Snugpak endurance 40 rucksack

I have recently been trying out the Endurance 40 litre rucksack from Snugpak and have found it to be versatile, practical and comfortable over a wide range of activities.

Made from 500D heavy duty nylon, the Endurance Rucksack is available in either black or olive (a darker shade than most), is of a classic single compartment, top opening design and measures approx. 49cm x 31cm x 22cm.

The main compartment has an interior side pocket for hydration systems with a well-protected hose-port by the top of the left shoulder strap attachment point. The top of the sack closes with a locking drawcord and features a lighter weight nylon snowlock which has its own locking drawcord closure.

On the outside of the side panels of the pack there are twin elastic-topped pockets approx. 24 x 20cm and two compression/attachment straps per side. The front panel has an elasticated cord running in a zigzag pattern through six D-rings set into the side panels and this has a cord lock allowing for adjustment of the cord to hold various lightweight loads such as wet waterproofs.

At the bottom of the front panel there are two ‘tool loops’, while the whole of the front and side panels of the pack are covered in Molle attachment points (over 150!) and there are four more attachment loops on the base of the pack – which also conceals a zipped compartment for a detachable rain cover large enough to cover the pack even when it is fully laden.

The lid of the rucksack is shaped to fit snugly over the top of the pack and has 11cm deep elasticated side panels. The top of the lid has a pocket some 23 x 28 x 8cm which closes with a well-protected chunky zip, while inside the lower front of the lid there is a lightweight nylon pocket approx. 18 x 29cm, again with a zip closure.

The lid closes with twin quick-release buckles, the straps of which run down the front of the pack all the way to the base.

Pack It In

The back of the pack is padded to give some shape to the pack and the foam is also shaped to give comfort and ventilation. The back panel, body contact sides of the wide S-shaped padded shoulder straps and the pads on the waist belt are all covered in a tough nylon mesh to aid drying, ventilation and comfort. The shoulder straps have D-rings and attachment loops, as well as featuring an elasticated, fully adjustable sternum strap and are length adjusted with ‘ladderlock’ type buckles on the lower end.

The waist belt has an adjustment at each side of the curved quick release buckle, while at the top of each shoulder strap, where it meets the pack body, there is a standard 2-slot frame type buckle so that the hang of the pack can be adjusted. These buckles are quick and easy to use and re-thread to lock securely at your chosen length. With the adjustment available in the harness, you have the flexibility to create a custom fit.

The adjustment buckles on the side compression straps are of the quick release style and these, like all the other buckles and fittings on the pack are of tough and durable plastic and all the webbing straps are of tough nylon, 2.5cm wide on the lower shoulder straps, grab loop, Molle and closure straps, and 5cm wide for the top shoulder straps and waist belt.

Velcro patches on the front panel and lid allow you mount suitable badges.

Got Your Back

The fabric used in the construction of the Endurance 40 litre rucksack is lighter than that used in issue Bergans. It is still tough and strong enough for hard use, but offers a real weight saving (the pack weighs around 1.5kg empty) and although the pack is not made in Britain, the quality of manufacture is still very high.

The detailing on the pack is excellent, with all straps, except the top shoulder adjustment straps, having wraparound Velcro tabs. You simply roll up the excess webbing strap, wrap the Velcro around and you have secure strap ends that will not flap around in the wind! This is a simple but effective control measure and I am surprised that no-one (including myself) has thought of it before!

I find the Snugpak Endurance 40 litre rucksack a well thought out, comfortable, versatile and up-to-toughuse, mid-sized pack, and I have used it for day hikes as well as weekend jaunts. The pack has proved comfortable with both small and large loads and is proving my first choice mid-sized rucksack, being by far the most versatile in my collection.

Priced at around £75.00, the Endurance 40 is available from Snugpak stockists. For more information contact Snugpak Ltd: 01535 654 479, www.snugpak.com