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Karrimor Alpiniste 45+10

rated 4.5 of 5 stars

I've had this pack for a couple of seasons now, and really like it. I ordered it direct from Karrimor for just under 100 pounds Sterling, and they treated me very well. The pack is perfect for a long day of ice climbing, or for 2 day alpine climbs in the Cdn. Rockies. It has a foam pad in the back which has two aluminum stays in it, which are bendable. The suspension (Karrimor's Aergo Supercool) is very comfy without being overkill/bulky. There are racking loops on the belt, which also work well as tool holsters. The pack comes with two "ice tool tubes" which are plastic tubes attached to each shoulder strap near the junction of the strap with the bottom of the pack. These are too narrow for my Black Prophets to fit, and wouldn't work with bent shaft tools. I removed them. The only suggestion for improvement I could make would be to put a crampon strap system on the front of the pack (like on the NF Slipstream or Wild Things Andinista), but there are good attachment points on the top lid (I just don't like them there as much, but that's my own opinion). The compression straps work great, there is a rope securing strap under the lid which works great. The lid closes with one very large buckle, which is a special Karrimor buckle, so if it cracked you'd have to go to them to get one instead of using the usual fastex. But all in all, I am VERY happy with this pack; it is indeed a pack for classic "alpinism".

Design: Rucksack
Size: approx 3000
Number of Pockets: 3
Max. Load Carried: 25lb
Height of Owner: 5'7"
Price Paid: approx $250

Surprisingly comfortable, with a narrow but padded hip-belt which doesn't get in the way of a harness (much), and has gear loops sewn onto it. Straps are a special 'lumpy' tape that doesn't creep.

The lid has a single central buckle (to avoid ice tools), which I though looked vulnerable in the shop, and broke on day 1. Karrimor was quite happy to repair it, but I had a jury-rigged strap for 2 months in South America. I also had some stitching on a compression strap pull, but I think that was unlucky, several other people have never had any trouble.

If you use it for hiking, you will learn to pack like a genius, no side pockets for odds and ends, no spare capacity. The result is a nice compact pack to carry, often lighter due to leaving the non-essentials at home (but often with stuff on the outside.) As a day (winter) pack it's always plenty big without getting in the way.

Design: internal
Size: 45-55 litres
Number of Pockets: main + 2 lid
Max. Load Carried: 25kg
Height of Owner: 180cm?
Price Paid: R500 (about US $90)

The pack is one of the most comfortable I have used, and is large enough for a day's climbinging gear and technical winter mountaineering trips. The sac has gear loops on the padded hip belt which are ideal for storing gear on outes and during the walk in. The compression straps adequately compress the sac when used with a light load and the under lid rope rentention strap is really useful for short term storage of wet waterproofs etc.....Brilliant sac.

Design: internal frame
Size: ? (45 litres)
Number of Pockets: 3
Max. Load Carried: ?
Height of Owner: 6ft
Price Paid: £120

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Price Reviewers Paid: $90.00-$250.00
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