Arc'teryx Alpha SL 30 Backpack: First Look

This is not a review.

The Arc’teryx Alpha SL 30 has just been released, and the pack’s been in my posession barely a week. Subsequently these are merely my initial impressions that I hope are helpful, but this isn’t a review as such. All thoughts are my own, I paid for the pack, albeit with the generous discount that Arc’teryx offer me as a member of their pro program.

First Thoughts

The Alpha Fl 30/40 have long been my go to packs for Scottish winter, ice climbing and alpine objectives for 10 years. They’re modern classics and the Alpha SL is the next evolutionary step in Arc’teryx’s alpine pack range. I’ll outline my impressions by comparing the Alpha SL to the familiar Alpha FL packs.

Shared Features

Both the older Alpha FL and newer Alpha SL are minimalist packs with similar silhouettes & few frills.

A thin, non-removeable foam back panel which whilst light, is effective in creating basic comfort and shape to the bag.
Pull to open and close drawcord for the main compartment which works great with gloves and is speedy.
Two pockets, one internal ninja pocket and one external for easy access.
A Recco reflector – for aiding search & rescue.
4 Loops on sides for compression strap attachment
Chest strap with integrated whistle

Differences

Material

There’s been a trend in ultralight backpacking circles towards various Dyneema and other composite UHMWPE fabrics, incredibly strong for their weight, but a question mark hangs over longevity when it comes to delamination and abrasion in practical use. Smaller “cottage” makers like Cilogear, Alpine Luddites, etc pioneered their use in alpine packs. Larger manufacturers have cottoned on, with some aping the white look of DCF packs – an odd trend given the material’s main drawback in winter.

The Alpha SL utilises ALUULA Graflyte as the main body material (130 gsm) and is the headline; Graflyte is signifcantly lighter whilst stronger, and claimed greater abrasion resistance, whilst just as waterproof as the Hadron fabric found in the FL. Graflyte is a UHMWPE based fabric, but crucially isn’t glued like other laminates, instead fused at a molecular level, thus ALUULA claim it won’t delaminate. Without adhesives, it’s also recyclable. The fabric can be welded together creating a “monobloc” construction that doesn’t require seam taping for waterproofness, saving weight and reducing stress points, though there’s still stitching in many places.

Lighter, whilst stronger, more robust and waterproof. Long term use is required to see how this material performs out in the real world, but ALUULA Graflyte is promising and could be revolutionary for backpacks.

Roll-top

The Alpha SL lacks it’s forebear’s roll-top closure. I rarely use the additional capacity afforded by the roll-top, unused though it disappears unobtrusively inside the pack unnoticed. Come rain or blizzard conditions, the extra protection is appreciated and provides a dividing quick access compartment, with the bulk of gear protected underneath the roll-top, and a separate space formed above but below the drawcord for quick access to items like snacks, water bottle and belay jacket.

Arc’teryx have replaced the roll-top with a triangular flap, providing limited weather protection for the drawcord closure. It’s not as protective, and doesn’t provide coverage when overpacked. For occasional hauling, the triangular flap’s tough material likely increases protection, and increases rope carry stability. When not in-use, i.e only using the drawcord closure for speed, it gets in the way a bit and hangs limply and a bit untidily. I could remove it, though it’s an expensive pack to be cutting up and modifying!

Rope Strap

The rope strap on the Alpha SL is attached at the back. The latest Alpha FL pack locates the rope strap attachment at the front of the pack, I think this is superior, with the excess strap material not getting bunched uncomfortably around the nape, or potentially flapping around my face. The SL also lacks the small velcro tab the FL has for tidying the length of the strap – I rarely could be bothered to faff with this so no loss in my mind. With the strap situated at the front of the pack I find tucking it into the front pocket kept everything tidy. Interesting given how many of the other features are strippable, the designers didn’t make the rope strap strippable also.

Compression

The same 4 side compression lash points exist on both bags, but the newer Alpha SL actually comes with compression straps included and the front lash points are bigger to integrate with these compression straps. The older Alpha FL just had elastic cord threaded through smaller front lash points which whilst primarily for ice axe and crampon attachments, could be used for a bit of compression also.

The compression straps that come included with the Alpha SL are a good useable length for when strapping on bulky extra kit such as snow stakes. They clip nicely on to the compression lash points though I feel they could be more “positive”, as soon as they’re pulled tight they are secure though. They have a separate piece of plastic that acts as a lock – my initial impression is these are faffy, but effective.

Ultimately I never used compression straps with the original Alpha FL packs, the 30L pack would be full walking in to climbs, once climbing only a few lighter items are left inside with a puffy belay jacket filling up the volume to limit other items moving about. For a pack of this expense it’s nice to have been provided straps as an option though.

Ice Tool Carry

The Alpha FL packs had an elastic bungee strap for attaching ice axes, which could also hold crampons. The elastic could also attach jackets in summer. It’s a simple, light and easily repairable system. There are detractors, folk complain their tools rattle around, picks stick out and it could catch on trees. Threading my ice axe shaft through all of the elastic,I always found they were held suitably secure.

The Alpha SL now has a pick sleeve to keep picks closer to the pack; it’s super burly and does the trick. The ice axe toggles connect through a simple thin sleeve just under the pick sleeve which makes them easy to remove, and they stash tidily inside – see pic. The toggles join with 2 separate bits of elastic, providing redundancy in breakage. Elastic and a hooked toggle cinches tools securely at the shaft end. A compression strap if used could replace the shaft elastic toggles.

I like the addition of the pick sleeve on the newer SL, but I miss the elastic on the FL. With no crampon attachment, crampons need to be packed inside a crampon bag, adding additional weight to the overall system. The Alpha SL has only 4 front lash points (Arc’teryx website states 6), so the zigzag elastic can’t be retrofitted to the SL.

Hip Belt

The hip belt on both packs is minimal, 40mm webbing strap, with large buckles operable with gloves. Padding is absent but stability is provided, if little comfort. The Alpha SL’s hip belt is removeable, using the same system as the compression lash points, with a more secure attachment. I like the idea of stripping weight down for use as a leader pack, but also for a cleaner profile. The security of the plastic buckles attaching the hip belt to the pack means it’s not something I’d likely change out throughout the course of a day mind.

Shoulder Straps

The shoulder straps are very similar on both bags, well contoured and enough padding for comfort. As before, there are no load lifters, arguably unneccesary without a frame and the basic hip belt. The Alpha SL shoulder straps also have a horizontal strap I assume for running a hydration bladder tube; odd given there’s no hydration sleeve, but not something I use in any case.

Colour

UHMWPE fabrics don’t take colour well and are usually white, definitely a negative in my mind for winter use in snow and showing dirt. My Alpha FL in Dark Sprint, a neon yellow, is a stunningly bright bag. Aluula do produce Graflyte in grey shades though, as developed and seen on Durston’s Wapta backpack. The translucent white colour is however great when diving for gear deeply buried in the pack.

Weights

Overall Weight	438g
Bag Only	294g
Chest Strap	13.6g
Hip Belt	62.2g
Ice Axe Dogbone Toggles	7.9g
Ice Axe Shaft Toggles	7.2g
Compression Straps	52.1g

These are measured actual weights on calibrated scales, coming in slightly lighter than the advertised specs on the Arc’teryx website (444g).

Compared to the Alpha FL 30’s weight of 648g, the Alpha SL has a significant weight saving of 33%. Like for like, by taking the compression straps out of the equation, the SL weighs in at an impressive 386g, with a saving of 40% on the Alpha FL.

With the chest strap, a base weight of 308g is impressive, coming in barely heavier than my previous leader pack for summer rock (Blue Ice Stache UL) with greater capacity, comfort, waterproofing and durability.

Missing Repair Patch

On the Arc’teryx website it mentions a repair patch kit, but I was not sent one with my purchase. Having contacted Arc’teryx, they’ve said a repair patch kit will be included with the pack from August 15th onward. No offer as yet to provide me with the missing patch, but they have said “If you have issues at a later point and you need patches we might be able to help you with this”; seemingly non-committal. I will update here if Arc’teryx provide me with a patch in future though.

Summary

The headline here is the Aluula Graflyte fabric which is amazingly lightweight, though time will tell if it’s as durable as promised. With the strippable features, the weight can be pared down even further. At this price, it’s nice to be given compression straps though I don’t expect I’d use them often for my own use unless i get out ski touring. I like the removeable hip belt, but would prefer to see a simpler girth hitch attachment as many other alpine packs use.

Straying from the tried & true formula of the Alpha FL is an interesting design choice. I think the move from the zigzag elastic for ice tool attachment is a miss, specifically the inability to attach crampons externally, and with no way to retrofit this system on the new Alpha SL. I’m also not convinced the triangular flap replacing the roll-top is progress. With a roll-top I prefer the speed of access when not deployed, the organisation options and the increased weather protection, worth any additional weight penalty in my opinion. The rope strap being situated on the rear of the pack, and nowhere to tidy it I think is a misfire. Time will tell whether the weight benefits outweigh my perceived usability cons.

The Alpha SL 30 looks to be an adaptable pack for summer and winter adventures at an incredible weight.