Fabrics and Colors
The Short Version
Most Durable - Challenge Ultra 800
Most Color Options - Challenge EPX200 or X-Pac VX21
Least Expensive - Cordura 1000D
Lightest Weight - Challenge EPX200
The Long Version
Choosing the correct material boils down to weight, durability, hand-feel, weather resistance, cost, and of course, color. Fabric hand-feel (or hand) refers to how it feels (stiff versus flexible, soft versus hard, etc.).
A laminate fabric, (such as X-Pac or EPX) is made up of multiple fabric layers glued together. Compared to other fabrics with a surface coating for water resistance, most laminates feature a solid film that makes them completely waterproof.
Most of the fabrics below are listed with multiple deniers. Denier is the measure of how many fibers in the yarns that the fabric is woven from. A higher denier number means more fibers, indicating more durability. For the base and other high-wear areas of the pack, a heavier fabric is used for more durability.
None of our packs are fully waterproof as we do not seal the seams. Some fabrics are completely waterproof, meaning water will not penetrate. Other fabrics are only water resistant, meaning they will allow water through over time.
Choosing materials can be overwhelming, please feel free to contact us if you are having trouble deciding. Not every pack is available in every fabric or color.
Challenge EPX200
- Fabric with the most color options
- Polyester laminate
- 200 denier face fabric
- Made from 100% recycled Polyester fiber
- Stiff but still flexible hand for a laminate
- Waterproof* layer in the laminate
- Light-mid weight
Blue Green Red
Challenge Ultra 800
- Most abrasion resistant and durable fabric
- Woven Polyester/UHMWPE (Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene, commonly branded as Dyneema or Spectra)
- Waterproof* film laminate on the backside
- Flexible, slightly crinkly hand
- Heavy weight
White
Dimension Polyant X-Pac VX21
- Nylon laminate
- 210 denier face fabric
- Stiff hand, holds its shape well
- Waterproof* layer in the laminate
- White backside
- Light-mid weight
White Neon Orange Neon Yellow
Dimension Polyant X-Pac VX42
- Same as VX21, but with a 420D face fabric for more durability
- Nylon laminate
- Very stiff hand
- Waterproof* layer in the laminate
- White backside
- Mid weight
Black
Cordura 1000D
- Most affordable fabric
- Woven Nylon
- 1000 denier
- Polyurethane coating and DWR for water resistance
- Flexible hand
- High abrasion resistance
- Heavy weight
Black Green Maroon
Robic 210D
- Woven Nylon
- 210 denier
- Polyurethane coating and DWR for water resistance
- Very flexible, soft hand
- Ultra light weight
Grey Blue Green
*Currently, Mindset Packs does not make anything that is fully waterproof. Laminate fabrics like EPX and X-Pac are waterproof, but the seams are not sealed so water can still get in. Rain and snow aren't too much of an issue, just don't fall in any creeks and submerge your pack.