So I decided to take the plunge on the Ray Mears Leaf Cutter pack as I was in the market for a new expedition bag this summer.
Arrived this morning so here are some first impressions. I may revise this once I have had the opportunity to really load up and head out into the big blue yonder.
This is not going to turn into a ‘Ray-bashing’ session because (frankly) I feel that is not constructive and it disappoints me when others engage in commentary at a personal level. I am okay with comments about marketing and logos but perhaps it needs to be remembered that Ray and his contemporaries introduced a lot of us and our our fellow Bushcrafters to the hobby that we enjoy so much. I will also refer to Woodlore rather than Ray personally as this is a company product backed by a marketing team.
Link to Woodlore webpage http://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Product/960-Ray-Mears-Leaf-Cutter-Rucksack/
So to the backpack…
First impressions as I opened the package were good. Nice construction. Quality materials for the body of the pack. Good basic, tried and tested design. It consists of a large main compartment, two side pockets and one front pocket all of which are capable of storing a good amount of gear – think mess tins, rolled up tarp etc. The pockets on the lid are good for maps and other flat stuff.
First impressions ‘on the back’ with a few bits chucked in ‘for bulk’ are that it is comfortable and sits quite well on the shoulders. I use the term ‘quite well’ because the yolk style straps will need a bit of playing with to sit flush. The Sam Splint internal pockets are good and to settle fears that you need to put the splints in to reinforce the back…you don’t, the internal frame is adequate. In fact they could be used in place of the ‘missing’ external ‘machete’ pocket easily and I personally feel that this is better as it will keep your blade away from the eyes of the paranoid public.
Okay – now the constructive criticism. I’ll bullet point them so it is very clear.
In summary then. If you were using this sack over a Swazi coat and a fleece (as in the pictures on the Woodlore site) it would probably be quite comfortable to carry. In the summer over a shirt perhaps less so.
Despite its faults, I will use this pack. It is a style I like and on short trips from car to camp it will do what it says ‘on the tin’. It doesn’t feel too big at 90lts because of the way it is laid out.
Of course the debate will now be the price. Personally I would have put this in the £99 price bracket similar to a large patrol pack. £165 feels a bit steep and unfortunately I have to concede that there is an element of marketing to be considered.
Overall – 3 out of 5 stars but 2 out of 5 for price.
kawasemi
Okay chaps...a quick update.
After sending my review to Woodlore (which hasn't been posted to press!) I have been contacted by the Woodlore Team. They have thanked me for my feedback (I specifically mentioned the stays as above) and have offered a FULL refund on return of the pack. As Nonsuch has said, I cannot fault the customer service.
They also say that they will be going back to SMG to discuss some of the points that I have identified that will be relatively easy to rectify - +1 for Woodlore.
However, I have decided to keep the pack as (1) I did say in my review it will do what I want it for, and (2) I really want to put it through it's outdoor paces.
Can I please stress (before much debate ensues
) it is my choice and I have been very kindly offered a refund by Woodlore.
cheers
Kawasemi
Update number two - Woodlore have replied again after I said I would keep it and have asked me to put it through it's paces and give them some more feedback after it has had a good run - Well done Woodlore, excellent response.
Update number three - I am very impressed that Woodlore have posted my review - good on them and very professional. I have had a ramble fully loaded this weekend and I will add some details in due course.
I also need to say that I will update my review if, like with the frame, Woodlore update the pack - that would only be fair. You will have seen on their website that they have added some detailed pics of the webbing and drainholes since I posted my review.
Arrived this morning so here are some first impressions. I may revise this once I have had the opportunity to really load up and head out into the big blue yonder.
This is not going to turn into a ‘Ray-bashing’ session because (frankly) I feel that is not constructive and it disappoints me when others engage in commentary at a personal level. I am okay with comments about marketing and logos but perhaps it needs to be remembered that Ray and his contemporaries introduced a lot of us and our our fellow Bushcrafters to the hobby that we enjoy so much. I will also refer to Woodlore rather than Ray personally as this is a company product backed by a marketing team.
Link to Woodlore webpage http://www.raymears.com/Bushcraft_Product/960-Ray-Mears-Leaf-Cutter-Rucksack/
So to the backpack…
First impressions as I opened the package were good. Nice construction. Quality materials for the body of the pack. Good basic, tried and tested design. It consists of a large main compartment, two side pockets and one front pocket all of which are capable of storing a good amount of gear – think mess tins, rolled up tarp etc. The pockets on the lid are good for maps and other flat stuff.
First impressions ‘on the back’ with a few bits chucked in ‘for bulk’ are that it is comfortable and sits quite well on the shoulders. I use the term ‘quite well’ because the yolk style straps will need a bit of playing with to sit flush. The Sam Splint internal pockets are good and to settle fears that you need to put the splints in to reinforce the back…you don’t, the internal frame is adequate. In fact they could be used in place of the ‘missing’ external ‘machete’ pocket easily and I personally feel that this is better as it will keep your blade away from the eyes of the paranoid public.
Okay – now the constructive criticism. I’ll bullet point them so it is very clear.
- Non-adjustable back. Yes it saves weight but my fears may be realised that for a short back like mine it is going to dig into the base of my back when fully loaded and be uncomfortable over extended periods.
- Waist belt – I wouldn’t call this a load bearing waist belt. The padding is far too thin (especially when compared to my Lowe Alpine Sack of equivalent size). To be fair, the website refers to a waist strap with extended hip padding so maybe load-bearing is not part of the plan. Remember, this is a 'Bushcraft' pack rather than one for 2 month's of Himalayan adventure . 90lt on the shoulders is heavy though.
- Drain holes – a waste of time (too small)…and why oh why have they used chrome plated grommets on a sack that is OD with black trim? I am wondering if these will rust in due course.
- Ties to tidy the straps are cheap bits of Velcro stitched in place.
- Material on the inside (body contact side) of the shoulder straps is ‘oxford’ nylon. Not the contact fabric that is used on other commercial sacks. You will sweat but it will dry quite quickly.
- Back padding is a bit thin. I do carry a foam sit mat and that is always extra padding but why should I need to do this?
- The alloy back stays that create the internal frame. When the pack arrived, the stays were not located in the internal slots - do check this if you buy. It is easy to relocate and once in place all is fine. The ends of the stays were also exposed metal that could have cut into the sack. On contacting Woodlore they have explained that rubber protectors were part of the original design brief and had been approved. Unfortunately, they had been omitted from the first batch. Woodlore will be posting me a set of protectors and all future packs sent out will have them fitted.
- Do you ever feel that sometimes it is difficult in the UK to access quality fittings for kit – ITW Nexus, etc seem to be mostly available in the US? It does not feel as if Scottish Mountain Gear have sourced the best fixtures and fittings for what is a costly sack. Some of the ‘hardware’ is not stitched in so it could be replaced… again I say why should I have to do this?
In summary then. If you were using this sack over a Swazi coat and a fleece (as in the pictures on the Woodlore site) it would probably be quite comfortable to carry. In the summer over a shirt perhaps less so.
Despite its faults, I will use this pack. It is a style I like and on short trips from car to camp it will do what it says ‘on the tin’. It doesn’t feel too big at 90lts because of the way it is laid out.
Of course the debate will now be the price. Personally I would have put this in the £99 price bracket similar to a large patrol pack. £165 feels a bit steep and unfortunately I have to concede that there is an element of marketing to be considered.
Overall – 3 out of 5 stars but 2 out of 5 for price.
kawasemi
Okay chaps...a quick update.
After sending my review to Woodlore (which hasn't been posted to press!) I have been contacted by the Woodlore Team. They have thanked me for my feedback (I specifically mentioned the stays as above) and have offered a FULL refund on return of the pack. As Nonsuch has said, I cannot fault the customer service.
They also say that they will be going back to SMG to discuss some of the points that I have identified that will be relatively easy to rectify - +1 for Woodlore.
However, I have decided to keep the pack as (1) I did say in my review it will do what I want it for, and (2) I really want to put it through it's outdoor paces.
Can I please stress (before much debate ensues
) it is my choice and I have been very kindly offered a refund by Woodlore.cheers
Kawasemi
Update number two - Woodlore have replied again after I said I would keep it and have asked me to put it through it's paces and give them some more feedback after it has had a good run - Well done Woodlore, excellent response.
Update number three - I am very impressed that Woodlore have posted my review - good on them and very professional. I have had a ramble fully loaded this weekend and I will add some details in due course.
I also need to say that I will update my review if, like with the frame, Woodlore update the pack - that would only be fair. You will have seen on their website that they have added some detailed pics of the webbing and drainholes since I posted my review.
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