Gear Review: Summiteer Packs by Robin Heath
Jamie Dakota
Summiteer Backpacks
For several years now I have been using Summiteer backpacks for outdoor use. The packs I use are customised to my own specifications but are closest to: the Crag Rocket and the Rhino. For the purpose of this review I will refer to them as such.
Crag Rocket
Use and features:
I needed a smaller pack for general use during short burst of outdoor activity. Something I could just throw kit into just for a day’s messing around, that was robust enough to be battered and abused but not large and bulky so it flaps around on your back when it is half filled. Summiteer made me a Crag Rocket with a roll top out of Cordura fabric instead of their usual recycled plastic. The pack is just the right size to fit a small climbing rack, plus shoes, harness, helmet etc. as well as some food and drink. There is not space enough for a rope as well inside the pack, but it does have a handy strap over the top designed to hold a rope. At first, I was unsure about strapping anything to the outside of my pack (something that’s generally frowned upon, particularly in the winter), but as I was only using it for simple summer days out it didn’t really matter. It was actually much easier to just coil a rope and tighten it under a strap that trying to squash it into my pack as I had always done in the past. The lack of a top flap in this case also adds to its ease and simplicity. There are no unnecessary pockets or straps flapping around in the wind or clips that create unnecessary faff. You simply throw your kit in, roll the top down and fasten one clip. There is still one, internal handy zip pocket towards the top that’s perfect for storing car keys, phone, change, etc. I often also use this pack for activities such as mountain biking, running, hiking and less frequently skiing. The Crag Rocket can be synched tight around the waist and chest so that it wont bounce around on your back like and is small so the fabric wont bounce/flap when half filled like a larger pack. In this sense it acts very much like a mountain biking bag.
Durability:
I have intentionally been mistreating this pack for the last year to how just how durable it’s Cordura fabric really is. Despite throwing it around crags, falling off bikes, using it as a rope protector and climbing shoe cleaner, etc. it has yet to show any signs of wear. As a test I even tried stabbing it with a crampon, but I think to actually cause it any damage I’d actually have to put them on and jump up and down on it (but I don’t think that would really be fair).
Conclusion:
The crag rocket is perfect for all purpose use during general outdoor activities, such as single pitch/sport climbing, mountain biking, piste skiing, summer hiking, etc. It is just big enough to carry everything you need for a simple day out whilst being small enough that you don’t notice you’re carrying it. Its’ size does restrict it from being used for anything too specialist which requires more kit, but this was never the intention of the pack. Overall, I love this little pack and take it with me most days out and am pleasantly surprised just how handy it is.
Rhino
Summiteer first made us 4 custom Rhino packs for use on our ‘Longest Line’ fundraiser for Scottish mountain rescue. These were made from their standard red recycled plastic material and had a roll top rather than the usual top flap. The packs were also personalised to our individual back measurements.
Features and Use:
The first thing I noticed about this pack was just how comfortable it was. Our packs were full of 4 days’ worth of exped kit/food and therefore understandably heavy. However, because the packs were so well fitted, with the waist straps perfectly holding the weight over our hips rather than shoulders, it felt like we were carrying much smaller and lighter packs. Often in the past with other rucksacks I have been unable to get the weight sufficiently resting on my hips and so before long my shoulders and back has begun to ache. Also, other packs often seem to have quite thin padding on shoulder and waist straps, resulting in them digging in and causing discomfort. This was not the case for the Rhino. Even after 4 days of trudging through bogs in pouring rain it remained comfortable.
We had requested that the packs have roll top closures. This had its pros and cons: The roll top was much simpler than a series of toggles and clips which was great, it also allowed for extra space in the top of the pack. However, the lack of a top flap meant that water could pool around the roll top, which could potentially result in moisture seeping through. Also, although I personally prefer minimal external zip pockets, our packs have none at all. It is handy to have one (perhaps in the top flap) in which you can store small, useful items for quick access (such as a snack, camera, hat, etc.) so that you don’t need to fully open your pack each time and risk its contents getting wet. Other variations of the Rhino do have top flaps and external pockets and so it’s more than likely a miscommunication on my part when requesting certain specifications that’s allowed for this minor flaw.
Conclusion:
The Rhino is an excellent pack. Probably the most comfortable I’ve ever used. It’s large volume and wide, sack-like opening is very useful. As an outdoor instructor it’s handy to be able to just throw in all the kit I need for a group, not just on an expedition but also for just a day’s climbing etc. I also love the red material made out of recycled plastic bottles. Its good to know that your kit is having a positive impact on the environment.
Summiteer:
I had the pleasure of seeing the Summiteer work shop and its main man Ethan at work. He even showed me how to use the machines, let me attach a few buckles and do a bit of sewing. It was interesting to see first hand how much work goes into a single rucksack. It’s also good to know that all Summiteer packs are hand-made by one man in the Lake District, rather than mass produced in a factory somewhere. In buying from Summiteer you not only get a quality piece of equipment with friendly customer service; you’re also supporting a small business and a family.
-Robin Heath