Thursday, September 11, 2008

Stormfront® Pack

Whenever rain, rapids, surf, planned or unplanned swimming sessions occur, the Stormfront® Pack is in its element, hauling gear and keeping it dry. Back by popular demand and improved, the new version features an easy-to-use waterproof, corrosion free zipper and an internal, custom-fit padded gear case with adjustable dividers. The generous, waterproof, welded “Pod” is comfortably supported by a removable shoulder-strap harness. Take the harness off and voila, you have the perfect dry bag. Internal zippered mesh pocket keeps valuables organized and accessible. The new harness system has evolved to include tool attachment and storage capability. Four external lash slots allow for a variety of connection possibilities. Two 14" locking lash straps are included. This limited run product will be on shelves this November.

Ideal Uses
* Coastal rainforest hike-ins
* Chasing the beach blitz in higher than normal swell
* Rain soaking steelhead chases
* Just about any watery situation you can think of

Overview
Ultra-simple, minimalist, welded waterproof pack with lash-on capability, removable harness system and mesh hydration reservoir pocket, Pod easily converts to a stand-alone dry bag.

Fabric
Body: 11.5-oz; 420-denier polyurethane-coated nylon plain-weave
Back panel: 3D Spacer mesh

Features
* Easy to operate waterproof main zipper (TIZIP)
* Waterproof welded Pod
* Internal custom-fit padded gear case with 2 dividers
* Detachable harness transforms the Stormfront® Pack Pod into a skiff, kayak or driftboat dry bag
* Streamlined harness/pack/d-ring connection system provides additional storage and tool attachment capability
* External mesh hydration reservoir pocket
* Internal zippered mesh pocket for additional organization and protection
* 4 external Pod attachment slots with 2 locking straps

Size details
Pod: 25L (1550 cu.in.) H 17.5" X W 12" X 9"
Gear Case: 4.8 L (293 cu. in.) H 11.5" X W 7" X L 7"

Color - Nickel

Photos by Dave Skok, Alistair Stewart and El Pescador

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a terrible name. Stormfront also shares the name with a white supremacist org.

El Pescador said...

Thank you for calling this to my attention Anonymous. We registered the name Stormfront in September 2001 claiming fist use in 2000 and we got our inspiration from the commonly used weather term.

In the trademark world, trademarks are registered by International Class. This means that different trademark owners can have the same trademark for different goods or services. For instance, the mark SUNSET is registered for the well-known Sunset Magazine in Class 16, and the mark SUNSET is registered in many other classes by different trademark owners for other goods like bath gels (Class 3), electronics (Class 9), etc.

Anonymous said...

A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet.

Mike

Tim Pask said...

I was lucky enough to get my hands on a prototype recently (Thanks Brian) and immediately headed to Alaska. I was packing around a lot of camera gear and had intended on using the new Stormfront pack to pack it around. I received it and immediately thought it was far to small, but I was shocked once I started loading it with gear. I managed to carry a large digital slr body and 2 lens including a 70-200mm and all the extra techno gadgets required to support a full day of action. On the Brooks I wasn’t allowed to leave the pack along the river, so I had to wear it all day. Once again I figure the pack wasn’t going to work well, as there is no waist belt to support the weight. Well, I was wrong again and the pack was comfortable to wear around, and allowed to me access my bigger lens when the bears came strolling by.

Yes the pack is expensive, but personally I am more interested in the end result over its long term use. I have 2 LowePro waterproof backpacks with blown out zippers and I have friends with some brand-x roll top bags that leaked after being rolled around in a boat for a few days. At the end of the day I will be packing $3,000 to $10,000 worth of camera gear around, and still have room for a puffball, extra fly box and water bottle, so I want the best possible waterproof system and feel like I found it with the Stormfront Pack.

P.S. The zipper is amazing, and after using it for a while I feel like its the first waterproof zipper that will actually stand up to the test of time.

Tim Pask said...

I just realized I was so focused on my recent trip I forgot to talk about my future use for the Stormfront. I’ll be spending some time in BC chasing steelhead around and for the most part I will be able to move my camera gear to a pelican case (bullet proof), but the Stormfront pack still plays a big role in my daily trips. There is nothing worse then dragging out another layer of clothing that is already wet, or trying to find extra fly boxes in a giant sack. As I shift gears the Stormfront flips from one use to another, but is still incredibly important from my perspective.

El Pescador said...

http://rmpff.blogspot.com/2008/09/midcurrent-reviews-divider-series-and.html

Burl Productions said...

Just back from another go around in Mongolia and the Stormfront has proved to be one of the most valuable assets on the trip. I strapped it on the boat right next to my rowing seat. It was perfect for keeping a couple fly boxes, extra layer, snacks and of course my camera on top for easy access. No worries about splashes or dunkage. I found it wasn't to bad to fish with on your back either. It's been a problem for me with other packs. I'd been using a dry bag style pack from a competitor and, while i liked the performance of the waterproofness of the pack, my shoulders were suffering after a long day of casting with it on. In the summer, or whenever i don't have to wear wadders, i like to go completely amphibious. The stormfront is great for the occasional swim across the river, or just for keeping on the boat when we run white water. The zipper makes it allot easier to access then the dry bag style bags as well. Now i don't have to do the blind reach down into the bottom of the bag for a snickers or pull everything out. I also find myself filming more often because it's not as much of a hassle to get to the camera as with some of the other packs/cases i've tried. It's a great product and i highly recommend it.

El Pescador said...

For those of you who have been patiently waiting, the Stormfront® Pack is IN STOCK!!!

schnitzerPHOTO said...

Just received notice that mine shipped yesterday - looking forward to putting it through some late-season WY fishing photo shoots.

Anonymous said...

El P.,

I have what I think is an older version of this pack by Patagonia. Not sure what its brand name is. I love Patagonia stuff, however, I've had multiple issues with their zippers when subject to exposure in saltwater environs (my Skanorak jacket and this similar pack). You really need to stay on top of washing and lubing these zippers in order for them not to corrode into dust.

Zippers on other items I own (such as my rain bibs not mfg. by Patagonia) never seem to show any hint of corrosion. Is this something Patagonia will look to address in the future? Hope so because their gear is great otherwise.

J. Zimmer

El Pescador said...

Thanks for the feedback and comments Zimmjas. Saltwater environments can be some of the toughest on gear and maintenance is required for optimal long term function.

The new Stormfront pack uses a TIZIP MasterSeal zipper which is different than the original. Here are some details from the TIZIP web site:

The TIZIP MasterSeal 10 is made from high-strength fabric coated with thermoplastic polyurethane. The extra strong plastic teeth are fixed on the top and bottom of the zipper tape. The zipper’s coupling elements keep the sealing edges tightly sealed together when the zipper is closed. The zipper tape can be both welded and glued. The TIZIP MasterSeal 10 slider is made from a metal compound which is non skin irritating and salt water resistant. The slider movement is contact free and does not wear on the zipper tape or the sealing edge.

The TIZIP MasterSeal 10 is easy to operate, and pressure tested to 500 mbar.

The TIZIP MasterSeal 10 is highly resistant to damage caused by dirt or sand. However if dirt or sand are present, the zipper should be cleaned with soap and water. Dirt particles can affect the sealing function if they get caught between the chain profiles. If the TIZIP MasterSeal 10 closure is used to protect life or sensitive material, the sealing function and cleanliness of the chain area should be thoroughly checked prior to every usage.

The TIZIP MasterSeal 10’s performance in terms of strength and durability is very good. However, sharp bending or twisting should be avoided. When closed, the TIZIP MasterSeal 10 has a cross-breaking strength of minimum 125 N/cm.

Opening and closing the TIZIP MasterSeal 10 requires moderate pulling force on the slider. Please allow a slightly higher pulling force to undock the closed end (zipper ramp). Some lubrication can help to reduce the pulling force on the docking end. The chain is maintenance free.

Tim Pask said...

zimmjas,

I have one of the new StormFront packs and I also have the old pack you are talking about. The old style zipper is not even in the same league as this new product. I have been thrashing it a bunch and its crazy good. No saltwater yet, but I have frozen it on several occasions and it works perfect. Everything about the zipper is robust. Just my 2 cents

El Paskador

Anonymous said...

Guys, I appreciate you taking the time to respond. Will definitely check this out.

Slay hard.

J. Zimmer

Celsa said...

Cool!