What is the Atrack 35?
The Atrak 35 is a multi-sport, fully waterproof backpack that opens like a duffle bag. This versatile and incredibly handy design allows you to quickly locate items that are buried in the bottom of your bag. Strapping it to the top of a bus in Nepal? Swimming across rivers in Slovenia? Caught out in a downpour in the Brecon Beacons? The Atrack will handle it all AND keep all of your gear completely dry without the need for a rain cover.
The combination of a tough face fabric, a durable 100% waterproof zip, clever storage and attachment points and an easily adjustable back panel make the Atrack one of the most versatile multi-sport bags on the market.
What is the Atrack 35 made of?
The Atrack is made out of an incredibly durable tear and abrasion resistant Nylon. It boasts an incredible 100,000mm hydrostatic head and is also completely PVC-free. This smooth fabric is built to take a beating from the elements meaning you'll still have a good-looking pack for years to come!
What are the features?
All the features of the Atrack are incredibly well thought out, easy to use and make this bag the multi-activity workhorse that it is. Skis, walking poles, skateboard, Ice axes, your bike helmet? - you name it and you'll find a way to attach it to the outside of the Atrack (we've included a few photos for some inspiration). The Atrack uses a system of removable and adjustable compression/utility straps on the outside of the pack. These straps can be synched up to take out excess volume in the pack or loosened right out and criss-crossed to hold bigger items. The possibilities are endless.
Inside the large main compartment is an internal compression strap that takes out excess volume and 4 zippered pockets that work well at separating bits like cables and dirty socks from the rest of the kit in your bag. You also get two stretchy mesh pockets on the side of your pack that will both take a litre sized Nalgene bottle. If bottles aren't your thing and you'd rather have a bladder then fear not - Ortlieb have the answer! The Atrack is fitted with a Hermetic drinking tube seal that means your kit will stay dry whether or not you use a bladder with the pack. In the hipbelt you also have two zippered pockets that will fit a smaller phone or a bag of skittles.
The TIZIP Waterproof zipper deserves its own paragraph - This clever zip consists of a strong plastic coil zipper on a high strength fabric. When the TIZIP is closed, the sealing lips above and below the coil are compressed making a perfect seal. The zipper will prove its stability and durability even under most tough conditions. It is shock-proof, highly abrasion-resistant, and it will survive short-term sharp bending and twisting without separating. When closed, the zipper has a cross-breaking strength of minimum 300 N/cm. This does mean that the zipper may be a bit harder to move than conventional zippers and need to be maintained by adding a lubricant at regular intervals.
What is the back system?
Another incredibly useful feature of this pack is the easy to use back system. Whether you're 6'3" or 5'1", this pack can be adjusted to suit you (trust me, we've tried it). Simply adjust the ergonomic shoulder straps to your prefered length using the measurements marked on the bottom of the shoulder straps themselves and loosen/tighten up the shoulder stabiliser straps so the take-off point on the shoulder straps is in the right place. The sternum strap can be full adjusted up and down the shoulder straps to suit a wide range of heights and back lengths.
The straps on the hipbelt adjust in a forward-pull motion and hug your hips securely. The shoulder straps and hipbelt are all wide and padded to comfortably carry whatever you've stashed in your pack. If you're caught out by a storm or you've had to make an impromptu river crossing, the straps all dry quickly. Due to the design of the bag, the straps all stay off the floor and dry when you need to get into your pack.
Summary
You'll be hard pushed to find a bag that's as durable, waterproof and easy to use as this one. We love how it effortlessly it works in just about any scenario you put it in. Demanding situations don't phase this pack, in fact, the Atrack thrives in them.
-
TIZIP 100% waterproof zipper
-
Wear and tear resistant nylon fabric
-
4 zippered inside pockets
-
Continuously adjustable back panel to accommodate different heights
-
Ergonomic shoulder straps
-
Adjustable sternum straps
-
Wide, padded hip belt with zippered side mesh pockets
-
Two outside net pockets
-
Daisy chains on the front allow you to attach additional gear
-
4 compression belts
-
Hermetic seal for drinking tube exit
Getting the correct fit for your rucksack is as important as getting the fit right for your boots. A badly fitting pack can inflict misery and discomfort and completely ruin your adventure. This guide is designed to help you get the best fit and comfort from your chosen pack so that carrying all your kit becomes a pleasure and not a chore.
ADJUSTING THE BACK LENGTH
If the pack has an adjustable back length, adjust this to your correct level. Your back length is not related to your height but your torso length. Many packs, and specifically the bigger and more technical packs are available in different back lengths or feature adjustable back systems. Contrary to popular belief, your torso length and not your overall height is the key to getting a well fitted pack. Tall people don’t necessarily have long torsos, just as shorter people don’t always have a short torso length.
Your torso length can be found by measuring from your C7 vertebra (the bony protrusion at the back of your neck when looking down) to the height of your iliac crest (top of your hip bones, where you put your hands on your hips). This measurement will give you an idea of which pack back length to choose.
Once you've got the back length sorted, either by selecting the correct size pack or adjusting the back system, you can begin to follow these simple steps to help achieve a comfortable carry.
LOOSEN OFF ALL STRAPS
Before you start fitting the pack, loosen off all the straps as this will make it easier to get the correct tension later.
TIGHTENING THE HIPBELT
Fasten the backpack hipbelt, the general position is the same as where you’d put your ‘hands on hips’ This area is called the pelvic girdle, and what you can feel when you rest your hand on the area is the bony protuberance, the iliac crest. The iliac crest can support the weight from a pack comfortably, and for sustained periods. The padded section of the hipbelt should encompass this and fit securely.
Tighten the straps so the hipbelt feels secure and held firmly around your body. Ensure that the lumbar pad is centered to your lower back to give you maximum support. Remember that your hips carry most of the weight of the pack, so this should be firm but comfortable.
ADJUSTING THE SHOULDER STRAPS
Next, adjust the shoulder straps, pull them until they start to become snug, but ensure that they are not too tight as to lift the pack off your hips. Remember tightening them will stabilise the pack but will increase pressure over the shoulders. If the back length of the pack is correct the shoulder straps will be flush to your shoulders whilst the hipbelt sits in place comfortably. The point where the shoulder straps attach to the main body of the pack should be roughly half way down your shoulder blades; this ensures that the shoulder straps rolls evenly over the top of your shoulders to distribute the weight correctly.
FASTENING THE CHEST STRAP
Fasten the chest strap and pull until taut but not tight, the elastic section should not be extended. This helps keep the shoulder straps from catching in your shoulder joints and keeps the stability of the pack when moving over rough ground.
ADJUSTING THE TOP TENSIONERS
Top tensioner straps link the shoulder straps to the top of the pack. When tightened, their main function is to stabilise the top part of the pack. The optimum angle for these straps in 45º, but they will stabilise the load even when horizontal or at a more obtuse angle. Tighten them until you feel the top part of the pack rest against your pack, over tightening them will create excessive pressure on the front of your shoulders.
ADJUSTING THE SIDE TENSIONERS
Side tension straps are linked to the hipbelt. By tightening these straps you can stabilise the load but reduce the hipbelt flexibility. Where balance is critical tightening them can help you feel more secure. However, if you are striding out over easy terrain it’s better to loosen these straps to allow full hip flexibility.
ADJUSTING THE SIDE COMPRESSION STRAPS
Side compression straps come next, pulling these tight does two things: firstly, it stabilises the load, secondly it can lift the lower part of the pack, repositioning the load closer to your back.
ADJUSTMENTS ON THE GO
Following these steps should give you a comfortable but secure fit on your pack. Sometimes adjustments will need to be made on the go depending on the terrain or the load you are carrying. The perfect fit is very much a personal preference so experiment with different tensions on the pack to find what suits you best.