TESTED: RUCKSACKSwomensrunninguk.co.uk MARCH 2017 71
MEET THE WR TEST TEAM
Our kit tests are 100% independent. The test
team is made up of Women’s Running staff
and contributors, who come in all shapes,
sizes and speeds – but who all love running!
They are:
Jennifer Bozon, assistant editor; trains
three to four times per week
Jackie Brydon, accounts manager; races
ultras and tricky Cornish coastal events
Claire Chamberlain, columnist; in training
for the London Marathon
Lisa Jackson, contributing editor; our
resident multiple marathoner
Tina Chantrey, contributing editor; trains
for around three hours per week
Elizabeth Hufton, editor; runs twice a
week and cross-trains three times a week
Cristina Slattery Lopez, advertising
manager; training for her first 10K
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
CHECK THIS LIST BEFORE YOU BAG
YOURSELF A NEW RUCKSACK
Size You have to balance the capacity to
hold everything you want, with the need
for a bag small enough to run with. If you’re
buying for a run commute, don’t bother with
laptop compartments – your computer
won’t stand up to the impact anyway!
Compartments The best running
rucksacks have several compartments, as
well as the main holding area of the bag.
You’ll want at least one small pocket on the
front and one or two mesh or zip pockets
on the sides that you can reach without
removing the rucksack.
Flexibility The bigger the pack, the harder
it is to run with, even when empty, so
choose one that can be contracted (often
via drawstring) when it’s less full.
Straps Women generally have narrower
shoulders than men, which means lots of
unisex rucksacks don’t fit that well. Look for
female-specific designs with straps that
curve inwards from the shoulders.
Race-specific features Rucksacks for
ultras or stage races need extra-accessible
compartments for food, water, poles and
other mid-race essentials.
MONTANE VIA CLAW 14
Tested by: Lizmontane.co.uk, £120 (available from spring 2017)OSPREY TEMPEST 9
Tested by: Jennyospreyeurope.com, £75First impressions? This is a really small and
light pack with loads of compartments. I was
immediately impressed with the potential for
carrying loads in such a small pack!
How good was the fit? Brilliant, and I’ve spent
my running life complaining about the fit of
rucksacks – the straps usually slide off my
shoulders while the waist and chest
straps are often in the wrong
place on my weirdly short
body. But this pack has wide,
shaped straps that ensure the
weight stays right in the curve
of your back.
What did you think of the quality/
attention to detail? Again,
fantastic. It seems more of a
race pack than a commuter
pack but, just for a laugh, I
shoved a day’s work clothes,
make-up and toiletries in all
the compartments and it’s so
well thought out, with smallFirst impressions? I loved the compact design
but was sceptical about whether it would fit
everything I needed in for work.
How good was the fit? As it’s designed
specifically for women, with an
ergonomically shaped hipbelt, harness, yoke
and back panel, the fit felt really bespoke
and secure.
What did you think of the
quality/attention to detail?
The rucksack is super
adaptable. It has a front
bungee compression
system which allows you to
adjust the size, depending
on the contents and activity.
I could pack it full when
commuting by bike and
shrink down when running.
Any useful and/or unique
features? I love how many
pockets there are – and
with zip fastenings – topockets on the front, a main compartment,
flat compartment for a bladder and big mesh
pockets on the side.
Any useful and/or unique features? Plenty of
useful ones – see above!
How does it feel when you’re running? Amazingly
secure, even fully loaded. The numerous
compartments mean you don’t
have loads of stuff wobbling
around. The pack sits right in
between your shoulder blades
and there’s minimal bounce.
How do you feel about the look of the
pack? I don’t expect much from
rucksacks in terms of looks –
although I love purple.
What’s the worst thing about it? I
couldn’t fault it.
Mark out of 10 for value? It’s very
pricey but well put together. 8.
Mark out of 10 for performance?
10.
Would you buy this? Yes!keep everything organised and secure
There’s also a bike helmet attachment.
How does it feel when you’re running? Very
comfortable. There was zero bounce and I
didn’t get sweaty either, thanks to the mesh-
covered back panel.
How do you feel about the look of the pack? I love
the mint green colourway, although I have a
feeling it may get dirty very quickly!
What’s the best thing about this product?
It’s multi-purpose usage – you can
use it for a run or cycle commute,
and also a hike, packing in extra
belongings if on the bike and
shrinking it down to contain
fewer items while running.
What’s the worst thing about it? I
would have liked it to be a tiny
bit bigger to fit my work shoes!
Mark out of 10 for value? 7.
Mark out of 10 for performance? 8.
Would you buy this? Yes! But
perhaps at a discounted rate.