Gear

http://www.barrabes.com/shop/ski-gear/p-30319-d-1391-v-119719/vaude/powder-light-32.html

 if your in Belgium, Euro will help, Sterling is getting expensive recently

only fault i can say is i cant get my multimat to slide down the side have to put on top, nearly ran up hill because its so much lighter than i was used to.

its also very back hugging, in winter no probs

Thanks for all your advice.

I decided in the end to wait for the new Pod Lux 35. Looks exactly like what I wanted.

I've got an OMM32 which looks pretty much like the pod though I guess the pod is tougher being over a kilo.  I really like the OMM and wouldn't call it fussy but would like  something lighter and stronger.

One alternative possibly a bit more exotic (expensive) but lighter still and probably tough as i'ts made from dyneema, has anyone tried a Sixmoondesigns Swift or the more minimalist Z Packs Dyneema X 20 or Blast X 20?  

My OP was for a simple sack. But I decided in the end that I would still like a proper hip belt and wand pockets and that I didn't want something too delicate. The Pod Lux looks like a good fit for what I'm after.

John, looks like the rk3 has no hip belt - how do you find that? And isn't it sweaty against your back? I thought the same about the much cheaper Alpkit Gourdon which got a few recommendations.

Sorry Ben, I see I missed your request for further info ...

As it happens... I have acquired an rk30 myself since posting praise about the ak30. I've not had a chance to really test the rk30 but there are a lot of refinements (and a couple of compromises) since the ak30. 

Firstly, the rk30 does have a small zip pocket behind the haul loop which has a sturdy water resistant zip. It's a good size for a few essentials but much smaller than the typical accesories pockets on 'feature' laden packs. I really like this feature as - much as I applaud the minimalism of the ak30 - it was a bit of a pain to have to dig into the pack for the little items you might need quickly. 

The back system of the rk30 is much more forgiving using much the same padding as the larger ak packs. I've used my ak57 in the French Pyrenees in Summer with no particular problem of sweaty backs above and beyond any other pack design (including a trampoline-back daysack). So this bodes well. The shoulder straps are also more flexible which should help as the ak30 ones could cause a bit of rubbing due to their stiffness. 

There are no wand pockets on the rk30 which is a bit of a shame but, I understand, crux have found no satisfactory way of attaching them (all other seams are welded). It's not  critical but on that regard the ak30 was slightly more convenient. If you want to do ski-mountaineering then this might be more of an issue but for my purposes this is a minor drawback. The ak wand pockets are too small for most waterbottles anyway.

The rk30 has also gained a few grammes over the ak30. I suspect most of this is due to the extra coating of the keprotec which really does seem to be up to the full waterproofing of a kayak roll-top bag. I'd say the ak30 was highly water resistant but the rk30 is as watertight as any pack I've seen. There aren't any stitch holes or drink-tube portals so it's a dry bag with a back system.

Both ak30 and rk30 have very minimal waistbelts which serve to stabilise the pack more than transfer weight to the hips. It's designed as a climbers bag to carry higher on the shoulder over a harness. That said, I've never felt that I needed to get the weight off the shoulders as the design transfers weight to the spine by being in close contact and I'm often surprised how comfortable quite heavy loads can be. 

It's something of a philosophy adapting to such a simple bag design but I really like it and have many good experiences of crux / lightwave and their customer services so can wholeheartedly recommend them. I'm sure they won't suit everyone but that's the beauty of having choice in the market. 

I'm not sure where you're based, Ben, but if you're ever in Cambridge or London I could let you try one out.