Rucksack..

I am looking to buy a new rucksack that will put up with a lot of abuse and serve a multitude of purposes such as trekking and also a future rtw trip. I have had problems getting packs to fit properly as I've got quite a small back. Which is bast a fixed back or an adjustable one?

It sounds like a cop out, but whatever fits you best is the answer. Generally with adjustable back systems, you adjust them once to fit your back and that's it. Unless you lend the pack to someone else, that's how it stays, so if you can find a fixed-back system that fits you, it'll be fine. I think there was a Richard Gear question about rucksac buying, but the gist of it is that you should try the pack with a decent load in the shop - get the staff to chuck some ropes in - and get it adjusted to fit you.

For abuse-resistance, the classic packs to look at are those from MacPac, POD and the new range from Mountain Equipment with Lowe Alpine not far behind. They're all well made, tough packs that should see you through. I don't know who makes good short-back length packs I'm afraid, may be a case of just trying as many as possible till you find one that fits. I seem to remember that Jack Wolfskin - big in Germany but not so well known here - produces some packs with a short back length.

---

OutdoorsMagic Editor | jon@outdoorsmagic.com 

I don't think the Karrimor SA system goes particularly small, but you can always try it. Can't hurt can it?

I recently purchased a POD sac, and after a weeks rough use in the Dolomites and a trip to Snowdonia for some abuse on Tryfan its showing no signs of wear or damage. They make them in three back lengths, with the middle size fitting me at 5'8". I appreciate that back lengths can vary for people of the same height, but hopefully that'll give you a rough idea.

Si

I've had the same POD cragsac for about ten years now - it has been mountaineering all over the UK and is still incredibly intact - the only significant wear is on the shoulder strap where I stick my ice axe through in winter (not in summer... when my man servant carries it), stopped that with some Seamgrip. It's the most durable pack I've ever used and I'd buy another one tomorrow -also, take a look at this Richard gear question: Which
packs are the toughest?

---

OutdoorsMagic Editor | jon@outdoorsmagic.com 

Matt, I would go for a fixed back every time (if you can get one to fit, that is) - simpler, lighter, sturdier and more comfortable.

Like Simon, I am 5'8" and have a size 2 POD sac (the Black Ice). I have narrower shoulders than the average man, and this was the only male/unisex model that fitted me well - quite a bonus that it's also brilliantly designed and very hardwearing.

It might also be worth trying women's models to see if they're a better fit. They normally have a shorter back and narrower shoulders.

Andy Kirkpatrick has written a great feature for this month's Climber or High (forget which one) which covers everything you need to know about picking an expedition sac, and recommends some models.

It's High

---

OutdoorsMagic Editor | jon@outdoorsmagic.com 

Cheers for the advice. I've used the karrimor SA system before ( admittedly on a travel sack) but found it wasn't that comfortable and didn't transfer the weight very well. One of the most comfortable packs I've ever used was my girlfriends Canadian pack (Mountain Equipment Co-Op) but I don't know if you can get them over here (I'm probably wrong there!). The other thing is the most I can probably spend is about £140. I've seen the Macpac Traverse but I'm not sure what its like. I've also seen the Berghaus Talus (I think) on their web site but have no idea what its like.

MEC (Canada) will ship to the UK if you are a member of the co-op. Their own brand packs are now labelled "Serratus" and they still work out quite cheap. However it's a bit hit and miss getting stuff from North America, if you can't try it on first.
I have to say I have a ten year old Pod Explorer, built like a brick privvy and very comfortable for me (it was one of the old adjustible back models). In the last year the lid has started to delaminate and the elastic has gone, so a quick e-mail to POD and they knocked me up a new lid to the same spec for a good price and I'm sorted for another decade now.

Actually, I went to see the Berghaus rep, and they're bringing out a new back system, which has a wicked drying thingy (but you'll all hear abuot it soon enough - well within the next year), and they also have an adjusable, and yet fixed back system. Bascially you put your kit in, try it on, and see if it fits. Then change it to be more comfortable, and when you have it perfectly comfortable, there will be no need to change the back at all! It's pretty good, but nowhere near as good as their new back cooling system. I can't tell much (as it's hard to explain it), but when it comes out, all the other companies will be stealing it, sorry, changing their cool back system, to something totally different (which will be exactly the same).

I see... Actually I knew that Berghaus were updating their packs in a pretty major way, but you'll probably have to wait till the trade show in September before we have more details, though I'll try to dig something out before then.

---

OutdoorsMagic Editor | jon@outdoorsmagic.com