I was just about to buy a Karrimor Hot Earth 40l sack for scottish winter walking, they are £70 from field and trek, and I cannae find them anywhere cheaper, So before I buy, is there anything better I can get for my money, or can it be bought cheaper??

Ian

Thanks in advance!!!

Try the classiieds, there a Hot 45 in there, £30.

Si(C)

A great B-I-G Baga welcome to you Mr Halliday!

Have you heard of Google? It is one of those search engine thingies and, just like Si(C) says you can buy 2nd hand at £30.

Or, and it's a great big baga O-R you can buy new for less at
http://www.the-outdoorshop.co.uk/HTML/f_store_template.htm

(all you need to type into your broweser is www.the-outdoorshop.co.uk then follow the links to rucksacks)

The trouble is I cannot remember the price -doh- it was either 39 or 45 a little bit less than 70 dockeroonies wot!?

The ever pleasing baga smartypants

<|:-)

(personnally I prefer to see the kit before parting with my spondoolies)

Plenty of good packs around. The Karrimor's pretty decent - maybe could be lighter - but have a look at the stuff from... Pod, Macpac, Mountain Equipment, Osprey - if you're feeling generous - and Lowe Alpine. Oh, and the Berghaus Extrem packs aren't bad either, albeit aimed mainly at climbers.

Most of the retailers in our shopping section have clearance sections which are worth a browse, though with something like a pack, you really want to try it on, with a load, before buying and see what suits you. Particularly relevant if you have an unusually long or short back since the Karrimor is one back length only, others have options.

I really like my Craghoppers 40L pack, lots of ab tat to cinch it in and an omni-pocket which also makes a (much envied) sitmat with integral backrest.
Half-price from outlets as it's last year's model - 'bout £40 instead of £90-ish

try Aktive8.co.uk they have a sale on all karrimor gear with the hot rock at £40. I am not a big fan of karrimor gear myself (except for the old alpiniste fleece) but they seem to have some really good deals.I personally have had karrimor, lowe alpine, black diamond and osprey day sacks with the later being the best (but quite expensive)
Cheers
dave

I have a Lowe Alpine something-or-other 45L. Cost about £70. Very simple and comfy.

Also, YHA shops (manchester at least)are doing an (upto) 25% of sale this week.

Look around for the bargains.

Does anyone else keep one of those 99p sit mats in there pack for stops? much more comfy than wet rock or grass and they take up minimal room!

The Lowe Alpine 'Alpine Attack' comes in at c40L, has a built in bivvy mat, and all the bits to hang your winter hardware from. Not a freeflow-type back but still not bad at wicking the sweat away from your base layer. Nice colour-ways too!

Can't remember price, but I think c£60 at Joe Brown's in Llanberis.

Richard, yep I carry a sitmat and people rip the piss ALL the time. Until they've got a cold, wet butt and I haven't!

Si(C)

And me, best 99p I've ever spent. Though I do get fed up of packing up my rucksack after lunch, only then to find... Yup you've guessed it, I'm still sitting on the sitmat.

Which is why mine tends to end upon the outside of the rucksack, tucked under the compresion straps!!

Si(C)

Yep, me too...

I use a Marmot Scree for Scottish Winter. A little bigger at 47l but deeply comfortable and light. Seems robust too.

It was, however, rather expensive (£90?)
but money was burning holes at the time!!!

I have had a HOT30 for years which has seen much abuse (it was one of the first ones, so very old!). If the newer models are built to the same standard then you can't go wrong. They may weigh a wee bit more than the competition but are bomb proof!!!

That's why in the Karrimor Ridge 40-45 it has the sit mat as the back support. DOn't take it and the bag is lighter, and the back system floppier, take it and it's heavier but more rigid. Brilliant bag tho!

The Lowe Alpine Contour Event has an integrated sit mat/back padding.

I don't think it'd do as a winter daysack either. More a fast moving summer baggy.

Jon mentioned the Berghaus Extreme range. I have an Extreme Guide. 50L nice and bombproof. Built for the winter I believe, but it's about £100 (unless you can find it on offer somewhere). The only reason I got mine is 'cos it was an Xmas pressie.

I also have a 99p sitmat though. It insulates my platy from my body heat.

I'd second Alex about the Contour event. I've stolen Jon C's one, and its a great pack for summer stuff and ok if you're planning on going lightweight.

Not sure its the jobbie for winter.

Si(C)

Thankyou chaps,

Its been a while since I posted on here, as I left home and now living in dundee @ uni, I basically came up here for the ice clibing etc. Now i just need a reasonably priced pack, and as the karrimor fits me okay, I will probably go for that, although I did try a Grivel Alpine which is similarly priced as the hot earth. I should be able to get one even cheaper than the RRP at a club gear night :P

Ian

Ian - have you seen the write up about Osprey stuff? I think I'll give it a close scrutiny when it gets to the shops around here.

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