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It's going to be used for general hillwalking, including winter trips.
Looking at 30l (ish), stable, must have proper hip belt, couple of pockets. Under £80 of I can.
I've just bought a women's Gregory 24l which seems superb, but this is needing to be tad bigger capacity and for one of the lads.
So far I've come up with Lowe Alpine AirZone Trail 30, Osprey Skarab 34, Montane Trailblazer 30, or super cheap Montane Featherlight 30...(edit:Vaude Jura 30 as well)
Has anyone had any of the above?
Can’t help with any of those. Faded purple Aguille Alpine 40l here that matches my scabby Buffalo mountain shirt!
Matt.
Have you looked at Deuter?
My old Futura 30L is the bag I grab most even if I am not taking much,lots of adjusment and (for me ) very comfi however much is in it.
@matt_outandabout - Have you looked at the Vaude Wizard bags? we got a 24+4 a few years ago from Amazon at a a ridiculously low price. It's very good, has an adjustable back, raincover, lots of small pockets and a main compartment. They come in a lots of sizes too such as 30+4
FWIW, we've picked up a lot of Vaude and Marmot clothes/kit from Amazon over the last 5 years. The prices fluctuate a lot but can be very low indeed.
Faded purple Aguille Alpine 40l here
It would match my faded purple Karrimor Alpiniste 60 and faded black LoweAlpine Alpine Attack. Sadly, a 19 year old doesn't share my taste in fashion....
@fasthaggis - yes, he has a Deuter 55-60 as his big bag. I will look more.
@ElShalimo - again, we have a Vaude 50-60lt as one of the other boys 'big' bag, and I have just retired two Vaude mtb bags after 20+years of hard service. Will go and look again, although the Jura looks good.
With him doing some more winter stuff, and looking at possibly more bothy stays, I think we need 30+ litres.
PMd you matt.
Decathlon Simond mountaineering bags...
matt_oab - ygm
OMM classic 32L, you should be able to find a discounted one under £80
I am a big fan of lightwave rucksacs. Mine is totally waterproof and very light but still all the features you need. (altho Mrs TJs now leaks after several years use)
A bit above your budget tho but quality and the waterproofness reduces the need for drybags ie only the stuff that MUST keep dry needs to go in one - saves a bit of weight and cost
http://www.lightwave.uk.com/products/rucksacks/fastpack
Osprey Talon 33
The 'cockroach' of the rucksack world (aside from the mesh bits!)
It's slightly out of budget, but the Lowe Alpine Altus packs are brilliant, solid, all-rounders and a really comfortable carry, I'm using the 42 but there's also a 32L version. I'd take one of those over the AirZone every time. The 42:47 is ace, btw, carries a day-load fine without that horrible underloaded flop to it, but will also expand enough to carry a lightweight weekend-packing load without overwhelming the chassis.
I like the Gregory, but it sometimes feels a bit over-complicated. Not used that particular Osprey, but you generally know what you're getting there - decent design, neat features, semi-disposable mesh pockets. I have used the Montane Trailblazer, as long as you don't expect to use it for too much running - it's supposed fast-packing or hiking or something from memory but uses some running pack-type chassis ideas, it's pretty decent, but more floppy / less solid than the Altus for example.
I like all the retro pack love on here, but honestly, for general mountain walking use, modern stuff is generally much nicer and the likes of Lowe Alpine and Osprey have nailed foam densities, chassis design etc.
BWD
I got a Gregory for one of my lads after you mentioned them on here,as you say they do have a lot of straps/fixings going on and initially I did think it felt a bit delicate ,but it's very light and he likes it.
I've got a Blue Ice Warthog 40 - very good sack. They also do a smaller one I think but I find 40L the perfect size for winter when your howfting lots of gear and clothing. As a side, my small terrier fits in there perfectly... Designed in the Chamonix for hardcore winter alpine climbing or ski mountaineering but equally suited to Scottish winter mountaineering.
My smaller sack is a Sumiteer Crag Rocket which is around 25L - made in the Lakes and quite a small start up company - I think the designer used to work at Aiguille Alpine. Also highly recomended - possible the most simple / light weight bag going! I think some would miss all the pockets and other gubbings but once you get into the jedi mastery minamalism of it it's very good.
Both carry axes, walking sticks, crampons etc with ease and have proven to be robust, comfortable amd reliable.
I would go somewhere like go outdoors and try the options on. I tried Lowe alpine altus, deuter trail 30 and osprey talon. Lowe alpine had comfiest belt, osprey comfiest back and deuter was written off as I disliked the double ridge back panel. Lowe alpine felt much more rugged than the others. I went with osprey in the end as the best compromise of comfort and happy with it so far! Something like £63 by using go outdoors price match.
Edit - it strikes me this suggestion isn't very practical in lockdown...
BWD
I got a Gregory for one of my lads after you mentioned them on here,as you say they do have a lot of straps/fixings going on and initially I did think it felt a bit delicate ,but it’s very light and he likes it.
That's good to hear. They do make really nice packs. I think historically a lot of pack brands had to play catch-up when Osprey appeared on the scene, but Gregory and Lowe Alpine in particular have really upped their game. Lowe Alpine's latest climbing packs are really well thought out for example. If anyone wants something more traditional and tough, Fjällräven, if you can afford the price-tag, does some ace no-nonsense walking packs.
Edit – it strikes me this suggestion isn’t very practical in lockdown…
or a surprise birthday present. 😀
I bought a Deuter air contact 40+10 after 3 visits to the outdoor shop to try stuff out. It's been on 3x 6hour walks with the family and I'm happy. The removable top pack is a bit odd at first. The Deuter trail didn't spread the load well enough for an all-day outing.
Bit bigger than you asked maybe, but I've got a Macpac Amp 40 that I love. Light, comfy, and well abused over the years but still standing up well
I needed to get a bigger sack for my MBL course, and planned to use it for ski touring, winter hill trips as well. After a lot of deliberation I went for an Ortovox Haute Route (32 L). It has become the pack I use for everything. It swallows gear, fits well and is extremely stable when loaded, and the multiple compartments work really well if you're riding in winter and carrying tools/clothing/first aid kit and survival bag etc. Bit more than your budget, but they're built to last. 15% off at Absolute Snow right now.
Thanks all - I've bought the Osprey Skarab 34 for him. £59.
👍
Load of Lowe alpine on sports pursuit at 60 per cent off if its any good to you.