Figure Four

Sustainability and Environmental Impact

noreply@blogger.com (Figure Four) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 03:22:00 +0000

Recently we were asked about our sustainability and environmental impact from a well educated customer that specifically asked about our policies. It's unfortunate that we currently have shared very little information about our policies, but we would like to make this information as transparent as possible. It definitely does not hurt for us to review, re-review, and continually review this information in the future and have a forum for our followers to ask questions and make comments and suggestions. We will post this information in the future as a separate webpage.

Sustainability and Environmental Impact
We are a small cottage manufacturer with fair labor practices for all employees where the 2 climbing sole proprietors invest a portion of their salary into the company for the benefit of the company (like many other owners). Due to the nature of the work, we have avoided the use of “internships”. At many places, “interns” are paid inadequately and often paid less than minimum wage yet may receive no professional training. We do not participate in this non-mutually beneficial practice.

Currently no employees or owners commute to Figure Four via motor vehicle (this may change in the future). For other general purpose business travel, such as meetings, supply pick-ups, shipment drop-offs, etc., our current average vehicle receives EPA combined estimates of 33MPG/vehicle.

Due to manufacturing in Washington, a majority of our power is hydro-electric (69%) with approximately 4% from nuclear power. Our website is hosted by servers and data-centers powered by 100% wind energy.

Manufacturing Techniques
It is important to note that our first priority is to make a durable and functional pack with as small of variability in our product as possible. It is our belief that making a durable and functional pack consistently has the largest environmental impact by reducing the need for additional raw materials for packs, the transportation means for pack repairs, and/or the added research time/costs for a customer to purchase a new pack. If a manufacturer has a durable pack design without consistent manufacturing techniques, there will be many warranty issues that require extra time, raw materials, transportation energy, and production energy to repair or replace; these inconsistent manufacturing techniques drastically increase that manufacturer’s environmental impact.

We at Figure Four make durable and functional packs consistently by:

Reinforcing many high stress areas with additional fabric
Using 33% larger seam allowances (distance between stitch and edge of fabric) than the industry standard

This reduces the chance of the interwoven fabric threads from pulling through the edges and compromising the seam
This also increases consistency of our packs by providing an additional 33% seam allowance for inevitable human sewing errors

Intelligently choosing our stitch length to try to optimize the seam strength
Use nylon T90 thread to reduce thread breakage
Choosing fabrics that reduce chance of the edges unraveling such as laminates like X-Pac (main fabric in our nylon packs) and Cubic Tech (main fabric in our Tau packs)
Using laminate fabrics in many areas to replace fabrics with coatings, such as urethane or polyurethane, which can be susceptible to degredation/aging (i.e. stickiness or flaking off of coating)
Cautiously using light weight materials to try to reduce going “too light”
Use larger production cutting methods to reduce variability between packs
Use a scaled “assembly line” manufacturing technique

Same process is completed over-and-over for many packs
Reduces variability between packs

Generally test and redesign for at least 1 year for most pack designs to ensure the pack design is durable

Even though our main objective is to produce durable and functional packs consistently we still strive to do this with less environmental impact. For example, we:

Use CAD programs to determine an efficient cutting lay out for each fabric

There is at least 1.5-4% unusable fabric due to the edges

Laminates generally have much straighter edges, reducing the unusable edge fabric

For our soon to be released pack, we use an average of 83% of all the fabrics, including the non-useable edges

Much of the unusable fabric is due to curvatures of the panels

Produce very little waste of nylon webbing or cord (<1 li="li">
Random users reuse our remaining fabric
Random users reuse our remaining foam
Recycle all unused HDPE
Recycle most paper waste
A majority of our fabric is US made and sourced from US manufacturers with US environmental regulations

We use Dimensional Polyant laminates for the majority of our nylon laminates

The laminate process is completed in Connecticut using US made adhesives and films

We use Cubic Tech laminates for the majority of our Tau Series packs

Use US made thread
Use more environmentally friendly silicon labels instead of PVC or rubber labels

Chemical Uses
We use sewing machine oil for machine lubricant during the manufacturing process of all of our current pack designs. Extra layers of Cubic Tech fabric are adhered to high stress areas to ensure the longest life possible for our Tau Series packs made from Cubic Tech fabric. This process requires the use of isopropyl alcohol as a cleaning agent, an urethane adhesive, and a curing agent/thinning agent consisting of ~92% Toluene, 0.5% Dibutyltin Dilaurate, and ~7% SiO₂. Though we have used less than 200g (7.1oz) of the urethane adhesive and 60g (2.1oz) of the curing agent due to the small amount of reinforced areas and thin application process, we plan to redesign the pack in an effort to eliminate the use of these chemicals.

We at Figure Four believe that sustainability and environmental stewardship is a lifelong path that requires continual development. We look forward to developing designs that continually improve our fabric use efficiency, reducing the energy consumption necessary to manufacture our products, and continually monitor and improve new sustainability environmental impact areas of our business. We welcome and look forward to any comments or suggestions our customers may have regarding Figure Four’s sustainability and environmental impact practices.

Half-PI (Delta 26L) - Features (part 2 of 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Figure Four) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 01:39:00 +0000

And here is the unveiling of the features.

For this alpine pack, we wanted a design that provided as many options as possible with as little material/webbing/hardware as possible, yet can be stripped/altered for the truly minimalist at heart. This design keeps key features that most users find useful, such as ice tool attachments, exterior crampon attachments, removable compression straps, a rope carrier, and a method for pack hauling, yet the minimalist at heart can permanently/temporarily remove some of the "excess" fat for a truly streamlined yet versatile pack (see bottom of post). To combine these two opposing spectra, we:

replaced our standard Delta Pack daisy chain and our standard crampon attachment system with 2 uniquely designed, nearly-parallel closely-spaced daisy chains
combined our lower compression straps and ice tool attachment system into one system
provided a method for the user to attach their own handle to the top of the daisy chain if desirable

This prototype weighs in at 34oz total weight (including hip belt, lid, frame, and back padding; we expect production packs will be a similar weight). Though this pack seems like a lightweight, a previous design easily and comfortably carried 35lbs on a rough trail, and we expect that it could carry more weight comfortably.

Below you will find the new, minimalist design.

2 uniquely designed, nearly-parallel daisy chains
provide maximum features with minimum "fat"

Daisy chains, along with reinforced handle,
provide hauling capabilities

Daisy chains provide crampon attachment capability;
Ice tools attached with the ice tool attachment system
in 2 different ways (as traditional ice axe loop and using
compression strap/ice tool loop attachment system)

Additional ice tool attachment method using ice tool
loop and daisy chain

Unique daisy chain design provides secure attachment
of crampon straps without the worry of losing them
(webbing passes through daisy chain loop yet buckles cannot)

Capable of carrying pickets in picket
pocket (right side only)

To trim the excess "fat":

Compression straps can be temporarily removed and replaced for different trips using the compression strap attachment slides
Ice axe loops/ice tool loops could be permanently removed while still maintaining the capabilities of attaching ice tools and crampons via the daisy chains

This method demonstrates one method of attaching
ice tools without using the ice tools/ice axe loops;
other methods can be constructed with cord, bungee cord,
carabiners, etc.

Half-Pi (Delta-26L) - Technical Fit (part 1 of 2)

noreply@blogger.com (Figure Four) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 23:06:00 +0000

We've been at it again this summer designing our newest pack, a 26+L minimalist alpine pack. Like all our packs, technical fit is paramount. This pack combines patterning from our Delta Pack and our Tau Series Packs to provide 3-D shaping of the back panel, including the lumbar curve and the curve of a user's waist. The 3-D shaping of the back panel provides additional rigidity to the thin, light-weight HDPE frame sheet, producing a pack that can carry a remarkably heavy load for its minuscule weight (36oz including hip belt, frame sheet, back padding, and lid). And without the rigid metal stay of other packs, the light-weight frame can flex and twist with your scrambling or climbing movements.

We challenged ourselves to design the 3-D shaping with as few panels as possible, yet still provide an excellent technical fit and easy down-climbing profile. Our design of the main pack body utilizes 4 main panels: a back panel, 2 side panels, and a front panel. An extra 1000D Cordura skid panel is sewn to the outside of the front panel and wraps around the bottom and up the sides of the pack for added abrasion resistance.

Finally the pack will include only the basic features. This design process is in progress, but some version of the following features will be included:

Removable lid (straps attached to lid for "clean" removal) with key hook
Hydration compatible w/ bladder pocket
Capable of attaching crampons to pack exterior
2 removable compression straps/side
Ice tools/axe compatible
Removable shoulder strap gear loops

Note: The images show a pack with actual contents that might be carried in the alpine, not just stuffing. The shown pack is made from a different fabric than the production pack. Stay tuned for part 2 showing images of the final design of features.

Simple design with 2 vertical seams shown as black line on white fabric
(Crampon attachment, ice axe loop, and daisy chain are
being redesigned: stay tuned for future posts)

Anatomic curvature of back panel

Anatomic waist curvature of back panel seen at bottom

1000D Cordura Skid Pad wraps up the sides of the pack
(anatomic waist curvature can be seen at
the bottom edge of skid pad)

Picket Pocket

Extra head space can be seen at seam between black and white fabric

Via Ferrata in the Dolomites: what’s not to love?

noreply@blogger.com (Figure Four) — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 17:19:00 +0000

With a little something for everyone - from the unencumbered and continual flow of movement over technical rock, to a feast of caffé, hefeweizens, and local cuisine at a rifúgio atop the climb, to the chance to follow in the historic footsteps of not only alpininsts but WWI troops through caves, bunkers, outposts, and trenches, to grand sweeping landscapes - via ferrata in the Dolomites will not disappoint.

As luck would have it, we had the opportunity to experience the Dolomites through a handful of vie ferrate, and found ourselves giddy from the continual flow and movement over enjoyable limestone climbing (and one volcanic via ferrata) pushing into the 5.5 technical rock range. Via ferrata may be a perfect way to learn to move through rock terrain quickly and efficiently if you sustain from hauling yourself up the cable (unless you feel it absolutely necessary).

But get there early or plan to bail, otherwise you might experience a “Space Mountain” like line up 200+m of via ferrata. It’s popular and for good reason.

Traveling past the many historic ruins of WWI outposts

Many man made caves were cut through the mountains to move troops;

the access window above provides a bird's eye view of the surrounding terrain

Delicious food, beer, and coffee can be found at the

many rifúgios found near the top of climbs

Saggy Bottom Packs

noreply@blogger.com (Figure Four) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 06:21:00 +0000

I've noticed a recent trend in packs, the "Saggy Bottom Pack" phenomena. Next time you are at the local crag, check out all the packs that sag way past the wearer's butt. At first it's hard to see, but once you notice it, you can't help but see it. Of course it's much easier to make a pack that way; a pack that as your shoulders move right the pack "tail" wags left; a pack that has a pivot point at the hip belt that does not suck the load into your back for climbing efficiency.

One of the most frustrating, and eventually most rewarding, things we did was design for two detailed oriented ladies that hated the "saggy bottom" packs. After much design work, we have one of the few pack lines that support the load with a sound structure. Our Omega Pack's hip belt directly supports the vertical load through the pack frame, and our Tau and Delta series packs' hip belts directly connect into the sides of the packs, pulling all of the contents into your back. This is much different than other manufacturer's hip belts that run between the back panel and a small piece of fabric. It is improbable that the hip belt can effectively support a load transferred from the pack's main compartment to the flexible back panel/attached layer of fabric and then to the hip belt (unless the pack is stuffed with gear until it's bursting at the seams, and even then it's unlikely to effectively support the load).
Years of hard work pay off to provide an efficient, load carrying Figure Four pack that connects the load to all of your movements, both climbing and hiking.

Skis on a Delta Pack

noreply@blogger.com (Figure Four) — Fri, 13 May 2011 19:12:00 +0000

We headed out to the Tatoosh Range in Rainier National Park to enjoy the recently bad PNW weather and fortunately had nice cool temperatures and snow rather than the predicted rain. For those that plan on lashing skis to a Figure Four pack, our tester Dustin had some recommendations that he used on this outing:

If possible, jam the tails of the skis into the snow vertically with bases facing each other and approximately the width of the pack apart.
Put the Delta Pack vertically in between the skis. Pull one ski up and place the tail of the ski through the bottom compression strap.
Do the same for the other ski.
Secure the upper compression straps around the skis and buckle them (to limit the movement of the skis, the top compression strap can be fed through the Daisy Chain before buckling).

By doing this you don't have to lie the pack flat to secure skis to it.

Dustin reported that the skis carried extremely well with the Delta Pack.

Annual ice trip

noreply@blogger.com (Figure Four) — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 17:32:00 +0000

Figure Four took our annual ice trip last week. This year we explored Hyalite Canyon, letting our good buddy DF be our ice guide. The ice was great, the hospitality and friendliness of the locals was incredible, and we lucked out with beautiful weather, including during our multi-pitch climb of The Dribbles, where we had the chance to continually test the Delta Pack. Aside from the shoulder strap gear loops, I had totally forgotten that I wore a pack on the climb, making the climb a very pleasant experience.

Thanks to all for such a great trip.

Gorge Ice??

noreply@blogger.com (Figure Four) — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 06:30:00 +0000

After too, too many days remodeling a bathroom, I was itching to get out for a pre-Thanksgiving climb, which led to scratching up some "Gorge Ice" in pseudo-desperate conditions. But hey, not all good ideas can be fun, and in this case, not all fun ideas can be good (but still worth it). Props to my buddy for pushing the impossible idea of November Portland ice; it was a blast!

Photo Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Figure Four) — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 22:42:00 +0000

Do you want to win our brand new Delta Pack?

If so, enter our very first Photo Contest on Saturday, Nov 20, 2010 that lasts till Dec 20, 2010 where any US resident 18 years of age and older can enter one photo. The winner will be decided by votes from visitors to the website where they can vote a maximum of 3 times. The winner will be announced no later than Dec 30, 2010.

You can find more information on our Photo Contest Info page.

Good luck!!

Figure Four's Delta Pack

noreply@blogger.com (Figure Four) — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 21:21:00 +0000

Our large δ (Delta) Packs are now available on our website. The alpine designed pack incorporates anatomically cut panels for a mobile, technical fit. It blends a light alpine pack with just the right amount of useful features.

Check it out.

Do you feel lucky??

noreply@blogger.com (Figure Four) — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:27:00 +0000

A pre-release of the Figure Four's δ (Delta) Pack will be raffled at Smith Rock Detour 2010, held at Smith Rock State Park on September 18th-19th. It should be a great time with climbing clinics, a kid's bouldering competition, the REEL ROCK Film Tour, and who can forget Smith Rock's wonderful setting.

Whether you feel lucky or not, head out to the Detour and support some great causes, including Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up (an organization designed to help African children with AIDS), the Access Fund, and Smith Rock State Park.

Delta Pack design finalized

noreply@blogger.com (Figure Four) — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:12:00 +0000

After the long and arduous process of designing, collaborating with our testers, and redesigning and redesigning and redesigning... we have finalized the design of our δ (Delta Pack). The design blends comfort, functionality, and a minimalist design to produce a light (2lbs 7oz NOT stripped down) and effective alpine "assault" pack to get the job done, allowing the user to be unencumbered by the gear they carry.

The pack should be available for purchase soon.

For more info about the features, check out the Delta Pack web page.

Crampon Armour?

noreply@blogger.com (Figure Four) — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:40:00 +0000

We're in the final process of tweaking and finishing our Crampon Armour, a twist on the classic crampon bag/pouch. A removable thin HDPE sheet is placed inside on the bottom and one of the small sides to provide the user and the user's gear protection from the crampons' sharp points. The HDPE sheets allow for a lighter fabric to be used than a classic crampon bag/pouch, yet still have significant puncture resistance. And if you don't need crampons, the HDPE sheets can be removed and the Crampon Armour can be used as an additional outer pocket. The Crampon Armour attaches with the straps seen below to any of our packs, where even when the quick-release buckles are detached, the Crampon Armour is still securely attached to the pack.

HDPE Sheets are the visible whitish layers

Final tweaks will be made in the next month.

Delta Pack field test 1

noreply@blogger.com (Figure Four) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:55:00 +0000

Field testing is rough, manual-labor, but you do what you have to do, and you try to convince whoever is willing to tag-along. After a bit of "convincing", my climbing buddy DC and I headed for a Tuesday climb of Beacon Rock's Young Warriors with the Delta Pack full of extra clothing, food, water, and approach shoes. Climbing with a pack is always a little awkward, but the δ (Delta) Pack carried, climbed, and moved extremely well over the varied basalt terrain of 5.9 cracks, slabs, face moves, and minor overhangs. Though we're still working to make it the best pack possible, the δ Pack is well on its way into the Figure Four pack arsenal.

Prototype - Alpha Pack

noreply@blogger.com (Figure Four) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 01:52:00 +0000

Currently we're designing the α (Alpha) Pack. This is an all-around pack for the person that wants a light pack with a frame structure capable of transferring a significant amount of the load to the user's hips. It has a climbing harness capable hip belt (patent pending) like it's Ω (Omega) Pack counterpart, but does not contain the removable shoulder harness necessary to convert the lid to a mini-summit pack like the Omega Pack. This is the pack for the comfort conscious climber that rarely needs a mini-summit pack.

Currently the features include:

Harness compatible hip belt (patent pending)
Gear loops on hip belt
Gear loop compatible shoulder straps
Hybrid Ice Axe loops similar to the Omega Pack (individually secured)
Crampon attachment system capable of attaching our Crampon Pouch or a simple strap system
Hydration compatible (internal hydration sleeve)
Removable bivi-pad
Removable 7075-T6 aluminum frame
Picket Pockets
Reinforced handle and daisy chain can be used for hauling
User replaceable compression straps
Dual entry lid

The prototype shown below weighs in at 3 lbs 12 oz (3.8 lbs), including the lid, compression system, and frame. The main compartment's volume is 2500 cu. in (~40 L), not including the volume of the lid.

Prototype - Delta Pack

noreply@blogger.com (Figure Four) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 01:15:00 +0000

We're in the process of developing a stream-line alpine pack aimed for the person that's willing to sacrifice features for a lighter, yet very durable and reliable, pack. This pack, the δ (Delta) Pack, blends a few key features that add little weight with a rucksack. Features found on this pack are:

Gear loop compatible shoulder straps similar to our Omega Pack
Hybrid Ice Axe loops similar to our Omega Pack, but are secured individually (not shown in below photos)
Crampon attachment system capable of attaching our Crampon Pouch or a simple strap system
Hydration compatible (internal hydration sleeve)
Removable bivy-pad
1.5" webbing hip belt
Dual entry lid
Picket pockets
Reinforced handle and daisy chain can be used for hauling
User replaceable compression straps

The prototype, shown below weighs in at ~2 lbs 9 oz (2.55 lbs), including the lid, bivy-pad and compression straps; the main compartment's volume is ~2250 cu. in (~35 L), not including the lid.

Welcome!

noreply@blogger.com (Figure Four) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 20:08:00 +0000

Thanks for visiting Figure Four's blog. We'll be posting all things related to Figure Four, including general updates, updates to product development, locations to find Figure Four products, and all other things Figure Four related (and a few things not directly related).

For ease of use, blogs are categorized on the left. Enjoy!