UKC

OutDoor 2013 - Packs Report

© UKC

Mid-July saw the huge OutDoor Tradeshow descend upon the town of Friedrichshafen in Germany. This is the event of the year for European climbing and outdoor companies, and there are literally hundreds of brands showing off their shiny new stuff.

As ever UKC/UKH were there in force this year and we have a series of reports about all the new developments on show. The first report covered climbing hardwear. This one covers the container you need to carry it all to the crags or up the mountains - packs.


First it's big news from Rab with the release of a whole new rucksack range for Spring 2014, a novel departure for the brand: 

Since established bag manufacturer Podsacs come from the same parent company, Equip, Rab haven’t started with a totally blank slate here. Indeed their designer Ben Manwaring worked on both rucksack ranges. As a result the new offerings are as functional, well-thought-out and robust as you might expect, bringing together the best of both brands, Rab say, and opening the product to a wider market via the Rab stockist base.

Robic nylon fabric is used throughout the range, tough but light with a PU coating for water and tear resistance. The new rucksack selection spans the sizes, with something for every activity from quick day walks and runs to full scale expeditions. At the top of the pile is the heavy goods vehicle Expedition 70 (£160), a beefy load carrier that does what it says on the tin. Then come the climb-oriented Super Alpine 55 (£140) and the Alpine 45 (£120) and 35 (£100), all of which feature removable lids, hip belts and internal frames for lighter-weight climbing. Stripping back the Super Alpine, for instance, reduces the pack weight from 1600g to a respectable 900g. Hillwalkers, runners and mountain marathon-ers are also catered for with the Dynamo 35 (£65), 25 (£45) and 15 (£35). Even the 35l version weighs less than 1kg, and though they are pared-back simple Rab haven't gone all-out for silly lightness, making no compromises on functionality or durability.  


Whether you're a rock climber walking in to a crag or an alpinist out for a single day route, a mid-size technical pack is what you are after. Here are a few that caught our eye:

Alpha FL 45/30 from Arc'teryx

Epic 35 from Black Diamond

New for Spring 2014, the Epic 35 is part of Black Diamond's updated pack line, a well-made 35-litre rucksack with all the essential features for rock, winter and alpine climbing, and nothing extraneous. It's a simple top-loading bag that minimalists can make simpler (and lighter) still by stripping off the floating lid, internal frame and hipbelt. To that end the lid attachment straps are girth-hitched on so that they're also removable - a nice little touch. But perhaps it's the fit that is the Epic's most distinctive feature. Unusually the shoulder straps are connected via a hidden length of steel cable, so that the whole arrangement moves as one as your torso twists and flexes. Together with the thermo-formed back panel and pivoting hip belt this 'ergoACTIV suspension system' (puhleeze) makes for a comfortable and free-feeling carry, since the pack moves with your hips rather than restricting how you move (if that makes sense?). Hip gear loops, a small pick pocket, removable velcro axe retainers, rope strap and removable crampon 'bikini' strap complete the package. All-in, the Medium size weighs a reasonable 1.49kg.   

The new range of packs from Black Diamond on shoe at OutDoor 2013  © UKC
The new range of packs from Black Diamond on shoe at OutDoor 2013
© UKC

Ascensionist pack from Patagonia

Roc 35 from Haglofs

ProLighter 30 from Millet

Miage from Salewa

Billed as a via ferrata sack for the Continental market the Miage also looks to be an ideal UK summer cragging and general hillwalking day pack. The classic top-loading lid is supplemented with an offset zipped front entry to help cut down on bag rummaging, and for the bits and bobs you need on the move like a water bottle or a phone there are additional side pockets (well, sleeves) plus a small zipped pocket on the hip belt. Slimline contoured shoulder straps give a good snug fit, while the back plate can be removed and bent to personalise the shape. Other features include a single elastic axe/pole attachment, under-lid rope tether and zipped valuables pocket. Given its robust construction and features the Miage is pretty light, the 30L version weighing 900g (£75) and the 36L model a reasonable 970g (£85).

The designer responsible for Salewa's Miage shows off the nice firm padding on the back  © UKC
The designer responsible for Salewa's Miage shows off the nice firm padding on the back
© UKC
The front opening zip on the Miage 30L pack from Salewa  © UKC
The front opening zip on the Miage 30L pack from Salewa
© UKC

Khumbu and Alto packs from Vango

To many of us the name Vango may be associated with school DofE expeditions and traditional walking and camping kit, but the Glasgow-based brand have some new technical products for Spring/Summer 2014 that might be worth a look. These packs incoporate a new back system featuring a corrugated foam backing that is intended to keep the air moving across your back for extra ventilation. The Khumbu comes in a 50L and also features a detachable waistband. The Alto is available in slightly smaller 30L and 40L sizes. While there's nothing groundbreaking here these are simple, functional bags.

The Vango 50L Khumbu rucksack with its corrugated wave foam back system  © UKC
The Vango 50L Khumbu rucksack with its corrugated wave foam back system
© UKC
The new Vango 50L Khumbu rucksack  © UKC
The new Vango 50L Khumbu rucksack
© UKC

If your plans are a bit grander, something in the greater ranges or a multi-day backpacking route closer to home, then you need a bigger pack built for heavy load carrying:

Metanoia from Lowe Alpine

In this video Clive Allen describes the story behind Geoff Lowe and his ascent of Metanoia in the late 1990s and the new pack that it has inspired.

Axiom Back System from Lowe Alpine

Lowe Alpine have also developed a new Axiom carriying system for all their load carrier packs. In this video Clive Allen describes the new system in relation to the Cerro Torre pack.

South Col 70 Outdry from Mountain Hardwear

Designer Travis Gaylord and Ueli Steck discuss the development and features of thee new South Col 70 pack from Mountain Hardwear.

Nanga from Vango

Here's a full-on trekking pack from Vango, at a very competitive £120. The body, in a lightweight ripstop nylon, has a 60 litre capacity, which extends to a further 10 litres by means of expandable bellows pockets and a floating lid - giving you a (reasonably) slimline pack when you want it, but more carrying room if needed. There are two ways to access the main compartment, the lid plus a huge zipped entry - a quick way to get at items you've stowed far down in the pack. With a back system that easily adjusts by sliding up or down an alloy bar, and a super-wide hip belt, the Nanga is built for comfortable load carrying. External extras include twin axe loops/pole retainers, elasticated side pockets and a nifty on-the-side handle for plane or train travel. Quite a lot of pack for your money.     

The Vango 60L Nanga pack  © UKC
The Vango 60L Nanga pack
© UKC
The opening front panel on the Nanga pack from Vango  © UKC
The opening front panel on the Nanga pack from Vango
© UKC
 

And finally something for the runner/walker/fast-moving alpinist wanting a lightweight technical pack built around the need for hydration on the move:

Fourteener 20 and 24 from CamelBak

Winner of an Industry Award for innovation at Friedrichshafen, the Fourtneener is a neat, well-designed day-bag that hits the shops in January 2014. It features the NV ('new ventilation') back panel, a series of independent raised mesh pads that help the pack to flex with the torso and create plenty of air gaps between the bag and your back for maximum ventilation. Packs with an air gap can tend to feel far out from the body - not great for load carrying comfort or balance - but the Fourteener manages to keep a body hugging fit with a nice close centre of gravity. Entry to the main bag is a zip, and there are several little external pockets and sleeves. A 3-litre CamelBak bladder and tube come as standard with these bags, and one feature we particularly like about the 'reservoir' is the new wider mouth, which is big enough to get your hand in for easier cleaning. The Fourteener 24 (ie. 24 litre capacity) has two axe loops and retails at £124.99; the Fourteener 20 with one loop and rather less external storage is £114.99 - and with these prices bear in mind that you get the bladder as well as the pack. 

The Fourteener 20 from Camelbak with its integrated water bladder  © UKC
The Fourteener 20 from Camelbak with its integrated water bladder
© UKC


Rocker 45 from Grivel

As a cragging / sport climbing pack, Steve Roberts from Grivel showed us the 45 litre Rocker. This features a large zip opening, lots of pockets/loops for organising gear as well as a tarpaulin/rope mate which you can lay out at the crag. This pack isn't a lightweight alpine rucksack, but is designed for carrying your craging gear to the cliff, and means you can get to all your stuff more easily than with a traditional backpack.

photo
Steve Roberts with the Grivel Rocker 45.
© Jack Geldard - UKC





31 Jul, 2013
I see you've gone back to videos as the main source of media in the articles. This upsets me. I liked the other articles which were mostly picture based!

Product News at UKC presents climbing, walking and mountaineering equipment posts that will be of interest to our readers. Please feel free to comment about the post and products on the associated thread.
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