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kimgraves
Jan 14, 2006, 11:09 AM
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Review of Cilogear’s 60L “Worksack” pack
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Hi Gang,
This is a review of Cilogear’s 60 L “Worksack” pack. Cilogear is a new company founded by Graham Williams (RC.com’s “crackers”) based here in New York City. Graham is a member of my gym so when I asked about packs for winter hiking/climbing on another thread, he was kind enough to bring one to the gym to show me. Through the two weeks I’ve dealt with him he’s shown himself to be both very attentive in terms of customer service and open to my ideas and critiques.
Given that, it’s hard not to say enough superlatives about this pack. Graham is an accomplished climber (5.11/5.12 trad) and has done mountaineering all over the world. He started making packs because he hated every pack he put on and thought he could do better. He designed and built something that he, as a climber, would want to use.
In my search for a pack I had several criteria that it had to meet: 1) It had to be comfortable and carry well with both light and heavy loads; 2) it had to be lightweight but robust and well made; 3) It had to be functional: it needed to have enough capacity for winter camping; have attachment points for crampons, ice tools, snow shoes, a shovel; be hydration ready; have a large enough pocket/s for incidentals; 4) price was not that much of a concern, though I’m certainly not made of money.
I had been shopping and tried on a loaded Granite Gear Nimbus Ozone (3lbs; 62L + an extension; $200) and a GoLite Trek (2lbs; 76 L; $140). I found that the Granite Gear carried much better than the GoLite. I also looked at the Cold Cold World Chaos (3.75lb, 70L ; $245) and the Wild Things Andinista (3lb 14oz, 90 L, $350) and the Spectra Andinista (3lbs 2oz, $650!!!!). (Graham tells me he’s developing a Spectra pack). I rejected the Spectra Andinista as being “more than I needed” (not being made of money) – and was going to buy the Ozone when Graham offered to bring me his Worksack.
The Worksack’s specs were impressive: (3lbs 3oz, 60L (90L with extension), $185). So since Graham was volunteering to bring me one to look at, how could I say no? I warned Graham that I had all ready made my mind up to buy the Ozone. He assured me that there was no obligation.
Well, I was blown away when I saw the Worksack and Paypaled Graham the full price that night.
The pack is VERY comfortable (my #1 criterion). It has a narrow butt so your hips are not interfered with as you walk. This is a pack you can ski with. It clings to your back like a second skin, moving the way you move. The compression straps (more on them later) allow you to dial the size up and down from small 24L to mammoth 90L (5500 cubic inches) while keeping the load from shifting. Balance carrying the pack is never compromised by a shifting load. We loaded it up with 30 lbs. in the gym and it was like nothing, even without the waist belt. The first weekend I had the pack I took it ice climbing. Because it was so warm, I wasn’t sure we wouldn’t end up aid climbing. So I packed all my ice and aid gear into the pack – 70 pounds! Carrying 70 lbs is never pleasant, but it was bearable for this old man. The pack carried just as well with a heavy load as with a light one.
The suspension is a combination of a thick, removable, waist belt, a removable plastic panel with aluminum stay, and a removable R11-rated bivi pad. Personally, I don’t use a waistbelt when carrying light loads and the bivi pad can be jettisoned during the summer. If you pack carefully, you don’t need the plastic panel/aluminum stay. If your load is light enough that you can leave the suspension at home, the pack weighs just over 1 lb.! (#2 Criterion) (Thru hikers take note).
Functionality (#3 criterion): Being able to compress the pack from 90L down to 24L allows you to use this pack for a variety of purposes. 24L is a good day pack. The top pocket turns into a large fanny pack, allowing you and a partner to each have a day packs. 90L is a black hole large enough to meet almost any need. (Graham is working on an 80L-120L pack for those who need to pack large and heavy loads into very remote locations). The pack comes in three sizes to accommodate different size torsos. But unlike most other brands, the size of the pack doesn’t change. Graham says, “Everyone has to carry a sleeping bag and tent. A small person needs the same size pack as a big person.”
The level of detail and functionality of this product is amazing. For example, Graham told me that most packs use two (or at most three) different kinds of fabrics, while he uses seven. Most packs use one weight thread while he uses three. Most of the Worksack is made of a spectra imbedded fabric that will not tear even if punctured. The places that are most wear-prone are made of a high denier (fancy name for lots of threads) cordura. Lightweight areas are made with lightweight fabric. Graham has even put fluorescent patches on the back, sides and front (of the top pocket) so that you can be easily spotted by headlamp at a distance. These fluorescent patches even extend into the interior of the pack – there is a strap used to compress the load in the interior; the ends of the strap have the fluorescent patch so they can be easily spotted in the dark interior.
The top pocket has two compartments; the bottom flat pocket has a clip for your keys or a knife (for the Joe Simpson moments) or your wallet; the top compartment is large enough for my belay jacket, belay mittens and lunch so I don’t have to open the sack for incidentals. The zipper for the top pocket faces front. I can simply reach up, unzip and have my mittens, map or knife in hand – you don’t have to take the pack off (or drop it in a vertical environment).
The suspension pad/belay pad is R11 rated and large enough to extend from hips to shoulders (for those of us who are short-torsoed). I’ll use it to supplement my Thermarest on winter trips.
The strap system is completely unique. Graham has come up with a patent pending attachment system that allows the straps to be both removable and configurable into a multitude of configurations (he calls the system “D straps”). Skis, trekking poles, ice tools, snow shoes, a shovel, portaledge, “WasteCan,” sleeping pad, tripod, and satellite guided laser missile military gizmo are easily accommodated. The only thing the pack doesn’t have is open side pockets (coming with the next release). But Graham has an answer to that need in a unique strap that is impossible to describe. The D strap system is so versatile that you can actually mate one Worksack with another! One can attach one behind another (I won’t comment on what this looks like). Carry your heavy load (climbing gear) close to your back and then attach another sack on the back with your clothing and sleeping bag. If your partner sprains an ankle, attach their sack to yours as they crawl out in front of you (good for those Doug Scott moments). Or if you need to carry a MAMMOTH load into a remote site, this is the way to do it. Some people might consider this system overly complicated at first glance. But once you “see the light” you can’t go back. The sack comes with 12 straps - if you want more, Graham will send you extras for a modest fee. Graham clips and unclips this system without thinking about it. I’m still getting used to it, but expect it will be second nature with a little practice.
Graham told me that his sack had seen mucho action in the Himalayas and South America this season and he’s getting good feedback.
How is this pack so cheap? First, Graham is new in the market and trying to gain market share. Second, there are tasks left for the user to complete, which if done by Graham’s crew would just add dollars to the end product. For example: depending on your height, you’ll want to modify the plastic suspension panel with a scissors so tilting your helmet-clad head up won’t be compromised. You can trim the plastic panel further or drill holes in it to reduce even more weight.
The other thing that adds cost is the finishing process: little old ladies who sit in a room and burn off stray threads with cigarette lighters. Graham doesn’t do this because it’s purely cosmetic and adds nothing to the value of the pack.
I told Graham that I thought the price point of his pack was way to low. His answer was, “yeah, well.” So the moral of the story is: wait till V2 and pay full price, or buy up V1 and get a killer deal. V1 isn’t perfect but it’s close and better than anything else I found on the market.
While the product is phenomenal there are downsides. The Cilogear website sucks big time: the pictures are too dark to see the packs and the text doesn’t describe what’s for sale. Not many would buy a pack based on what’s on the website. Graham is aware of this and is making changes as the money begins to come in.
Best, Kim
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crackers
Jan 14, 2006, 3:56 PM
Post #2 of 83
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Re: Review of Cilogear’s 60L “Worksack” pack
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wow.
the only thing I can say right off is that I can fit my MEC X-Large synthetic belay parka into the lid, but not lunch or belay mits.
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kimgraves
Jan 14, 2006, 7:25 PM
Post #3 of 83
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Re: Review of Cilogear’s 60L “Worksack” pack
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In reply to: wow. the only thing I can say right off is that I can fit my MEC X-Large synthetic belay parka into the lid, but not lunch or belay mits.
Yea, but you have a 12" reach over me. :lol:
Best, Kim
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anykineclimb
Jan 14, 2006, 9:09 PM
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Re: Review of Cilogear’s 60L “Worksack” pack
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Great review.
Speaking of poor photos on the website; how about some pics of your own?
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equalized
Jan 15, 2006, 10:48 PM
Post #6 of 83
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Re: Review of Cilogear’s 60L “Worksack” pack
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thanks for your review,
I'm planning on saving up for the 40 L model, now i'm convinced. Time to save!
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anykineclimb
Jan 15, 2006, 11:13 PM
Post #7 of 83
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Re: Review of Cilogear’s 60L “Worksack” pack
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DAMN RIGHT you needed pics!
and thanks for adding them. Although the Cilogear site does have some pictures, its nice to see others from a customers standpoint.
Crackers, I think Kim may have helped you with ANOTHER sale.
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crackers
Jan 16, 2006, 7:36 AM
Post #8 of 83
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Re: Review of Cilogear’s 60L “Worksack” pack
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I'll have to buy Kim at least one beer...
But seriously AKC...in your post you stated you wanted a pack with organizational capabilities. While I will be releasing the add-on pockets later this year, my packs do not have sixty bazillion pockets and fourty bazillion zippers. Please buy what you need to make you happy.
As always, if you've got questions...
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talons05
Jan 31, 2006, 9:02 AM
Post #9 of 83
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Re: Review of Cilogear’s 60L “Worksack” pack
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:shock: ...
:righton:
Sold.
Part of my next paycheck is yours!
But are you SURE I can't have a room full of old ladies with cigarette lighters go after my pack? :twisted:
Cheers,
A.W.
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krusher4
Jan 31, 2006, 9:26 AM
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Re: Review of Cilogear’s 60L “Worksack” pack
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Maybe I'm an a--hole, but I just cannot believe you are this passionate about your pack. It looks nice but dang, has it really changed your life that much?
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talons05
Jan 31, 2006, 3:02 PM
Post #11 of 83
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Re: Review of Cilogear’s 60L “Worksack” pack
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In reply to: Maybe I'm an a--hole, but I just cannot believe you are this passionate about your pack. It looks nice but dang, has it really changed your life that much?
Who said it changed his life?
I'm definitely getting one though -- it will make my life simpler. I will get rid of my daypack, mid-size pack, and expedition pack, because this one will replace them all. I have been dreaming of a pack like this for years and, since I can't sew, had to wait for this one...
Cheers,
A.W.
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jeremy11
Jan 31, 2006, 4:47 PM
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Re: Review of Cilogear’s 60L “Worksack” pack
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WOW!!
If this pack does all it sounds like, and can carry 50+ pound loads, its the last pack I'll have to buy (except for replacing with the same thing or sewing my own super light pack)
Light, versatile, and (relatively) inexpensive - what more can you want? :D
Jeremy
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piton
Feb 1, 2006, 6:16 AM
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Re: Review of Cilogear’s 60L “Worksack” pack
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great review. who doesn't get exicited when they get something new. pull it out the box and see what you can do with it how versitile the pack can be. i know i do. when my pack wears out i know a cilo pack is going to be my top choice. i'm a big fan of function over form and it looks like crackers combined the 2.
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jeremy11
Feb 2, 2006, 2:29 PM
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Re: Review of Cilogear’s 60L “Worksack” pack
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If anyone else has used Cilogear packs, please comment! I think I'm about too, though... :D
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climbingaggie03
Feb 2, 2006, 3:48 PM
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Re: Review of Cilogear’s 60L “Worksack” pack
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I'm intrigued by this, does anybody have pics of the harness on the 40L pack?
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summer_teeth
Feb 4, 2006, 9:53 AM
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Re: Review of Cilogear’s 60L “Worksack” pack
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The shop I work in has been looking for a new technical line of packs. We carry BD, Cold Cold World, and Wild Things, but the CCW packs can hrad to get and we are out of stock often. We saw this review and were very impressed with what we saw of the packs so far. Our buyer emailed Cilo Gear yesterday to get a dealer packet. We are hopeful because it has been a while since we've seen inovative climbing dedicated packs. Right on for Cilo and thanks for posting this review.
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jeremy11
Feb 6, 2006, 2:30 PM
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Re: Review of Cilogear’s 60L “Worksack” pack
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:D Yeehaw!! Just ordered the 60L worksack!! I'll let ya'll know how it is after some testing!!
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dirtineye
Feb 6, 2006, 2:52 PM
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Re: Review of Cilogear?s 60L ?Worksack? pack
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WOW I need a new pack, and that one looks good and you couldn't ask for a better review.
Who would have thought a pack could be so sexy?
Comfort at 70 pounds, you sure you're not pulling our legs?
I'm interested.
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crackboy
Feb 6, 2006, 4:12 PM
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Re: Review of Cilogear’s 60L “Worksack” pack
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I have the 40L version of the worksack. and while not typing a review like Kim. I can't speak enough praise for it and try to pimp it out to my friends. if you are near davis and want to check it out, you can get in touch with me, and i will gladly show it off to you.
i used to use a Dana Designs Bomb-pack, and probably won't look back now that i have the worksack. WAY lighter, and carries much nicer than the bombpack. i love the narrow profile of my bag and never understand why more comapnies don't do it like that.
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crackers
Feb 6, 2006, 5:16 PM
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Re: Review of Cilogear’s 60L “Worksack” pack
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I am changing up the website now with some new pictures, so you can expect it to be a bit funny for the next day or so...
http://www.cilogear.com/...0litersuspension.gif
Here is a picture of the suspension of the 40 liter pack.
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talons05
Feb 13, 2006, 11:12 AM
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Re: Review of Cilogear?s 60L ?Worksack? pack
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In reply to: In reply to: Comfort at 70 pounds, you sure you're not pulling our legs? Comfort, no. But I didn't die. And it carried well. Best, Kim
Haha, the only way to be comfortable with 70lbs is to have someone ELSE carry it for you!
Still saving... almost... there...
Cheers,
A.W.
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