Rucksack recommendations please

[PaulSanderson]

Hi All,

Back into the woods after a bit of a hiatus (kids!) ... sorting through a load of my old kit to find my old tatty cheap rucksack is now not really serviceable. So, im in the market for something a bit more robust. Keen to hear opinions.

My key requirements are as follows:

- axe strap would be useful
- i usually strap my sleeping roll to the bottom with bungees so bottom loops/molle would be useful - could strap to the top however.
- side pockets would be useful although not essential (typically carry brew kit in one side and misc bits in the other)
- im not an ultra-light nor frontier-style purist, as long as its functional
- ideally around 35-40lts.

Keen to hear what you all have, and the pro's and cons.

Much appreciated!

 

[MrEd]

Lowe alpine sting or the Dutch army equivalent fits that bill almost exactly, about 50-60 surplus Dutch and the Lowe alpine badged ones are harder to find and double the price (out of production!)

Axe strap I use the ice axe straps on the front, works great

Loads of other people will chip in with suggestions but this is the pack I have settled on after trying about a dozen over the years

Pros
Robust
Molle compatible if that’s your thing
Lots Of adjustment straps
Removable rocket pouches
Swallows loads
Minimal zips to fail
Internal frame
Isn’t designed to be worn over webbing so is not a ‘high rider’ on your back

Cons
Not a lightweight pack, 2 kg empty
DPM camo only if you go the Dutch route
Nowt else imo

 

[PaulSanderson]

Lowe alpine sting or the Dutch army equivalent fits that bill almost exactly, about 50-60 surplus Dutch and the Lowe alpine badged ones are harder to find and double the price (out of production!)

Axe strap I use the ice axe straps on the front, works great

Loads of other people will chip in with suggestions but this is the pack I have settled on after trying about a dozen over the years

Pros
Robust
Molle compatible if that’s your thing
Lots Of adjustment straps
Removable rocket pouches
Swallows loads
Minimal zips to fail
Internal frame
Isn’t designed to be worn over webbing so is not a ‘high rider’ on your back

Cons
Not a lightweight pack, 2 kg empty
DPM camo only if you go the Dutch route
Nowt else imo

Hi MrEd - solid suggestions thanks! i will swerve the camo - ive long been out of the forces, and whilst it was my "go to" for a while, it'll clash with my pink stilletos and spongebob sleeping bag! im a huge fan of the olive drab however, and the mrs doesnt find it so offensive!

 

[Mesquite]

What's your budget?

 

[MrEd]

Hi MrEd - solid suggestions thanks! i will swerve the camo - ive long been out of the forces, and whilst it was my "go to" for a while, it'll clash with my pink stilletos and spongebob sleeping bag! im a huge fan of the olive drab however, and the mrs doesnt find it so offensive!

Yeah I swerved the camo and kept my eyes open for an olive green one.

No worries good luck On the search.

Get some heel caps, makes it easier to wear stilettos on soft surfaces

 

[Dan00001]

The Karrimor SF Sabre 45 is excellent. Although worth trying one as some find them too short in the back. Otherwise an older Karrimor from the early 90's or earlier are excellent backpacks and can be picked up at bargain prices.

 

[PaulSanderson]

What's your budget?

havent really got a budget - happy to spend whatever is necessary if its the right bit of kit

 

[PaulSanderson]

The Karrimor SF Sabre 45 is excellent. Although worth trying one as some find them too short in the back. Otherwise an older Karrimor from the early 90's or earlier are excellent backpacks and can be picked up at bargain prices.

Thanks Dan - at 5'7" id be surprised if any were short in the back for me - this being said, i did always feel the old NI packs/bergen shortbacks sat nice and high so only really a problem if heavily loaded and i DIDNT have webbing on _ back in the days when i had a real job anyway

 

[Chris]

I’m 6’3” and the Sabre 45 has not been an issue for me in that regard. It’s bomb proof and with a few bungees strategically placed can carry plenty externally. I tend to shove my axe between the main bag and side pouch.

It’s more comfortable and useful than the old NI patrol pack. Plus it isn’t an issue item, thus is automatically cooler, and as we know alliness saves lives.

Personally I wouldn’t take it on long hikes, as the back leads to quite the sweat fest and I’d much prefer one of the larger Osprey numbers with their carry systems. But for bushcraft/camping needs where you are not doing long hikes, it’s great. Up to a couple of miles is no bother at all. You’ll probably want one large and 2x smaller dry bags as it won’t keep water out beyond the odd light shower.

 

[Barney Rubble]

Hello Paul, good to hear that you're able to get some dirt time.

In terms of your choice of rucksack, I faced a fairly similar conundrum/list of wants recently when searching for a new daysack. It transpired that there weren't a great many rucksacks which ticked all of those boxes.

I ended up getting a Savotta Kahakka 25 from the Bushcraft Store. It's a little smaller than your specification, but, it has the pals webbing and the clever side pockets expand to just over 30l. You can also attach additional pouches to it for increased capacity. I've been very impressed with the quality of the pack and come to learn that their marketing (flinging the pack into oblivion with a trebuchet!) is probably not BS, they really are quite tough, well designed products. You might also want to check out the other packs in their range such as the Jaakari M. The downside to Savotta....they're not cheap, but they're made in the EU and are worthy investments!

Alternatively, the Karrimor SF Sabre 45 or Predator 45 is a good option, just less convenient when stowing a roll mat. I'd also consider the Tasmanian Tiger Raid pack (albeit it is a little larger than your spec).

 

[Watch-keeper]

Savotta make a solid rucksack although they are expensive, I have a 25l day sack from them and when the time comes I will buy a larger pack from them.

The pack I'm currently using that fits your bill is a Fjallraven Kaipak 38 which i really like, it has an internal frame, a decent padded hip belt an extendable lid and is pretty lightweight.
I doesn't have side pockets but does have a long zipped pocket on the front, a decent sized lid pocket, small pouches on the belt and ice axe loops. It doesn't have anywhere to strap items to the top or bottom but it does have side compression straps that you can attach things with
Its a pretty versatile pack, large enough for a few days of overnighting and small enough to work as a day sack.
One thing i will say, because of its light weight It wont be as robust as the Savotta equivalent offerings.

 

[PaulSanderson]

Hi All - some brilliant recommendations which has whetted my whistle this morning - ive got some more googling to do - i tend to go down the rabbit hole with these kinds of things. but will update shortly with what i went for. thanks once again!!

 

[Dan00001]

Sports Direct had the Sabre 45 at £99 but unfortunately they don't appear to be listed on there any longer. I've used mine a fair bit on wild camps although my tastes have changed somewhat lately and I'm currently really enjoying the very vibrant colours of 80's/90's Karrimors.