GEAR TEST
LOWE ALPINE
MANASLU ND50:65L
WOMEN’S BACKPACK Versatility and comfort.
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HINKING BACK TO MY FIRST pack-buying experience, I was quite clueless. I walked away
with a big, blue and boofy 80L canvas pack, and I was thrilled. And while it’s still a good pack, if you fast forward four years, I’ve come to realise that I usually just don’t need something that big. Enter Lowe Alpine’s Manaslu ND50:65. (There’s also a men’s 55-70L version of the pack, but I had the women’s-specific ND50:65L.) Although its ability to increase its capacity to 65L makes it still sound like a ‘biggish’ pack, it also compresses down to a neat 50L when the hood isn’t extended. Com-
gear—and the standard top entry. The options are really
bined with the narrow-dimension frame—hence the
in your hands.
ND—this pack is a versatile option if you just want to buy
NEED TO KNOW Intended use: Multi-day hiking Materials: Mini ripstop fabric and 500D nylon base Extendable lid: Yes Compartments: 3, plus a lid Weight (as tested): 2.38kg RRP: $459.95 More info: rab.equipment
The Manaslu also has one of the most spacious hood
one pack that does it all. Swift little overnighter? You bet-
compartments I’ve used on a pack. There’s no faffing
cha. Seven-dayer, with extra room for puffy jackets, ther-
about to manoeuvre your items into the space available.
mals and trackies to stay warm in the snow? Easy done!
The zip on the hood provides access to a large, roomy
Weighing in a tad over 2kg, this pack isn’t as heavy or
opening in which you can store what you need for the
as robust as that first canvas pack, but nor is it a flimsy,
day. Kitted out with YKK zips—which Wild’s Editor James
featherweight one either. It’s a happy medium. It has
insists are top notch—(Ed: they absolutely are!) all with
lumbar support, padding in all the right places, an easily
large grabbable toggles, you won’t have to worry about
adjustable back harness, and a thick and secure hip belt.
them breaking on you. Sure, the zips add a few grams, but
And with its extendable 15L lid, packing for a longer trip
that’s the trade off with having so much choice.
isn’t a chore. To test its limits, we loaded up the Manaslu
I’m a big fan of the front grab handle. It offers an easy
with an array of items (including fresh vegetables and
solution for your hiking buddies to help hoist your pack
naan for our curries) for a seven-day walk in Kosciuszko
onto your back, or for you to swiftly shimmy your pack
NP. Despite bailing on Day Five due to weather, this pack
around camp as needed. It’s not essential, but neither
was comfortable and carried the load really well.
are hip pockets—and it has those too! Just don’t try to
Apart from comfort, this pack exceeds in the way of
add too many snacks; a couple of muesli bars and the
‘extras’. It has three separate compartments, and three
pockets are close to their limit. Conversely, the stretchy
separate entry points: zipped front entry, separate
mesh side pockets are exactly that—super stretchy,
bottom entry—which leads you to an internal zipped
and huge too; stashing away water bottles of any size
divider if you want to separate your wet tent from other
is really easy. I do wish that the front stash pocket had
REVIEW
THE NORTH FACE
THERMOBALL TRACTION V MULES Like walking on a cloud.
Recently, I scored a pair of The North Face’s Thermoball
the outdoors than to get out of the shoes or boots
Traction V Mules. I’ve worn them most days since (even in
that have been imprisoning your feet for hours. In sum-
May, my house is like an icebox). Now, I’m going to steal a
mer, around camp, it’s easy to slip into thongs or even
line from a review I read online, and full disclosure, it’s one
Lining: Fleece
tramp around in bare feet. But in winter, when your feet
from TNF’s own website, but it’s a line I wish I’d written
RRP: $130
still need a bit of warmth, many people simply stay in
myself because it’s so true. Titled ‘It feels like I am walking
More info: thenorthface.com.au
their shoes or boots. Crazy! That’s why I’ve long been a
on a cloud’, Miles writes, “These are the most comfortable
fan of insulated booties, and why I can’t, for the life of me,
shoes I have ever worn. It’s like wearing a puffer jacket on
understand why more people don’t take them on trips.
your feet.” Man, is that ever spot on! I just would have added
Weight (Men’s US 11): 236g (each)
136
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HERE’S NOTHING BETTER AFTER a long day in
NEED TO KNOW
WILD
