Lifeventure daysack review

When we go on holiday we use the same principles for packing our bags as we do for hiking.

So we weigh everything, don't take items which can be sourced locally, don't take towels or hair driers, don't take items which are "Just in case" and make sure that in total the bags weigh less than 5kilo's so that we can take them into the plane as hand luggage.

This years trip to Greece was only for one week and Sheila's bag which believe it or not included 7 dresses weighed 3.8kg and mine which didn't included 7 dresses weighed 4.8kg. Has she sneaked something into my bag i wondered.

Anyway this lightweight philosophy is definitely the way to travel. So when i received an email in Greece from Rachel at Siverfox Travel Outdoors,  asking me if i would like to review a rucksack or any other product i immediately wondered if i could get an even lighter sack than our current OMM sack.

Upon arrival home i studied the website and was stuck for choice. A couple of sleeping bags and numerous backpacking sacks caught my eye as well as a lightweight stove and a number of other items.
Considering that i had kindly been offered to choose anything from the site i was definitely in 2 minds what to choose.

I eventually stuck to my plan to look for a lighter travel pack which would double for a daypack too.
I chose the Lifeventure black packable 18L daysack.

{Lifeventure packable daysack}

The pack weight is specified as 325gr and so it was good to see that my sack was actually 320gr. That's a 230gr saving over my OMM sack.

 The Lifeventure sack is 18 litres in size and is made from black ripstop nylon. When you receive it, it is in it's neat stow away guise which includes a carry handle and a mesh zipped pocket and behind it an open sleeve.

 Unzipping the pouch and turning inside out, reveals the day sack and the pouch then becomes the front pocket of the sack. Complete with secure mesh pocket and behind that an open sleeve. Just below the main compartment zip there is also a separate zipped pocket which has 2 expanding gussets.

 Each side has a handy mesh pocket that suits 500ml water bottles  and also a compression strap.

 The back of the sack is unpadded. The unshaped shoulder straps are heavy duty mesh with adjusters and also have a small pocket on each strap that have elasticated closures. Suitable for items like glasses, keys, sweets, small change etc but not big enough for phones or GPS.

The main compartment zips approximately 180 degrees and the inside is coated with a waterproofer. It doesn't have a separate compartment for hydration bladder.

All the zippers are YKK.

I have found it a comfy carry and the shoulder straps are far enough apart not to chaff your neck. This can sometimes be a problem with small sacks but not with this one. I found the straps had a tendency to slip off the shoulder especially when i was wearing a smooth outer jacket but less so when wearing just a fleece. I will resolve this by adding an elasticated chest strap. 

The sack does not have a hip belt and it doesn't need one. The shoulder straps are adequate at restricting movement.

It's an ideal sack to take with you on longer trips. With it being light and packable it's easily stowed in a larger backpack. Also just an ideal size and weight for quick trips to the shops.

Sheila has already decided it will be ideal for her gym gear. So it looks like i have lost it already.
I will have to buy another one. It costs £19.99
I wish it had a key clip in one of the secure pockets. I will add one.

Mammut Creon Light 45Lt plus (2746 cu in.)

  Getting my hands on this rucksack has certainly been challenging. I had tried to get hold of one, or at least have a look at one prior to going to New Zealand. Without success.


  In a similar vein, i had also simultaneously tried to get an Osprey Hornet 46 from a European supplier but was told by Osprey Europe that they were not going to sell it in the UK and probably not in Europe. I knew that it was being sold in New Zealand, so i thought i would hang on and look at it when i got to Auckland.

I printed off the Mammut retailers in New Zealand and if we were anywhere near the locations i called in with great hopes.
The main retailer, Mountain Designs, have branches in many places and we were going to pass quite a few of them.

  We landed in Auckland, and map in hand searched out Mountain Designs for the Mammut and Bivouac for the Osprey Hornet 46. Bivouac was a well laid out shop, but as i was to learn very quickly, when you enter the shops in NZ the staff are on to you faster than a Scottish midge on exposed skin.. Very polite, but overpowering to these Brits.
Some of my dry sense of humour was lost in the translation. I will say more later.

  So i found the Hornet 46, and then had to explain to 2 staff why i just wanted to have a look at it. I was so pleased that i never bought it, or had it shipped from the USA. I thought it was poor in lots of respects.
Not suitable for backpacking in my opinion but probably good enough for competition running events where an overnight camp is required.
  Although i called into quite a few Mountain Designs they didn't have it and couldn't tell me who did, strangely enough. But i was offered to have it ordered in for me.
All the same, it did give me chance to have a look at the Mammut Rucksack range and especially the Creon Pro, which is similar but heavier duty.
  It gave me the confidence that if i saw a Creon Light on the internet that i would order it.
And here it is, in my hands at last.
  So lets see what all the fuss has been about.

 First and foremost, the weight.

The weight on the spec. sheet says 1090kg. And as you can see mine weighs 1108kg.
I am not going to grumble about 18 grams over. 18 grams could easily be reduced by altering the lengths of some of the straps if i was desperate enough. Which i am not.

Materials
Shell, 70 Denier nylon ripstop. Trim, 100 Denier nylon ripstop, Base  420 denier nylon oxford.

Back Support  

The first thing i noticed was how stiff the back of the sack is. Unlike quite a few light sacks on the market which use sheet material of one kind or another located down the back to give some support.

This sack has a fixed length internal aluminium frame which resembles an 8mm tent pole, and is all around.

Also, there is a small diameter spring steel frame which provides the tension. (It can be just made out in the above photo almost at the top of the oval cutouts.) This acts like suspension and allows  separation between the contents bag and the mesh support. 

Ventilation is huge as the whole back support is mesh. Mammut call it “Fourstream’ which basically just means that air flow is in four directions. Like a cross. ✚. 

But considering the back support is completely mesh, air will be transferred in every direction.

As well as the back, the shoulder straps are also mesh as is the reinforced hip belt.

Shoulder straps and hip belt.

Tough mesh and slightly “S” shaped. The straps have 3 levels of adjustment for differing back lengths, XL, L, M. and allow for a small amount of sideways movement. I liked this idea and rubbing on the neck should be eliminated.

I don’t have a measurement at this time for the differences in back length. A carry handle is included.

With loads of around 12kg and after 3 days of backpacking i found the shoulder straps didn’t support the weight too well. They deformed in the middle which then put pressure on my shoulders. They didn’t spread the load. I had really sore collar bones. I have since modified the straps by adding closed cell foam to the straps (similar to Ospreys) and so far so good. (The straps were correctly located as was the hip belt as per Mammut instructions)

  Adjusting straps are located between the sack and the shoulders to bring the load nearer or sturdier or more air flow if required. Easily reached when wearing.
Adjustable sternum/chest strap and built in whistle in the  side release buckle. Unfortunately the strap is the sliding variety which moves to much as you progress through the day. Why respected companies use this type of sternum strap is beyond me. You need a strap that stays in place. Once I am settled with the position I will probably super glue it.
3 elastic gear attaching points on the RH strap only.
The hip belt is fixed to the frame and gives good transfer of the weight. Although the belt is a reinforced mesh it feels very comfy  but i think i would prefer something a little more padded. Closure is with a std rucksack side closure buckle.

Storage
Apart from the main compartment there are 4 extra pockets. One inside the lid and includes a key retaining hook, one external lid pocket and one pocket on the hip belt. Also on the front of the sack is an open top pocket for wet gear, helmet or solo tent etc, this includes mesh sides and a drain hole

Hip belt pocket on LHS

Large front wet gear pocket

Internal lid pocket with key clip

External Lid pocket

The lid “Floats”.  It has large adjustment that will allow the lid to be raised and will increase the load capacity to about 50 litres. And for those who desire an even lighter bag, the lid can be removed completely without damage to any parts.

The “Floating” lid almost removed.

A nice bit of attention to detail are the pull rings on the main compartment draw cords.

On both sides of the sack is a large mesh pocket with a tensioning strap and buckle. This tensioner is dual purpose. It can be used independently or for securing larger gear in conjunction with the strap system located above it and also helps to compress the sack if the load is not full.

Side pockets and gear tensioning system.

Again on both sides is a re-inforced gear loop and retainer that also incorporates a sleeve for the point of your walking poles.

Adjacent to the RH pocket you will find zipped access to the main compartment.

The one section main sack is hydration compatible with a internal sleeve for the bladder and covered exit slot for the tube. 

Summary

  For a straight out of the bag summary, i have to say it looks a good buy. I am not sorry i took the gamble and bought unseen. I am pleased with the weight, the colour, the overall design and finish of manufacture. I have loaded it up fully and i am impressed with the load carrying stability. I have never worn one as stable as this is. The internal frame obviously does a good job. 

 There’s nothing much i don’t like about this rucksack except the sternum strap and that it doesn’t come with a rain cover. 

Now i know some people don’t use them, and probably that’s why one hasn’t been supplied. They have left it up to the purchaser if they want to buy one.

This sack was purchased by me from Spike Outdoors and not supplied FOC. It cost £105. It is also available as a 32L sack as well as this 45L.

Similar products. Osprey Atmos, Exos and Talon packs.

Osprey Hornet 46.

One of the things i managed to do when in Auckland was check out the Osprey Hornet 46 rucksack.
Many months ago i tried to get hold of one in the UK without success.

As it proved out i was fortunate not to order one on line because i was very disappointed when seeing it in the flesh.

It is indeed very basic, hence the rather interesting weight of around 600gr.

Basically its a nylon tube with a lid and some poorly positioned straps and belt. Features are few and far between. Probably suitable for challenge runs etc but not for backpacking in my opinion.

However one piece of kit which interests me is the Mammut Creon light. I will check out more later.

I was very pleased that i didn't take the plunge on the Osprey. It goes to show that photographs can be deceiving and the wallet can be easily swayed.

Alpkit Gourdon 25L daysack Modifications.

The Alpkit Gourdon range of daysacks are or were* a quite unique bit of kit. They are simply roll top dry bags with straps and a few other features.     *(Exped are doing a similar bag too now)
I bought the 25L model for both myself and Sheila and we use them regularly on day walks.

Photo 1

They are light in weight, waterproof and comfy.

Features.
Main sack
 Made from Taslon Nylon with the seams fully taped, mine has a PU coating so it is probably a pre Taslan model made from 300 denier nylon.
The bags have a roll top closure that needs to be folded 3X to ensure no water gets in and secured with a Duraflex buckle.
The buckle is then secured to 2 rubber tags for added security. I have modified these as i found them too difficult to undo or fasten when wearing gloves or with cold fingers. (See photo 2 below.)
Down the centre of the sack is a clear plastic strip put in so that you can identify where things are within the sack.
I first thought that this was a good feature but to be honest i can’t say i have used it and i wouldn’t mind if this was deleted.
 Exped have a similar strip on their sack but it isn’t see through, it’s slightly misted and it’s also located between the shoulder straps so that other folk cannot see what you have in the sack as you walk. This is better in my opinion if you want this feature.
Straps.
The main shoulder straps are adjustable and are made of edged mesh, lightweight and quick drying. Attached and between them is a useful adjustable chest strap.
A narrow waist strap finishes the restraints with another Duraflex buckle.
Support
The sack has a removable back support which i thought was quite heavy in comparison to the sack itself so i discarded the mat provided and used a piece of closed cell foam instead. As the original mat was quite small for a dual role sit mat, i made my foam 2x size and folded it to fit.
Hydration
If you want to use a bladder and tube hydration system then this will fit into the mat compartment in place of the mat. (or it might take both, i havn’t tried it as i don’t use bladder systems)

Modifications.
1. Lid securing tags. I replaced the originals with the green tubing shown in Photo.2 These were made from a biro outer tube and are now very easy to undo with cold hands or with gloves on.

Photo. 2

2. I wanted an internal pocket so that i knew where my car keys, phone, wallet, small change etc would be and so i added a Pour and Store heavy duty sealed clear bag to the back panel. I secured it in place with 2 strips of self adhesive black velcro. (Photo’s 3 and 4)

 Photo 3.

Photo 4.

3. The next mod was for me the most important.
 The one good thing about the sack is it’s capacity to keep water out. However a draw back from this is that it also keeps water in, if it gets in.
This can arrive with the inclusion of your waterproofs. After it has stopped raining and you want to shed your outer layer you need somewhere to put the gear so that the jacket and over trousers will drain.
I decided to add shock cord or bungy cord as some name it so that i didn’t have to put them in the sack when wet. See (Photo 5)

Photo 5

The cord supports are bathroom/kitchen suction hooks purchased from Wilkinsons at a cost of £0.74p for 4. Secured to the sack with Araldite Rapid glue. The hook which is removable from the base was obviously removed so that the 3mm shock cord would pass through the holes.
The cord was from Cotswold Outdoors at £0.60 per metre and i used approx 1.5m here.

For anyone who wants to do a similar job using the same type of retainer as i have used. Ensure that the surface of the sucker is scoured with a rough sand paper otherwise the sucker will pull off.  (As i found out to my cost in time.)   Also, both the sack and the sucker needs to have glue applied to them.


That’s my mods so far. I hope others find this helpful.

Another Niche market.

Yesterday i visited all the outdoor shops in Manchester. Talking to staff and generally seeing what they had new.
One of the items i wanted to look at was the new Osprey Hornet 46. I wanted to check the back length.

Well on this point alone my trip was wasted. Nobody in Manchester had any and worse still are not going to stock it.
Nevis sport showed most interest and even offered to get me one if i was prepared to pay up front.

I can order one from the US myself so i didn't pursue this option. But at least they called me back to confirm that head office were not getting the 46 at all.

While they all checked their computers i had the feeling that they were able to check up on what other shops were going to get in which left me a bit bemused. But hey who am i.

The Hornet 46 weighs 0.6 kilo’s,  that’s roughly half the weight of my current sack for the same capacity, and as its one of the big three, i am interested.
I am really surprised at the negativity i found. I think this would be a big seller in the UK.
I asked family in Australia to check up in the outdoor shops there and the story is the same. Probably not going to stock it.

Just like the reaction i got in the Cotswold shop when i discussed the Inov-8/ Gore-tex socks scenario a year ago, this must be for niche markets also and they don’t stock items for niche markets.

If anyone knows of UK retailer i would be pleased to hear.Thank you.