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The TNF bags are brilliant. Very strong, very big and very durable. Mountain Equipment stuff I have had in the past has tended to be very poor quality.
The large TNF is the best size for Europe, the XL is only really essential for going to America as it generally exceeds the luggage allowance for Europe if you pack it well.
I can get a pair of ski boots + snowboard boots + ice climbing boots, ropes, crampons , ice axes etc into the large, just.
I've got 7 of the North Face bags and they're excellent. Wouldn't pay full price right enough.
So which one is better made?
[b]The North Face 70L.[/b] [b]£81[/b] at my local.
Base Camp Duffle
FABRIC : Phthalate-free TPE fabric laminate, 840D Jr. ballistics nylon.
[b]Over Board 90L.[/b] [b]£60 + £9 delivery[/b]
Adventure Duffel Bag
Manufactured from strong & hard-wearing PVC tarpaulin with double stitching
[b]Tatonka Barrel M (65 Litre) Rucksack/Holdall - Star.[/b] [b]£49 + £6 delivery[/b]
With the material mix of tarpaulin and textreme
Material 1: Tarpaulin 1000
Material 2: Textreme 6.6
I like my North Face one, it's well travelled and it's picked up a load of marks and scrapes from rough handling but doesn't feel any the worse for wear. Could probably do with a little more storage options inside- more net pockets etc- but still, it's good.
I bought a 70L Quechua Duffle bag from Decathlon a few years ago. It's pretty much the same design as the NF versions. It has detachable shoulder straps so they don't get torn off by the baggage handlers. Has survived lots of treks like Kilimanjaro. A bargain at £29.
I've got cactus trousers
'ts gotta hurt 🙁
Great bags, mine gets a battering on helicopters and in and out of crappy weather. If your careful and look after them they last and don't get stolen.
I Guess they're popular, not sure if that makes them chavvy. I suppose theyr'e chavvy if you don't own one. 😉
If you don't like parting with money don't buy one...Tatonka make a good duffle bag for less.
I picked up a large from Tiso yesterda. I looked at a couple of alternatives, but the sealing was the best on the TNF except for a cheapo copy from Mountain warehouse, which looked better made, but was only 40l.
Got a £20 voucher as part of the deal - which was nice!
Just picked up a NF 72L Base Camp from Cheshire Oaks for £53. I would have looked at the ME ones but I need rucksack straps for my purposes. At that price I'm happy.
sharkbait - MemberJust picked up a NF 72L Base Camp from Cheshire Oaks for £53. I would have looked at the ME ones but I need rucksack straps for my purposes. At that price I'm happy.
The cheapest NF 72L Base Camp I can find is from my local Blacks outdoor shop at £60 but the colour is pink ... 🙄
I want either bright yellow or orange colour with rucksack straps.
Well Tatonka is still in contention.
Mate has Tatonka ones in his outdoor shop, seem pretty sturdy and feel well put together - damn good price and all. He also stocks TNF, ME and Gelert bags, they all sell equally well, only Gelert ones get returned for warranty.
I've got a TNF one that was given to me, no sign of it wearing out, shoulder straps work best when it is full.
I also have a smaller Vango one. Nice, not as heavy duty as the ME one but consequently much lighter.
For you folk worried about weight of bags
Eagle creek no matter what xl
You wont get lighter strength .
Brilliant traveling bag when you need lots of kit
Just the thing for the kinky spy about town!
Another Tatonka user here- took one to Canada this winter and its perfect!
Finally I decided to choose a yellow Tatonka Barrel M (65L) from here:
It's on sale and I think I bought the last one of the yellow Tatonka Barrel ... its now say it's discontinue but if you click on the different colour they are still in stock. 😆
Ordered on Tuesday and arrived on Thursday. Paid £49 + £4.99 postage.
[url= http://www.uttingsoutdoors.co.uk/Product/971/107010/tatonka-barrel-m-65-litre-rucksack-holdall-star-1998-035/ ]Uttings.[/url]
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They have many Tatonkas ...[url= http://www.uttingsoutdoors.co.uk/SpecialOffers/204/rucksacks-and-luggage/ ]On offers[/url]
I don't know if the one I bought is their old stock but it seem rather sturdy.
25 years ago I would have said yes. Nowadays there are alternatives.
I have several ME ones from Cotswold. In many ways the few extra features are dead handy and the price is better. Maybe the NF one is a touch thicker.
I use both.