Macpac Genesis

I bought my first Macpac Genesis in the 1980s, and it lasted me around 20 years before the fastenings wore out and I couldn't use it anymore. I have now snapped up a "New, old stock" Genesis in size 4, complete with tags. It's like finding some treasure, it's just amazing!

I bought my first Macpac Genesis rucksack  in London in the mid 1990s.

It fit really well, was a generous size, and included a handy day sack that could also attach to the main pack, either front or back. I am 6'3" so would have done best with a size 4, but I had to do with a size 3 since that's all the retailer had in stock and I needed it quickly. The shoulder straps together with the generously padded belt were really comfortable, and the main pack had a generous amount of straps to compress to different loads, and so that it fit me perfectly,

I have since used both packs exclusively on all my travels for the next several decades, and the Genesis has been my favorite rucksack of all time. I love that I can open the main pack from the top or the front, and being able to separate the main space from the bottom was handy for sleeping bags or dirty clothes.

Eventually, the plastic sleeves supporting the upright frames fatigued and fell off the main pack, rendering it unusable. Being in the UK I didn't see myself sending it back to NZ for repair. Still, I found myself using the day pack all the time on its own. But I really missed having the big rucksack.

During a trip to Australia five years ago, I managed to track down another Genesis, also size 3, and this has since been my go-to rucksack.

Last week though, I came across a 15-year-old, new and unused "New, old stock" Genesis in size 4, both bags, complete with tags attached, from a private vendor in the UK, and jumped at the chance to treat myself to the bigger size pack after all these years.

It came in the post this morning, with the blue color light and clean and fresh like it just left the shop. Included in the paper tags and information sheets was the original price of £120 in the UK  from 15 years ago. The man who bought it had never even unpacked it, or used either pack, and just kept them in his garage in the plastic bag that it came in.

Forty-five years after I bought my fist Genesis rucksack, I am introduced to probably my last Macpac in basically a new rucksack that is 15 years old. I've used this model for so long that I never forgot what I liked about the Genesis to begin with. Now it is all coming back.

I cannot recommend this rucksack highly enough. Mine have been like a close friend I could rely on, for many years.

Background

I bought my first Macpac Genesis rucksack thirty years ago, and I've been using them ever since. I love it and will never use another rucksack for traveling. It's perfect. and the new model is even better.

Good strong travel pack. Harness does not age well.

I have had my Genesis since 1992 and used it on and off for travel overseas or camping. When new, it is impressive, comfortable and well made. This is to be expected for a pack of this price.

When purchased, one decisive claim was lifetime warranty. This has been reneged on and "reasonable lifespan" is now the case.

My harness deteriorated after approximately 20 years because the plastics used in the adjustable harness perished. This is a major flaw in the design. So I pursued this but still had to pay for a replacement (Sydney $100 I think). Within 5 years this too failed—exactly the same problem. Now it is held together with cable ties. 

I had a cheap backpack that was tougher. Macpac is not made in NZ anymore (China). 

I would recommended a different backpack. Macpac doesn't have a monopoly on tough packs. Travel packs seem like a good idea—and they are. But if you use clothes bags, these can be easily pulled out and access obtained. With this in mind, question the need for access and the demands you will make on the bag. Maybe a travel case will do. Maybe a "proper" pack will also do. 

That said, they do come up on ebay for about $100-$200 which I think is a better way to go.

GF

Background

See above. Plenty of experience

I've owned my Genesis for seven years. During this time I have used the daypack almost every day. It's faded and a bit grubby, but there's not the slightest sign of stitch or fabric failure. The waterproofing ain't what it used to be, though.

Basically, it's the perfect travel pack. It has just about every feature you can think of--zip-away harness for airports, removable day-pack and bum-bag, big YKK zips that can be padlocked, map compartment, sleeping bag compartment, internal and external compression straps, etc. It's made of a treated canvas that is supposedly waterproof.

The tradeoff for all the features and high-quality construction is that it's a little heavy. Rugged as hell, though.

I'm a bit biased because I'm a Kiwi and this is a Kiwi firm. But I can honestly say I've never found a firm that makes better packs.

Americans and Brits should take note that the Kiwi dollar is worth stuff--all in your currencies (My Genesis was less than US $200 or UK 125). So the Macpac should be especially good value for you guys.

Like many people when first thinking of travelling, I looked for the cheap options, thankfully my mate convinced me to look at the best. My Macpac Genesis has been great; it carries all you need for an extended trip through Europe, and has the added benefit over many boxy Travel Packs that it works really well as a hiking pack. I have used it several times for overnight hikes.

Other good brands in Australia/New Zealand include Mountain Designs, Mont, Tika.

When it comes to these top end packs the best way to decide on which one is right for you is to load them up and try them on. The harnesses all vary slightly so pick the most comfortable for your back and don't worry too much about a differnce of a few dollars in price, these packs will be with you for years!!

Bought in 1992. Absolutely smashed it over five continents and 30 years. Very beat up now, but it's me nothing. Saved my life (dry gear on cold wet nights in New Guinea, Russia, Canada etc).

Really really good

I'ts a tough enough piece of kit, BUT don't believe the literage values you are given. The 95l is right when the daysack is off, but when zipped on the daysack has to be very empty to zip onto the main rucksack. Makes life a pain, as you will no doubt have to don daysack on front instead.

Mark