Tradition
At the first glance the ZipperFox looks quite normal and resembles its „older brother”, the SilverFox model. The top cover is missing, but the general shape is traditional. Pack has two wide shoulder straps, equipped with quick release buckles. The load-bearing element consists of 25-mm webbing, sewn onto the straps. More webbing, located horizontally, creates a complex system for hydration and comms wiring. The sternum strap is attached by polymer connectors and can be adjusted horizontally and vertically. The fixing point for the hydration mouthpiece, as typical for Wisport packs, is located on the chest strap connectors.
There is one strange feature that can be noticed straight away. The load adjuster straps look like they were randomly attached from a diffrent model. The attachment point for these is only 20 mm above where the shoulders start. This results in a very small adjustment range. Maybe this is enough, but the diffrence is hard to notice when using this adjustment.
The back of ZipperFox is based on a single slat frame. There is no height adjustment, which is acceptable in 40-liter packs. A detachable hip belt (different than in SilverFox) is soft and noticably improves the comfort for the user. Every part of this that contacts the body is covered with very fine meshed, dirt-resistant foam. The length of the belt can be adjusted and it has 2 MOLLE cells located on each wing.
ZipperFox is equipped with SAS load bearing system with a hip belt. Previous model – SilverFox – lacks this feature
Single, aluminum frame slat
Rain cover (included) has its place in the bottom.
The final part of the back is the hydration compartment. It is narrow and the opening is protected by a zip-fastener. The bladder hangs on a loop and the small hole for the tube is protected with a velcro flap.
Hydration compartment can be accessed by a straight zipper on the right side. Earlier models had an L-shape zipper. Simplifying this bit allows for fabric reinforcement.
As is usually the case with military series Wisport products, the MOLLE webbing covers pretty much every flat surface of the main compartment. It is located on the front, top and sides of the backpack. The bottom has two buckled straps for attaching additional equipment. The identification velcro patch also lacks MOLLE. This is where typical solutions end and exotic ones begin.
Wisport ZipperFox, due to its features, is quite unconventional. It takes up just the space on the back of the wearer so it is small not to get in the way when sitting or looking up.
Not a lot of character when closed. Lots of webbing shows the military nature of the pack.
Straps on the bottom are a great location for a sleeping bag or other rolled items.
Innovation
What makes ZipperFox a novelty, is a very long, reversed U-shaped, zip-fastener, running along the top, both front-side edges, and terminating where bottom meets the back. Zipper has 4 sliders, 2 convergent, and two on each end. This configuration offers many possibilites. However, before we get into the pack, two buckled straps have to be released. These are located on the sides of the main compartment and allow for the carrying of extra-long items. These straps also take a substantial strain from the zip fasteners. After unbuckling, the sliders can be moved and the sides of the pack open. This allows for easy access from the sides to the main compartment and, at the same time, reveals the inside surfaces of the sides. This is important, as the right one has twin mesh pockets, protected with double-slider zipper (each pocket can be opened independently).
Main compartment opened up to first pair of compression straps. ZipperFox opens in the opposite direction of classic packs.
Unbuckling the top compression straps opens 1/3rd of the pack height. This results in good access to most of the content, while the pack maintains its shape.
The lid pouch is made of mesh. This allows for quick identification of carried items.
The left side has an open mesh pocket on the bottom and a MOLLE panel higher up. This panel is attached only at the sides, which creates a convenient „sleeve”, useful for carrying long items ( like a comms antenne or a small axe). These kind of items often move around and catch on other things in the pack. This is a very clever solution.
Nylon pouch attached to the back swings, so can be placed on the pack`s contents. This simplifies the access.
The essential feature of ZipperFox is achieved by the two converged sliders of the main zip-fastener. When placed on the „top” of the arch, these can be used to open the pack in three stages, each separated by side compression straps. First, the top part (working as a lid) can be opened. After unfastening the first pair of straps, zipper opens up further, revealing about 2/3 of the main compartment. The opening of the second pair of straps, allows the user to open the pack right to where the bottom meets the back. And, surprise, we have a completely flat backpack. Just like a cardboard box.
The inside of the pack offers several features, especially in comparison to the SilverFox model. The back wall is equipped with two pockets. One is a small, nylon pouch with a zipper. It is attached only at the top, which allows for a great access. It swings right onto the contents of the main compartment. The second, nylon pocket is almost full back size and has a twin on the front face. The lid has a zipped, flat mesh pocket.
Full access
While the previous model – SilverFox – was already quite an innovative pack, the new ZipperFox “super-duper” features are even more innovative. The hip belt works well and distributes the load for comfort. The pack itself is fabulous. There are so many possibilities to open this pack, that the user will always get to the right equipment is their pack. The interior pockets are great for small items – no more searching for those at the bottom. Let us hope that the accessory pouches will not get in the way of the opening system.
The full-open mode is a side result of openable sides. This is the biggest advantage of this pack. Finally when packing, the user can lay the backpack flat, fill the small pouches and then comfortably arrange the contents of the main compartment. This gives a lot of control over the location of the equipment and allows for instant verification of the packed items. When finished, only two sliders have to be moved to close the pack. If more space is needed extra pouches and larger items can be webbed to the outside.
Unbuckling all compression straps allows for spreading the pack flat. Small items can be safely stored in the side pouches.
One of the best features – chosen side face can be opened without disturbing the rest.
Inside of the left panel is covered with mesh pocket and small MOLLE panel. Its sleeve configuration protects longer items and maintains easy access to them.