So, this is my first review.
I'll add updates, edit and review this if people show any interest/have any questions.
It has been three years since I stumped up the bravery to hand out £250 plus £20 odd quid shipping to get my hands on this, the Arizzon Wolverine Monolith MKII. The honeymoon period is most definitely over and I've recovered from the large hole in my wallet. So, what's it been like to live with over three years of week in week out usage?
Before we get started let's take a brief look at the technical specs taken from the manufacturers website:
"Arizzon Wolverine [90]L Monolith II GEN
fabric: CORDURA 1100D, triple PU coating, DWR, IR filter
IR filter on straps, YKK buckles (NATO specified), YKK zips
capacity:
70L to the collar + 12L top flap pocket = 82L
92L including collar + 12L top flap pocket = 104L
pouches 2 x 10L (optional)
(price per pouch 35€
W90 - overall 124L (including pouches)
measurements: circumference 116 cm; height to the collar 65,5 cm; height of the collar 28 cm; back width 28 cm
weight: 2750 g, pouch set 400 g"
And so it begins..
I was looking for something really, really strong. Yes, it is certainly over engineered for anything I'm likely to do with it, but it inspires confidence and hasn't missed a beat in the last three years. I don't abuse it but I'm not gentle with it either, this one has been dropped down a few hills accidentally and gets usage every week camping and grocery hauling. Before this I was getting a cheap pack almost every year and I think the investment has been worth it. Now, to the bag:
My first impressions three years ago have not much changed with experience, the bag is well constructed and has bartacs at just about every single point you could want them and two where is a stress point such as the shoulder strap anchor point. These aren't done half heartedly and alot of thread has gone into each of these to really create a bar. Since the MKI, they have added larger side pockets. Before it was hard to fit anything over an A5 notebook in them, now they EAT my '58 bottle and cup, keeping it there securely. A nice improvement and a great feature. I've even mounted a tent in the pocket and strapped it down with the side straps on the bag. Another thumbs up here. The three grab handles, one on top and two on each side are just great. It's a joy to move it around and they're well planted and comfy to use. The suspension system is pretty good. I'm a little on the large side for this pack at 6'4" but it does a reasonable job of keeping the weight off my shoulders. I'm sure it would keep it almost totally on your hops if you're even two inches shorter. It is very finely adjustable once you have moved the straps to the right place on the internal frame and feels very secure without being restrictive. The straps themselves are generously padded and have kept their shape and form over three years of usage, if anything they could probably be a little thinner and achieve the same result but they're perfectly comfortable when out and about in the sticks.
In terms of overall general design, I'd say a 7/10. Why you might ask? I have a few small little things that could be improved. The honeymoon period is certainly over after all, and the mind naturally wonders to improvements at this point. The molle on the bag is laid out in three bands each of two strips of webbing as you can see in the 1st pic. This is fine for smaller pockets but for larger items such as an admin panel this leaves it only half attached. I would have liked to have seen no molle or total molle. I've never used the molle on here given its half hearted nature. The webbing is however, very, very well planted on the bag and not likely to come off anytime soon.
The second little issue is the Molle grid on top of the lid. This is 4*3 as the end channels are sewn through for some strap anchor points (straps removed in photos). I'd have preferred these to have attached outside of the molle webbing to give a 6*3 grid for my admin pouch. Not a serious issue but a small gripe all the same.
For a 90L bag this can hide its size well, The floating lid is excellent and hopefully these pictures show the range to which it can be filled. Even if the lid is a little oversized when you're not running the bag at full capacity, I think it works nicely and in a civilised manner without too much effort. Together with the snow collar and PU backing to the Cordura, it remains waterproof whatever size you end up running it in. I've left it out in the rain overnight on the Isle of Skye and found the insides to be perfectly dry come the morning, despite the wet look of the Cordura. Thumbs up! The waist belt does not detach which may bother some people but on a 90L pack, I can't really see that you'd want to ever detach it to be honest, but from experience I know this is true on the 70L and 50L packs too. The snow collar is reassuringly large and when extended feels like you're delving into Aladdin's cave such is the distance to the divider for the sleeping bag compartment.
We also have one pocket on the top of the lid. This is roomy and easily accessible. The flap to cover the zip has a habit of rolling up but it's still pretty much water proof given that the pocket is sewn on top of, and not into, the lid so the lids Pu coating keeps all below dry. On the underside of the lid is a small pocket just big enough for a toothbrush and a few related essentials.
EDIT: I've forgotten to take pics of the sleeping bag compartment and the bottom access panel. I'll add some pics and a bit more on this when I get home tomorrow evening.
I've owned a Karrimor Predator 45L, and the build quality is easily double as good, if not more, as you'd hope for just over twice the price Arizzon ask! Overall, the strength and comfort of this Monolith are absolutely top quality, it only drops some minor marks for a few small design niggles. Would I buy another? Yes, I've had a good experience but I'd like to try a Kifaru Pointman or MMR if I could ever afford one!
Overall design: 7/10
Overall strengh and quality: 9/10
Overall Mark: 8/10
I'll add updates, edit and review this if people show any interest/have any questions.It has been three years since I stumped up the bravery to hand out £250 plus £20 odd quid shipping to get my hands on this, the Arizzon Wolverine Monolith MKII. The honeymoon period is most definitely over and I've recovered from the large hole in my wallet. So, what's it been like to live with over three years of week in week out usage?
Before we get started let's take a brief look at the technical specs taken from the manufacturers website:
"Arizzon Wolverine [90]L Monolith II GEN
fabric: CORDURA 1100D, triple PU coating, DWR, IR filter
IR filter on straps, YKK buckles (NATO specified), YKK zips
capacity:
70L to the collar + 12L top flap pocket = 82L
92L including collar + 12L top flap pocket = 104L
pouches 2 x 10L (optional)
(price per pouch 35€
W90 - overall 124L (including pouches)
measurements: circumference 116 cm; height to the collar 65,5 cm; height of the collar 28 cm; back width 28 cm
weight: 2750 g, pouch set 400 g"
And so it begins..
I was looking for something really, really strong. Yes, it is certainly over engineered for anything I'm likely to do with it, but it inspires confidence and hasn't missed a beat in the last three years. I don't abuse it but I'm not gentle with it either, this one has been dropped down a few hills accidentally and gets usage every week camping and grocery hauling. Before this I was getting a cheap pack almost every year and I think the investment has been worth it. Now, to the bag:
My first impressions three years ago have not much changed with experience, the bag is well constructed and has bartacs at just about every single point you could want them and two where is a stress point such as the shoulder strap anchor point. These aren't done half heartedly and alot of thread has gone into each of these to really create a bar. Since the MKI, they have added larger side pockets. Before it was hard to fit anything over an A5 notebook in them, now they EAT my '58 bottle and cup, keeping it there securely. A nice improvement and a great feature. I've even mounted a tent in the pocket and strapped it down with the side straps on the bag. Another thumbs up here. The three grab handles, one on top and two on each side are just great. It's a joy to move it around and they're well planted and comfy to use. The suspension system is pretty good. I'm a little on the large side for this pack at 6'4" but it does a reasonable job of keeping the weight off my shoulders. I'm sure it would keep it almost totally on your hops if you're even two inches shorter. It is very finely adjustable once you have moved the straps to the right place on the internal frame and feels very secure without being restrictive. The straps themselves are generously padded and have kept their shape and form over three years of usage, if anything they could probably be a little thinner and achieve the same result but they're perfectly comfortable when out and about in the sticks.
In terms of overall general design, I'd say a 7/10. Why you might ask? I have a few small little things that could be improved. The honeymoon period is certainly over after all, and the mind naturally wonders to improvements at this point. The molle on the bag is laid out in three bands each of two strips of webbing as you can see in the 1st pic. This is fine for smaller pockets but for larger items such as an admin panel this leaves it only half attached. I would have liked to have seen no molle or total molle. I've never used the molle on here given its half hearted nature. The webbing is however, very, very well planted on the bag and not likely to come off anytime soon.
The second little issue is the Molle grid on top of the lid. This is 4*3 as the end channels are sewn through for some strap anchor points (straps removed in photos). I'd have preferred these to have attached outside of the molle webbing to give a 6*3 grid for my admin pouch. Not a serious issue but a small gripe all the same.
For a 90L bag this can hide its size well, The floating lid is excellent and hopefully these pictures show the range to which it can be filled. Even if the lid is a little oversized when you're not running the bag at full capacity, I think it works nicely and in a civilised manner without too much effort. Together with the snow collar and PU backing to the Cordura, it remains waterproof whatever size you end up running it in. I've left it out in the rain overnight on the Isle of Skye and found the insides to be perfectly dry come the morning, despite the wet look of the Cordura. Thumbs up! The waist belt does not detach which may bother some people but on a 90L pack, I can't really see that you'd want to ever detach it to be honest, but from experience I know this is true on the 70L and 50L packs too. The snow collar is reassuringly large and when extended feels like you're delving into Aladdin's cave such is the distance to the divider for the sleeping bag compartment.
We also have one pocket on the top of the lid. This is roomy and easily accessible. The flap to cover the zip has a habit of rolling up but it's still pretty much water proof given that the pocket is sewn on top of, and not into, the lid so the lids Pu coating keeps all below dry. On the underside of the lid is a small pocket just big enough for a toothbrush and a few related essentials.
EDIT: I've forgotten to take pics of the sleeping bag compartment and the bottom access panel. I'll add some pics and a bit more on this when I get home tomorrow evening.
I've owned a Karrimor Predator 45L, and the build quality is easily double as good, if not more, as you'd hope for just over twice the price Arizzon ask! Overall, the strength and comfort of this Monolith are absolutely top quality, it only drops some minor marks for a few small design niggles. Would I buy another? Yes, I've had a good experience but I'd like to try a Kifaru Pointman or MMR if I could ever afford one!
Overall design: 7/10
Overall strengh and quality: 9/10
Overall Mark: 8/10
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