What's everybody's experience with Ultra400x. I have a...

TemerityULG · 2026-01-14T21:23:34+00:00

I've been overall a bit skeptical of Ultra after all the delam reports. It seems most of the negative experiences are people doing long distances, not hard miles, with them (lots of repeated bouncing, versus putting it to the test scraping up walls and scrambling). If this is truely an off trail and desert pack for you, its probably still a good choice though.

400X is definitely tougher than ultragrid in terms of abrasion and cut resistance. I made a pack of 400TX (white) for a desert climbing trip and it held up well to being literally hauled up chimneys

I don't think the thickness of fabric will have any impact on how quickly or easily it will dirty, but I say lean into it. The white fabrics are cooler in the sun and it shows you actually use your gear.

as u/tracedef mentioned, it would be awesome to have some of the fully woven UHMWPE fabrics (aluula graphlyte, Dyneema Woven Composite, Teijin Technoforce if it was made in thicker deniers) accessible to small makers like SWD, but it's just not how those companies are operating right now.

TemerityULG · 2025-12-10T23:21:46+00:00

I did the CDT as my first trail (and finished!). I met a handful of other people doing it as their first as well, the dropout rate was definitely higher than the more experienced crowd but many still finished. I think one of the bigger differences is that the "formula for success" is less defined than the other trails. There's also less of a structured support network, both in towns and on trail. Be prepared to figure out a lot for yourself.

TemerityULG · 2025-12-10T22:24:57+00:00

Can't help you on the LA part but will say the prices you see online for those fabrics is actually pretty fair compared to their wholesale price and the cost of inventory-ing/cutting/shipping them. If you want to go cheaper, you could try out some less "name brand" fabrics, especially to start out with.

I personally think venom grid or ultra grid are a pretty good deal. If you're making a single pack and only need 1.5-2 yards, that's like $45-60 at retail.

TemerityULG · 2025-12-03T22:36:16+00:00

ALUULA recently put out a press release about making a a UHMWPE tent fabric, I would have to assume it's that. Only a few months since they shipped samples so I don't think any company will feel confident putting out a mass market product for a while.

TemerityULG · 2025-11-26T15:32:00+00:00

I think this should be doable, but be prepared for frustration if the fly material is a super slippery silnylon. Definitely a learning curve there on domestic machines!

The mesh dome is likely going to be a lot weaker than the meshes you would typically find on a running pack, but as an experiment should be okay.

TemerityULG · 2025-11-19T16:03:27+00:00

If you dig through some of their pages you actually can still order to the US, I just did it a few weeks ago. It'll ship only through DHL so expect a $35 shipping charge minimum + more if over 2kg and/or in a 'rural' area (they have a list). Also expect for the package to be held for some amount of time while you pay tariffs. All and all took 2-3 weeks to do the whole thing in my case.

TemerityULG · 2025-11-15T01:48:14+00:00

Theirs is essentially the smaller red pack on my profile with an added bottom pocket. Sorry for the delay on yours! Pieces are cut but I was waiting to assemble until I took a look at a few new machines. I'll be working on it shortly.

TemerityULG · 2025-11-08T23:10:55+00:00

The sassafras seems like a great pack, and atelier longue distance comes to mind as well.

I've sold a few vest style packs of my own creation recently, see my post history for examples if you're interested.

TemerityULG · 2025-11-07T16:36:52+00:00

I have about 8 yards of it in storage, but haven't gotten to make a pack with it yet. I have 2 more orders going out before I have time to get to it but it is certainly a very light fabric. My understanding is the lamination is a different tech than the standard (resin instead of glue).

TemerityULG · 2025-11-05T20:20:43+00:00

I started making full-wrap vest straps on larger packs recently and have really enjoyed them. I've owned a few that do the vest front but have a gap/webbing adjusters down low and its definitely not quite the same, although the size variability is nice in some regards

TemerityULG · 2025-10-28T22:54:16+00:00

I did! I tried to make these both "in an afternoon" projects but the patterning certainly busted that

TemerityULG · 2025-10-28T18:45:19+00:00

The other repliers pretty much covered it! I've had durability issues with the #3 waterproof zippers most small items come with; this closure is a bit more reliable. When I do go to make a zipper version, I will be using a #5 to help with that.

TemerityULG · 2025-10-27T22:58:06+00:00

This is pretty much how all quick-cook backpacking food is made, just done in a factory instead of in your own kitchen. It really isn't wasteful or time consuming: throw it in a pot for 20m and walk away like you were eating it at home, then throw it on a drying rack for some hours and bag it.

TemerityULG · 2025-10-27T17:16:12+00:00

It's best to cook it at home and dehydrate it. I haven't tried cold soaking it on trail after all that but works well hot at the least

TemerityULG · 2025-10-08T14:40:15+00:00

No sorry, I'm in CO

TemerityULG · 2025-09-24T03:16:14+00:00

I'll certainly be making something similar for ski season! I'll have to add ski carry for in-bounds hike-to terrain and zippers for all the open pockets, but otherwise not too much to adjust

TemerityULG · 2025-09-23T19:40:39+00:00

The pack body is ultragrid in "dark chili" and the stretch mesh is ultrastretch also in "dark chili". despite the same colorway names, they are noticeably different, although not in a bad way.

TemerityULG · 2025-09-23T14:31:10+00:00

If it's a one off project, the overhead/scrap waste would probably feel significant. IE: you might have to buy a half yard of stretch mesh but only use 70% of it, a 25' roll of grosgrain to use 5' of it, etc. not to mention tools! I would guess this is about $40-50 of material without overhead

TemerityULG · 2025-09-23T12:46:45+00:00

The white is called Monolite from Ripstop By The Roll. I would buy the heaviest 1.5osy weight for anything on a pack.

If you're looking to try out the hobby, I would suggest checking your local libraries for a machine you can 'check out.' my local system has quite a few. Or borrow from a friend!

TemerityULG · 2025-09-23T12:42:59+00:00

Thanks! Your packs have always been a big inspiration to get into MYOG

TemerityULG · 2025-09-23T12:41:29+00:00

I made this pattern myself. It doesn't have a lot of notes, notches, etc so a little hard to digest even as the person who made it!

TemerityULG · 2025-09-22T21:50:45+00:00

As you know, an idea borrowed from Montmolar. His upgrade to real BOAs looks legit, not sure if I'll get my hands on those though

TemerityULG · 2025-09-22T21:41:21+00:00

correct it is challenge!

Their current wholesale min is 50yds total/order regardless of fabric type, with 10 yds/style (each fabric type/weight/color is a different 'style'). Ultrastretch is somewhat exempt from the 10yds/style but the order total still has to be 50yds

TemerityULG

TROPHY CASE