Get Loaded!The art of choosing a

larger rucksackOur resident beast of burden Andy Callan tests a bumper crop of bigger backpacks (don’t

try saying that at home)

Get Loaded!The art of choosing a larger rucksack

Our resident beast of burden Andy Callan tests a bumper crop of bigger backpacks (don’t try saying that at home)

Firstly, as ever, you need to be quite definitive as to what you want your sack for. If it’s going to be used for overnight or hut-to-hut trips then you’ll need a backpacking model with all its whistles and bells. On the other hand if you’re a mountaineer looking for a winter or alpine rucksack for toting your ropes and hardware into the base of a route and then carrying it on your back as you climb, then you’ll need something durable, compressible and close-fitting so it won’t lurch about and affect your balance. Here’s a list of desirables for each case.

Backpacking internal load-carrying frame which allows air to circulate along the wearers’ spine

Pockets and internal divider so you can separate wet or worn clothing from dry gear. A bottom compartment is handy for keeping your sleeping bag separate from everything else. Side pockets are good for having snacks etc close to hand, but may snag on bushes etc. Bellows-type pockets with compression straps help overcome this problem. A 'floating' lid lets you overload the sack if needed but only works if the sack's collar is also waterproof! Some lids are secured by adjustable webbing; others use a length of pack fabric or a gusset which limits the amount of rain that can seep inside.

Padded hipbelt, vital for carrying heavier loads comfortably, the idea being that weight is transferred to the hips rather than your shoulders, which can really hurt after a while. To fit the sack properly, loosen the hipbelt and shoulder straps and position the sack so the upper third of the hipbelt sits above your pelvis. Adjust the shoulder straps to allow for this – you may have to adjust the back system accordingly; if so follow the manufacturer’s instructions or ask for help in the shop.

Padded shoulder straps and sternum strap. Wide, cushioned straps make life much easier; they should sit comfortably in the hollow of your shoulder. A sternum strap will stop the shoulder straps from pulling outwards, its position roughly three inches below the top of the sternum.

internal bladder pocket - you’re carrying a heavier load than normal, enough said?

Alpine PacksThese should be lighter and neater than the similarly-sized backpacking equivalent, the emphasis being on speed and simplicity rather than comfort. Having said that, a lot of experienced users (me included) use their 'alpine' pack for almost everything.

internal frame Much simpler than a backpacking model, with usually just a couple of aluminium staves and/or a moulded backsheet. May also use a removable foam pad that can be used as a bivi mat in extremis. The whole purpose of this frame is to keep any load close to the spine when climbing, so don’t be surprised if breathability is an issue.

slimline shape Once you’ve started your climb, most of the heavy or bulky items (rope, helmet, harness, climbing gear etc) will be dangling off you rather than inside the sack. You must be able to compress the sack to keep the remnants in place and out of the way. Look for a taller, thinner design which does this much more effectively.

Durability Climbing sacks get dog’s abuse; scraped against rocks, hauled up chimneys and bashed with all manner of spiky implements. Super-lightweight fabrics are far from ideal if you don’t want to replace the pack again next year. Compression straps and tool holders Compression straps not only reduce the sacks volume, they're great for stashing sleeping mats, skis etc, so don’t forget this when buying. Check that your ice axe is compatible with any tool holders fitted; remember you can also carry these under the compression straps. internal bladder pocket As mentioned previously except here you may not have the option of taking off the rucksack to get a drink, so it becomes twice as important.

Last but not least – stability. Can you remove anything (lid, backsheet, hipbelt) to cut back on weight if you need to go really light? Hipbelts can be removed in some cases and replaced with a simple webbing strap if preferred.

Choosing your Rucksack

MAny Moons (possibly eons, even) ago I passed my Mountain Leader assessment. It was the 1st of April 1989 to be exact – the irony of the date isn’t lost on me either, and at the time I thought “that’s it now, I can settle back and relax”. Little did I know that I was only setting off on a journey building my leadership skills from the solid foundation provided by the ML syllabus. Looking back now the things I remember most about my time as an aspirant ML candidate were the fantastic places the syllabus required me to travel to; the weather – it always seemed to be raining - and the massive rucksack. Even though gear was simpler, it just took up masses of space and weighed much more than today’s equivalent. My ML camping bag was a 70litre model and was always crammed to the gunwales, even when I skimped on 'luxuries' such as spare clothing. A set of dry undies, spare socks and an extra top was all I allowed myself for a 2 or 3 day expedition. Food was kept to the bare essentials necessary to keep going - but it never made a difference, the sack seemed to be over-full all the same.

Nowadays, I reckon a 40-45 litre bag is ample for an overnight camp and a 60 litre bag would be absolutely voluminous. Dangerously so in fact; too much space only encourages you to carry the things you don’t need. My simple rule of thumb is to review what you carried after each trip and if you didn’t use an item ask yourself if you really need it at all. This doesn’t apply to first aid or emergency kit, but even these could be pared down depending on the circumstances. At the last ML assessment I worked on, my rucksack was one of the heaviest initially, until a rapid re-appraisal of priorities took hold. It was all down to not having been camping for a while, and a good dose of common sense saw much of the excess kit left behind.Just as well since most of the candidates were almost half my age and I knew I’d need an edge to keep pace with them! Modern kit is much lighter, more comfortable and multi-functional – a Polartec powerstretch fleece can serve as either base or mid-layer, for example. It squeezes down to almost nothing, provides great warmth for its weight and makes a brilliant camp pillow cover. Not bad for a single lightweight item, eh?

TESTS

osprey Kestrel 58 (Backpacking) ?130 / £110This is a new addition to the Osprey Kestrel series which range in size from 28-68 litres. The 58 is aimed at those who want a backpacker’s rucksack for weekend or longer trips. It comes in 2 back lengths and the harness can be adjusted for a custom fit. This is done by separating the Velcro panels that attach the shoulder straps to the back panel and then moving the hipbelt so it straddles the crown of your pelvis as discussed earlier. Not the most user friendly system available - it definitely needs a second pair of hands - but the results are comfortable all the same. Considering it’s a backpacking model the Kestrel 58 is comparatively light (1.76kg) but carries a load well and has lots of usual features including hipbelt pockets, an integrated raincover, internal divider (ideal for keeping heavier items in the right place), 3 lid pockets, 2 side pockets and 3 stretchy stash pockets (front and sides). It also has a separate zipped access to the lower part, this is great for getting at a sleeping bag or spare clothing and the stow-on-the-go trekking pole holders work very well too. The back system uses airspace ridged foam with a mesh overlay to help with ventilation; I’ve used this on other Osprey models and haven’t had any problems with ventilation or carrying comfort. In short the Kestrel 58 is a lightweight; medium to large capacity (22kg suggested max load) backpacking sack which once properly adjusted is extremely comfortable.

osprey Variant 52 (Alpine) ?150 / £120The largest model in the Variant range (28-52litres), this is a streamlined climbing/alpine/mountaineering pack whose base is slightly narrower than its top. This v-like shape ensures the load remains centralised at all times so your balance isn’t affected while moving. Its frame is beautifully simple, an internal backsheet with aluminium tubing stiffeners and external foam back pad. Overall weight can be reduced from 1.7kg to .99kg (size med) by removing the internal backsheet, hipbelt etc. The main body consists of a single compartment with a large collar extension. This is topped by a large, 2 pocket lid. The sacks front panel has good sized stash/crampon pockets, with wand pockets and ski loops on each side. Durable fabrics are used throughout, this obviously has a knock-on effect as regards the Variant 58’s weight but longevity shouldn’t be an issue. Both shoulder straps and back pad remain comfortable under a typical climbers load, but like all Alpine sacks, ventilation is noticeably less than a backpacking model due to the need to keep the load close to the body. The Variant 52 offers big volume sensible features in a streamlined sack which will appeal to mountaineers across all disciplines.

the north Face Forge 45 (Alpine) ?120 / £100TNF’s Forge 45 is a new addition to their stable, described as “technical but easy to use”. It’s a simple design accessed either via the standard top opening or through a large curved side zip. This allows easy access to the stuff packed at the bottom of the sack – once you’ve stashed it all in separate waterproof bags and haven’t used a rucksack liner! Like most mountaineering sacks it uses an internal backsheet with single aluminium stave for an internal frame and an exterior foam pad for wearer comfort. Other features include twin tool holders with safety tuck away slots, large front stash pocket, hipbelt pocket, hipbelt gear loop and an interior hydration bladder sleeve. Its shoulder straps and hipbelt are discreetly but comfortably padded and the narrow shape keeps the load in the right place. This is a simple mountaineer’s rucksack without the whistles and bells of some of the others tested – the backsheet and hood are the only “strippable” components for example, but how often are you likely to do that anyhow? But therein lies its strength, no muss, no fuss, no frills but a comfortable load carrier nonetheless.

the north Face Alteo 50 (Backpacking) ?165 / £140Another new model for spring 2011 uses a 'wind tunnel' ventilated back system to help your back cool on long-haul hikes. I’ve been critical of similar systems in the past, most curved exaggeratedly away from the back which was supposed to increase the airflow, but in reality all it achieved was to make the sack much more difficult to pack, especially if you tried to stick a hydration bladder inside. Mercifully TNF haven’t gone with such a system but have used a padded mesh 'trampoline' over light aluminium tubing which creates an air gap between it and the Alteo’s backsheet. The concept works well, allowing plenty of airflow while keeping the load reasonably close to the spine. Compression-moulded foam hipbelt and shoulder straps are covered in mesh and a wicking fabric for comfy load carrying; altogether the Alteo 50s weighs 1.6kg (med/large). Access to the Alteo 50s main compartment is either through the conventional top opening under the lid or more radically via the 2 large zips on the front panel which create a massive L-shaped opening and allow you access another large zipped pocket inside the front panel. The lid has 2 zipped pockets, the sides have stretchy wand pockets and there’s a large stash pocket on the front panel, plus 2 more pockets on the hipbelt. If you’re carrying less than the Alteo’s full capacity, it has an efficient set of compression straps to help reduce its volume and lastly there’s a raincover for inclement weather – not a bad idea with all those zippers. An impressive amount of design and engineering has gone into the Alteo 50, mostly in the right places – I’m not overly enamoured with the big zip on the front but that’s a personal choice – this would make an ideal backpacking/trekking rucksack.

TESTS

PoDsacs lux 45 (backpacking) ?95 / £80This is where things start to frustrate me, but in the best way possible. Is it an alpine sack, is it a backpacker or is it a large daysack? No it’s a Podsac Lux 45! Weighing in at only 0.98kg this sack could possibly claim to do all 3 jobs, so given the price it might possibly be the most versatile tested. Probably the simplest design reviewed with just a simple top opening, 1 lid pocket, 2 hipbelt pockets, twin ice axe/trekking pole holders, 2 stretchy wand pockets and a hydration sleeve inside the main compartment. Its frame is a simple moulded internal frame sheet with external padding, just about sufficient for a lightweight overnight trip. Cordura Shadowbox Nylon is used on the main body with heavier Oxford nylon on the base, this is a great combination for a backpackers sack but a bit light in terms of the abuse it would get as an alpine model and in truth POD would point you towards other models if that was what you wanted. The Lux 45 just about made it into this test in terms of its capacity but its lightweight simplicity really impresses me.

PoDsacs Alpine50 (Alpine) ?165 / £140Weighing in at 1.6kg which can be stripped down to 0.85kg, the PODsacs Alpine50 is a streamlined mountaineering pack made from hard wearing Cordura Nylon. It differs from the other Alpine models tested in that the main body has a roll-top closure so it stays secure and weatherproof even if the lid has been stripped to save weight. Again it uses a moulded frame sheet as its frame, this time with a single aluminium stave and an external thermoformed back panel which sheds snow. Given its intended use as a mountaineering sack the Alpine 50 uses high grade componentry and quality construction methods, all seams are triple stitched and then bound, even the wand pockets are made of a toughened mesh fabric. The main body fabric is PU coated on the inside for weather resistance in a light grey colour, thus making it easier to see what you’ve packed and where you’ve put it. My only niggle is the lack of an internal hydration bladder sleeve, a consequence of the roll-top closure as far as I can figure. Carrying comfort is good with just enough padding in the shoulder straps and hipbelt for the expected load. In summary the Alpine 50 is a strictly no frills climbers pack designed to give years of service in very harsh conditions.

Berghaus talus 45 (Alpine) ?130 / £100Another streamlined mountaineering pack, the Berghaus Talus 45 weighs 1.43kg complete and 0.70kg stripped to its bare essentials. Rather than the usual moulded backsheet its light aluminium internal frame is attached to a length of closed cell foam, this can be opened out and used as a ? length sleeping mat. The mat’s a bit on the narrow side it must be said but will certainly suffice in the sort of situations where you probably wouldn’t be getting too much sleep in the first place! The v-shaped frame allows a full range of movement and there’s enough padding for a normal climbing load including bivvy gear. At first glance I thought the hipbelt and shoulder straps would be a bit too thin for comfort but they’ve been cunningly shaped and have slightly thicker foam in all the right spots. The Talus uses a roll-top closure on its collar, so it keeps its contents secure if the lid has been removed. But beware, unlike another model tested the fabric hasn’t been PU coated so the main compartment will be a lot less weatherproof if you so. Apart from that it has the usual features – Hydration sleeve, compression straps, twin tool holders, ski slots, large lid with 2 zipped pockets and gear loops on both the hipbelt and shoulder straps. Nothing earth shattering there, but its advantage is the slight weight saving plus its price and it’ll still take loads of abuse, so there’s no downside as far as I can see.

Vango Boulder 45 ?50 / £43More of a large daysack than a backpacking or true climbing sack, Vango’s Boulder 45 would also be suitable for scrambling or anything else that needs to allow for movement and balance. This is a teardrop shaped sack, all the weight sits low on the hips so it’s good that the hipbelt is well padded, as are the shoulder straps. Framing is the ubiquitous backsheet with 2 aluminium staves; this particular sheet is a lot less stiff than others tested. If it wasn’t for the 2 large external foam pads on the air force back system I’d have been a bit concerned as regards wearer comfort. This air force system leaves an air gap along the spine; it’s simple and reasonably effective at its job. Other features are fairly standard – hydration sleeve, twin tool/pole holders, 2 lid pockets, wand pockets and a raincover in the base. My only niggle is the narrow top opening which makes it difficult to pack bulkier items and I’ve noticed one or two small flaws in the finishes, but at this price the Boulder 45 is an absolute steal for anyone on a budget looking for a semi-technical, all-rounder rucksack.

TESTS

Deuter Act lite 50+10 (backpacking) ?155 / £130The largest of all the sacks tested if used to its fullest extent, the Deuter Act Lite 50+10 is a real backpacker’s workhorse weighing 1.58kg. Its back system is simple and fully adjustable, the harness is nicely padded and the air contact back panel allows good ventilation along the spine and between the shoulder blades. The lid can be extended to give an extra 10 litres capacity if needed but is held in place by a gusset panel. All fabrics used in its construction are very durable and have been PU coated for weather resistance. Access to the main compartment is via the usual top opening, a separate curved zip lets you get at the bottom compartment and the internal divider between the two can be zipped open if not required. The main compartment has a hydration sleeve, 2 wand pockets on the sides, twin tool/pole holders and the usual compression straps. Upstairs in the lid are 3 zipped pockets, the front one also has a key clip. This sack is ideally sized for backpacking, whether it be an overnight or multi-day trip and the extra 10 litres of space is very handy. The Deuter Act Lite 50+10 is very well designed and its build quality is excellent throughout, definitely one of the best backpacking models on the market.

Crux AK47 (Alpine) ?199 / £140Named after an iconic piece of design that’s seen service in harsh conditions all around the globe, Crux’s AK47 is aimed (apologies, a very poor pun) at mountaineers who want a very plain, lightweight (1.7kg) that’ll withstand loads of abuse. The internal frame, made from aluminium tubing, is strippable but considering that the AK47’S so light in the first place it’s hardly worth the effort. Another noticeable feature is the hipbelt which is cut slightly higher so it doesn’t get in the way of your climbing harness, you can add 2 gear loops to this if needed. Apart from that the usual features apply, hydration sleeve, large lid with 2 zipped pockets, twin tool/pole attachments, ski slots and long compression straps to allow for outsize sleeping mats etc. The well-padded back and shoulder straps are very comfortable even at maximum loads. Because it’s made from just 2 pieces of material (base and main compartment) whose seams have been taped, it’s hard to see where any water could seep in and given that the fabrics used are Cordura and Kelvar durability won’t be an issue. Yes, the AK47 is comparatively expensive but you’ll get years and years out of this one simple rucksack.

lowe Alpine Centro 45+10 (Backpacking) ?160 / £135Designed with either overnight camping or hut-to-hut touring in mind, Lowe Alpines Centro 45+10 could also be used in any situation where a larger Daysack is needed in winter walking. This sack uses Lowes Torso fit back system, simply by moving a buckle along the colour coded webbing you adjust the length of the shoulder straps, a very ingenious yet effective idea. The Centro 45+10 also uses an “adaptive fit” hipbelt, pulling the straps forward sits the belt comfortably on the hips, while the contoured shoulder straps sit right in the hollow of your collarbone. The mesh back panel allows a decent air gap for ventilation without any appreciable loss of internal volume, not something you can say of some other designs with similar curved back systems. As you can guess from its name the Centro 45+10 has an extra 10 litres capacity available above main compartment, the lid “floats” up or down on a simple drawstring above the extension. This lid has 2 zipped pockets; the lower one includes a key clip. On the front panel is a large pocket which gives extra storage options, jacket etc can also be stashed under the bungee cords. In addition to the standard top opening you can access the main compartment by the long curved zip on the left side. Other features include a single axe/pole attachment, hydration sleeve, compression straps, mesh side pockets and a raincover in its own pocket at the base. All-in-all the Centro 45+10 is a very versatile rucksack; it would suit anyone needing a slightly larger model for a variety of uses and is made to the usual high standards expected from Lowe Alpine.

lowe Alpine Attack Xl 45:55 (Alpine) ?160 / £125Now for this year and not to be mistaken for the Alpine Attack 45:55 – I’ve read all the bumpf several times and the only difference I can spot is an extra 20g to bring the XLs weight to 1.22kg, I’m assuming this is due to having a slightly larger extension? – the Alpine Attack XL is made from lightweight but robust Dyneema fabric. This is a beautifully “clean” pack, very streamlined with one simple buckle holding the lid down. The internal frame is even simpler than normal, the aluminium tubing has been replaced with a wire frame, yet the back panel and shoulder straps are nicely padded so carrying the “normal” climbers load isn’t a problem – once your fit enough in the first place! This pack is all about simplicity, all the usual features are there but have been cut down as much as possible, for example the webbing is half the width of what’s used normally and buckles are made from a glove-friendly alloy design. It also uses the same adaptive fit harness and hipbelt as the Centro 45+10, handy to adjust and allows a great range of movement especially in the shoulders and arms. With its simple design I reckon this could become a real classic mountaineers sack and its exceptionally good value at this price.

TESTS

lightwave Fastpack 50 (Backpacking) ?130 / £105The Fastpack 50 is a no frills, lightweight backpacking rucksack. The first thing I noticed when I picked up this pack was its weight. At just over the manufacturer’s stated weight of 1.1 kg this pack represented a 33% weight saving over my last 50 ltr pack. Normally lightweight packs would save weight by compromising on carrying comfort or durability in fabrics but not so in this model. The materials used seem to be tough and should withstand the normal abuse a backpack would endure. The straps and hip belt are very well designed and make for a very comfortable carry.

The thing I really liked about this pack was its ease of packing. It’s slightly wider profile allowed a 3 season sleeping bag, a Thermarest, extra clothes and a down jacket to be packed into the bottom half of the pack with ease leaving loads of space available for rain gear, first aid kit, stove and food etc to be readily available in the upper half. This would really prove its worth when striking camp on a wet and windy morning after enjoying a night’s wild camping in some remote coum. It was a pleasure to pack this bag compared to some of the wrestling matches I’ve had with other rucksacks.

Overall the pack has just the right amount of usable features – Compression straps to stabilise the load when not fully packed, mesh wand pockets for easy stowing of trekking poles or tent poles and an internal pouch for a hydration bladder. The seams in the pack are electronically welded and taped thus making the pack virtually waterproof (I’m paranoid so still use a liner) and there’s a good snow collar which together with the well fitting hood make a very weatherproof closure. There is also a large external hood pocket complete with a waterproof zip.

The only niggles I’d have would be that a floating lid would allow for the bag to be overpacked if the need arose and the buckles on the chest strap and main body are not the standard type clip buckles which could make replacing accidental breakages a bit tricky.

This is an excellent pack which would be ideal for weekend backpacking trips, trekking or as a winter day pack.

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