Anyone have any experience of Aiguille packs?

I've been thinking of buying one of their expedition packs (modified for me with a hydration system sleeve). Are they as bombproof as their website makes out? and are they comfortable?

Sorry lots of questions but thanks in advance.

<I'm told that posting twice increases the chances of a thread being seen>

They are excellent. I have one - the Verte. I've certainly found mine very comfortable. I searched for years to find a rucsac to replace my aging & hammered Lowe Fitzroy & the Aiguille fiited the bill perfectly. The back system is based on the older Lowe Parallux system which is a solid, no-frills design. I like a single compartment sac as well & they were not easy to find in a big sac. I don't use it as much as I used to as I've lightened & downsized my load recently but it will come out for longer trips with bigger loads.

Thanks, the one concern I had about the packs is that despite being so bombproof I thought the adjustable part of the back system might be a weak link?

The system Aiguille uses looks pretty robust. It's the same style as on my old Lowe & that part of the sac is still fine after 20 years. After about 15 years the straps on the top tensioners started to slip as they'd got a bit smooth but I guess that would happen with any sac. My Aigulle is only about 3 years old but I expect it to last a long time. Aiguille make stuff for rescue tems, emergency services & outdoor centres & Adrian the gaffer really cares about quality & good service. If you buy one you'd also be supporting an independent UK manufacturer.

Quality, I'm all for supporting UK ,manufacturers.

Thanks for all your help BTW, I'll give them a bell tonight.

Superb, Fantastic, Best sacks I've ever had

I had 3 but now ones been nicked I'm down to 2.

The back system is great, they last for ever, are bomb proof and have a life guarentee.

Its well worth talking to them as if you are not bothered waiting they will customise your sack for you to your own needs and back length.

The MRT & North sea oil riggs use them so they come highly praised :)

I used a aiguille 75 litre pack on the Continental divide trail in america for 6 months. I had it made up in a lighter material- 420 packcloth. the pack was superb. The only wear was some discoleration due to UV, and slight wear on one of the webbing straps. The back system is a bit on the old fashioned side but is pretty bombproof.

Cheers for all the help guys, bought a Aiguille Jorasses (75lt) in the end, took it on a 4 week arctic expedition, and it coped well with carrying and pulking loads of up to 30 kg (carrying) and 35 kg (pulking). It's still in one piece as is my back. Damn good packs.

Hi Dave - glad the new sac worked out. I didn't think you'd be disappointed!

OT - but what pulk do you use?

One of the Snowsled plastic jobs (the orange ones) with metal tracers at times and a bigger and more substantial Fjellpulken pulk at others.

http://www.snowsled.com/polar/pulks_plastic.htm
and http://www.fjellpulken.no/indexe.htm (under touring on the side menu)

We didn't use skis on account of the surface conditions (too little snow) so it was cramponing all the way...

I have to say I was impressed that the sack had D rings in a perfect position to clip tracers into!