Does anyone know of any big stores in West Yorkshire that have a large range of Rucksacks I can go take a look at e.g. especially Deuter and Lowe Alpine? I tried Cotswolds, Blacks and Millets in Leeds but not much doing there. I did though nearly slobber all over the ME gore jackets downstairs in Cotswolds though despite wanting an eVent jacket; the Mountain Eqpt gore stuff is incredible. Quality is excellent. Cheers, John
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 West Yorks shops
Go Outdoors Middleton near Wakefield
Backcountry Ilkley
Cotswolds in Leeds have a pretty small range of big sacks but lots of daysacks
Chevin Trek Otley
Facewest Otley?
Mountain Intelligence Leeds
What size bag are you after?
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 What used to be Allan Austins at Salts mill in Saltaire. Cant remember what the name has changed to now, but one of his employees bought it off Allan when he retired last year and has since changed the name of the shop.
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| Edited: 10/02/10 07:40 |
 Depends how fixed you are on those two brands (LA/Deuter). Mountain intelligence seem to have some nice sacs but not those two. LA seems easier, from websites at least: Ellis Brigham report multiple LA packs on their website and a store in Castleford. Outside in Hathersage seem to have a few LA sacs on their website. Deuter is a bit harder. Actually Cave and Crag in Settle seem to have a pretty extensive stock of both LA & Deuter things from their website. North Yorkshire (I suppose?) mind 
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Have a look at the Springfield camping site listed in the shopping partners bit at the side of the page, there based in halifax. Very helpfull.
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 Treat yourself to a day out in Ambleside or Keswick - the places are awash with rucksacks. Or, you could try Ultimate Outdoors in Skipton;neither in West Yorkshire, I know, but Skipton at least is easy to get to!
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 Speaks of Keighley?
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Thanks! I was looking for 65 to 80 L rucksack. I should be able to get to the places mentioned in Ilkley, Halifax and Wakefield without any problems. Leeds is a great city for shopping in general but really sucks for outdoor stuff.
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John, I'm sure you will get a good rucksack. However, why are you going for such a big rucksack?
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Nigel, I'm looking for something to replace my 85L one I presently have. I am hopefully going to be downsizing by 10L to a 65-75L one max. I believe modern backpacks like LA and Deuter are more useful and better designed so I should be able to go down somewhat and also since Scotland last year I believe I should be able to lose a bunch of things anyway from backpack. It is for backpacking where I'm going to be away out in the middle of nowhere for a few days at a time, so I need to be able to take my Nammatj2 with me and to accomodate plenty of water in hydration bladders maybe 200 to 300fl oz (6 to 8 litres) Those are what will take up most of the room. Other than that I need to take a change of clothes with me. Main use is going to be in Cape Verde while I'm on Santo Antao and also other Islands Hiking out for a few days at a time. I am going to be in Cape Verde for 25 days so that is all I will have with me. Everything I need will just be in one backpack. Clothes, shoes, suncream, water, tent, maps, travel guide. Also will be using in the Highlands of Scotland when I'm fishing in the wilderness and staying out for a few days at a time. I like taking my time even when going up different peaks and stop every so often to appreciate the view. John
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Google Aiguille Alpine in Staveley.
They get excellent reviews
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john, still seems a lot of weight & gear to carry. Are these places devoid of running water, use a filter (e.g. Travel Tap) and carry less water? Hilleberg is highly regarded in this forum, I'm not familiar with the Nammatj2 but I see it is 2.8KG and packs to 18inchx6inch. Now I've owned only 5 tents but it was only once I really downsized the tent so its packed volume shrunk could I also really shrink the backpack size. I looked at a range of tents 2 years ago and eventually went for the Terra Nova Laser Comp because its packed size is noticeably smaller for a 2-layer 1-person and I found its insides and its porch sufficient. This is not obvious til you pick up packed TNLC. I am seeing with interest the tarptent and bivis concepts just I need to see one for myself. I have shrunk from 75L down to 35L backpackover 25 years. The two investments I have yet to make is in a good sleeping bag (say waiting for a PHD sale), currently my summer bag is a Vango venom 225 which struggles below 5c, and move away from my Trangia which is more an emotion tie to old-faithful than logic.
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Yes, Cape Verde is unfortunately devoid of water. It only rains in July August time if they're lucky. It has been known to be a drought for upto 20 years without any rainfall at all. Scotland doesn't have that same problem but part of the reason I got Nammatj2 is for midge proof mesh. Now I made the investment in the Hilly it may he many years before I get something smaller... I will always have that for Scotland though for added protection. The weight and size doesn't bother me too much I coped quite well in Scotland with 85L. I will have a smaller rucksack for single day use but I think 65~75 is going to be absolutely necessary for me especially to carry the Hilly, sleeping bag, water etc, depending on where I go I wont always need to bring everything with me and wont need to use all the space, but its there if I do need to. It will be the only thing I have with me in CV though and I'm going to be there 25 days and only staying in accommodation every few days or so. Rest of the time I will be out exploring or travelling between islands and places. Cheers, John
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