Vango F10 PCT 50:60S Rucksack Backpack, Rucsac or Rucksack
Product Review & Walking Gear Test

	F10 PCT 50:60S Rucksack Backpack, Rucsac or Rucksack Vital Statistics: Guarantee: 2 Years Colours: Red Sizes: 60.0 litres - L 300mm x H 760mm x W 300mm Weight: 2.24kg SRP: £140.00

F10 PCT 50:60S Rucksack Backpack, Rucsac or Rucksack

Vital Statistics:

Guarantee:
2 Years

Colours:
Red

Sizes:
60.0 litres - L 300mm x H 760mm x W 300mm

Weight:
2.24kg

SRP:
£140.00

Vango says:"The PCT is the ultimate in multi-day packs. Inspired by the Pacific Crest Trail, the PCT has been designed for long distance, multi-day trekking with a robust ripstop Nylon fabric that is both strong and durable. Featuring our top of the range A1 back system it offers fantastic stability and load balance whilst retaining ventilation even in the hottest conditions. The clam-shell opening offers direct access to the body of the pack making it quick and easy to find your essentials while the floating lid and customisable rigging allows you to carry additional items or keep them on hand."

Features to Note:

Single Adjust Back System (A1) - An evolution of our Self Adjust back system. Built around two body contoured alloy bars, the back system can adjusted with one hand to fit almost any back length perfectly, whilst still wearing the pack.
Excel® 210D Ripstop Nylon - exceptionally high quality polyamide; lightweight, strong and durable with a double ripstop weave for additional tear-proof strength.
Additional zip pocket under lid - Safe storage for small items.
AirMesh on rucksack straps - Allows air to flow, keeping the user cool.
3D ergonomic hip belt - Shaped for optimum comfort and load carrying.
Daisy chain allows accessory attachment.
Dual side compression straps - Stabilise rucksack contents.
Expansion side zip pockets - Slim profile pack with extra storage capacity when required.
Extendable gaiter - Provides additional pack space and protection of contents from the elements.
Floating lid - Expand capacity when carrying larger loads.
Ice Axe/Walking Pole Attachments - For carrying essential safety gear.
Top lid with zip pocket - Provides easy access and safe storage for small items.
Top Compression Straps - for compressing your load and strapping items underneath.
Side Compression Straps - to secure your load.
Shaped adjustable harness - Provides optimum fit and comfort.
Compatible with most hydration reservoirs.
Webbing grab handle between shoulder straps.
Waterproof rain cover with reflective print.
Laser cut, highly reflective panels for added visibility in poor conditions or at night.
Zipped access via the front of the pack. Easy access to items stored in the middle of the pack.
Duraflex buckles - Strong and reliable.
SBS Zips - High quality, durable zips.

In-use Test:

The F10 PCT 50:60S Rucksack from Vango offers plenty of capacity for large loads and is ideally suited for back-packing in even the most remote areas of the country.

The body has a standard capacity of 50 litres which can be further expanded to 60 litres via expanding zipped pockets on the side, an extendable gaiter and a floating lid.

The pack is made from Excel® 210D Ripstop Nylon, a high quality polyamide which is lightweight, strong and durable and has a double ripstop weave making it very difficult to rip or tear, however much I tried. The Single Adjust Back System (A1) - is adjustable to suit all kinds of body lengths and shapes. To get it to fit, Vango suggests putting the F10 PCT 50:60S Rucksack on and adjusting the single strap on my right mid riff. To be honest I did find this a little awkward and found it easier to remove the back pack and adjust it and the try it again. Via this trial and error I didn't take long to achieve the perfect position for my back length. Once in position the strap is secured with plastic strap adjuster which can be further tightened or loosened en-route depending on your load or circumstances.

The shoulder straps are further adjustable to get the perfect fit and are nice and thickly padded. I found them very comfortable. The inside of back section has thick padding around the shoulder blades and the base of the spine and I found this to offer great comfort whilst allowing air to circulate.

The sternum strap across the chest is fixed by a series of daisy chain loops which means you can set to your ideal position for the strap and it will not slide up and down (something I find irritating with other rucksacks). These daisy chain loops are useful for hanging anything else you might want to have close at hand - like a compass, whistle, pacing beads or small camera.

There is an emergency plastic whistle moulded into the sternum strap adjuster. It does work, but is not very loud or powerful and I wouldn't advise relying on it in times of need. Each shoulder strap also includes an elastic loop which I used to secure my aquapac drinking tube for easy access whether you are a left-hand drinker or a right-hand drinker (which I am).

There are two ways to access the main compartment; via the lid - to get at the items stowed near the top of the pack - or via a large zip on the body of the backpack that completely opens the main compartment of the pack - so it acts and looks more like a holdall when placed straps down. There isn't a separate compartment at the bottom of the Vango F10 PCT 50:60S Rucksack for a sleeping bag. The large zip on the body of the backpack has storm flaps to keep the worst of the weather out and these are held in place by strategically placed buttons of velcro.

The bright orange rain cover is located in a velcro closing pocket at the base of the rucksack and I found that easily covers the whole pack and anything you might have attached to it (within reason). It also has a reflective F10 Series logo printed on it.

Inside the main compartment is a pocket for all your important documents (passport, insurance) and a velcro hook to hang a water system from. The holes at the top are large enough to get your drinks tube through (surprisingly, something that is not true of all rucksacks).

On the outside there are two ice-axe/walking pole loops, two elasticated side pockets (for water bottles, fruit, discarded packaging) and two internal zipped side pockets for my important, need-to-access-quickly items.

There are compression straps on each side to tighten and secure everything. There are daisy chain loops on both sides as well, useful for even more hanging options for my bits and bobs.

The lid has a large zipped pocket (where I kept my gloves, hat, mini-tripod and other must-have-quickly items and includes a keyring fob. The storm flaps surrounding the nice and chunky zip are also held in place by a strategically placed velcro button.

The lid also has a series of daisy chain loops for even more hanging options.

The belt is nicely padded and has a double looped securing strap. This can be tightened by pulling the adjustable straps towards the middle rather than pulling them away me.

Buying Advice:

I absolutely love the F10 PCT 50:60S Rucksack from Vango. There are loads of useful features and multiple storage options to suit every possible need. It is well made and finished. I have seen it suggested that at 2.24kg it is heavy for this type and size of rucksack but, in my experience, that is about average. More importantly, it fits beautifully and is very, very comfortable to wear - which is probably the most important thing after a long day on the fells.

For more details see: https://www.outdoorworlddirect.co.uk/f10-pct-50-60s-rucksack.html

What do you think?

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