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SWAYGO PACK CONCEPT
SWAYGO Pack >>
Concept
- FAQ - History -
Diagram - Insert
Keeping it simple. We specifically tried to create
a very simple pack. No bells and whistles. No extra or unnecessary straps or
buckles. We looked at each component of a pack and decided if it could be
replaced with something better or even eliminated entirely. More often than not,
it was eliminated—stripped down to the bare essentials. For two years, we
brainstormed, created and tested lots of prototypes. Finally, we have come up
with a simple, versatile, functional, durable and comfortable caving pack.
A SWAYGO Pack is the most waterproof, cave-worthy pack ever. We have floated it
through wading/swimming caves and dragged it through stream crawls while keeping
the contents completely dry. The only water that made its way into the pack came
from when it was being opened or closed, or when water dripped off gloved hands
while digging in the pack. When the pack is loaded and closed properly, it's
impossible to get water in the pack.
Pack materials: It's polyurethane, not PVC. It's a super-durable material made
of an 840-denier nylon fabric that is impregnated with polyurethane, then
multiple layers of polyether polyurethane solution coats are applied to a
finished weight of 23 oz. per sq. yard. This durable, high strength is
abrasion/puncture resistant and will not delaminate, fade, or become brittle.
The majority of dry bags are made from PVC, and under normal conditions they
hold up just fine. But take them into a cave and you'll quickly see that PVC is
not as durable as the polyurethane on the Push Pack. Polyurethane is a
relatively hard coating, which makes it quite abrasion resistant. It is about
four times more abrasion resistant than PVC-coated material. Polyurethane also
does not get stiff when it's cold. The only drawback to polyurethane is its
cost. Some caving packs are made from nylon fabric, specifically ballistic
nylon. This fabric is extremely abrasion resistant; however, it is not
waterproof. It soaks up water like a sponge. In fact, drain holes are often
installed to let water out. The problem is, drain holes also let water gush in.
Low-profile: By wearing the SWAYGO Pack "upside-down," the bulk of the pack ends
up in the small of the back, instead of between the shoulders. The Tuck & Roll
closure is very secure and will not allow anything to fall out.
No handles: Well sort of. We found that the pack's low profile allows you to
leave it on in tight spots where most other packs would have to come off. You'll
also find that dragging the pack through crawls is very easy and fast with the
Quick Strap. The Tuck & Roll closure also provides a great handle.
Minimal stitching: The only stitching you’ll find on the SWAYGO Pack is where the
buckles are attached. Stitching creates hundreds of small holes in the fabric
that can allow water in. That's why we RF weld our packs instead of stitching
them.
Tuck & Roll Closure: This system securely holds gear in the pack while keeping
the water and mud out. Simply tuck the material under the flap, squeeze out the
air and roll tightly towards the flap. Three rolls minimum. Then bend the
buckles around and snap together.
Quick Strap System: The Quick Strap is designed to be simple and versatile. All
you have to do is pull the top carabiner up and away, pulling the strap through
the grommet until all the slack is out of the straps. Clip the top carabiner in
to your harness for hanging, or to your foot or coveralls crotch for dragging.
And it's adjustable for different sized cavers. Simply move the side carabiners
to a different side-hole or strap pocket to make it longer or shorter. You may
replace any of the provided carabiners with full-sized carabiners. We like to
use a full size, anti-snag, key lock type as our top carabiner (like the Petzl
Spirit), but keep the smaller keychain sized for the side carabiners. The strap
can be configured to wear like a backpack or a messenger bag.
Wearing the pack on your side: It is possible, but we don't recommend it. We are
confident that you will find the SWAYGO Pack to be so streamlined and low profile,
you'll rarely take it off your back. When you do take it off, the Quick Strap is
so easy to activate, you can drag or hang it in seconds. Wearing packs on the
side has become common because of the bulky, block shape of many packs. With the
Push Pack, you can carry your gear comfortably and efficiently.
Loading the SWAYGO Pack: We suggest that you pack your small things in small,
brightly-colored stuff sacks so they're easy to find. Keep the soft, small stuff
in the end with the grommet (top end, when on your back). Put larger items close
to the closure, like water bottles. A quart sized Nalgene bottle will easily fit
sideways into the Push Pack.
Pack Volume: It's not as simple as you think. There is no standard for measuring
pack volume, never has been, and probably never will be. Obviously, this makes
it hard to accurately compare volume measurements among manufacturers. Some
measure the dimensions and mathematically figure the volume. Some fill the packs
with "stuff" (rice, pinto beans, ping-pong balls, water, bean bag chair filling,
Cap'n Crunch, etc.) and measure the amount of stuff. We used puffed rice,
figured out how much rice the pack would hold, then measured the total amount of
rice in a cylinder to calculate the cubic inches. SWAYGO will remain
consistent with our measuring methods so you can at least compare our pack
models to each other. The current Push Pack model is large enough to carry
enough gear for an average horizontal day trip.
Lifetime Warranty: All SWAYGO products come with a lifetime warranty. We take
great care in creating gear that will satisfy your extraordinary needs. If for
any reason you are concerned about your SWAYGO product, simply contact us and
we’ll make it right.
Carrying heavy items in a SWAYGO Pack: Hard, heavy and/or pointy items, such as
hammers, pry bars, camera cases, drills, large batteries, etc. Basically,
anything that may have a hard corner or edge poking the pack will increase the
stress on that area of the pack. Padding the hard stuff will decrease the
stress. Wrap hard things in your extra clothing, put them in a stuff sack or
line the inside of the pack with padding.
Rescue applications: Since the empty pack lies completely flat, it can be used
as a very effective splint. Simply remove the Quick Strap, roll it around the
injury and tape or tie it in place. What’s more, the Quick Strap can be removed
from the pack and connected to the Quick Straps from your caving buddies packs
to make a hand line. The Quick Strap can be used as a pick-off strap.
Nothing you take in a cave will last forever. Cave hard enough, and eventually
you can destroy anything. But, the less stress and punishment you give your
gear, the longer it will last. With a low-profile pack, you can leave it on your
back, where it's better protected, instead of stressing it by dragging or
pushing. But when you do have to drag, polyurethane is slippery and glides
easily. Combine that with a clean, simple design with minimal snag points and
moving through a cave gets much easier on you and your gear.
The SWAYGO Pack is much more than just a water-proof pack or a Polyurethane pack.
The SWAYGO Pack is a complete pack system. It’s waterproof. It’s low profile. It’s
polyurethane. It’s welded.
Other neat things about the SWAYGO Pack:
After activating the Quick Strap, clip the carabiner into the bottom of your
zipper/crotch to drag. It’s more efficient than dragging with one leg and if the
pack ever gets caught on something, you can easily move it with your foot.
It can be used as a:
SWAYGO Pack >>
Concept
- FAQ - History -
Diagram - Insert
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