Macpac Glissade

John Butterfield
Reviewed: 18 September 2011

Outstanding

This has to be one of the most comfortable rucksacks available today. Great load carrying capacity and weight distibution, bombproof material, YKK zips throughout and really, really tough feel overall.

A little on the heavy side, however, the weight of the material adds to the overall strength.

If you are looking for a rucksack that is going to outlive you and your grandkids, buy the MacPac Glissade.

Mark Swift
Reviewed: 23 June 2009

ATOMIC BOMB PROOF!

Build quality
Load bearing
Love the front pocket which takes a 2 ltr hydration pouch

Wieght

Great bit of kit - i opt'ed for this over many light weight variants as i wanted the quality and load bearing. It soaks the weight up and its very comfortable

Montgomery Wick
Reviewed: 15 December 2008

BOMBER, A FEW NIGGLES

Tough, simple, comfortable even with big loads.

Bottle pockets should be elasticated, to stop bottles slipping out; I've rigged up short lengths of cord and mini-krabs to solve this (the lack of a bladder pouch was a plus point for me, I don't like them).
Lower compartment plus associated zip and flap - what's the point? I've considered cutting out the flap to reduce weight, but haven't because it'd impact resale value. If companies insist on adding these lower sections, make the access via a usable curved zip rather than straight across.
Improved wand pockets, maybe sitting inboard of the bottle pockets, as currently it's a faff locating poles etc in the same space as a bottle.

I've been using this bag for about 18 months, bought specifically for big load carrying, in areas where I have to carry all my food for a week or more. The comfort was a revelation after my (very) old Lowe Cerro Torre II pack. It feels heavy when you heft it, but once on your back you don't really notice it because the harness is so comfy.

I don't think the rucsac is the place to shave grammes when you're cramming weeks worth of stuff into it. Having said that, weight could be safely taken off by using modern, lighter fabrics. Coupled with the weaknesses mentioned above, I'm not sure I'd buy it again, but don't anticipate replacing it anytime soon, if only because it's tough that I can't imagine it ever wearing out!

Unicycleboy
Reviewed: 13 August 2008

FANTASTIC BUT HEAVY

Waterproof (mostly), Durable, Great harness

Heavy, Nowhere for a hydration bladder

A great pack, I've used heavily for the past 2 years and it hasn't even started to show signs of wear. The pack is almost waterproof although after a heavy day of rain there can be some dampness around seems - although I've never experienced puddles of water in my bag at all - so a good idea to use a liner. The harness is great, I've never had any problems with my bag or shoulders after walking for several days with large loads.
Altogether a great pack, however if you are not planning on carrying very large loads I would go for a slightly lighter pack.

Paul R
Reviewed: 05 April 2007

BOMBPROOF BUT HEFTY

Tough, tough, tough. Harness works perfectly: a pack that feels impossibly heavy when you heave it off the ground seems light when you do up the harness, and it feels comfortable all day.

Heavy on the scales (but doesn't seem it on your back); no dedicated hydration pocket (though the front pocket can hold a 2-litre PLatypus)

It's never going to win favour with the superlight crew, but if you want something that'll take any amount of abuse and carry superbly, it takes some beating. Expensive to buy, but it will probably outlast anything else, so excellent value.