This guide answers a commercial question: what is the practical difference between the materials on current Hilltop Packs backpacks, and which should you choose? It is a Dyneema vs ECOPAK vs X-Pac backpacks comparison for U.S. buyers, built from live Hilltop Packs product pages plus official fabric-maker sheets. Moon Picke did not abrasion-test, rain-test, or hike these fabrics. See how we evaluate and our editorial standards.
Three evidence levels stay separate. Level 1: Hilltop Packs listings. Level 2: Challenge Sailcloth (ECOPAK EPLX), X-Pac / Dimension-Polyant (VX21, VX07), and Dyneema brand fabric notes where they do not contradict Hilltop. Level 3: Moon Picke editorial interpretation. Level 3 is never sold as a spec.
Moon Picke’s Quick Take
Choose Dyneema (Raven D V4) if you want Hilltop’s lightest listed Raven start (~19 oz) in 2.92 oz and 5.0 abrasion-resistant Dyneema and will pay $434.50. Choose ECOPAK EPLX200 (Raven ECO V4 or Dirty 30 ECO) if you want Challenge’s documented recycled-polyester laminate, print on ECO, and $385–$412.50. Choose X-Pac (Raven X UL in VX21, or 24Seven in VX21 & VX07) if you want Dimension-Polyant’s 210D/70D nylon-face laminates at $352–$395.50 and accept that Raven X UL is the heaviest listed Raven (~28 oz). Fabric oz/yd² is not pack ounces: 24Seven lists 15 oz in X-Pac; Raven D lists from ~19 oz in Dyneema. Fit, capacity, belt, and load window can matter more than the laminate name. No universal winner.
Disclosure: Moon Picke may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Shop buttons use the Hilltop Packs collection affiliate URL supplied for this article. See our affiliate disclosure.
Pricing checked October 4, 2026. Prices, configurations and availability may change.
Compare Hilltop Packs Backpacks
Material comparison table
Fabric rows are Level 2 except where marked Hilltop. Pack rows are Level 1. Tear and abrasion numbers use different methods—do not rank them as one winner.
| Attribute | DCF / Dyneema (Hilltop listing) | ECOPAK EPLX200 | X-Pac VX21 (VX07 where noted) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exact variant used | Hilltop: 2.92 oz and 5.0 abrasion-resistant Dyneema. DSM style code NOT LISTED | Challenge EPLX200 (Hilltop: Ecopak EPLX200 / EPLX200) | Hilltop X UL: VX21. 24Seven: VX21 & VX07. Not Ultra D50T |
| Manufacturer | Dyneema® fiber / composite (Hilltop does not name a mill SKU) | Challenge Sailcloth | X-Pac (Dimension-Polyant) |
| Construction | Composite with UHMWPE (Dyneema) fiber; exact ply stack NOT LISTED by Hilltop | C0 DWR, 200d face, 45° Blue CrossPly, 0.5 mil RUV matte film | VX21: DWR, 210D nylon face, 0.25 mil polyester film, recycled polyester X-PLY at 22°, 50D taffeta backing |
| Fabric weight | Hilltop 2.92 oz (body) / 5.0 (AR). Sheet gsm for that exact Raven D code: NOT LISTED | 4.3 oz/yd² (145.8 gsm) — Challenge EPLX200 | VX21 6.2 oz/yd² (210 g/m²); VX07 Ripstop 4.9 oz/yd² (167 g/m²) — X-Pac.com |
| Water-resistance claim | Hilltop: taped horizontal seams, not a dry-bag. Fiber brand composites often listed waterproof; that is fabric, not the pack | Challenge: waterproof film, 200+ PSI / 13.8+ bar. Hilltop ECO: waterproof backing | X-Pac: waterproof film, 200+ PSI / 13.8+ bar; brand also says “100% waterproof” at fabric level |
| Abrasion data | Hilltop “5.0 abrasion-resistant” — no ASTM cycle count on the D page | Challenge ASTM 3884: 500 cycles (EPLX200) | X-Pac ASTM 3884: 500 cycles (VX21 and VX07 Ripstop) |
| Tear data | NOT LISTED on Hilltop D page | ASTM D2261: 21.2 lb warp / 17.2 lb fill | VX21: 24.4 lb / 17.2 lb (X-Pac). Not the same protocol as Challenge’s D2261 table |
| Repair | NOT LISTED as a kit on the D page | NOT LISTED on Hilltop ECO / Dirty pages | NOT LISTED on Hilltop X UL / 24Seven pages |
| Hilltop Packs model | Raven D V4 (Custom D unavailable) | Raven ECO V4, Dirty 30 ECO | Raven X UL; 24Seven (VX21 & VX07) |
| Current pack price | $434.50 | $412.50 / $385 | $395.50 / from $352 |
| Best for | Lightest listed Raven start | Printed or smaller EPLX200 packs | Nylon-face X-Pac at lower Raven / 24Seven prices |
Which materials does Hilltop Packs actually use?
Current in-stock backpacks (collection, October 4, 2026):
- Raven D V4: 2.92 oz and 5.0 abrasion-resistant Dyneema. Title: Dyneema. Not X-Pac, not EPLX200.
- Raven ECO V4: Challenge Sailcloth Ecopak EPLX200. “Eco” stands for Ecopak EPLX200 on that page.
- Raven X UL: Hilltop title “X-pac Fabric”; body copy: heavier VX21 X-Pac. Verified X-Pac—not inferred from the letter X, and not Ultra.
- Dirty 30 ECO: EPLX200 Ecopak.
- 24Seven Trail: X-Pac VX21 & VX07. Shopify tag “ecopak” does not override that sentence.
Unavailable: Custom Raven D (Dyneema, $485); Outlaw 35 Venom. Pack liners in D50T are liners, not this backpack comparison. Ultra D50T appears in shop-wide Pro Line copy; no current in-stock backpack listing in this set uses Ultra as the main body. X-Pac and Ultra are not synonyms.
Mesh fronts, stretch sides, grosgrain, foam straps, webbing, and hardware are not the body laminate. Do not say the entire backpack is Dyneema, ECOPAK, or X-Pac.
What is Dyneema / DCF?
Dyneema is a brand of UHMWPE fiber. Marketing for the fiber includes extreme strength-to-weight language; that is a fiber claim, not a backpack claim. DCF (Dyneema Composite Fabric, historically Cuben Fiber) is a common name for laminates that use Dyneema fibers in a film composite. Hilltop’s Raven D page says “Dyneema” and “2.92 Dyneema,” plus “2.92oz & 5.0 Abrasion Resistant Dyneema®.” It does not print “DCF” or a DSM/Avient style code. Moon Picke will not pretend Raven D is a specific CT-number hybrid from a retailer.
On paper (Level 1): D is the lightest listed fully featured Raven, black only, frameless, taped horizontal seams. Level 2 sheets for other 2.92 / 5.0 osy Dyneema composites exist in the market; they are not Hilltop’s cited SKU. Do not write that Dyneema is indestructible, always the lightest fabric on earth, or a waterproof backpack.
What is ECOPAK?
ECOPAK is Challenge Sailcloth’s recycled-polyester pack-fabric family. It is not one cloth. Hilltop uses EPLX200 (EPLX | Blue Ocean line), not EPLX400 or EPX200. Challenge: 100% recycled polyester components, C0 DWR (no fluorocarbons), waterproof 0.5 mil RUV matte film, 200d face, 45° Blue CrossPly, 4.3 oz/yd². Recycled-content language is the manufacturer’s. Moon Picke will not call it eco-friendly, green, or better for the planet. “Recyclable after use” is Challenge’s phrase, not a municipal-bin guarantee.
Hilltop ECO page repeats recycled polyester, C0 DWR, waterproof backing, and RUV comparison language. Dirty 30 ECO names EPLX200 Ecopak but does not reprint that recycled paragraph—do not copy ECO-page claims onto Dirty as if Dirty printed them, except the shared variant name.
What is X-Pac?
X-Pac is Dimension-Polyant’s laminate brand with an X-PLY grid. Hilltop’s current backpacks use it. Raven X UL: VX21. 24Seven: VX21 and VX07. X-Pac.com VX21: 60% nylon / 40% polyester; 210D plain-weave nylon face; 0.25 mil polyester film; black post-consumer recycled polyester X-PLY at 22°; 50D polyester taffeta; 6.2 oz/yd²; waterproof 200+ PSI. VX07 Ripstop: 70D ripstop nylon face, same film/X-PLY/backing idea, 4.9 oz/yd². X-Pac’s site also says laminates are “100% waterproof”—fabric-level marketing. Hilltop does not list VX21 Soft (no film) or Ultraweave.
How the materials are constructed
All three families in this guide are laminates, not a single uncoated weave. ECOPAK EPLX200 and X-Pac VX21/VX07 publish face + off-axis ply + film (+ backing on X-Pac). Hilltop Dyneema is a UHMWPE composite; ply-by-ply stack is NOT LISTED on the D page. Nylon vs polyester face (X-Pac nylon face vs EPLX polyester components) is a real Level 2 difference. Mesh and stretch on finished packs remain other textiles.
Fabric weight vs finished backpack weight
Fabric weight (oz/yd² or g/m²) is the cloth. Pack weight is cloth plus pockets, straps, belt, hardware, reinforcement, and size. Challenge EPLX200 at 4.3 oz/yd² is lighter as cloth than X-Pac VX21 at 6.2 oz/yd². Hilltop’s 2.92 oz Dyneema figure is the lightest listed body number of the three. The lightest finished current packs are 24Seven at 15 oz (X-Pac) and Dirty 30 ECO at 15–18 oz (EPLX200)—not Raven D. Raven X UL is ~28 oz in VX21. Lighter fabric ≠ lighter backpack. Belt and torso options still move ounces on Ravens.
| Backpack | Main material | Listed weight | Capacity | Current price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raven D V4 | 2.92 / 5.0 AR Dyneema | From ~19 oz | 44 / 48 / 54 / 59 L | $434.50 |
| Raven ECO V4 | EPLX200 | From ~20 oz | Same Raven recipe | $412.50 |
| Raven X UL | VX21 X-Pac | ~28 oz | Same Raven recipe | $395.50 |
| Dirty 30 ECO | EPLX200 | 15–18 oz | See Dirty page: 30 L internal / 33 L DETAILS body; 38 L intro total | $385 |
| 24Seven Trail | VX21 & VX07 | 15 oz | 24 L internal / 30 L total | $352 (print $374) |
Abrasion, tear, tensile, puncture
These are different tests. Abrasion is surface wear. Tear is a nick propagating. Tensile is pulling until the specimen fails. Puncture is a probe. A high tensile number does not prove better scrape resistance.
Challenge and X-Pac both publish ASTM 3884 cycle counts of 500 for EPLX200 and VX21. That is not an apples-to-apples field ranking: labs, wheels, and end points can differ, and Hilltop Dyneema has no matching cycle number—only “5.0 abrasion-resistant.” Moon Picke will not name a most-durable fabric. Bottom panels, mesh, and stretch still wear as their own materials. Pack-bottom scraping is a use issue, not a lab trophy.
Structure and stiffness
X-Pac markets VX21 as low-stretch. Challenge compares RUV film to shinier films (wrinkles less, per Challenge). Composite Dyneema packs are often described in the industry as holding shape; Hilltop does not publish a stiffness spec. Editorial: laminates generally feel more paper-like than uncoated nylon; preference is not a fact. Roll-top handling depends on strap hardware as much as film.
Waterproof fabric does not mean a waterproof backpack
A hydrostatic or PSI number measures water pressure on a fabric specimen. Challenge EPLX200 and X-Pac VX21/VX07 list 200+ PSI / 13.8+ bar. Dyneema brand hybrid sheets may list water resistance in mm H₂O on other products—that is still not “survives X hours of rain.” Needle holes, untaped seams, roll-tops, mesh, zippers, and drain holes leak or wet out.
Hilltop Raven D, ECO, and X UL: horizontal seams taped for increased weather resistance; vertical seams double sewn with binding tape. Dirty 30 ECO and 24Seven: seam tape NOT LISTED on those pages. All use roll-tops and mesh or stretch pockets. Shop copy: highly water-resistant designs. Use a liner if contents must stay dry. No 100% waterproof finished-pack claim here.
Long-term use and repair
Do not predict a 10-year life. Relevant topics, without a field diary: face abrasion, crease/flex of films, UV (Challenge claims 97% UV resistance for RUV film—manufacturer, not Moon Picke), moisture at seams, and delamination as a laminate class risk without a Hilltop failure rate. Repair methods: NOT LISTED as a 24Seven/Dirty/Raven kit. Generic “any tape works on every laminate” is false. Do not publish a universal patch recipe.
Price vs material
Moon Picke editorial calculations on current list prices (October 4, 2026), same Raven volume family:
- Raven D vs ECO: D costs $22.00 more; listed start ~19 oz vs ~20 oz (~1 oz). Material: Dyneema vs EPLX200. Also: print included on ECO listing; D is black only.
- Raven D vs X UL: D costs $39.00 more; ~19 oz vs ~28 oz. Material: Dyneema vs VX21. X UL lacks the D/ECO V4 documentation block.
- Raven ECO vs X UL: ECO costs $17.00 more; ~20 oz vs ~28 oz. EPLX200 vs VX21.
The extra money is not “fabric only.” It also buys (or skips) print, V4 zips, belt menus, labor, and platform size. Dirty 30 at $385 and 24Seven at $352 are smaller packs, not cheaper yards of the same Raven. No price-per-ounce table.
Check Current Hilltop Packs Prices
Dyneema vs ECOPAK
On Raven D vs Raven ECO, capacity and V4 options match on the current pages. Differences that are actually documented: laminate (2.92/5.0 Dyneema vs EPLX200), listed start (~19 vs ~20 oz), price ($434.50 vs $412.50), print (ECO yes; standard D no), recycled-polyester/C0 paragraph (ECO page). Choose DCF/Dyneema if the listed ounce and black Dyneema are the point. Choose ECOPAK if print, EPLX200, and $22 matter more. See the Raven D V4 review and Raven ECO V4 review.
Dyneema vs X-Pac
Raven D vs Raven X UL: same liter recipe, different cloth and weight class (~19 vs ~28 oz), $39, V4 docs on D not duplicated on X UL. VX21 is a heavier published fabric (6.2 oz/yd²) than Hilltop’s 2.92 oz Dyneema number. Choose Dyneema for the light Raven start. Choose X-Pac VX21 for the lower Raven list price if ounces are secondary. See the Raven X UL review.
ECOPAK vs X-Pac
Raven ECO vs X UL: $17, ~20 vs ~28 oz, EPLX200 vs VX21, V4/print vs simpler X UL page. Dirty 30 (EPLX200) vs 24Seven (VX21/VX07) is a platform comparison as much as a fabric one: 24 L / 30 L total vs Dirty’s larger mixed liter lines. Choose EPLX200 for Challenge’s recycled-polyester film laminate and Hilltop print path. Choose X-Pac for nylon-face VX21/VX07 on X UL or 24Seven. For Raven-only shopping, Raven D vs Raven ECO vs Raven X UL.
Material matters — but pack design matters too
Choosing only by laminate is a mistake. Also match: capacity, torso, frameless architecture, shoulder straps, hip belt, pockets, published load (Ravens have numbers; Dirty and 24Seven do not), and the volume of your sleep system, shelter, food, and water. A 15 oz 24Seven in X-Pac will not carry a 50 L kit because VX21 is “tough.” A Dyneema Raven still has a 25–30 lb comfort rating on Hilltop’s page. Shop the best Hilltop Packs backpacks map before treating this hub as a fabric-only checkout.
Hilltop Packs model mapping
| Hilltop Packs backpack | Verified main material | Capacity | Weight | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raven D V4 | 2.92 / 5.0 AR Dyneema | 44–59 L | From ~19 oz | $434.50 | Lightest listed Raven |
| Raven ECO V4 | EPLX200 | 44–59 L | From ~20 oz | $412.50 | Printed EPLX200 Raven |
| Raven X UL | VX21 | 44–59 L | ~28 oz | $395.50 | Lowest Raven list price |
| Dirty 30 ECO | EPLX200 | 24Seven-scale no: Dirty’s own 30/33 L body lines | 15–18 oz | $385 | Smaller EPLX200 pack |
| 24Seven Trail | VX21 & VX07 | 24 L / 30 L total | 15 oz | $352+ | Smaller X-Pac trail pack |
Which is lightest? Most durable? Best in water? Best value?
Lightest fabric (published oz/yd² among named variants): Hilltop 2.92 oz Dyneema on D, then Challenge EPLX200 4.3, VX07 4.9, VX21 6.2. Lightest finished pack: 24Seven 15 oz and Dirty 30 15 oz start—confirm these are not the same as lightest cloth. Do not confuse them.
Durability: no comparable winner. Different tests, missing Dyneema cycle data, mixed pack components.
Water: films on EPLX200 and VX21/VX07 are documented waterproof at fabric level; Raven seams are taped; Dirty/24Seven tape NOT LISTED; none are guaranteed dry bags.
Value: depends on whether you need Raven liters, print, Dyneema ounces, or a $352 24 L pack. Cheapest is not automatically best value.
Which should you buy?
Choose Dyneema if you are buying Raven D for the ~19 oz start and 2.92/5.0 listing.
Choose ECOPAK if you want EPLX200 on Raven ECO or Dirty 30, including documented recycled-polyester components on the ECO page.
Choose X-Pac if you want VX21 (X UL) or VX21/VX07 (24Seven) and the associated prices.
Material probably should not be your first priority if you have not measured kit volume, torso, or whether you need a hip belt and a published load window.
FAQ
Is Dyneema lighter than ECOPAK?
Hilltop’s 2.92 oz Dyneema number is lower than Challenge’s 4.3 oz/yd² EPLX200. Raven D’s listed pack start (~19 oz) is also below Raven ECO (~20 oz). Dirty 30 in EPLX200 can list 15 oz—lighter as a pack than Raven D.
Is ECOPAK more durable than Dyneema?
Not established. Challenge publishes abrasion cycles; Hilltop Dyneema does not on that test. No universal winner.
Is X-Pac waterproof?
X-Pac lists VX21/VX07 as waterproof fabric (200+ PSI) and uses “100% waterproof” as a brand benefit. That is not a waterproof Hilltop backpack.
Is DCF waterproof?
Composite Dyneema fabrics are often sold as waterproof cloth. Hilltop D claims taped seams for weather resistance, not a submersible pack. Hilltop does not label D as “DCF” on the page.
Is ECOPAK waterproof?
Challenge: waterproof film, 200+ PSI. Hilltop ECO: waterproof backing. Finished ECO/Dirty packs still have mesh and roll-tops.
Which backpack material is lightest?
Named body cloth: 2.92 oz Dyneema on Raven D. Named finished pack: 15 oz on 24Seven (and Dirty’s 15 oz floor).
Which material handles abrasion best?
No direct comparable winner. ASTM 3884 500-cycle figures on EPLX200 and VX21 are not a field ranking vs undocumented Dyneema cycles.
What is the difference between X-Pac and Ultra?
Different products. Current Raven X UL and 24Seven use X-Pac VX21 (and VX07 on 24Seven). Ultra D50T is named in Hilltop’s broader fabric list and liners—not as these packs’ main body.
Is ECOPAK recycled?
Challenge and the Raven ECO page state 100% recycled polyester components. That is a manufacturer claim. Dirty 30 names EPLX200 without repeating the paragraph.
Which material does each Raven use?
D: Dyneema 2.92/5.0 AR. ECO: EPLX200. X UL: VX21 X-Pac.
Which Hilltop Packs backpack material should I choose?
Match platform first (24Seven vs Dirty vs Raven), then laminate. This Dyneema vs ECOPAK vs X-Pac backpacks hub is not a substitute for measuring gear.
View Hilltop Packs Ultralight Backpacks
Final verdict
Choose DCF/Dyneema if:
You want Raven D’s listed ~19 oz start and 2.92/5.0 Dyneema at $434.50.
Choose ECOPAK if:
You want EPLX200 on Raven ECO ($412.50, print) or Dirty 30 ECO ($385).
Choose X-Pac if:
You want VX21 on Raven X UL ($395.50, ~28 oz) or VX21 & VX07 on 24Seven ($352, 15 oz, 24 L).
Ignore the fabric debate and choose by pack design if:
Your constraint is liters, belt, load rating, or lead time (backpacks currently up to six months)—not oz/yd². Map: Raven family for 44–59 L; Dirty 30 for smaller EPLX200; 24Seven for smaller X-Pac trail use as Hilltop describes it.
No material is “best.” This supporting hub exists so Dyneema vs ECOPAK vs X-Pac backpacks shoppers pick a laminate that matches a pack they will actually fill.