What is the Montane Trailblazer 44?If you've been on the hunt for a lightweight yet supportive pack for moving quickly in the mountains, then look no further. The Trailblazer is designed to be taken into the mountains for a long day of walking, but possibly with a little running thrown in where applicable. With your standard daypack, this wouldn't be comfortably possible, but the Trailblazer's practical design allows it to excel in both situations. The 44 litre capacity makes it the ideal pack for a day out walking in winter or a multi-day trip with less kit.
What is it made from?The main bulk of the fabric is made from a lightweight yet durable 70 denier nylon, while an ultra burly 210 denier fabric is used on the base to deal with regular abrasion. Both of these fabrics feature a durable water repellent coating to ensure light rain beads off the surface; for heavy rain, we recommend the use of drybags. The harness and back panel both use an Air Mesh fabric to wick away sweat and to keep you cool when working hard.
What is the backsystem?The backsystem is where the real magic happens. If you imagine your standard daypack, the hipbelt is generally fairly thick and doesn't have a very large surface area, however, the Trailblazer features thin yet expansive hip fins which cover a large surface area of your hips without the weight and bulk, increasing comfort and stability when you pick up the pace. It's hard to convey just how comfortable these hip fins are in writing. These hip fins and the entire backpanel of the bag are made from an open Air Mesh fabric which wicks away sweat, grips to clothing to prevent excessive movement and offers constant airflow during hotter outings. The chest strap is also worth an honourable mention; rather than your standard buckle, Montane feature their click n' go system. The strap fastens to the opposing shoulder strap much like a magnet but is stronger and easier to use when wearing bulky gloves. It also makes a really satisfying click when you undo it.
While we're on the topic of the backpanel, it's made from a flexible, lightweight foam with a mesh lining and cut-outs in strategic places to maximise airflow. The backpanel is also adjustable, meaning you can fine-tune it to suit your height and overall size. A lightweight aluminium frame provides extra support when carrying heavier loads. Moving up to the shoulder straps, these use the same technology as the hip fins and cover a huge surface area of your body to increase comfort and load support.
What are the features?The main feature of this pack is just how well it carries weight when moving quickly, but it does have some other little tricks up its sleeve. You get two massive elasticated pockets which span between the hipbelt and body of the pack and will fit a lightweight waterproof jacket, a phone, snacks or other small paraphernalia inside, a large front stash pocket to store wet kit so it can easily dry, attachment loops to bungee on extra gear, two large pockets on the shoulder straps for a phone or other similarly sized items, front and under-arm attachment points for walking poles and compression straps in a 'Z' shape to prevent items rolling about; this also pulls the weight closer to your back for a better carry.
Unlike most packs, the Trailblazer features a lot of these pockets in arms reach when the pack is on; both hipbelt pockets and all pockets on the shoulder straps store just about everything you could possibly want while on the move, leaving your jacket and trousers empty, comfortable and non-restrictive. If you really can't stand walking with 'things' in your trouser and jacket pockets, the Trailblazer is an ideal solution.
- Two shoulder strap pockets
- Large side pockets
- Adjustable backsystem
- Large hip fins
- Can attach extra gear
- Light and fast design
- Sits higher than a walking pack
- Reflective detailing
- Pole attachment points
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.