Vango Sherpa 60+10s Backpack, Rucsac or Rucksack
Product Review & Walking Gear Test

Sherpa 60+10s Backpack, Rucsac or Rucksack Vital Statistics: Guarantee: Life of the Backpack Colours: Marine/Mercury, Charcoal/Mercury Weight: 2.20 kgms SRP: £55.00

Vango says:"A Vango classic. The enhanced performance from the SA - Self Adjust back system offers outstanding support and performance with tremendous value. Available in classic side pocket and Alpine expansion pocket styles, there is one to suit all needs"

Features to Note:

• Body: Excel 420D Diamond Ripstop and 600D Polyester
• Base: Excel 600D Polyester
• Back System: SA - Self Adjust
• Hip/Waist Belt: Air Mesh
• Capacity (litres): 60+10
• Shorter (S) back lengths to accommodate women and/or anyone who require a shorter torso fit. A regular back length version is also available.
• Self-Adjust (SA) carry system which gives maximum comfort and is quick and easy to adjust.
• Bi-radial chassis.
• Ergonomic hipbelt with zipped storage pockets that is shaped for comfort.
• Body contact points which are made of Air Mesh to keep you cool and comfortable.
• Flexi-Adjust sternum strap which is easy to adjust.
• Top and front opening with zipped base compartment allows flexibility in packing and use.
• Hydration compatible, so you can have liquid on the move.
• Detachable rain cover so your pack and its contents are kept dry.
• Extension sleeve with a drawcord and top compression strap that gives extra space, keeps out the rain and helps secure the load.
• Side pockets which expand and have dual compression straps to give you extra space.
• Twin attachment points to help you carry walking poles or ice axes with ease.
• Top and side haul handles which make carrying and handling a loaded pack easier.
• Daisy chain accessory down front.

In-use Test:

This is from Vango's Adventure range so its intended use is for weekends away in the hills, festivals, camping with the kids and travelling. Fit and comfort are the most important criteria when selecting a rucksack or backpack. I used the woman-specific, shorter length version with enough gear for a long day's winter walk.

The harness length can be adjusted in two ways - by movement of the shoulder attach point up and down at the back and then by making a finer adjustment to the strap length at the front. So it's possible to quickly adjust the backpack to fit.

The hip belt has enough ridgidity and padding for my needs and also includes two rather handy small pockets. It was easy to open, close and adjust - even wearing thick gloves.

There's also an effective lumbar support feature plus raised foam ribs which helped the airflow between my back and the pack.

All-in-all the harness worked well in distributing the weight onto my hips. The pack also felt quite stable throughout.

The shoulder straps are adjustable and nicely padded. The sternum strap opened and closed easily and can be tightened and loosened laterally (across the chest). You can also adjust the sternum strap vertically but this is quite fiddly. However this is something you would probably only do once during the initial fitting. The right-hand shoulder strap also includes a clip for a drinking tube and both shoulder straps include various fastening loops for GPS, compass, whistle etc.

The lid of the Vango Sherpa 60 + 10s Rucsac has a good sized pocket large enough for an OS map and includes a plastic karabiner (for eg keys, penknife) plus a zipped internal pocket. The lid also has loops for attaching a bed roll or insulation mat.

Both of the two external, side pockets are large enough for a water bottle though surprisingly, neither include any means to hold the bottles in place.

There are also two external zipped side pockets, each large enough for several OS maps and for stowing all those items you need regularly or quickly.

There are two base loops and one accompanying elasticated attachment point for carrying walking poles and/or ice-axes.

Two further adjustable straps are available for attaching a one or two man tent to the outside of the bag.

The main bag body of the Vango Sherpa 60 + 10s Rucsac can be divided into two compartments by a toggled drawcord and you can access both compartments from the outside - via the lid for the top one and a zipped opening for the bottom, sleeping bag, compartment.

This means you can erect your tent, roll out your insulation mat and deploy your sleeping bag (or pack it all up) without having to open your rucksack, exposing all your belongings to the elements - essential during inclement weather.

All the external zips were relatively solid and chunky and had good length toggles for use with gloved hands.

The fabric is water resistant and there is a bright orange detachable rain cover (good for being spotted by the rescue services!). Whilst shower-proof the Vango Sherpa 60 + 10s Rucsac is not fully water-proof so you will need to stow all your belongings in robust plastic bags to ensure they stay dry - but this is good practice anyway.

Apart from the shoulder straps, there is also a handle at the top and a second handle on the side so you can carry the rucksack like a suitcase.

Buying Advice:

As is often case, the women specificity seems to come from the shorter back length rather than any other design changes such as larger, more cupped hip belt or shoulder straps that are shaped away at the front - features which might make the backpack more comfortable for the curvier figure. However as someone with a less curvy figure(!) I was quite comfortable wearing the Sherpa.

Leaving that aside if you are looking for a good all rounder suitable for weekend backpacking and camping trips - this is a good value buy. For single day walking in all weather and seasons the Vango Sherpa 60 + 10s Rucsac is everything you need and more.

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What do you think?

Have you got a Vango Sherpa 60+10s Backpack, Rucsac or Rucksack?

We would love to hear what you thought of it - good, bad or indifferent. Perhaps you simply disagree with the verdict above - or feel an important feature has been negelected.

Let us know by clicking this link - What I think of Vango Sherpa 60+10s Backpack, Rucsac or Rucksack - so we can publish your important views below.

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• I have used the sack on quite a few occasions last year April 2011 - August 2011, spent six days Great Glen Way, 6 days on the West Highland Way, 5 days Dalwhine to Fort William & quite a few weekends wild camping. Most of the time my gear is light & the weather was fine. The sack held up well I had no probs at all. Anyone looking for a nice bag I would say get one. Never used it in the winter. This summer I am off to the Algarve & the sack is all I am taking for two month trek along the coast I have faith in it. Hope this helps. Ben Stewe.

Stewart Thomson, Edinburgh

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