The review of Bandit is coming up soon everyone so stay tuned! Also coming up next week, the next Overnight Adventure! Strength and Honor everyone. - Luke
just take that pack to the 'shed/cabin' one night and put it in the corner overnight.If its still there in the morning then keep it.If its gone that simply means it wussed out and ran away and you didn't need it anyway! Then you can make your review!
I think it's a great idea especially if you have a short torso. The first daypack I bought had a torso length that was too long. I hated carrying it so much, I ended up giving to somebody else and buying a new one. I bought a different pack and it's comfortable.
I'm super glad to see you testing out a day pack. I've been searching for a good one that can be comfortable and still have adequate space. I've had numerous surgeries in my chest and rib area so finding a form fitting pack is a bit of an issue I've run into. Namely with how it will pull on your shoulders over time. Since I'm relatively small, that adjustable harness sounds like a godsend, and the Molle webbing looks like it can be customizable if I wanted to push for an overnight. Super excited to see how this pans out.
Mystery Ranch (you need to test more MR packs!) has an adjustable torso on some of their day packs. My Coulee 25 has it, for example. I think you answered your own question somewhat, but the adjustable torso helps with hip belt placement. Even when not using the belt, I like to carry my pack as low as I can without it bouncing - the adjustable harness does that.
I wouldn't abuse myself on the pavement with all that beautiful terra firma country all around. Looks like a good pack. I would expect as much from Eberlestock. Look forward to your final review. Thanks.
As a military style pack I guess the adjustable system does make sense: They can issue the same pack to everyone (pretty much) and still have a comfortable day pack. It’ll only be adjusted when issued so it isn’t so important if it’s slow. The waist belt, however... Some modifications may be needed.
I have no idea why they designed the straps to be adjustable but I can see this pack being useful to someone who carries web gear/molle belt. That way you can position the pack higher on the body to make space for access to gear around the waist. Then if you just need a backpack you can adjust the straps back to normal.
Being a small pack, I really think the waist strap is not needed (MHO). The pack, if packed properly should not bounce, running that’s a different story, but keeping the heavy contents lower will help. The adjustable harness looks good, the adjusting straps being tight will keep the harness from sliding. I wonder if after a period of time if those straps will stretch with sweat and use. Guess you’ll find that out after your field testing. Enjoyed the video!!
Just seeing this video now, as I’m thinking of getting one. I agree. The pack is too small to really NEED a strap. It has a slot to add a hip belt, which I can just rob off one of my other Eberlestock packs, or you can purchase separately if you don’t have one already and you want one. Eberlestock has a video on how packs should ride, and their hip belts are just that, hip belts. They are meant to ride with with your crest of your hip at the center of the belt, which puts the adjustable strap and buckle typically at your navel. If you don’t like it, you don’t like it, but that’s the way they ride. There is also a reason that the harness is adjustable. Some said for kids growing up, I mean... I guess? But the D rings on the harness straps should be at the center of your shoulder, between your chest and back. And the curve of the harness strap should follow the curvature of your back without having a big gap between the strap and your shoulder blades. Having this feature will give the user SOME adjustment to allow the pack to be used to its full potential as far as ride and weight management/distribution. There should also be straps toward the top of the pack to pull in the top toward your back, if you have weight toward the top that’s causing the pack to “bounce” or move around at the top. These are all features in just about every eberlestock. All of that aside, I’m liking the way this thing looks and how it’s organized. Simple design, not overtly tactical (you could always get a panel to cover up the laser cut Molle, if that’s too tactical), and great for a hike. Good for EDC, I’m fairly certain this will be my next pack.
Luke, you do understand that it's a tactical pack right, because you just did a backpackers review on a tactical pack. So some things are a little different between them. I remove the shoulder straps completely as the pack mounts to my plate carrier by quick release buckle as does the waist belt. Hope that helps. SPC-6 Lee A Benson 11B U.S. Army (RET.)
Luke, Check our Hill People Gear. They have adjustable harnesses on all of their packs. The Umlindi and Tarahumara packs are great for day use and the Umlindi will accept one of their waist belts for heavier loads. I own both and have sold most of my other packs and made the switch to HPG. They make top quality products and the customer service is outstanding.
The Vanquest Markhor has a similar adjustment system, however it's a 45 liter pack. That size works well for me as a winter day pack since I always carry extra gear and clothes for even a winter day hike. I haven't purchased the pack, but I am very interested in it.
If..., it had a propper waistbelt, with some zipper pouches (compas/multitool size), it would be perfect. Absolutely. Then with the adjustable shoulderstraps, it could be a good junior pack, that dad could use as well ??? For everytime we se you running, u've been out there placing the camera, or having to go back and retrieve it 🏃 Adds some extra miles 😀
Hi Luke! I've been a subscriber a long time, and it's only now that I knew your name. In any case, you provide a good review, and I, along with so many others out there, are waiting for your conclusion. I'm an Eberlestock owner myself, with the J79 Skycrane as my survival bag, and these bags are well-thought out. I have to say I will get the Bandit soon as I'm back on my feet, as that would make for a great hand-carried travel bag. Keep it up, Luke! Thanks for the review.
I think it needs a better waist belt. The company would sell more if the belt had more strap to adjust therefore allowing all shapes of people to use it. Also i think it being able to adjust up and down could be useful in the sense that short torso bodied people would have the option of adjusting the pack to fit them. Also Luke what about the chest strap? Their are some bigger endowed people who may need to adjust that as well to fit their chest size. But other then that it seems to perform pretty well. Thanks for the info!
Yea I don't see anything wrong with the adjustable shoulder straps. Not really adding a ton of weight there, but making sure it's the best fit possible. And probably durability as well. But those waist straps look too thin, and uncomfortable
You should get a store/affiliate links. This way you can make some extra money but still keep doing honest reviews. If they’re gonna buy the gear anyway might as well make a little money off the deal. And if the gear sucks, plainly state it sucks and why. Keep up the great reviews and adventures!!
I wondered about the adjustable harness, too. I own another Eberlestock pack, and quite a few other backpacks for heavy carrying. In my opinion an adjustable harness system is perfect, but it is only really useful when you have a good load-carrying hip belt (where you can transfer some of the load to your hips). I thought this pack had a slot to add an adjustable hip belt as an option?
I like the adjustable harness as everyone is shaped different. I am a member of several hiking clubs and hikers like adjustability. The padding and adjustments on the harness seem like it would do well with a lot of weight. Perhaps you will be testing that.
Yep and don't need a buckle just 2 looping pieces that's like [ | ] lol and then 2 of your extended web pieces and then just put buckles on ends of those
Nice looking daypack. However only 32 inch waist is way to small for me. Just wondering as I watched this, all the video you’ve made how many miles you think you’ve traveled going back to get your camera? Thanks for this review
I'd cut the waist strap off, a pack that size doe not warrant a waist strap IMO. I removed the waist strap on my Hikelite26 as well , the Talon 22L has an adjustable torso just an fyi. Thanks for the Monday video Cool Hand
I have no experience with the laser cut M.O.L.L.Y system that's on a lot of packs. Does it hold the pouch tightly to the pack without it flopping around too much?
Adjustable harness is only for different lengths of torso’s.... could shorten it and use it for kids, or small women. Sucks it isent a larger waist belt, that is weird
Just a thought, could it come set with the straps in the position for short people? Not sure but you seem to be average height, if the straps come preset in the S position that could explain the belt riding to high. Can't say Ive ever run into this with any pack I have.
I think an 8 minute video sucks, i am ready for a camping/hiking adventure video. The pack itself seems like it might be a good thing for women who are short waisted, the waist belt length will limit it's sells due to the short length. I think there are better choices out there.
Another day pack that is adjustable is the First Tactical Tactix 0.5 Day Backpack. It's got great organization but the harness can be difficult to adjust. www.firsttactical.com/products/tactix-0-5-day-backpack
I'm currently looking for a 20L or less pack to upgrade from my CamelBak MULE. Basically just need to carry smaller EDC items, a bladder, and just a little more than what the CamelBak offers which is a main compartment like this one for maybe clothes or something. This and the Vanquest Katara 16 seem to fit the bill but still not sold on either. This is awesome and I'm a 30" waist so belt not a problem, but like you said adjustable harness is useless on a small pack. Any other ideas anyone?
you don't need to sew...just get strap extenders and you're golden. still, wtf would anyone make the belt that damned limiting? the only reason I can see for a pack that small to have an adjustable harness is to grow with a young'n. actually, another one would be it is a part of a modular system that allows you to add on items thus more weight.
Wow...I noticed about 350 thumbs up for this video! Does that mean they all have waistlines that are 32" and below, or do they just like Luke?! Thumbs down on me for the pack, as c'mon, how many guys who are over 6' tall, or built like a linebacker have a 32" inch waist? How many women nowadays? LOL Anyway, if I remember correctly, this tiny 15 liter pack also weighs five pounds or close to it, so yea...definitely a thumbs down! Thumbs up for Luke however! Guys, there are so many lightweight packs out there that are super durable, and in the 50 to 60 liter range, that I cannot understand why anyone would want this pack, unless it was to use as a small EDC, a carry on, or for carrying books to school. Pass!
