Haglofs Roc 35

New in for review is the Haglöfs Roc 35 mountain pack, the Swedish company's no frills rucksac which they say is 'designed for maximum function and durability'.

And it does feel like a tough old thing. It uses two types of Polyamide - Nylon to you - with 840D Ballistic stuff in streategic areas like the base and centre front of the pack. At 1500 grammes, it's solid but not insanely heavy and the back system has a reassuringly solid feel that augurs well for hauling climbing hardware and winter paraphanalia. Attachment points are mostly reinforced with Hypalon fabric, which is a nice touch.

That back uses a removable HDPP framesheet with a single  6061 aluminum stay and dual glass fibre rods for reinforcement. It's also contoured so it sits slightly higher than most packs and conforms to the contours of your back nicely. The hip-belt is removable, as is the lid if you want to save a bit of weight.

Generally it's a simple beast but with a solid quality feel to it. A couple of things we're not quite sure about are the ice-axe lower attachments which use quick release snap buckles that we suspect may freeze in really bleak Cairngorm conditions, the upper attachments are shock cord, and the mesh-covered foam on the back, which again may attract and hold snow.

We like the smooth inner face of the straps though, which should minimise jacket abrasion and shrug off spindrift along the way. There are no wand pockets, if that bothers you, and no double snow closure at the top, but you do get an under-lid rope strap and three lid pockets along with some nice detailing like the chunky zip-pulls.

Feels like a tough, no-nonsense, good quality mountain day pack, More when we've had the chance to use it properly.