Dyneema Bullet Pack

Does anyone know of a custom pack designer who regularly sews Dyneema? I am looking for a Dyneema pack in the size and shape of the classic 16L Black Diamond Bullet pack.

I have seen the CiloGear 20L Dyneema but not exactly what I need. Also, there is a german guy on eBay who custom sews tiny Dyneema packs for like $500. I will pass on that.

Have you checked out Tufa? Top quality stuff, super nice folk and they started out on this forum.

Check out the Mochilla, but definitely reach out to them with what you want specifically. I've got 1 friend they've done custom work for and it was flawless.

https://tufaclimbing.com/pages/materials

Have you compared the Black Diamond Distance 15 pack to the Bullet?  It might be close enough for your purpose and it's fairly affordable.

for a pack that small, is there really a big weight savings for using dyneema? I would just use normal fabric. 

Alpine Luddites does custom Dyneema

Thanks folks! That gives me a few leads to follow.

I do! Shoot me a message and we can see if I can get you what you’re looking for

Be sure you and whoever does the work for you agree on fabric terminology. Lots of fabrics have Dyneema components, and some are much more durable than others. Fully woven Dyneema fabric is on a whole other level from the more common polyester/Dyneema composites.

https://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/collections/packs/products/2400-ice-pack

https://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/collections/packs/products/dyneema-2400-ice-pack

I'm sure you've seen these two packs. From firsthand experience, I can assure you the fabric the second pack is made from will last MUCH MUCH longer than the fabric the first pack is made from. I have put all kind of cuts and abrasions in Dyneema Hybrid (cuben fiber hybrid) packs. Ski edges will slice right through the fabric of the top pack. But fully woven Dyneema is just about impossible to damage.

The DCHW option for the Summit Pack is the Woven Dyneema:

https://www.hyperlitemountaingear.com/products/summit-pack

30L may sound big, but when the top is rolled closed, it's much smaller. But it's not a very comfortable pack. The Tufa Mochilla is much better, and that is my choice if they have any Dyneema fabric in stock.

long, but kinda interesting:

I second being more precise in what you are meaning when you say Dyneema fabric.

Dyneema grid stop, typically 210d nylon where the ripstop threads are white dyneema, but many other options now exist for lighter base fabric, heavier base fabric, smaller ripstop squares, black instead of white Dyneema, etc...
Dyneema / poly + film laminate like D40 which has dyneema in one direction, polyester in the other, a dyneema ripstop grid, is then laminated to plastic film and a light fabric backer... or DX40, which is the same, but with a black dacron X-ply... and while usually white, there is also a silver color available as used by Alpine Luddites.
Woven Dyneema bonded to a film that happens to be cuben fiber with or without various x-plys like used in Cilogear's W/NWD and HMG "Dyneema" packs
Cuben fiber hybrid, cuben bonded to 50-150d polyester face fabric as used in HMGs other packs
Cuben fiber, the standard non-woven film bonded UL "fabric" which feels like some sort of cheap plastic bag
Non woven cuben fiber like material that is waaaayyy thicker, has some sort of resin component and a very different feeling front and back surface film, as used in some bulletproof vests
100% woven Dyneema with no bonding to any films and no coatings, as used in composite materials with a curable resin such as epoxy, which can easily unravel if your not careful
... and various other Dyneema containing fabrics, like denims for motorcyclists.

I have two Tufa packs, one in VX-21 fabric and one in a dyneema blend. They’re great! Regarding ice axe straps, you can add them to your pack when you order it. Both of my packs have two axe carriers.

I see VX21, X50, and DX40 as fabric options at the moment.
VX21 is not all that durable. Nice for where you can baby your gear, but you want it to be waterproof (aside from the seams).
X50 is considerably more stout.
DX40 is stout, but the polyester threads will rip over time and the Dyneema will remain, which can make it look kinda shitty, like this on a pack I made w/ D40:
https://i.imgur.com/q9lXm0n.jpg

Travis O'Neil wrote: I second being more precise in what you are meaning when you say Dyneema fabric.

Dyneema grid stop, typically 210d nylon where the ripstop threads are white dyneema, but many other options now exist for lighter base fabric, heavier base fabric, smaller ripstop squares, black instead of white Dyneema, etc...
Dyneema / poly + film laminate like D40 which has dyneema in one direction, polyester in the other, a dyneema ripstop grid, is then laminated to plastic film and a light fabric backer... or DX40, which is the same, but with a black dacron X-ply... and while usually white, there is also a silver color available as used by Alpine Luddites.
Woven Dyneema bonded to a film that happens to be cuben fiber with or without various x-plys like used in Cilogear's W/NWD and HMG "Dyneema" packs
Cuben fiber hybrid, cuben bonded to 50-150d polyester face fabric as used in HMGs other packs
Cuben fiber, the standard non-woven film bonded UL "fabric" which feels like some sort of cheap plastic bag
Non woven cuben fiber like material that is waaaayyy thicker, has some sort of resin component and a very different feeling front and back surface film, as used in some bulletproof vests
100% woven Dyneema with no bonding to any films and no coatings, as used in composite materials with a curable resin such as epoxy, which can easily unravel if your not careful
... and various other Dyneema containing fabrics, like denims for motorcyclists.

Travis is right in bringing this up. At Alpine Luddites I do not build alpine packs with any of the extruded Dyneema fabrics, even the 5 oz version with the laminated 150D woven polyester face fabric. I do build with it in UL packs for backpacking and bike packing bags.

The Xpac D40 is more durable, for its cost vs weight. my wholesale cost is about $34 per yard. I have seen packs that have been up multiple 8000m peaks and daily use on Rainer by guides in very good condition after 4 years of use. It is only made in silver now. On all pack made with this fabric, I do use a double bottom layer and lower 2" high rim. this is where most of the wear and tear occurs. the crampon patch and ice tool pick sleeve are also doubled layers. There is a layer of web sewn onto the crampon patch backside to distribute the stress of the bartacks. Laminated fabrics don't like bartacks.

the X51 Xpac fabric is super durable. the face fabric is woven 500D/1000D Cordura yarn. I tried selling packs out of this but it's only in Black or dark grey. everyone wanted the white D40 fabric, but this is a stronger, more abrasion-resistant fabric.

the woven Spectra/Dyneema fabrics are super durable but at $100 per yard, I think it's overkill. I do have access to these fabrics and do build packs with them. not very waterproof as polyurethane coatings don't stick very well from what I have seen.

I have given up on the weight game. Yes, My white Light/White Heat pack can be built to 19 ounces, but I stopped weighing my packs. the few ounces of difference in a given pack are meaningless in the real world. Durability is more important, balanced by fitting right(all my packs are offered custom-fitted in the back length, belt size and a number of other choices which are included in the price).

Thanks guys for getting me a Dyneema primer. I guess after your input I am looking to commission an Xpac D40 or DX40, which might be the same thing?

I actually have a HMG 2400 pack but never noticed it has two different Dyneema fabrics. I am thinking the top/front/sides are "100% Dyneema" and the bottom is "Dyneema® Composite Fabric (formerly Cuben Fiber) hybrid material" which I assume is DX40?

Lastly, I have a Mountain Hardwear Summit Rocket 30 which I love and have nearly worn out (zippers and nylon panels). The "HardWear X-Ply Ripstop" front panel and bottom is bomber, AND has a great texture! Does anyone know exactly what the Dyneema layup is in the X-Ply Ripstop? Perhaps I can source old Summit Rocket packs and salvage the X-ply Ripstop panels for my new pack.

Hi Dave,

DX40 is not a Dyneema Composite Fabric, nor is it similar. the DX40 is a five layer laminate: top layer is woven generic dyneema fibers(UHMWP) and polyester fabric, a layer of adhesive, a layer of the "X" grid Dacron, a layer of adhesive and a inner layer of 70D nylon. I think the Mountain Hardware packs do use this on the crampon patch, the "X ply ripstop" you refer to. i
t's actually made in the US. t

The HMG packs do not use the DX40.they use a Dyneema extrusion with a laminated top layer of 140 D woven polyester. 

Dave Kesonie wrote: Thanks guys for getting me a Dyneema primer. I guess after your input I am looking to commission an Xpac D40 or DX40, which might be the same thing?

I actually have a HMG 2400 pack but never noticed it has two different Dyneema fabrics. I am thinking the top/front/sides are "100% Dyneema" and the bottom is "Dyneema® Composite Fabric (formerly Cuben Fiber) hybrid material" which I assume is DX40?

Lastly, I have a Mountain Hardwear Summit Rocket 30 which I love and have nearly worn out (zippers and nylon panels). The "HardWear X-Ply Ripstop" front panel and bottom is bomber, AND has a great texture! Does anyone know exactly what the Dyneema layup is in the X-Ply Ripstop? Perhaps I can source old Summit Rocket packs and salvage the X-ply Ripstop panels for my new pack.

Dave Kesonie wrote: Thanks folks! That gives me a few leads to follow.

hey Dave, did you ever get something made? mine is on its last legs and i'm thinking about how to replace it.

No, my first generation BD Bullet pack is still going. It probably has two more years on it then I will have something custom made. Perhaps the real utility of having a dyneema bullet pack is the durability for dragging it up chimneys.