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REVIEW: Ortlieb Atrack Pack

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 UKC/UKH Gear 21 Sep 2022

It may be overkill as a simple crag pack, says Toby Archer, but this fully waterproof zipped rucksack from German luggage specialists Ortlieb would excel in a variety of soggy uses from wet weather backpacking to packrafting. 

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 Toerag 21 Sep 2022
In reply to UKC/UKH Gear:

Interesting.  I have an old Jack Wolfskin 'Spider' 60l pack that has a nearly full-length zip as well as a normal top opening and it's a fantastic crag pack due to the zip.  If the zip holds up on this then it should last far longer than your average cordura pack and consequently make the price tag worthwhile.

Post edited at 18:03
 Mal Grey 21 Sep 2022
In reply to UKC/UKH Gear:

Thanks Dan. These are indeed on my radar, for when my current "day" waterproof canoe bag wears out. so its good to get such a detailed review. Actually that should be "if my current one wears out" as my simple Alpkit Gourdon has lasted nearly 8 years of being chucked around the dirty wet bottom of my canoe, but isn't nearly as strongly made as Ortlieb stuff.. 

I've also found Lyon's response to faults or just repairs to be excellent. 

 TobyA 21 Sep 2022
In reply to Toerag:

>  If the zip holds up on this then it should last far longer than your average cordura pack and consequently make the price tag worthwhile.

I've gone a bit backwards and forwards on this - I'm a big user of crags packs and think they are great. But I reckon a chunk of the not insignificant price for the Atrack is its waterproofness. If you used it just as a crag pack I reckon you could potentially end up damaging the material enough to stop it being waterproof. It doesn't seem fragile (beyond the fault they fixed on the review pack) but if you are paying 200 quid for a pack that it waterproof mainly using it to drag along the base of cliffs seems a bit silly. 

I'm still regularly using the Arcteryx Miura from this review https://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/rucksacks/medium/crag_packs_for_trad_climbe... it is still going great, no holes no problems more than a decade later. I don't think Arcteryx is doing anything comparable now, but there are plenty of crag packy things from various brands that look like they might last equally well and still are nearly half the price of the Atrack.

It is a very clever design but I still feel if you aren't relying on it to keep your stuff dry even in total immersion situations, it is a rather expensive rucksack!

 TobyA 21 Sep 2022
In reply to Mal Grey:

> Actually that should be "if my current one wears out" as my simple Alpkit Gourdon has lasted nearly 8 years of being chucked around the dirty wet bottom of my canoe, but isn't nearly as strongly made as Ortlieb stuff.. 

My Alpkit Gourdon is 11 years old and still works fine! I've also used it for throwing in kayak quite a lot in the past too - https://lightfromthenorth.blogspot.com/2012/06/alpkit-in-operation-kayak-to... but actually I used it again for that just last month when I was back in Finland on holiday. They are great, particularly as - when I bought mine - they were 20 quid.

 99ster 22 Sep 2022
In reply to TobyA:

> I'm still regularly using the Arcteryx Miura from this review https://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/rucksacks/medium/crag_packs_for_trad_climbe... it is still going great, no holes no problems more than a decade later. I don't think Arcteryx is doing anything comparable now...

Funnily enough...they've just released a new 'crag' pack (2 sizes):

https://arcteryx.com/gb/en/shop/konseal-40-backpack

https://www.arcteryx.com/gb/en/shop/konseal-55-backpack

Post edited at 00:03
 magma 23 Sep 2022
In reply to TobyA:

have used my Gourdon 30l most days for about 5 years now. closure strap has come away from fabric and a few holes developing but good enough to order again- 20l with bungee straps this time.

Post edited at 13:00
 TobyA 23 Sep 2022
In reply to 99ster:

> Funnily enough...they've just released a new 'crag' pack (2 sizes):

Those do look both sensible and smartly designed.

Paging Editor Dan, paging Editor Dan... if Arcteryx want one reviewed, you know who to call!  

 tjin 23 Sep 2022

I had one and sold it. Got a ortlieb duffel instead. 

For a duffel; i want a fairly light top side, so the top keeps open when i dig in it. I want the bottom side to be reinforced to sustain the abrasion of putting it on the ground.

For a pack; I want more accesability without having to take off the pack. The carry system is fairly heavy, but is comfortable.

 TobyA 23 Sep 2022
In reply to tjin:

If you don't mind me asking, what was your reason for buying an Atrack in the first place? I guess if a duffle does the job, you don't need to carry your waterproof bag any distance?

 tjin 23 Sep 2022
In reply to TobyA:

I wanted both a duffel and a backpack replacement and this is something in between/both. ALso wanted to squeeze my things in a small duffle. Hoped for a best of both world, but turned out for me, neither. Obviously that is personal. 

I now just have a backpack and duffel again. 


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