The Backpack Comparison Sheet
One fixed sheet, ten packs, so the columns line up.
- Volume
- 01
- Order
- № 14
- Read
- 9 min
- Tags
- appendix · comparison
- Published
The inventory appendix answers what is in the collection. This appendix answers how those backpacks compare on one fixed sheet. The fields reuse vocabulary already defined elsewhere in the series: profile and opening terms from Vol. IV, construction classes from Vol. VII, the envelope / pocket-map / retrieval-path ordering from Vol. VI’s “Reading Any Pack,” and the datasheet caveats from the previous appendix. Fill the blank sheet at the end for any pack that is not in this table.
Ten backpacks only. Slings, pouches, duffles, totes, and messengers stay in the inventory; they do not belong on a backpack sheet.
The fields
| Field | What counts |
|---|---|
| Stated volume | Maker total in litres; note if roll-top or expansion changes the number |
| Main body | Maker main-cavity litres when published; otherwise not published |
| H × W × D | Exterior envelope as published; packed-maximum vs empty-shell when the page says |
| Empty weight | Maker empty weight in grams (converted from oz/lb when needed) |
| Load rating | Maker maximum recommended load; otherwise not published |
| Grams per litre | Empty weight ÷ stated volume; the one derived metric on this sheet |
| Shell / liner | Face fabric and liner SKU or family when published |
| Construction class | One of the four Vol. VII classes |
| Weather claim | Maker language: weather-resistant, waterproof fabric, seam caveats |
| Profile | Vol. IV term: slab, structured, tapered, collapsed, boxy, barrel, clamshell, roll-top |
| Opening system | How the main cavity opens |
| Laptop cavity | Published sleeve or pocket dimensions, or fit claim |
| Laptop access path | Top through main, dedicated exterior zipper, or clamshell flap |
| Organization scale | Shell sorts, liner sorts, or removable pouches sort |
| Harness / hipbelt / pass-through / attachment / bottle | Present, optional, or absent as published |
Missing cells are not published, never guessed.
Envelope and load
| Pack | Stated volume | Main body | H × W × D | Empty weight | Load rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ULA Dragonfly 36L | 36 L | 26 L | 20.5 × 12 × 7.5 in | 879 g (31 oz) | 25 lb / 11 kg |
| ULA Cicada 0426 | 22 L | 20 L | 18 × 11 × 5 in | 870 g (30.7 oz) | 25 lb / 11 kg |
| ULA Cicada 0826 | 22 L | 20 L | 18 × 11 × 5 in | 1,026 g (36.2 oz) | 25 lb / 11 kg |
| ILE Apex 11L | 11 L | not published | 9 × 4 × 18 in | not published | not published |
| Portland Gear Cascade 21L | 21 L | not published | 16 × 11 × 8.5 in | 1,077 g (2.375 lb) | not published |
| Solgaard Lifepack | ~18 L | not published | 11.75 × 17.75 × 6 in | 1.4 kg (3 lb) | not published |
| Toshi Pack 20L (ms: 21L) | 20 L | not published | 18 × 11.6 × 6 in | 1,000 g (2.25 lb) | not published |
| WANDRD PRVKE v3 21L | 21–25 L | not published | 19 × 11 × 6.5 in | 1.3 kg (2.8 lb) | not published |
| WANDRD PRVKE v3 31L | 31–36 L | not published | 21 × 12 × 7 in | 1.6 kg (3.5 lb) | not published |
| WANDRD PRVKE origin 21L | 21–26 L | not published | 17 × 11 × 6.5 in | 1.27 kg (2.8 lb) | not published |
Carry density
Grams per litre uses stated volume (the lower end of a range when the maker publishes a band). Lower is lighter per litre, not better packing.
| Pack | Volume (L) | Weight (g) | g/L | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ULA Dragonfly 36L | 36 | 879 | 24 | Lightest density on the sheet |
| ULA Cicada 0426 | 22 | 870 | 40 | Shared chassis with 0826 |
| ULA Cicada 0826 | 22 | 1,026 | 47 | Leather panels raise object weight |
| ILE Apex 11L | 11 | not published | - | Cannot compute |
| Toshi Pack 20L | 20 | 1,000 | 50 | Live SKU is 20 L |
| Cascade 21L | 21 | 1,077 | 51 | Maker weight |
| PRVKE v3 31L | 31 | 1,600 | 52 | Lower end of 31–36 L band |
| PRVKE origin 21L | 21 | 1,270 | 60 | II-era review sheet |
| PRVKE v3 21L | 21 | 1,300 | 62 | Specs block; see provenance |
| Solgaard Lifepack | 18 | 1,400 | 78 | Bag only, without Solarbank |
Material stack
| Pack | Shell | Liner | Construction class | Weather claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dragonfly 36L | Challenge Ultra / Ultra TX | UltraStretch mesh pockets | PU-bonded laminate | Fabric waterproof to 200 psi; AquaGuard zips |
| Cicada 0426 | EcoPak EPX400 | EPX200 | PU-bonded laminate | Fabric waterproof; seams conditional |
| Cicada 0826 | X-Pac X11 + full-grain leather | Ultra 200X | PU-bonded laminate | Fabric waterproof; leather panels |
| ILE Apex 11L | X-Pac VX21 Ocean (owner); Cordura also offered | not published | PU-bonded laminate | Weather-resistant; coated YKK zips |
| Cascade 21L | 100% polyester, TPU matte coating | not published | Conventional woven nylon/polyester | Weatherproof coated shell |
| Solgaard Lifepack | Shore-Tex rPET | Shore-Tex rPET | Conventional woven nylon/polyester | No rain cover included |
| Toshi Pack 20L | 840D nylon | 210D PU-coated ripstop | Conventional woven nylon/polyester | not published as a system claim |
| PRVKE v3 21L / 31L | Tarpaulin + Robic 1680D | not published | Conventional woven nylon/polyester | Weather-resistant; not submersion-proof |
| PRVKE origin 21L | Tarpaulin + Robic 1680D | not published | Conventional woven nylon/polyester | Water-resistant; rainfly for heavy rain |
Access and organization
| Pack | Profile | Opening system | Laptop cavity | Laptop access path | Organization scale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dragonfly 36L | Structured | Front panel-loader / clamshell | 17″ sleeve | Through main / dedicated laptop slot | Shell + mesh pockets |
| Cicada 0426 | Slab | Front-loading clamshell | 15.5 × 10 in | Through main (false-bottom sleeve) | Shell sorts |
| Cicada 0826 | Slab | Front-loading clamshell | 15.5 × 10 in | Dedicated exterior horizontal zipper | Shell sorts (additive pockets) |
| ILE Apex 11L | Slab / roll-top | Roll-top + front zip | Fits 14″ MacBook Pro (claim) | Through main (pleated sleeve) | Shell light; pouch-friendly |
| Cascade 21L | Structured | Wireframe pop-top panel | ~15 × 10 in padded sleeve | Through main | Shell sorts |
| Solgaard Lifepack | Structured | Dual zip compartments | Up to 15–16″ (page conflict) | Through workzone | Shell sorts (Work / Life zones) |
| Toshi Pack 20L | Structured | Top-down + ambidextrous side | Dual slots up to 16″ | Dedicated laptop compartment | Shell sorts |
| PRVKE v3 / origin | Structured / roll-top | Roll-top + rear clamshell + side door | 13.5 × 9.5 in (v3 21L) | Clamshell flap sleeve | Shell + optional camera cube |
Carry and attachment
| Pack | Harness | Hipbelt | Pass-through | Attachment surfaces | Bottle carry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dragonfly 36L | S-straps + sternum | Optional 1″ removable | not published | Front bungee | Dual UltraStretch side pockets |
| Cicada 0426 | S-straps + sternum | not published | not published | Restrained exterior | Interior UltraStretch pockets |
| Cicada 0826 | S-straps + sternum | Omitted (laptop path) | not published | Daisy chains, carabiner loops, racer stripes | Dual exterior UltraStretch pockets |
| ILE Apex 11L | Straps + removable sternum | not published | Hydration tube pass-through | Front utility loop | not published as bottle pockets |
| Cascade 21L | Padded straps + chest strap | not published | Luggage sleeve | Restrained | Laser-perforated side holsters |
| Solgaard Lifepack | Dual carrying system | not published | Suitcase seatbelt | Cable lock | Discreet / expandable side pocket |
| Toshi Pack 20L | Padded straps | not published | not published | Adaptive volume paneling | Side pocket (typical) |
| PRVKE v3 / origin | Contoured straps | Optional / bundle | Luggage pass-through | Accessory strap points | Expandable side pocket |
The blank sheet
Copy this for any backpack not in the table. Leading Property keeps the matrix layout on the site.
| Property | Your pack |
|---|---|
| Model / colorway | |
| Stated volume (L) | |
| Main body (L) | |
| H × W × D | |
| Empty weight | |
| Load rating | |
| Grams per litre | |
| Shell | |
| Liner | |
| Construction class | |
| Weather claim | |
| Profile | |
| Opening system | |
| Laptop cavity | |
| Laptop access path | |
| Organization scale | |
| Harness | |
| Hipbelt | |
| Pass-through | |
| Attachment surfaces | |
| Bottle carry | |
| Source URL | |
| Retrieved | |
| Verified against |
Provenance
| Pack | Source | Retrieved | Verified against |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dragonfly 36L | ula-equipment.com product page | 2026-08 | Pack Hacker review (31 oz agrees) |
| Cicada 0426 | ula-equipment.com project archive | 2026-08 | Vol. VI field study (agrees) |
| Cicada 0826 | ula-equipment.com bespoke page | 2026-08 | Vol. VI; page weight typo “1,0263 g” read as 1,026 g |
| ILE Apex 11L | ilequipment.com product page | 2026-08 | Inventory (VX21 Ocean); empty weight not published |
| Cascade 21L | portlandgear.com product page | 2026-08 | Vol. I Ch. 2 agrees; Stiles Supply conflicts (18×12×6 in, 2.2 lb) - maker kept |
| Solgaard Lifepack | solgaard.co product FAQ | 2026-08 | Vol. I Shore-Tex notes; ignore on-page Compass block (2.2 lb) |
| Toshi Pack 20L | reworkgear.com Toshi Pack 20L | 2026-08 | Vol. I names unit “Toshi 21L”; live SKU is 20 L |
| PRVKE v3 21L | wandrd.com/products/prvke-v3 Specs block | 2026-08 | On-page dimensions graphic lists 3.1 lb - Specs 2.8 lb kept |
| PRVKE v3 31L | wandrd.com/products/prvke-v3 dimensions graphic | 2026-08 | Pack Hacker older 31L sheet (3.4 lb / 19×12.5×7.5 in) differs |
| PRVKE origin 21L | Phoblographer PRVKE II review sheet | 2026-08 | Live maker page is V4; II-era sheet used for origin unit |
Snapshots live in refs/specs/ and are indexed from refs/MANIFEST.md.
Sourcing and caveats
Maker figures are the default. Independent reviews and owner notes are verification, not a quiet override. When they disagree beyond rounding, the maker number stays in the comparison tables and the conflict is named in Provenance.
Bespoke Cicadas have project or collaboration pages rather than open retail SKUs; their envelope is still maker-published. The Toshi row uses the live 20 L sheet while the manuscript still says 21 L for the retired unit. PRVKE generation labels shifted; the origin row uses the II-era review sheet because the live product page describes V4. Competing cavities (roll-top expansion, Solarbank add-on weight, pocket litres that cannot all be full at once) are why stated volume and grams-per-litre are starting points, not rankings.
Retrieval month for this appendix’s pack pages: August 2026.