When wild camping, a good backpack is essential; you need it to carry all your gear, help you be organised and not contribute too much to your overall carrying weight.
My First Impressions
The pack is a bright blue colour and feels quite bulky. However, it also feels sturdy, which is really important; it has many pockets and great walking pole holders.
How I Have Tested the Pack
I have used this pack for over a year for one-night wild camps and even on a multi-day hike across the Yorkshire Dales.
Product details
65L Capacity
Fabric: 420D Dobby & 450D PW / Hydroshield
Frame/back system: V-TRAX adjustable back system
Top & base entry
Large side pockets
Fixed lid
Forward pull hipbelt adjustment.
Hydration compatible
Key clip
The bottom panel has a zipped divider panel.
Attached Rain cover
Internal lid pocket
TipGripper walking pole attachments
Side compression straps
Sternum strap with whistle
Stretch water bottle side pockets
Back length: 36-46cm
Weight: 1.99kg
Pros and Cons
What I love about this pack is the pockets and the separate section at the bottom; I had a wet tent which I had put in a plastic bag; however, it had leaked, and the separate area kept the rest of my stuff dry, which is extremely important when you are carrying a down sleeping bag.
The hip belt is extremely comfortable, if not too bulky, and some pockets would make it even better.
It has two expanding water bottle pockets on each side, which you can reach when it is on your back. The bag is hydration compatible; however, the hole for the pipe is relatively small, so it can be challenging to get the water hose through if it has a lid.
The pack weighs nearly 2kg, which is quite heavy for a multi-day hike and for carrying it up a mountain. However, I feel at this price point (Around £100), I'm not sure they could make it lighter.
The Final Score
Overall, I love this backpack; it's comfy and has many different pockets, particularly the separate bottom section, which helps with wet tents. I feel it is heavy, but the price makes up for that. I would love to see a new version with belt strap pockets, large water bladder holes and maybe a lighter. I will continue to use this bag and perhaps only look at buying another one when I need a more lightweight option
Please let me know if you have used this bag and what your thoughts are on it in the comments section.
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