By Naki-Boy from Taranaki, New Zealand on 05/31/2008

Briefly -it has the most secure and easy to use axe & crampon attachment system there is and is tough and comfortable with some great added features. In more detail -this is the best pack I have used so far, and I have had many! At 55 litres it fits all my requirements. I can fit enough for a week in the Alps if I pack wisely and it's small and light enough for a day climb or a quick summit if I strip off the lid and compress the straps. There is a huge overload capacity when you need it. I like the big tough crampon pocket, I just dont trust sharp crampons attached to the outside of a pack with straps. The pocket securely holds your crampons somewhere that you can quickly and easily access them but when you re-pack them the ice melts off outside your pack, not inside, and the points are much less exposed. It's big enough to hold my G14's and gaiters too so the crampons aren't jammed too tightly to remove. The lid pockets are big and very well designed, one big one for all the things you want quick access to like sunblock, gloves, hat, balaclava, goggles, sunglasses, compact camera, snacks, etc, and one small pocket that I only use for my cellphone, which keeps it separate from everything else. On the underside of the lid is another pocket where I keep my first aid kit. The ice axe loops hold very tightly so the top of the axes don't sway around when you move and the picks are held secure and keep the sharp ends out of harms way. You can leave the top loop a little looser if you want to be able to reach behind and remove the axe without taking off your pack. I can fit one of my short ice tools and a walking axe into one loop so it can carry 4 tools all up. The internal bladder pouch is good and I found it easy to get the camelbak L-shaped mouthpiece through the exit hole unlike on some other packs, and there is a nice clip to hold the hose on the shoulder strap. The harness and straps are very adjustable and comfortable and don't loosen in use, the waist belt pivots and sits perfectly when loaded. The tough haul loops give you confidence. I had to make some velcro loops to keep the tails of the compression straps etc tidy, because they are long and flap about in high winds. I wouldn't cut them short though because they are useful if you want to overload the pack. I really like the side entry zip, I put my rainjacket and waterproof gloves in through it once I have fully loaded the pack and closed up the lid, that way I have quick access to them should it suddenly downpour and I don't have to rummage around trying to find them while getting soaked! The pack seems pretty waterproof and beads water on the exterior, though I pack all my gear in a range of waterproof bags. I think this is the best designed alpine pack out there!

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