Wisport Whistler 35l Rucksack

Wisport is probably a name that not many of us will be familiar with. They have been manufacturing backpacks since 1984 but it was only in 2016 that Military 1st introduced them to the UK.

The company is based in Poland and they take pride in the fact that their products are also manufactured there, not bought in from cheaper overseas manufacturers. During product development they work with mountaineers and soldiers from Polish special units to ensure their products are functional and durable. Their range of backpacks is extensive to say the least, offering something for every conceivable application.

The Whistler

The backpack on test, the Whistler 35 Litre, sits in the middle of the range in terms of capacity, and is very well priced when compared to similar backpacks from other brands.

The double zipped main compartment is huge, measuring approximately 18-inches by 11-inches and, with the backpack laid on its back, it is over 6-inches deep so you can fully load it without the contents spilling out. This compartment has a full width internal pocket with an elasticated rim and two large zipped pockets, one mesh and one fully enclosed, a MOLLE panel and four D-ring attachment points. The D-rings allow you to tie down the contents of this compartment if necessary.

The admin compartment is also double zipped and large, with three large pockets (one open and two zipped), three elasticated loops and several smaller pockets for individual items like pens, multi tools etc. The larger of the zipped pockets is the perfect size to hold a FAC and the mesh front means it is easy to see. A lot of admin compartments tend to be much smaller, making them very ‘crowded’ but this one is a good size and with the front flap folded down you can access everything really well.

On the outside there are plenty of compression straps; with a pair on each side, two at the top and a pair of nylon straps on the bottom which can also be used to attach a shooting mat.

This means that the contents can be fully restrained so nothing is rattling around and making noise that might alert game to the wearer’s approach. A large zipped pocket on the front of the pack is ideal for phones and keys and there are numerous MOLLE loops on the front and sides of the pack for the attachment of accessories. A compartment is the rear of the backpack will accommodate a hydration bladder and pipe clips are provided on both shoulder straps to allow drinking from either side. On the top of the pack a strong carry handle is provided which allows you to lift the fully loaded pack easily. In addition to all of the internal pockets the backpack has external pockets on either side which will hold a water bottle or flask, so they are easily at hand.

The best bits

This backpack has a few features that really stand out and make it that much better than some others on the market. Firstly, the zips on the two primary compartments are positioned behind very large ‘storm flaps’ like you would see on a quality waterproof coat. This means that the zips are fully protected from the elements so there will be no leakage in heavy rain and the zips will not get dirty.

The second great feature that a full rain cover is supplied with the backpack. It is contained within an external Velcro-secured pocket on the bottom of the pack so it can be deployed quickly. Most backpacks do not come with this type of cover included in the price and it has to be purchased separately.

Another fantastic feature is the carrying arrangement which Wisport describe as an ‘ergonomic military carry system’. The back of the pack has two padded areas running from top to bottom with a gap between them for ventilation. The carry straps are very well padded, three-inches wide at the most critical points, and ergonomically shaped so they sit just right. There is also a wide hip belt to keep the backpack from moving around which has a very large quick release buckle and yet more MOLLE attachment points. Hip belts on back packs are pretty much a ‘love them or hate them’ feature and the great thing about this pack is that it is removable if you fall into the second category. The hip belt is very bulky and so being able to remove it if it is not going to be used is a real bonus. The shoulder straps and the hip belt are adjustable to most sizes so the fit can be tailored to the user. In use this is certainly the most comfortable carry the author has experienced with a backpack.

Conclusion

This backpack is extremely comfortable to wear, even fully loaded. The design of the straps and the padding on the back of the pack make for an exceptionally good fit and with everything being adjustable it will suit almost all wearers. The storm flaps over the zips are the biggest I have seen, and they proved great at protecting the zips from the elements. With a rain cover being included in the price the backpack is a great bargain and the provision of a 5-year warranty gives real assurance as to the quality of the product. Access to the various compartments and the layout has really been well thought out making the backpack easy to use and very well suited to carrying shooting equipment. This is a great quality brand and well worth considering if you are looking for a new carry system. Military 1st stock a large selection of Wipsort products and the specifications are all well laid out in their website.