My Top Three Favourite Rucksacks and Why I Like Them
/WRITTEN by CHRIS & ANNE ENSOLL
Like most outdoor professionals, I have lots of rucksacks in all different sizes and different brands. I have used all of them at some time, but I always go back to my favourites. Here’s an insight into my current front-runners, and why I like them.
L to R: El Nino, Petit Capucin, Alpha FL45
For a rucksack to become one of my favourites, it has to fulfill just two criteria:
It has to be simple and light - no unnecessary extra bits.
It has to carry well - it has to sit right and be comfortable to wear when fully loaded, for long periods of time.
With each of these sacks, I use dry bags as none of them are waterproof.
El Nino, 27 litres, from Aiguille Alpine Equipment
This is my go-to sack when I’m working around the Lake District and not needing to carry much kit. All Aiguille sacks are made to last, and I fully expect to be using this one many years from now. It is simply brilliant. It is light and strong but carries well. It has a zip opening and twohandy internal pockets. Many small sacks don’t carry well when overloaded, but this one performs even with skis attached using the compression straps on the sides, and with a rope on top and a jacket on the outside.
Get the technical info here.
The Aiguille El Nino on a sport climbing trip to Swanage, Dorset
Petit Capucin, 33 litres, from Aiguille Alpine Equipment
I have used this as a winter and summer climbing sack, and in the Alps. The simple roll-top can be used as an extension, making it easy to squeeze extra kit in. It has a simple system for attaching ice axes which works well, and a strap over the top for extra kit or for holding a rope.
Get the technical info here.
All the Aiguille sacks are generous for their size, so you get more room than the numbers might suggest. They are hand-made with care in Staveley in the Lake District, so if you want a genuine piece of kit made with love, you can’t do better.
Alpha FL45, 45 litres, from Arc’teryx
I was given this sack three years ago when I did some skiing work in Iran with Jordan Manley, who was making a short film for Arc’teryx. I added the grey loop (cord covered in duct tape) so I could carry skis on it, and I have used it a lot. I didn’t think it would wear very well, but it has lasted well. The only down side to it is that when water gets in through the top, it pools in the bottom where the fabric is waterproof.
Get the technical info here.
The Arc’teryx Alpha FL45 on a Mountain Leader expedition in the Lake District. Photo credit: Warren Birch
The Arc’teryx Alpha FL45 in the Alps
Do you have a favourite rucksack? Leave a comment to tell us what it is and why you love it.
