[Closed] backpack brands?

Osprey have always been solid for me.

Another Osprey fan here.

Aiguile Alpine would be my first choice, followed by Alpine Luddites/ Zpacks (admittedly >>£100)/ cotopaxi.

I always look at decathlon.

I've got one of [url= http://www.twobagsandasuitcase.com/2014/quechua-forclaz-40-air-backpack-review ]these[/url], but they appear to have replaced it. There'll be an equivalent though.

Osprey everytime for me, which is currently 4 of them.

Montane
Osprey
North Face

Anti-osprey fan here.

1. Aiguille Alpine

2. Millet

3. Arcteryx

Evoc and DaKine for me.

Exped. Well thought out packs. Got to agree with their blurb:

"What makes Exped backpacks unique: we call it refined to the basics - clean design paired with focus on the necessary and removal of unnecessary parts and other bells and whistles. It ultimately leads to reduction in weight and use of resources. Less is more."

http://www.exped.com/switzerland/en/product-category/backpacks

Mountain Hardware

Lowe Alpine

cheers

got..

1 man zephyros 1
cheap sleepbag
alpkit dirtbag mat https://www.alpkit.com/products/dirtbag
Width: 52 cm
Length: 180 cm
tiny stove / ti pots
then clothes / food

Osprey far too over-engineered IMO. What you want is a Karrimor Discovery / Panther from 1992 - simple large compartment with large lid and side pockets, possibly a zip-thru section at the bottom.

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My Vaude one I bought for an Alps crossing many years ago still looks like new. Very well made.

Podsac.
They where great bits of kit.
Sadly tho, got bought up by On one, and seem to be selling them no more..

Deuter are my go to brand, I've got about 5 of the buggers!

What ever you go for make sure that you try it on. Make sure that it is packed fully and weighted when you do so.

As a general rule I tend to think the more straps and bits that can get snagged on the outside of the bag the less suitable it is.

Bought an evoc when they had money off on crc,it was ok but let down buy it's puny zips,might be ok as a mtb use once a week thing but wasn't up to the job as a daily use in all weathers rucksack,went back to my 15 yr old north face.

To elaborate, it is the over engineering and extra bells and whistles with Osprey packs that make me dislike. A simple barrel design with less ridiculous bells whistles pouches meshes back support systems straps flaps and buckles will weigh less (maybe 1kg aim for) and will last longer.

Ospreys are nice but really heavy - at least the cycling packs are.

What you want is a Karrimor Discovery / Panther from 1992 -

Mine is from the late 80s a great big cumbersome thing it is. Still going though.

Fellman 55 from about 1978...
[img] [/img]

I like the idea of having a front opening for easy access. plus separate places for cooking stuff / food or what ever. is one long pouch not a pain?

I like the idea of having a front opening for easy access. plus separate places for cooking stuff / food or what ever. is one long pouch not a pain?

I don't think so. If you're cooking, you'll likely have your tent up, and lots out of the bag anyway, which just leaves your easy access day stuff, snacks layers, camera at the top of the bag.

coloured drysacks are good for easy packing whatever style of bag you go for.

Edit: Don't go for front access. when you put the bag down on the wet grass/mud/scree, you'll get the wrong bit wet and muddy. Back access - much better!

cheers - hadnt thought of that.

I do like the look of this https://www.aiguillealpine.co.uk/product/rucksacks-bags/bora-42-ltrs/

https://www.aiguillealpine.co.uk/product/rucksacks-bags/rcrgnt/ maybe not big enough?

Ospreys are nice but really heavy

I'd say they're pretty light, they're not much heavier than specific lightweight packs eg was looking at getting a Montane Featherlite, but it's only 150g or so lighter than my Talon 22.

@rogan-josh. I think you'd probably only get a bum-bag for £100 at Arcteryx's prices 😆

deuter & vaude been good for me

If you're tall you want might to look for certain brands over others

I literally have over a dozen rucksacks, I have a problem...

Favourite brand that is currently available is Osprey, I have 4 osprey packs

I like Golite too but they went bust and I haven't yet tried My Trail Co

Problem with my Osprey is it has loads of compartments for organisaing things, so once you get anything of a decent size in to them, you don't have one big space to put a big thing, like a big sleeping bag or other big things. Pack things by type in plastic bags - keeps them dry and easy to sort stuff out. You only need pockets for things when you're on the move, like water and food. Anything else you'll be stopped and unpacking everything anyway.

Try some on.

Personally I like Deuter and Vaude kit. Simple and well made.

Problem with my Osprey is it has loads of compartments for organisaing things, so once you get anything of a decent size in to them, you don't have one big space to put a big thing, like a big sleeping bag or other big things.

This. Very annoying and somewhat gimmicky.

compartments - same. I've got a northface bag I'll be taking a knife to at some point.

Sefton - what about this? Scores highly for simplicity and ruggedness!

http://www.angloaccess.co.uk/bags/exped-work-and-rescue-pack-50.html

A good outdoor shop should have a few in stock and have some sandbags for trying on the rucksack with weight. A good shop assistant will be able to show you how to adjust the pack properly.

The presence/absence of bells and whistles pales into insignificance next to a pack that fits you well and is comfortable.

That said, I'd go for a simple pack with few features any day over something fancy with loads of zips/compartments.

Also look at [url= https://www.lightwave.uk.com/products/rucksacks/lightwave-rucksacks ]Lightwave[/url], Deuter and Vaude

TGO has a lot of [url= http://www.tgomagazine.co.uk/reviews/?review-brand=&review-type=rucksacks&search= ]reviews [/url]on their site

Teetosugars - Member
Podsac.
They where great bits of kit.

If you can find them the most popular here in Norway are Norrøna and Bergans

both excellent

Macpac

Fjallraven do a few nice ones too..

Couple of carrier bags, job will be reet!

Ospreys are nice but really heavy

My Escapist 32 is really light.

Macpac - simple and robust, more a case of worked back to what is required than what you think is needed. Very similar to the podsacs as mentioned earlier. I suspect mine will outlast most of my outdoor kit.

45-55l you say? Around £100 you say? 1-2 night wildcamps you say?

This one should cover it:

[url= https://lowealpine.com/uk/eclipse-45-55-4 ]Lowe Alpine Eclipse 45-55[/url]

Use one myself for the same purposes and it's really good. My only criticism is the over-proliferation of fiddly little straps and clips that seems commonplace these days. Nowhere near as bad as an Osprey though 😀

I can also recommend Aiguille Alpine, if you just want a tough, old-skool load hauler. Got a 37l Stratus and love it. Their 47l Zenith might fit your bill (or Zephyr 47+10l), although it is more than £100. Excellent quality, UK made sacks though...

I've used a berghaus arrette. 45L had served me well for 2&3 day bike and dofe expeds. It's a climbing sack so narrow.

Currently £75