UKC

Hey,

So I've had to cut a backpacking trip short due to the fact the shoulder padding on my rucksack completely collapsed. I've only had it for a year and isn't really worse for wear. I'm looking at something that will be bombproof. Any pointers in where to look? Is something like army surplus a good shout or better sticking with a more normal pack? 

Thanks

You don't say what the make of the duff rucksack was...

Deuter are tough, but will also probably be lighter than an army surplus bag. Often available at discounted prices at places like Sportspursuit.

I don’t know what modern army kit is like but some years back it the only good thing about it was that it was hard wearing.

Go to a shop and try something on, I think backpacking rucksacks are a little bit like boots and bike saddles: not everything fits everyone. I had an old PoD Black Ice which hurt my shoulders, now I have a Blue Ice Dragonfly which I barely notice. It’s not bombproof though and is a little too minimalist.

If you want a bombproof pack then look no further than Aiguille Alpine. Made in the Lakes and you can spec whatever you want.

My Osprey Atmos AG50 has has loads of use over many years - Cape Wrath trail completed and regular hillwalking / climbing photography trips heavily loaded - and is still as good as new. One of the things that helps is that it fits really well (and is adjustable) and most of the load goes through the hip belt, not the shoulder straps. 

It was vango

Have had several Lowe Alpine rucksacks - all bombproof.

Berghaus have lasted many years - shoulder straps on one are pretty frayed now, but it is about 35 years old and had pretty heavy use for the first 10, at least!

Arcteryx one is still looks like new, although the PU coating is starting to go sticky.

Otherwise, look at Osprey.

Osprey are excellent but obviously premium priced, though I picked up one of their bigger (90l) bags on Sportpursuit a year or so back for a lot less than the going rate (guess there's not much demand for that big).

I can get the OP's issue with Vango - the tents are decent provided you stay away from the budget end but I had a Vango rucksack years ago and it was rubbish, poor quality and the straps kept slipping.

Decathlon is the usual recommendation for cheap and cheerful but I don't have any experience of their larger sacs.

Some of their stuff is a bit quirky but if you don't need a huge sac Alpkit might be worth a look.

Funnily enough that was also an issue with it. All the straps kept slipping loose.

Probably going to find a hobo to give it to

Surprised that it failed that quickly.  OK they are very much at the budget end, but we buy loads for young people to use and rarely have issues with them.

For much more robust I have gone with Deuter. I've used a Guide 45+ for quite a few years now on loads of trips and it still looks new.