with two side pockets, two hip pockets, and 2 water bottle pockets. The side pockets and the hip pockets were custom sewn to fit my pack. We had excellent e-mail communication with the back and forth planning. Cost was just over $100. His packs range from about $150 to $275.
I really felt like he earned my $100 and felt he deserved a couple plugs, plus it gives me a chance to show off my new outfit.
Do you think it makes my hips look fat?






http://www.zimmerbuilt.com/custom-backpacks.html

I have a couple of Zimmerbuilt shoulder pockets on my ULA. Love 'em.

I've taken note that he's done this for you - good info to have. I may well have some custom request in future, I'm getting very picky with my gear!

I also contacted ULA in my search for a pack. Also good communication. They (Chris?) were also willing to customize to some degree. Also a great reputation, made in USA, good price.
I'd rather deal with the cottage industries like ULA or Zimmerbuilt, where they will work with you. It gives you the opportunity to be picky. You don't take what Big 5 puts out nor pay Adventure 16 prices.

Here's a lumber pack Chris came up with. It should fit all of the pockets from the pack above. The full pack that it was modeled after was 15 oz. for 1500 c.i. this one will be 5 to 600 c.i.
Again a lot of e-mails and great service at a good price. Great price when you consider you get what you want. You won't find this at Big 5. But then, I can't find anything at Big 5.

https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/u/0/?ui=2&ik=7c651a30ca&view=att&th=142339bb549118f7&attid=0.3&disp=inline&realattid=f_hnq9hnqd2&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P9LSrF-Ryg4ICm4K6Zd_7-l&sadet=1383853871114&sads=ZiEbBwD_tDFNa7Ir-C2s1YjOFXs[/img]

Looks like really nice stuff. A lot better than a lot of the stuff at REI with all the "bells and whistles" to impress the tourons.

HJ

Didn't post a picture of the half pack, hopefully this link will work.



This was scaled to fit all the above pockets. It has a roll top so that I can use a stuff bag for expansion.
Modeled after Zimmerbuilt's ZB2 which is 1500c.i. and 15 ounces. This one should be around 500-600 c.i.
36 e-mails, I bugged the heck out of him on the design as simple as it is. For the price I figured I owed him a plug or two.

Hikin_Jim wrote:Looks like really nice stuff. A lot better than a lot of the stuff at REI with all the "bells and whistles" to impress the tourons.

HJ

Ouch. I regularly shop REI, but don't consider myself a touron. Plus, I like to add lights to my bells and whistles.

Well, perhaps I'm speaking out of my frustration at the changes in REI over the last couple of decades. They used to be much more of a store that catered to people who wanted to get out there. Their focus now is much more fashion and mass market.

I walk into a real gear shop (Eastern Sierra towns for example), and it's like "ahhhhh. Real gear." It feels so good. And these little gear shops, say less than a third the size of an REI or even smaller, will have so much more good gear than an entire REI.

In all fairness, REI still has some real gear, but you have to know what to look for.

HJ

There is just so much more variety online than with any of the major retailers. With the cottage industries suddenly made available, you get good prices, good service and pretty much exactly what you want. You are in direct contact with the owners. The stuff is being professionally made in garages and small warehouses in places with foreign sounding names like Minnesota.

Decided the half pack was going to the grandson, ordered a red one for the granddaughter and a full size (1900 c.i.) one for my son. The granddaughter can take the belt and shoulder straps off and put a purse strap on it. Both of the grandkids packs will clip securely to my son's pack. Everything is modular and fits tight. All 3 packs combined should weigh around 43 ounces. Good luck finding that at REI. It is a good store, but...

Screerider wrote:The granddaughter can take the belt and shoulder straps off and put a purse strap on it. Both of the grandkids packs will clip securely to my son's pack.

That's really thinking ahead!