VAUDE Launches Waterproof Daypack
VAUDE is the first company to use ultrasonic welding to produce an award-winning waterproof pack that's a claimed 20 per-cent lighter than comparable conventional products.
Posted: 4 May 2006
by Jon
Looks like there's another arrival on the waterproof pack scene
with the launch of VAUDE's Arancanda Air 30 sac featuring
waterproof seams made with ultrasonic technology.
Conventional packs aren't waterproof, not because the fabric leaks
- generally it's coated to make it watertight - but because any
significant rain will leak though the stitch holes of the pack's
seams.
 Both
Berghaus and Vango along with a few others have now produced
waterproof packs and now, after three years of development, VAUDE has
joined them.
The company says it uses three different thermal processes to
produce a water-tight construction. All fabric seams are
ultrasonically sealed, then pocket zips and and back system padding
are attached using high frequency welding and finally, accessory
patches and plaques for ice axes and poles are bonDed to the sac
using a heat transfer process.
The use of ultrasonic technology in packs, says VAUDE, is a first
and they've dubbed the entire three-part process 'Ultra Seam
Tech'. Ultrasonic energy fuses materials together bonding them at
temperatures over 250C.
A major advantage of the process is that standard pack fabrics can
be used while the elimination of seams and fabric overlaps reduces
weight over a comparable conventionally-produced pack.
Proof My Pack...
The new Aracanda Air 30 at a claimed 950 grammes is around 20
per-cent lighter than comparable products, says Vaude. And the
welding process gives the pack a sleek, clean look that we really
like the look of.
You get compression straps, tool / pole fixing and a new Aeroflex
ventilated back system and the sac is intended for general walking
and climbing use. Just to underline things, the Aracanda has recently
won an 'IF product design award'', which has been presented by the
International Design Forum on a an annual basis since 1954.
The Aracanda 30 Air retails for £70. More information about
VAUDE at www.vaude.de
Discuss this story
I'm pretty sure that Vaude were doing this ten years ago, in fact I'm certain as I have one of their waterproof, welded seam, backpacking sacks which I bought in 1997 before walking the Pennine Way. Mine has normal zippers (but with large storm flaps) but they also did a pack with a roll-top (dry-bag style) main and bottom pocket fastening which was submersion proof. The same technology was also available on smaller day-pack sized bags.
Posted: 04/05/2006 at 13:57
You're both right. VAUDE were the first to use ultrahigh frequency welding (UHFW) to make waterproof rucksacks nearly 10 years ago. However this new technology uses ultrasonic welding technology. There are two main advantages - 1 - you can weld in 3D rather than the 2D of UHFW - so you get a more functional sack that looks great and is easy to use. 2 - you can use normal rucksack fabrics, rather than the heavier plasticised ones needed on UHFW, so the pack is lighter 800 gms for Aracanda 30, as well as more abrasion resistant. Chris Davison - VAUDE UK Country Manager PS - Check out gear review in Trail June issue!
Posted: 09/05/2006 at 13:17
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