Ecotrek Spirale

This is the most ergonomic small and medium backpack I have ever carried in over 30 years of backpacking. The shoulder straps are unpadded and yet super comfortable. It is made entirely of recycled plastics woven into luxurious and tough fabric. No kidding. The webbing is made from recycled soda bottles. It won BACKPACKER Magazines Editor's Choice in its catagory in 1994.

I got mine thru the American Hiking Society because it was featured with a discount for members. It has a basic tear drop shape, is a panel loader with heavy duty zipper that covers 180 degrees of the upper shape. It has two vertical pockets on the face, not the sides. A daisy chain of webbing goes down the middle between these two long pockets. The Spirale has two webbed pouches on the sides for water bottles with draw straps to secure the bottles. Its waistband is wide and webbed with fuzzy lining. Very comfortable up to 30 pounds, though my ideal load for comfort is less than 24 pounds. After 30 pounds it tends to distort and bother the shoulders. I had an awning shop sew two strap hangers on the bottom for my sleeping bag.

The "frame" is a single, flat, aluminum stay (verticle down the middle), which I removed. A thin but stiff, closed-cell foam pad serves as a frame to hold the shape. The pack weighs 1 pound 15 ounces! You can run with this pack on. It hugs the body like a glove without bulky, thick shoulder and hip straps/belts. I've done 15 mile days with it on, in only six hours of hiking. It's also a great day pack. The company was in Boston and is out of business. If you ever find one at a yard sale or in a classified ad, buy it. You won't believe the ride!

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