POD Sacs has some interesting new kit coming out for spring 2011, both in its traditional hardcore climbing area, but also a new range of innovative packs with pivoting hip-belts aimed squarely at multi-day backpackers. Here's a quick look at what's new.
POD Goes Light
First off, the familiar core POD range carries on, so indestructible classics like the Black Ice won't be disappearing, the same's true of the Alpine 30, 40 and 50, but they're joined by a new range of lightweight technical mountain packs called 'Lux'.
The new Lux packs will come in 45, 35, 25, 18 and 10-litre versions and use lightweight but tough fabrics and components, so the main body fabric is a 100D silicone-coated Cordura Nylon and there are Hypalon reinforcements and attachment points.
Detailed features depend on the capacity. The smaller, all-round 10 and 18-litre Luxes are panel loaders while the larger versions have a conventional lid-loading format. They all get stretch side pockets for easy stashing of kit on the go and apart from the two smallest ones, have removable frame-sheets to save more weight.
And speaking of weights, they're pretty light – the Lux 45 is 980g or 740g stripped down, while the Lux 18 is just 440g according to POD's own figures. A quick heft of the packs on the POD stand confirms feathery mass.
More Bombproof...
Also new are the Phoenix 55 and 45 packs. What makes them different is the fabric, a tough 65% Polyester / 35% cotton blend with wax proofing, that should be very water resistant and tough called Inca Canvas...
All quite reminiscent of Macpac's legendarily durable Aztec fabric packs, that are increasingly hard to find in the UK. Big, simple, single compartment packs. They're not particularly light at 1720g and 1640g respecitively, but you can lose a big chunk of that by stripping out the framesheet and alloy stave and removing the lid and hip-belt for lightweight summit pushes.
POD Goes Backpacking...
Finally POD has dipped an innovative toe into the multi-day backpacking market with two new sacs aimed at trekkers, the Sierra 50 and Sierra 65. At the heart of the new packs is something called the AnthroPOD load transfer system.
Bascially the hip-belt section of the back system pivots allowing a more natural walking action instead of splinting back and hips. That's not new in itself, Berghaus, Craghoppers and Mountain Hardwear have all produced similar systems, but the POD version pivots higher up at a point that, says POD, is the natural pivot point of the back.
The pivot itself is based on an industrial quality ball and socket joint and the movement can be limited or locked-off completely for balancey terrain, using the hip-belt tensioner straps. A quick try-on suggests AnthroPOD feels smooth and natural and we'll be interested to see how it performs with a full load.
The rest of the packs are classic POD with tough Cordura fabrics, length-adjustable harness, thermoformed back panels to shed snow and water – good move on a trekking pack at last - and lots more.
They're not exactly light at 3000g and 2850g respectively, but really effective, bombproof loadhaulers rarely are.
All the above available in early 2011. More details on the current POD Sacs range at www.podsacs.com.
