The Packa is available in four different fabrics. The four colors above are for the 30d fabric, but the 15ds and the 40d are the same gray. The "d" in the fabric description refers to denier, a term that describes "thickness" of the fabric. The 15d is the thinnest fabric and hence the lightest weight. The trade off for lighter weight fabrics is price and durability. You generally pay more for a product that is lighter weight and more fragile. See more fabric discussion below. Sil/pu refers to the exterior coating which is silicone and the interior coating which is polyurethane. The pu on the inside is what allows these fabrics to be seam taped. The silnylon Packa is silicone on both sides.
30d sil/pu coated nylon with a waterproofness rating of 2000mm HH. Available in red, blue, olive green or gray.
Weights: small 30d: 14 oz medium 30d: 15.0 oz large 30d: 16 oz Price: $123 + $12 shipping =135 Not available in mediumx or largex.
15d sil/pu coated nylon with a waterproofness rating of 2000mm HH. Gray only.
Weights: small 15d: 14 oz medium 15d: 14.5 oz mediumx 15d: 13 oz large 15d: 13 oz largex 15d: 13 oz Price: $98 + $12 shipping = $110
*the weight differences for this fabric in the larger sizes are due to a weight increase on the new 15d sil/pu shipment. I still have some available from the previous shipment in sizes large, mediumx and largex. The Packas from the previous 15d shipment are lighter than the new shipment. As of 2/22/26 this is still true. Best value Packa.
40d waterproof breathable fabric by Polymax. Gray only.
Weights: small: 17 oz medium: 18.0 oz mediumx: 19 oz large: 19 oz largex : 20 oz Price: $158.00 + shipping = $170
15d silicone coated nylon (silnylon) with a waterproofness rating of 2000 HH. Gray only.
Weights: small 15d: 9.5 oz medium 15d: 10 oz mediumx 15d: 10.5 oz large 15d: 10.5 oz largex 15d: 11 oz Price: $138.00 + shipping = $150
Important fabric information: The 30d sil/pu coated, 15d sil/pu coated and the 40d Polymax fabrics have taped seams. The 15d silnylon fabric does not have sealed seams. The 15d silnylon Packas are manufactured with a poly cotton thread that swells when wet to close the needle holes and minimize leaking. I've carried the 15d silnylon for that last 4 years and have been very satisfied with how the seams performed. I don't recommend sealing the seams.
The 30d sil/pu fabric and the 15d sil/pu fabric are very close to being the same fabric especially after my new order. This 15d sil/pu fabric was a mistake by my manufacturer for two orders in a row. I always wanted the 15d silnylon but got these instead. They are perfectly good Packas, just not the fabric I ordered and way too close in weight to the 30d. If you want the cheapest base model Packa, the 15d sil/pu is for you. If you want a different color, the 30d is for you. If you want the lightest weight Packa, the 15d silnylon is for you. If you want a breathable fabric, the 40d is for you.
The 40d Polymax fabric is a waterproof breathable WPB and as such will eventually need to be cleaned and retreated to maintain good waterproofness. I carried this for many years before getting old and switching to the 15d silnylon. I am a cold weather hiker and the 40d is best at blocking cold wind by far. It also feels much better against my skin as the nylon Packas can feel cold and clammy.
30d sil/pu coated nylon with a waterproofness rating of 2000mm HH. Available in red, blue, olive green or gray.
Weights: small 30d: 14 oz medium 30d: 15.0 oz large 30d: 16 oz Price: $123 + $12 shipping =135 Not available in mediumx or largex.
15d sil/pu coated nylon with a waterproofness rating of 2000mm HH. Gray only.
Weights: small 15d: 14 oz medium 15d: 14.5 oz mediumx 15d: 13 oz large 15d: 13 oz largex 15d: 13 oz Price: $98 + $12 shipping = $110
*the weight differences for this fabric in the larger sizes are due to a weight increase on the new 15d sil/pu shipment. I still have some available from the previous shipment in sizes large, mediumx and largex. The Packas from the previous 15d shipment are lighter than the new shipment. As of 2/22/26 this is still true. Best value Packa.
40d waterproof breathable fabric by Polymax. Gray only.
Weights: small: 17 oz medium: 18.0 oz mediumx: 19 oz large: 19 oz largex : 20 oz Price: $158.00 + shipping = $170
15d silicone coated nylon (silnylon) with a waterproofness rating of 2000 HH. Gray only.
Weights: small 15d: 9.5 oz medium 15d: 10 oz mediumx 15d: 10.5 oz large 15d: 10.5 oz largex 15d: 11 oz Price: $138.00 + shipping = $150
Important fabric information: The 30d sil/pu coated, 15d sil/pu coated and the 40d Polymax fabrics have taped seams. The 15d silnylon fabric does not have sealed seams. The 15d silnylon Packas are manufactured with a poly cotton thread that swells when wet to close the needle holes and minimize leaking. I've carried the 15d silnylon for that last 4 years and have been very satisfied with how the seams performed. I don't recommend sealing the seams.
The 30d sil/pu fabric and the 15d sil/pu fabric are very close to being the same fabric especially after my new order. This 15d sil/pu fabric was a mistake by my manufacturer for two orders in a row. I always wanted the 15d silnylon but got these instead. They are perfectly good Packas, just not the fabric I ordered and way too close in weight to the 30d. If you want the cheapest base model Packa, the 15d sil/pu is for you. If you want a different color, the 30d is for you. If you want the lightest weight Packa, the 15d silnylon is for you. If you want a breathable fabric, the 40d is for you.
The 40d Polymax fabric is a waterproof breathable WPB and as such will eventually need to be cleaned and retreated to maintain good waterproofness. I carried this for many years before getting old and switching to the 15d silnylon. I am a cold weather hiker and the 40d is best at blocking cold wind by far. It also feels much better against my skin as the nylon Packas can feel cold and clammy.
