A pack system consists of Suspension, Frame, Pack Bag, Compression Panel, Straps, and Accessories. We think of all large packs in this way, including our internal frame packs. Our Compression Straps are the exact some ones that come on our Ute backpack and can be used in a variety of applications. The different types of compression straps are as follows:

• 18" Top Straps (sold as pair) - 18" long, ITW repair side releast buckle on running end, ITW G-hook sewn on other end, elastic keeper, and elastic G-hook keeper. This strap is useful for adding top compression when adding a line pocket to a Junction pack or as a replacement for a lost Umlindi top strap.
• 32" Top Straps (sold as pair) - 32" long, ITW repair side release buckle on running end, ITW G-hook sewn on other end, elastic keeper. This strap is really long for securing a large stuff sack on the top of your pack. With the way the ends are finished, you can use this thing anywhere you can hook a G-hook or repair buckle in. Our most universally useful strap.
• Bottom Straps (sold as pair) - 24" long. ITW G-hook on running end, ITW metal 3-bar slider sewn on other end, elastic keeper. This one is low profile, but requires either a loop lock or tubular frame to secure the sewn end to.
• Horizontal Straps (sold individually) - 60" long, ITW dual adjust side release in center, ITW G-hooks sewn on each end, elastic keepers for each running end. These can be used as a really long non-pulley horizontal compression strap on a wide variety of different packs including externals. They can also be used in conjunction with one of our compression panels as described below.

more detail on various popular setups

The Horizontal Straps enable our Pulley Compression System depicted in the diagram below. Here is what we accomplish with this setup:

• 2:1 mechanical advantage on tightening that strap
• having a single Side Release (SR) buckle in center allows the compression panel to be snugged all the way down to the frame with no excess play on either side. At 1.25" wide, G-hooks are the narrowest attachment element available (other than slik clips which aren't strong enough for this application). This means that total width of the whole system is compression panel width plus 2.5". Most of our compression panels are 9" wide. That means total width is 11.5" wide. The Ute is 12" wide. The Umlindi is 11" wide. See what is going on there? You can completely suck the compression panel to the frame using this setup
• Same strap system protects the zipper that is found on most of our compression panels without extra rigging or anything
• Between SR buckle and G-hooks, you can completely undo compression strap without unthreading anything
• SR buckle, which can't hold tension if it is on a corner, stays in the center where it holds tension well
• You can quickly throw stuff under the center straps, like snowshoes or a jacket.