How’s the hand of RX30 compared to 400 Halcyon?

[chrispoole]

So I really like how supple 400 halcyon is for the outer material, compared to 525 ballistic.

How’s the feel and hand of the new X-Pac RX30 that’s being used, compared to these materials?

I have another bag in VX21 that’s very rigid, but not sure how different the X-Pac variations affect the hand and how much it’s affected by the construction of the bag.

[dirkhaun]

HAND: X-Pac has a more substantial hand than 400d - somewhere between our ballistic and 400d in that regard. It could be described as having a stiff-ness that none of our other fabrics have but the RX30 specifically has a really satisfying feeling on the face fabric.

from the blog post at https://www.tombihn.com/blogs/main/w...excited-for-it

[Chicagoan]

I own a lot of Xpac bags because of my backpacking hobby. It's a laminated fabric, and kind of the same way gluing layers of wood together makes composite wood stiffer than the wood you'd get slicing up a log. It is a little stiff at first BUT does break in over time and with use. It's a smooth fabric - there is no weave to it, like Cordura, Ballistic, or ULTRA. The outside face will be colored, and the back, white (unless the bag has a different liner fabric like the ADX does). And there's a slight texture to it from the diamond-shaped reinforcement layer sandwiched between the facer and backer. Generally, it's 4 layers - a facer, reinforcer (the grid), barrier, and backer - but I'm not sure if that differs for RX30.

For those who like bags with that "ballistic" rigidity and ability to self-support, but don't want a bag as heavy as ballistic, it's actually a really smart alternative. Because it's light, but structured, and durable.

But I only know how it feels when used for big, open volumes - because most backpacking packs are roll-top dry bags with three outside pockets and a couple shoulder straps.

So I'm curious to hear how it navigates turns and tight corners. It makes sense they'd use it for a roll top. But I was surprised to see it listed as a material they're using to make SN30s.

I don't think there's a good material in the existing line to compare Xpac to, but I think it definitely has its merits and I'm curious to see where else it might be used in the product line.

Full disclosure: I did buy an ADX26, but not in Xpac. Why? I love that material, but I just don't buy black bags (they're just way too common in general and especially in the backpacking world). If they offer more colors of Xpac, I'm in, but otherwise TB is going to visually blend in a little too well with Able Carry, Aer, Alpaka, etc.

BTW, I laughed because last night I saw that Brown Buffalo is preselling a new ROLL TOP design and for all the crowing about it here in the TB world, theirs sold out! And theirs is also made from black Xpac. There's definitely a market and a use case for roll top bags and Xpac fabrics. I think it just needs a fair introduction here and folks might warm up to it over time and with familiarity.

This is a speculative post based on my own experiences using Xpac and bags made from it, and while I can't imagine the RX30 being much different, I'm more than open (and hoping) someone on crew might be able to enter the chat with an answer specifically tailored to the RX30 they use.

[G42]

I don't have a bag in X-Pac yet but I got to play with one a bit when I visited the factory earlier this month.

Take this for what it's worth since I only had a brief interaction...
I love 400d halcyon (vast majority of my bags are in this fabric). In comparison, I found the X-Pac was softer/less slippery, thicker/less supple, and a bit crunchier/louder.
The subtle elongated diamond pattern looked nice and that slightly softer to the fingertips feeling had me petting the fabric.
I'm intrigued enough by that first experience & the functionality to buy a bag once it gets to ones I use... The ADX26 TB offered me for review is ballistic and the upcoming SN30 is generally too tall for me, so I'm waiting to see what is made next.

I assume you can ask TB for a free swatch of the material but that's mostly for colour and it's not really indicative of what it will be like in a full bag.

[John1970]

I typically am not a big fan of xpac because of the hand, but am interested to try the RX30. I don't think TB will be able to accurately gauge interest in the fabric without offering it in at least a few other colors, though.

[G42]

I typically am not a big fan of xpac because of the hand, but am interested to try the RX30. I don't think TB will be able to accurately gauge interest in the fabric without offering it in at least a few other colors, though.

It will be interesting to see how it plays out because whilst colours are super popular here on the Forums, TB has said that Black is far and away the most popular colour in overall sales.