My experience getting the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L Evergreen Edition to Thailand when everyone said it was US-only
Table of Contents
The Evergreen hype is real for 2026
I have spent most of my 2026 hiking season looking for a pack that balances weight and durability, and the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L in the new 'Evergreen' colorway caught my eye immediately. It is not just about the aesthetics; the Ultra fabric has proven itself on the trails of Northern Thailand, handling the humidity and occasional snag much better than older DCF versions. I noticed many hikers in Singapore were scrambling to get these, but the local specialty shops there and in Bangkok were adding a 40% markup on top of the retail price.
My friends told me that since Zpacks is only shipping the Evergreen edition to US addresses right now, I would have to settle for the standard black or grey versions available locally. I was not ready to give up on that forest green look, so I decided to find a workaround that did not involve paying a premium to a middleman.
Correcting the myth about US-only shipping
There is a common assumption among the hiking community in Thailand that ordering gear from US-only stores is either impossible or so expensive that it is not worth the effort. I found that this is not actually the case if you use a reliable freight forwarder. By using a tax-free US address, I was able to purchase the pack directly from the Zpacks website as if I were living in Oregon or Delaware.
I simply had the pack sent to my comGateway warehouse. This bypassed the restriction on international shipping for the 2026 Evergreen edition. If you find that the Zpacks checkout does not like your Thai credit card, I suggest using their BuyForMe service. This proxy shopping feature means they handle the purchase for you, which is a great way to avoid those annoying regional payment blocks.
My estimated shipping costs for the Arc Haul
One of the first things I did was use a shipping calculator to estimate shipping cost. The Arc Haul is incredibly light, but it does have a frame, which means the box can be a bit bulky. You have to be careful about the difference between actual weight and volumetric weight.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Approx. Box Weight | 2.2 lbs (approx. 1 kg) |
| Box Dimensions | Medium/Bulky (Approx. 24" x 14" x 6") |
| Volumetric Warning | High. Because the backpack contains an internal frame, it cannot be folded flat. You will likely be charged based on the box volume rather than the 2lb weight. |
| Battery Check | None. This item does not contain lithium batteries and is safe for standard air freight. |
How I used a US address for my Thailand delivery
Once the pack arrived at the warehouse, I was notified and could choose my shipping speed. I found the process very transparent. If you are worried about the steps, you can check the FAQ or the help center for a breakdown of how the consolidation works. I chose to ship to Thailand using their express option because I had a trip to Khao Yai planned for the following weekend.
The Thailand delivery was handled by a local courier once it cleared customs in Bangkok. The tracking was updated every step of the way, so I knew exactly when to be home to receive it. It felt much safer than just hoping a standard international parcel wouldn't get lost in the mail.
Dealing with Thailand import taxes
I should mention that when you bring gear into Thailand, you should be prepared for the 7% VAT and potential import duties on outdoor equipment. Even with these costs, I found that my total spend was significantly lower than the prices being quoted by the specialty import shops in Sukhumvit. By being my own importer, I kept the savings for my actual trail snacks and gear upgrades. If you have questions about specific restricted items, the support team is usually very quick to clarify what can and cannot be shipped easily.
Overall, getting the 2026 Evergreen Edition was a smooth experience. I am glad I did not listen to the rumors that it was too difficult to ship US-exclusive gear here. My pack is currently sitting in my gear room, ready for its first real test in the mountains, and it looks even better in person than it did on the website.
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