1.1 oz. Silicone Impregnated Ripstop Nylon

I see alot of UL gear with this to include tarps, bivies and even backpacks. If I am taking my pack that is made of this through brushes and branches and what not...is that a suicide pack on my pack? I can't imagine something this light being durable at all.

Well remember that it is called "Ripstop" so it's not completely fragile. When you hold it up to the light you can see a grid of reinforcing fibers that is woven in to stop rips (hence the name). I have not found branches and bushes to be a real problem really unless you are talking about thorns. My pack is a gossamer gear pack and it is made of that stuff. I'm not super careful with it and I haven't had any problems. However I'm more careful than when I was a kid. As a scout I would just throw my pack on the ground, heedless of rocks, when I was done hiking.

that is very comforable to hear <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I don't deal with any thorns. I am maining talking about the backcountry in the rocky mountains...so really just Pine and possible oak sage (which probably can be damaging). I try to stay on trails but it is easy for my adventurist spirit to veer in other directions <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I figure there are also so lightweight pack covers made of the same stuff that would be added protection.

Do you find that you have to cover your pack when it rains?

I just looked at the gossomer line of backpacks and I am sold. It is amazing what you can get from a 1lb pack <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I've thought about a pack cover for rain but decided against it (may change my tune later). Instead I put my water protection INSIDE the pack. I don't care about the pack per se getting wet as long as my sleeping bag and clothing stay dry. I've used plastic garbage bags as pack liners but lately I've been trying splitting my stuff into two or three drybags that I put inside my pack. That helps keep things organized and dry.

If the pack gets wet while I'm hiking then it's as wet as I am so I don't notice. But a completely wet pack is a bummer to put on in the morning in your dry clothes because the shoulder straps and belt make you wet. Sometimes I carry a garbage bag that I put my pack into at night to keep it dry in case it rains while I'm asleep. But when I'm hammocking I use a biner to hang the pack from my hammock supports so it stays as dry as I do.

I'm currently experimenting with a new strategy. Rather than a rain jacket I'm trying a poncho tarp that is big enough to go over the pack. I'm going to see if I can use that in place of a rain jacket,pack cover,and tarp. It would certainly lighten the load but I'm used to an 8x10 tarp so I may find that this doesn't provide enough shelter. We'll see.

I have a Mariposa Plus and a homemade pack cover/gear hammock. Pack covers can also be water carriers and gear hangers; I tuck all my clothes in mine and dangle it from the ridgeline of my hammock to keep critters from getting in.

I put my quilt in a waterproof stuff sack and cover the pack if there's gonna be rain. The pack may become an added layer of warmth over my feet if needed; I don't want wet stuff in my hammock with me.