Roll Top Pack Question?

“Looking at a Roll top Pack...
To be specific a Arcteryx RT45 or 55.
What are the advantages or
dis-advantages?
Thanks for any feed back.”

“The advantage is that you don't have the weight of the top pocket, but the disadvantage is if you like a top pocket there isn't one. Lately, I've been doing without a top pocket and I don't miss it much. I use it mostly when I have a lot of little things I want to get at fast when I'm out fishing. I do like a small silnylon flap I made instead of the roll top option because it provides a little more room inside and looks more streamlined. The roll top is OK too, I just don't use it as much.”

“the cubes to pounds ratio looks a little low to me but ymmv”

“Richb, When you make the flap for your packs do you put a drawstring around the edge to make it fit tighter?? I saw pics on another site of a homemade pack with that type of flap and Im thinking of putting one on my sil-nylon daypack but Im wondering if its worth it or if I should just put a flap of sil-nylon with a couple of webbing straps to secure it. Thanx! Streamweaver”

“Top pockets are kindof handy if you're carrying fragile goods. I like to carry my water reservoir up there: for the gravity assist, and to separate it from the rest of the pack in case of a leak.

I was looking at the RT35... but more as a daypack. Pretty snazzy --”

“That is where I carry my fine china I eat off of on trips”

“Streamweaver, I just made my top with webbing straps. It's slightly contoured to fit nicely so I was able to avoid using a drawstring setup. If you go over to McHale packs website you will see how he made his and that's how I made mine.”

“Coolish!! Thanks Rich!!”