UKC

I am looking for a rucksack of about 40 l (not for me) with the following features:

• no zip for accessing main compartment
• no stretchy mesh pockets
• conventional lid (i.e. not floating and not roll-top)
• single main compartment
• tough and long lasting (i.e. not the thinnest rip-stop nylon cloth)
• "wand" pockets - the intended user does not take a wand with him, but wants these for carrying his trekking poles
• back system which offers some support rather than just folding up, but on the other hand definitely not one of these "air-gap" back systems which are the curse of many smaller hillwalking rucksacks
• ideally with "document pocket" on inside of lid
• side or back pockets would also be nice, but I have to accept that these have fallen totally out of fashion and that side pockets are probably not compatible with "wand" pockets.

The intended use is from day walks up to longer hut to hut trips.

I currently use a Vaude Rupal 35+ for the same purposes, which I really like in most ways especially including the really tough thick rip-stop nylon cloth, but it has two points which I do not like:

• no pockets for trekking poles
• modern ice tool attachments - maybe great for carrying a pair of Nomics all the way from the car park to the icefalls at Cogne, but does not look as reliable or long-lasting as a traditional ice axe loop.

What I would like is essentially something like an old Deuter Guide, from the time when they were still made from Cordura and did not have a zip around the main compartment.

What do people recommend? (Apart from Ebay )

In reply to alex_th:

Deuter Guide

I either carry my poles naked (both one side, tip covers off), using the axe attachments for the wrist loops, or a separate pole bag (tip covers on) with the compression straps thru its carry handle - very useful for public transport.

In reply to alex_th: A sac to last a lifetime with many options to customise and any colour you want Just an old school bombproof and lightish sac from a really nice Lake District company

https://www.aiguillealpine.co.uk/product/rucksacks-bags/climbing-alpineruck...

In reply to leon 1:

seems pricey but I've got a couple of sacks ---

one of which is +25 years old and still as good as new, despite the abuse - The Zephyr 47 +10 (well the older equivalent). I've had other sack and this is the one I keep going back ot for climbing, multiday walks etc. Anything that requires proper load carrying.

I've also a 60l but i've trimmed most of my gear down these days so rarely get used. But when does ie taking camping and caving kit up to Gaping Gill it carries 20kg or more comfortably

In reply to leon 1:

Another vote for Aiguille Alpine. Super rucksacks, customise to your needs.

In reply to leon 1:

How stiff is the back system in the Aiguille Alpine rucksacks of that size? I have got a 33 l rucksack from them and I like it in many ways, but I find the back a little too soft and floppy. It is soft foam padding, but without any aluminium struts or a semi-rigid sheet of plastic.

In reply to leon 1:

Came to say the same. Simple. Built to last. Very hard to google much about them generally beyond their website/ insta though. Results tend to focus on Chamonix not Staveley!

In reply to alex_th: it's a fairly soft bivvy mat that does hold it's shape however as they are so customable I had Aguile add a removable metal stiffener to the back system which I find really helps with heavier loads. I also had the compression straps fitted with Fastex buckles just because that's what I wanted.

Give them a call and talk to Adrian the owner, he's really helpful and knowledgeable . Not the cheapest sacs but they do last really well and you can get exactly what you want .

In reply to Dunthemall:

I have the Deuter Guide and while it has many good points, the fabric just sucks up water like noone's business. I don't just mean that it's not waterproof; I actively have to dry off the pack itself as it gets sopping, which can take a few days without a radiator. (Consequently I never use the main compartment zip, as I have to put everything inside it in dry bags). 

The wire on the top of the frame is also annoying in whacking your head when climbing, but that's probably height dependent. Otherwise it's pretty comfy and very roomy.

My mate has the Lowe Alpine Halcyon, which looks pretty bombproof - def a tough-looking fabric and looks like a lovely pack - but it looks like they might have been discontinued sadly.

In reply to Queen of the Traverse:

From what I can tell, after Rab bought LA, the Halcyon was reskinned as the ascender.

In reply to jfefleming:

Good to know, ta. 

In reply to alex_th:

Karrimor SF Sabre 30

https://karrimorsf.com/collections/sabre

Tough, simple. Just lacks the inner lid pocket you desire. The back stiffener is a foam mat only.

In reply to alex_th:

I find packs are like climbing shoes, buy the one that fits. Few years ago I bought a Montane 40l after trying a Black Diamond that swayed as I walked and a Low Alpine that dug in my back. No way would I have been able to know this without trying them in store, fully loaded.

In reply to Toerag:

I would love one of those Karrimor SF rucksacks... if only it were possible to get them in colours more suitable for mountaineering. I even wrote to Karrimor SF a couple of years ago to ask whether they would make me a Sabre 45 in post office red. I didn't get a reply

In reply to alex_th:

Agreed, I have a black one as I don't want to be a 'war boy'. They'd sell loads if they went commercially-coloured.