Submited By: Trevor Carpenter on 24/11/2010
I brought the Pod Black Ice rucksack to use for Alpine Mountaineering and Multi-day winter walking. The rucksack is very well constructed and despite almost 12 months of frequent use shows no signs of ware. I am just under 6 foot and have a size two sac and have found it very comfortable even with heavy loads, it is also very configurable as the waist belt can be removed as well as the back insert and it has an extending lid with an internal and outer compartment. The external lid compartment will easily take a 1L water bottle, gloves, map, abseil tat, ski goggles, etc all at the same time. The side compression straps will extent far enough to easily accommodate a closed cell mat or a two man tent, something often over looked. However, there are some features of the design that are not so good. Firstly the bottom axe loops are quite large and axes with a small hammer it can slip over the head causing the axe to potentially fall out. The upper ice axe loops are comprised of an elasticated cord, which is quick and easy, but with longer axes it is difficult pass the cord over the axe to attach it. The lid closure buckles do not hold the lid stable unless passed through the compression straps and with the large lid compartment filled it flops about annoyingly. Also I found the straps when fully extended can release from the bottom buckles. Lastly, be aware it has no cargo attachment points on the lib. I have modified my rucksac to alleviate these issues which was relatively easy to do. Over all I would recommend this rucksac because of its bomb proof construction, light weight and comfort.
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