Interesting. I have an old Jack Wolfskin 'Spider' 60l pack that has a nearly full-length zip as well as a normal top opening and it's a fantastic crag pack due to the zip. If the zip holds up on this then it should last far longer than your average cordura pack and consequently make the price tag worthwhile.
Thanks Dan. These are indeed on my radar, for when my current "day" waterproof canoe bag wears out. so its good to get such a detailed review. Actually that should be "if my current one wears out" as my simple Alpkit Gourdon has lasted nearly 8 years of being chucked around the dirty wet bottom of my canoe, but isn't nearly as strongly made as Ortlieb stuff..
I've also found Lyon's response to faults or just repairs to be excellent.
> If the zip holds up on this then it should last far longer than your average cordura pack and consequently make the price tag worthwhile.
I've gone a bit backwards and forwards on this - I'm a big user of crags packs and think they are great. But I reckon a chunk of the not insignificant price for the Atrack is its waterproofness. If you used it just as a crag pack I reckon you could potentially end up damaging the material enough to stop it being waterproof. It doesn't seem fragile (beyond the fault they fixed on the review pack) but if you are paying 200 quid for a pack that it waterproof mainly using it to drag along the base of cliffs seems a bit silly.
I'm still regularly using the Arcteryx Miura from this review https://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/rucksacks/medium/crag_packs_for_trad_climbe... it is still going great, no holes no problems more than a decade later. I don't think Arcteryx is doing anything comparable now, but there are plenty of crag packy things from various brands that look like they might last equally well and still are nearly half the price of the Atrack.
It is a very clever design but I still feel if you aren't relying on it to keep your stuff dry even in total immersion situations, it is a rather expensive rucksack!
> Actually that should be "if my current one wears out" as my simple Alpkit Gourdon has lasted nearly 8 years of being chucked around the dirty wet bottom of my canoe, but isn't nearly as strongly made as Ortlieb stuff..
My Alpkit Gourdon is 11 years old and still works fine! I've also used it for throwing in kayak quite a lot in the past too - https://lightfromthenorth.blogspot.com/2012/06/alpkit-in-operation-kayak-to... but actually I used it again for that just last month when I was back in Finland on holiday. They are great, particularly as - when I bought mine - they were 20 quid.
> I'm still regularly using the Arcteryx Miura from this review https://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/rucksacks/medium/crag_packs_for_trad_climbe... it is still going great, no holes no problems more than a decade later. I don't think Arcteryx is doing anything comparable now...
Funnily enough...they've just released a new 'crag' pack (2 sizes):
https://arcteryx.com/gb/en/shop/konseal-40-backpack
https://www.arcteryx.com/gb/en/shop/konseal-55-backpack
have used my Gourdon 30l most days for about 5 years now. closure strap has come away from fabric and a few holes developing but good enough to order again- 20l with bungee straps this time.
> Funnily enough...they've just released a new 'crag' pack (2 sizes):
Those do look both sensible and smartly designed.
Paging Editor Dan, paging Editor Dan... if Arcteryx want one reviewed, you know who to call!
I had one and sold it. Got a ortlieb duffel instead.
For a duffel; i want a fairly light top side, so the top keeps open when i dig in it. I want the bottom side to be reinforced to sustain the abrasion of putting it on the ground.
For a pack; I want more accesability without having to take off the pack. The carry system is fairly heavy, but is comfortable.
If you don't mind me asking, what was your reason for buying an Atrack in the first place? I guess if a duffle does the job, you don't need to carry your waterproof bag any distance?
I wanted both a duffel and a backpack replacement and this is something in between/both. ALso wanted to squeeze my things in a small duffle. Hoped for a best of both world, but turned out for me, neither. Obviously that is personal.
I now just have a backpack and duffel again.