Atom Packs Pulse EP50 vs Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 40L
Weight and specs compared for 2026 — and which one to choose.
UK-made 50L ultralight thru-hiking pack with a carbon hooped frame and EcoPak fabric, carrying loads up to ~14kg comfortably.
Full details →Dyneema 40L pack at 540g. Compact version of Arc Haul for minimalist backpacking setups.
Full details →HikeLoad is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Atom Packs Pulse EP50 vs Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 40L: which should you buy?
If saving weight is your priority, the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 40L wins — at 540 g it is 140 g (21%) lighter than the Atom Packs Pulse EP50 (680 g). That said, the heavier option may justify the extra grams with more capacity, durability or comfort, so weigh the trade-off against how you'll use it.
See where both rank against everything else in this category on the lightest backpack page, or browse the full gear weight database.