Good idea, weak design

By Explorations Ranked #261 - Daypacks - Technical March 6, 2011

I was looking for a lightweight daypack of about 25 liters that could be stowed easily in a larger backpack and I had high hopes for the scramber. Its high-level characteristics were right but the execution not as much.

Removing the frame sheet to compress or lighten up the pack is not practical: The removal slit is half way up the back of the pack, not on the top, so the sheet needs to be essentially folded over to insert both its ends first, which is cumbersome and it makes me question its longevity. Do not even think of removing the sheet temporarily to sit on it without emptying the whole pack first. Further downside is that the pack outside material between the frame sheet and someone's back is just a mesh so without the frame sheet the pack back is no longer water resistant. The water will run through the mesh and then through the internal sheet removal slit straight into the middle of the pack.

The main hexagonal clasp is another problem: On the pack I had in my hand the upper webbing loop for the clasp was made so tight that it was difficult to get the clasp through. Trying it with cold, numb fingers would be a challenge.

View Details: Mountain Hardwear Scrambler Backpack - 1950cu in

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes