I needed a mid sized rucsack to use as carry on flight luggage for my trip to Canada.
It needed to big enough to hold my laptop and all my goodies, but still be small enough to meet the airline size regulations.
I spent a week looking at various packs around the 35 to 45 litre size and to be honest none of them suited my needs or pocket, what with some of them hitting £50+
So.....walking around Tescos with food on my mind I came across the reduced section and found this gem of a bag that had been reduced from £18.50 to £9.50
Now if I had the chance and money to ask someone to design the ultimate 45Litre rucsack for my needs, then this was or is the pack for me. It's loaded with features, it's strong, nice looking, cumfy to wear and for £9.50 it's pocket money priced.
I loaded this pack with the following:
Laptop + leads + psu
eTrex GPS
Camera + spare batts
Meds + firstaid
Fleece jacket
Snacks 'n' sweets
Pens, paperwork, passport, money, etc....
I had plenty of room left in it and had not used the side pockets.
The only limmit was the weight regulations or I could of got more gear in if needed.
I bounced it around three airports, took it on three flights and in the boots of two cars, sorry one was a trunk as I was in Newfoundland by then ;-)
It feels as cumfy fully loaded as it does empty. The padding on the straps and the ventilated back system do the trick just like they should on a pack £80+
I Looked hard for faults but can't find a single one, I even love the way that they've lined the zipped pocket that holds the rain cover, so if you put it away wet it will not be against your gear. I also like the fact that the zip on the top pocket faces the back of my neck, making it harder for Mr Naughy to get at my goodies while I'm stood with my back to him. The Ice-Axe/Walking Pole hoops are not mentioned in the discription, and under close inspection they're tuffer than they need to be so that's another bounus. I do like where they have the D rings on the straps, my two way radio fits on the one in a perfect place to use without having to remove it, and the same can be said of putting my GPS on the other strap, it's just where I need it. The chest strap is also very cumfy and incorperates a very loud whistle.
Seven weeks of abuse and it's still going strong.
I would of been happy to of paid more for it.
Go out and buy it.
Specs:
45 Litre Rucksack
600D Polyester with diamond Ripstop trim
Easy access vertical zip
Padded shoulder straps
2 bellow side pockets
2 side mesh pockets
2 quick release adjustable compression straps
Neoprene carry handle
4 compartments
Bright orange rain cover (elasticated)
ventilated back system
Hydration compatible
Easy access vertical zip
Padded shoulder straps
2 bellow side pockets
2 side mesh pockets
2 quick release adjustable compression straps
Neoprene carry handle
4 compartments
Bright orange rain cover (elasticated)
ventilated back system
Hydration compatible
Dimensions L32 X W17 X H49cm
1.3kg empty
1.3kg empty
This is virutally the same as the one I got from Tesco a couple of years ago, the only difference looks like the top flap has 2 straps were as mine has only one. They are fantastic bags, I paid £17.99 for mine and it's still well worth the money, at £9.50 I would by 2!
ReplyDeleteYeah I've just looked at the pack you're talking about. You used it when we went up Arthers Pike in The Lakes, and it does look almost the same apart from yours has a single strap on the lid. I do remeber you useing it on a day hike down Uffmoor Wood and Clent Hills when we were testing the two way radios, and I thought then that was a nice size pack. Small enough to be cumfy and big enough to hold just that bit more stuff for a longer trek. They are worth more than the £17.99 you paid and the £9.50 I paid, infact I would price them at £25 to £35 and think that's a fair price and I would not feel robbed had I paid 30 notes for mine.
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