Helikon-Tex Unisex Cordura Backpack (pack of 1)

1 year product review:I've had this pack for a year. Its an all round winner. The cordura its made of is strong and robust, the straps and stitching are solid and good. The zips are YKK made and are smooth. It's has the right balance of being light and strong. After a full year of everything from going to work to hiking its held up fine. So long as you avoid sitting it in mud or laying it around on rough surfaces like rocks while hiking it will stay looking new and the Cordura wont get fuzzy.I own some different packs I can compare it to: Ospreys are good for their smaller range as they use very lightweight materials. The advantage in low weight can be unbeatable for a short quick hike. However the cordura in the Helikon pack feels way more solid and Ospreys get stupidly expensive. I also think their large packs are a bit lightweight and I would like something a bit more solid.At the other end of the spectrum I have a large Maxpedition pack. Maxpedition are rock solid, the cordura is way thicker than the Helikon, but the tradeoff is that they feel a lot heavier and are expensive backpacks given their price range.So my thoughts are, smalls Ospreys for light hikes or even jogging around in, Maxpedition for large camping loads and heavy hauling and Maxpedition for everyday use.I paired my Helikon with a mini medpack just so I have first aid on me if I need it when out on a hike. I also threw in an organiser Helikon-Tex Backpack Panel Insert which fits this pack perfectly and topped it off by lining it with a 'drybag' in case it rains.

Very good bushcraft backpack for bushcraft. Plenty of molle. I'm a short guy and it's very comfortable.

Good quality & loads of features

I have used this backpack daily for a couple of months now and it is hardly showing any signs of wear, It is well built with sturdy zips. I am not gentle with equipment so this bag has stood up to some rough treatment and has come out looking great.Bad points:The straps have a tendency to slip so they become loose after being adjusted, this isn't much of an issue for daily use when there's not much weight in the bag, but can be a problem when fully loaded.The velcro used as strap ties gets caught on the back of the bag when the side clips are left loose, this has caused some minor pulling on the mesh panel at the back. The chest strap has also caused some rubbing on my favourite hoodie in the armpit area.The zips get stuck on the zip covers when closing the back up. The fabric of the zip surrounds is a heavy outer layer with a thinner inner layer, but they aren't bonded together so the thin fabric has a tendency to get caught in the zip, especially annoying when rushing to get the bag closed up.There is no inner organisation system, the front pouch has loop side velcro lining the inside which does allow for some level of customisation, but by default, everything sinks to the bottom of the pouch, making it somewhat difficult to find whatever you've put in there. The large rear pouch is the same, only without the velcro liner, this is a notable issue for me as I often carry a laptop and its peripherals around, the lack of inner pouch means the laptop is free to float around and get rubbed by other objects in the bag, which has caused some damage to the laptop.Good points:Very comfortable, I have worn this backpack on a 15KM hike and it remained comfortable throughout. The camelbak hose hole on the top came in handy for this too, it's a welcome addition.Very sturdy, I haven't had a backpack for this long without developing some form of tear or worn patch, this speaks to how well built this bag is.Capacity is good. I have used this bag on a few weekend away trips and there is plenty of room for all my stuff, that being said I don't carry an awful lot so your mileage may vary.

Very good quality

Not enough compartments, and when you purchase the compatible compartments it almost hikes the the price up to £100

Helikon Tex has been producing a number of very good products for some years, but after they 'spun-off' their high-end label Direct Action, the parent company has upped its game considerably. I should say that I have had a number of problems with Direct Action packs and I have nothing but praise for DA/Helikon customer service - Polish good manners and helpful practical solutions. Given my issues with the DA Ghost (MK1), I was a little nervous about trying a new pack with no history. I talked to my daughter who rocks a DA Dust and loves it, so I took a chance and I'm very glad so far. This EDC pack has much in common with the Dust; however, it is superior in a few important areas. Firstly, the build quality is very good, with branded materials and hardware it is going to be hard to match for the price. It's light and well built; comfortable on the back with quite a low profile look. First impressions are good, with nothing that is annoying or obviously a problem. Chest strap came flipped the wrong way for me - but that's an easy two-minute fix. I'll post a full review after a few months of use. The 500 D genuine Cordura promises durability and is actually quite light. The lack of admin is offset somewhat by the hook and loop field in the front pocket - but some will find it a pain sourcing hook and loop accessories just to create an admin section. Carries much higher, even when full, than the 5.11 Rush series, which is a plus for me - the Rush series carries far too low when packed and means that the user has considerable weight on the lower back that is, ergonomically at least, suboptimally positioned. Time will tell with this pack, but a pack with this pedigree, in these materials with this kind of design will currently set you back much, much more than the asking price.

The product seems well made unfortunately the two mesh pockets stated in the description don't exist.