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Vango Super Canyon
50+10
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Price:
£55.00
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Weight: 1790 grammes
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Features:50+10
litres capacity, adjustable carry system, AirForce
ventilation system, malleable frame chassis, padded
hip-belt, wicking polyester mesh on back contact points,
hydration system compatible, detachable rain cover,
expansion side pockets, side compression straps, twin
ice-axe/walking pole attachment loops, daisy chain on front,
hidden body map pocket, key clip in main body of
sac.
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Winter/weekend backpacking sac at a good price
Some details don't quite work
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 Vango
has a reputation for making sturdy, reliable kit at a reasonable
price and the Super Canyon slips effortlessly into that tradition.
Side by side with expensive top-end sacs from other manufacturers,
you notice that the Canyon is, well, rougher round the edges really -
webbing loops don't feel as finished, seams aren't quite as neat.
It's hard to define, but you definitely know it.
At 55 quid however, you're getting a lot for your money - note
there's also a 40 plus 8 litre version at a mere £45 - the
specification is impressive with an adjustable back system, rain
cover, big expandable side pockets, a fold-away rain cover, ice axe
loops, side compression straps etc., etc.
The basic construction also looks good with a reinforced base and
tough-feeling Excel 600 body fabric. And at 50 + 10 it's large enough
for winter day use and weekend backpacking trips. Where it does lose
out to the more sophisticated competition is in the back system and
quality of foam padding. The hip-belt for example, uses a
single-density foam with no contoured shaping. The best versions have
a softer inner foam coupled with a denser, harder outer layer.
 The
back is also adjustable for length with the shoulder straps and pads
free to slide along a single, centrally-mounted, malleable alloy
stave, the adjustment being fixed using a single buckle on a webbing
strap which is tucked away behind the lumbar pad. In use we found the
pack okay with medium loads, but the strap tended to slip slowly
through the buckle so you were constantly re-adjusting it.
You might be able sort it by adding some strategic Velcro, but it
really ought to work right out of the box. On top of that, the back
padding is relatively unsophisticated, with square-ish padding only
at top and in the lumbar region and some users found that the pack
pressed uncomfortably against their back. Definitely one to check out
carefully before buying.
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Verdict:Lots of features for the
money, solidly made, and at a good price, but the sac's let
down by the cheap and cheerful adjustable back system. We
had two main grouses - grice? - one was that the length
adjustment buckle slipped changing the adjustment of the
pack in use and necessitating regular fiddling on the trail,
the other was that the padding of both hip belt and main
back areas was unsophisticated, and while it was just about
okay with lighter loads, with heavier burdens, comfort
became marginal. There are worse around however and the
Super Canyon is good value.
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Performance
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Value
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Pushed for time:
Good value, loads of features, reasonably comfortable
but unsophisticated back system can let it down, especially
with heavier loads.
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