Man_of_Tanith from the BushcraftUK forum has written a great review of the Karrimor SF Predator Rucksack.
Karrimor SF Predator Rucksack Review
Usually I use a 120 litre WebTex Bergen when out and about which results in me putting everything plus the kitchen sink in it, as it has the space, then trying to carry it a short distance from drop off point to my permission campsite.
I want to get a bit more mobile and stop taking so much ”vital” stuff that is only ”vital” because I have space to fit it in. So when Beermonster posted a link to this new pack I took the opportunity to abuse my credit card, solve my kitchen sink packing, get a new bit of kit (always a winner) and maybe get a bit more mobile and hopefully (very hopefully) loose a bit of weight due to moving around more!
Anyways enough about my thinking/excuses for buying this pack and time for a bit of technical specs courtesy of http://pri.lemmin.com the manufacturers of the pack.
Karrimor SF Predator
Size: 50 Litre
Material: KS100e
Colour: Olive or Coyote
Predator Technical Multi Adaptable Carrier (TECMAC) 50 draws from our experience of load carriage design for equipment carried into combat such as the C4i and ECM. The removable adjustable internal frame allows many different types and sizes of equipment to be carried securely. The lid and kit bag are removable allowing the back system part and mounted equipment to be carried alone. The hip belt can also be concealed when not in use.
- Palm back system
- Concealable waist belt
- Quick release belt buckle
- S-shaped shoulder harness
- Sternum strap
- Removable lid
- Removable main compartment
- Adjustable equipment carriage
- Compatible with side pockets (PLCE)
- Lid pocket
- Stuff pockets
- MOLLE webbing front and sides
- Ski guides
- Compression straps
- Carry handle
- Rotproof thread
- Reinforced with bartacks
- Durable water repellent (DWR)
- YKK zips
Now for my own testing.
Bedfordshire ,especially the part I live in, doesn’t have huge mountains or miles and miles of rugged wilderness so I have been a little creative finding testing conditions.
First of all, an hour long walk with the dog around Deepdale and the sand quarry. Deepdale is primarily pine woodland with assorted trails from horse riding, dog walking and generations of BMX riding children so interesting ground conditions. It also has a few nice steep up and down bits so made for a good test.
I only used the Predator without adding the side pockets at first, it was packed with sleeping bag, jumper, infla-mat and FAK to add a bit of weight for the test and see how the pack sat on me.
After the initial putting on I hardly noticed I was wearing the pack. The belt of the Predator is more a belly belt than a hip belt, which I personally prefer. Another good feature is that the belt closure is not a male-female clip but a thread through buckle as hopefully visible in the picture of Lady of Tanith kindly modeling the pack.
The Predator sits mainly on the back without anything rubbing anywhere, on the side of the pack is an elasticated pocket which takes one Osprey Waterbottle so water is easily accessed without having to unload the entire pack.
These can also be accessed when the side pockets are attached but more on those later.
The closure for the main body of the Predator is a Snow Lock which folds several times before clipping over the main compartment. A further clip from back of the frame to front of the pack secures it very well while leaving space sufficient for a tarp underneath it.
The floating lid has one large pocket with plenty of storage capacity to get to without having to open the main pack. It would easily hold waterproof jacket and map, or in my case tea, hot chocolate and sugar. I have never used a pack with a floating lid before so I am still on a bit of a learning curve here but so far I can see the merits of one.
MOLLE webbing is another new thing to me and I own nothing else with MOLLE but it is compatible with ALICE clip fittings, which my FAK has. So I can mount it on the front and have it easily to hand without having to rummage through the pack and bleed everywhere should I or anyone else have a booboo. It also takes the WebTex Utility Pouch fixings to allow an easily accessed brew kit and accompanying gubbins.
Side pockets on the Predator are two Ammo pouches and one Omni pouch. Both of these have velcro closures and male female clips to close. The velcro also has coverings attached to the pocket to cover the velcro fixings allowing silent openings (helpful for sneaking munchies when no-one’s watching!)
The Ammo pouches take one large FFD, a small FFD and a small badger UCO candle lantern, a small trowel, tobacco pouch and pipe (not in one – I fitted these in all four of them).
The Omni pouch will take Crusader cup and Osprey water bottle upright with space to spare or plastic Osprey cup and three rat pack boil in the bag meals.
Another good feature is that on the back of the side pockets is one large pocket that runs the length of the side pocket with space for a Gransfors Bruks Hand Axe, camp knife and a Bahco Laplander Saw allowing for easy access when in camp, but not visible to the general public to cause them distress.
Verdict
Overall this is a good pack with ooodles of well thought out features plenty of ooh that’s clever extras with hard wearing manufacturing behind it.
I don’t think the WebTex Bergen will get many outings until winter at the very earliest now I have the Karrimor SF Predator. I’m still waiting for the separate Omni Pouch to be delivered.
Sam.
Related posts:
