What is the Manaslu?
The Manaslu is your go-to rucksack for backpacking, trekking and travelling over a few days, a week, a month or a lifetime of adventures. Featuring Lowe Alpine's most advanced carry system, you'll be hard pressed to find a more comfortable bag for multi-day trips with plenty of weight.
What is it made from?
One of the most vital aspects of a trekking bag has to be its ability to survive harsh terrain over long periods of time. As soon as you get your hands on the Manaslu, you can tell it has been built to last! The bulk of the bag has been made from a super tough 210D Ripstop nylon with a durable water repellent finish, while areas prone to wear get an upgraded 500D fabric (the base, for example). Think of these fabrics as the lighter yet just as durable canvas from back in the day.
What is the backsystem?
Lowe Alpine use their Womens specific VT Flex system on the Manaslu. Rather than a backsystem, Lowe Alpine label it a Carry System as it involves far more than just the back; it encompasses the hipbelt, shoulder straps, adjustment and back panel as a whole to offer the greatest level of comfort and support. This Carry System features a brand new system to adjust the length which is quicker and less time consuming than previous models; simply lift the velcro, adjust to the desired length and push the velcro back down. When you adjust the back system to the desired length, you won't have to make sure both shoulder straps are level; the entire section which connects the straps moves as one in two channels that run up the bag, ensuring a level set of straps every time. The entire system is narrower, shorter and features different dimensions than a unisex or male pack, ensuring a comfortable, supportive fit. In case you were also wondering, 'ND' (in the name) refers to Nanda Devi Unsoeld, a mountaineer who died attempting to conquer the Himalayan peak that bore her name.
Moving onto the next part of the Carry System, the hipbelt is pre-curved and hugs your hips before you've even tightened the straps. This hipbelt can be adjusted in length to offer a more advanced fit for smaller and larger people alike, while a lumbar pad increases comfort and prevents the bag uncomfortably digging into your lower back over long periods of time. The shoulder straps feature a similar design, with a pre-curved shape and a grippy mesh layered over the top.
Having tried this bag on with 20kg inside, we were amazed at its ability to carry weight so effortlessly. Once adjusted, the hipbelt takes the weight brilliantly and transfers the load onto your hips so comfortably that you forget you've got any weight in at all.
What are the features?
Like any technical rucksack, the Manaslu is jam packed with features to make life on the trails and in the mountains as enjoyable as possible. Starting with the entry points, you get three ways to enter the bag; either via the top underneath the lid, via the bottom in the lower compartment (generally used to store a sleeping bag) or via a large zip on the front - this allows you to remove items from the bottom of the pack without emptying the rest of the pack out. While we're on the topic of the top lid, this can be extended upwards to offer 15 litres more storage.
Pockets wise, you get an external lid pocket, an internal lid pocket with a key clip, two zipped hipbelt pockets for snacks, a GPS or a camera, a front stash pocket which can be used to store a wet tent flysheet or waterproof clothing (far better than stuffing it into the bottom of your pack where it can't breathe!) and two mesh side pockets for 1L water bottles. Oh, and there's an internal hydration sleeve for a bladder.
Other useful features include internal and external compression straps to pull the weight of the bag closer to your bag and to prevent items rolling about, walking pole and axe attachment points, daisy chain loops to attach extra gear to the outer of the pack, an SOS panel to store your emergency details in case the worst happens, a sternum strap with built in whistle (another great safety feature), a raincover and a large grab handle to easily pick the bag up when lifting onto your back or into a vehicle.
Summary
The Manaslu is the ideal bag for trekking, backpacking and travelling for long periods of time with heavy loads. With an incredibly comfortable carry system, durable fabrics and enough pockets to literally store your life in, it begs the question; why look elsewhere?
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Womens specific
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Brand new carry system
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Fully adjustable
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Adjustable hipbelt
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Breathable mesh
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Built in raincover
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Three entry points
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Walking pole and axe attachment
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Huge array of pockets
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Lid extends for 15 litres extra storage
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.