Thank you man that really means a lot, I very much enjoy doing this and I'm glad that my style is well received. And as for the bag, definitely. Amazing piece of kit.
Similar backstory to both companies. Filson got his start supplying folks on their way up to the cold north in Alaska during a gold rush, and Savotta got their start supplying folks heading up to the cold north in Finland for logging purposes. "Savotta" actually means "logging camp" in Finnish. Both companies had to be the best of the best available to these people because equipment failure was not an option. As Filson stayed in the civilian market, and expanded their selection to fit that need, Savotta on the other hand became one of the largest suppliers to the Finnish military. Both companies are definitely comparable, separated by where they place their main focus currently and a few other minor details.
Great reviews and videos! Thank you very much, was hoping to see a good video of the new savotta products. You should really consider keep on doing videos because you are doing great in front of the camera, would love to see more videos from you in the future. Best regard from Sweden!
Thank you friend :) and I really am having some fun doing this, I might continue. Even my wife sees that and says I should do it. I am very much a northern gear type of guy, is there anything else you would want to see? Most of my gear is Swedish and Finnish so I might have some stuff that can instill some more rightfully earned Swedish pride in your heart. And really, thanks again it means a lot :)
@@Tim_Keys I´m glad to hear that you are thinking of producing more content. I would love to see how you would build a backpacking/survival/buschcraft system with gear that are supposed to be modular (like Savotta). I bet that you with your military background could teach us something new, it´s always nice to hear different perspektives on stuff. I mostly use swedish and finnish gear myself but I also like american gear that are awesome and high quality as well. Would also love to hear the story of why you ended up liking scandinavian designs and gear and how you think they differ from let´s american. For myself I choose to support companies that are aligned with my values, I find many american brands (outdoor gear) are very in line my core beliefs, but so are the scandinavians. I love Savotta and Varusteleka, their sense of humor, design and quality. Being from Sweden I of course like Fjällräven but sadly they don´t produce in Scandinavia or Europe. Take care and best regards!!!
You know I might just do that, this is proving to be more fun than I thought and it's hard to find people around me that get as excited as I do about this stuff. Showing my why and how of setting up gear gets old for most other people. Maybe this week I will do that. As for Scandinavian gear, I joke that it is like graduating up to outdoors university. I could go a lot deeper into that too. And as for company values and practices, I entirely gave up Fjällräven to go for Varusteleka. I'm juggling a baby at the same time as answering you right now, so please excuse my rambling nonsensical response but I will definitely get back to you soon. Take care friend and we'll talk again soon I'm sure
love savotta. interested in the idea of it as a front chest rig attached to the straps of the pack. Looks like you could plenty to survive in it if you're walking away from a camp for awhile. thanks for the review.
I wish they made this with detachable hip belt, or a different version with no belts and molle fastening loops on the back-facing side. Id like to mount it on the Jaakaari L/XL hip belt for a much stronger support and belt for pulk sled dragging.
Great review Tim. Those people who happen to have the Jaakari S can use Askare to upgrade it to a backpack with hip belt. The Askare lines up perfectly with the Jaakari S side compression straps. You only need 2 split bar buckles and two G hooks (or 4 G hooks) for that. Demonstration video here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-gffRPyeA8pI.html
Thanks for a nice, impromptu assessment! One thing does occur to me that you might find interesting. Namely, the very best feature of the hip/lumbar/butt bag is its superiority for carrying weight. The backpack, even with a hip strap/belly band, does this only by compromising balance and comfort. But used together as a modular system, each could independently fulfill the various requirements of a multiday excursion. So, 7L and perhaps 6 kilos on the hips, plus 25-30L and up to 8 kilos on the back with a vest harness pack -- not ideal for a heavy, full camping expedition but 3 season friendly, anyhow.
That is something that got by me in my initial assessment, but I very much see that now. Have you checked out the guy from the channel Endurance Room? He is doing just that and is loving it
@@Tim_Keys Yes I have -- and I could even see where he was going with it before the explanation! That's what you'll be looking for after decades of maladjustment with a "belly band" on a shoulder strapped pack . . . Of course, designs and materials have improved a lot -- but they can't improve on 100% separation of the lower from the upper loads, plus variable transfer to the lower from the upper in very subtle ways.
Great review! 👍 Ended up ordering the Askare pack. Will be using it as a sling bag or as a front pocket on my Jääkäri M which seemed really slick. I guess its possible to use on my HPG Junction pack also with additional straps with G-hooks.
love the review you covered everything, you didin't just scrape the surfice and told information that everybody can find on official site you trurly showed what is it capable of you've erned a subscriber :) i would also love to see a better overview of Jääkäri M. have a good day!
If you wanna add something. I would add a third molle at the side. Only one wide, but at the same height like the strap is. So added pouched would be more stable.
@@Tim_Keys More thoughts: The upper molle at the side should go one more further at the little wing (so 3 wide). And above (the new one), also 3 wide, 2 at the wing, one at the pack. I need to learn how to sew. :)
Haha I'm exactly the same - always customizing the sh*t out of my packs and my wife rolling her eyes behind my back :D The extra stuff on my Hatka & Jääkäri cost more than the bags themselves...
The Jääkäri there is the M, but my Jääkäri L is about to make his debut appearance pretty soon. If you want me to compare the L with anything or test something for you, just let me know
@@Tim_Keys alright, thanks. I have nothing special in mind, but since you mention it... of course comparing M to L is interesting. And how would you extend the L? Or how would you pack it? (Savotta) Sleeping matt bottom, sleeping bag top, and (solo-, 2-person) tent..in the middle? Or if you have that German sleeping matt, it probably goes inside the bag? I'm guessing M might not be enough for (Finnish) winter, so it should be at least L? Or is it:)
I will try to get some of this done for you soon. And for Finland I would probably ask Varusteleka. The people who work there are super gear nerds and a lot of them are still reservists, so they will probably have your answer
Thanks for the info. What was the name & brand of the straps you used to make it into a backpack. Couldn’t catch the name as it came across a little to quick and muffled..!
Sorry about that, I'm trying to get better at this and I'm really only recording on a phone so it's not the best. But take a look at Varusteleka and they will have everything you need, Savotta makes a lot of their in-house gear too. www.varusteleka.com/en/collection/sarma-tst/189?category=rucksacks-and-bags
Thank you :) I know a guy that works for Varusteleka, and he says that they should have these bags available for overseas delivery in March. If you keep an eye out on there they have a flat rate US delivery fee of $10 so you really can't beat that
Yes I did I'm sorry I didn't get back to you on that. What I found was yes a chest rig is definitely an option, but it needs to be flexible enough to wrap around you slightly. It will not work as well attached to the backpack straps, as it will be held across tighter and end up blocking the movement of your arms in the forward direction.
You know, I never thought of that. That might be a much more elegant solution, it would not leave the split bar buckles hanging when not in use. Thanks friend :) for both the idea and the kind words
@@Tim_Keys 👍I had the Savotta Jaagari M since 2018. It is a tough backpack but I find the strap padding a joke. If the load is more than 10kg, it is quite a hell to carry. And it doesn't have a load lifter which can pull the load closer to you. Other than these 2, it is a great backpack if it is under 10kg load
