Packs, Bags and Luggage Guide Winter 2012
Whether you’re heading out for a daywalk, hike or travelling the world you rely on your pack to get you and your gear to your final destination. Consider these points when choosing the right pack for you: • Capacity and shape • Harness • Accessability • Durability and weight • Other features (hydration systems, laptop sleeves, carry-on compatible) • Attachment points (for sleeping mats, technical gear, gluon compatibility)
Check out a selection of commute, travel, hike and day walking packs in the following pages, in store or online!
Selecting the right pack The right pack for your adventures should be an extension of you. Your choice will take into consideration what you’re doing, where you’re going and what you need to take. Capacity
Shape
When mountain biking a 65-litre pack fitted with a hydration reservoir will be somewhat cumbersome as you negotiate single track and high-speed downhills, so size is an important consideration. If all you need is a snack bar, rain jacket and two litres of water, a pack of 15 litres will do. If you need the kitchen sink for a multi-day backcountry hike, or you’re travelling, 75 litres will be closer to the mark.
The shape of a pack hints at its intended use. Low profile packs with clean, uncluttered lines for mountain biking and snowboarding should hug your back and provide complete freedom of movement. A pack that is too tall with too many straps will snag in low undergrowth – but will provide you with the freedom of arm movement necessary in the mountains. Fortunately, Kathmandu’s large pack range offers both bush and alpine packs.
Harness
Features
The size and weight of your load will dictate the type of harness you use. Modern pack harnesses are designed to carry 80% of the load on your hips and the rest up and over your shoulders, supporting the muscles either side of your spine.
Good pack design will keep all your small and frequently used items close at hand and accessible without dropping down into the cavernous abyss of your pack. Alpine packs have additional gear loops and storage for ice axe and crampons. Pockets should be easy to reach without being tucked under straps and lost from gloved hands in the cold. Removable lids (to reduce weight as you push the final assault on the summit), external bungee cord storage and roll down storm throats are designed to improve the performance and versatility of your pack. .
If you need a women’s specific fit, or the ability to fine-tune the pack as you walk, the airLT harness or C3 harness with its twenty-four fit combinations is perfect. In the mountains, only small amounts of padding will be required over winter clothing. Larger, adjustable-harness packs will be more padded with a better load bearing hip belt. For high aerobic activities like mountain running or biking, the AMA (Active Motion Air) harness keeps the load hugging your back and wicks moisture away. Wherever you want to go, whatever you want to do, Kathmandu has a pack designed specifically for your next adventure.
Fabric Choosing the right pack is not only about fit and storage. You need to know it’ll be tough enough to handle anything you throw at it. From lightweight ripstops of active packs to the incredibly tough fabrics of the multi-day pack, they need to resist abrasion and tearing, and keep as much water out as possible.
Hike and Day Walk • Designed for mountaineering, hiking or day walking • C omfortable fitting harnesses provide optimal load distribution • D urable yet lightweight fabrics provide weather protection and abrasion resistance
Technologies and features
Nowaki Pack v2
Katabatic Pack v2
Ideal for day hikes, this is a classic top loading 32L pack. Highly versatile, supremely comfortable and yet keeps it simple.
Ideal for daywalks, commuting or travel. The 28L Katabatic is an easy going and breathable choice on your back. Count on handy access and enough room for all the essentials.
• APS harness with womensFIT option
• APS harness with womensFIT
• Removable frame sheet
• Security pocket
• Bottle pockets
• Front pocket with organiser
• Walking pole loop
• 3L hydration bladder compatible (sold separately)
• 3L hydration bladder compatible (sold separately)
• Compression straps
APS Harness The APS Harness is our mid-weight load daypack harness, designed for lightweight overnight missions or for the travel minimalist.
1. Specially shaped pods create cooling channels within the harness back for carrying comfort.
2. Reinforced back panel and high density foam in the shoulder straps and hipbelt help transfer the load and hold the pack in shape. 3. Hipbelt and shoulder strap webbing allows you to stabilise the load and ensure carrying comfort.
• Front and top load pockets
Technologies and features
Vardo gridTECH® Pack
Incite gridTECH® Pack
A pack becomes more like a friend after a few days in the mountains. The 75L Vardo gridTECH® Pack is our premium multiday hiking pack, made to trust and designed for superior performance.
Take versatility into alpine environments, where your safety depends on it. The 60L Incite gridTECH® Pack is trusted by backcountry skiers, mountaineers and seasoned trekkers for its advanced features and adaptable nature.
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gridTECH® fabric: Developed by Kathmandu, gridTECH™ is a 2-layer fabric incorporating ripstop with a Cordura® nylon outer and a robust, water resistant inner membrane. This technical fabric is designed for high performance and enduring weather protection.
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gridTECH® fabric 1. Highly durable Cordura® face fabric 2. Water, UV and humidity resistant 3. Tough TPU lamination
S2 pro: The S2pro harness system is a fully adjustable solution for midweight loads. Orginally developed for Kathmandu’s alpine pack range, the S2pro adjustment is concealed behind the back panel for simplicity. The S2pro system allows you to comfortably carry mid-weight loads over an extended period of time.
Adjustable, padded EVA shoulder straps Adjustable sternum straps Moulded one piece EVA foam back panel Removable hip belt
• Custom fit C3® Harness
• Low profile S2pro Harness
• Tough gridTECH fabric
• Tough gridTECH® fabric
• Removable lid converts to daypack
• Roll-top main compartment
• Attachments for Alpine tools
• Alpine tools/side ski attachments
• 3L hydration bladder compatible (sold separately)
• 3L hydration bladder compatible (sold separately)
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Active • Designed for mountain biking and running adventures • Select from low profile or larger capacity active packs • Features include reflective detailing, breathable harnesses, efficient storage for gear and hydration compatibility
Technologies and features
Neurone and Kassei Packs
Particle Pack
High on features and light on load, the 20L Nucleon and 18L Women’s Kassei Packs are perfect for those who care about hydration and ventilation.
The 2L Particle Pack is an ultra-lightweight, hydration solution. Ideal for runners and cyclists, both on and off-road.
• Airmesh harness
• Breathable shoulder straps
• Removable hip pockets
• Easy access valuables pocket
• Bottle pockets
• Reflective print
• Reflective detail
• Removable waist belt
• 3L hydration bladder compatible (sold separately)
• 2L hydration bladder compatible (sold separately)
• Weight: 0.62kg
• Weight: 0.25kg
Womens FIT Many of our harnesses feature the womensFIT option. Wherever you see this icon, the harness has been engineered especially for optimal comfort with specific contours through the shoulder straps and hipbelt, and a shorter back length to fit a women’s unique form. Hydration Compatible: A selection of packs are hydration bladder compatible (2L or 3L) and/or include drink bottle pockets.
Commute • Versatile designs, ideal for the daily commute or travel abroad • Highly featured including convertible options and organisation pockets • A range of sizes means there is a pack to suit your needs
Technologies and features
Organisation: Our range includes organisation features such as laptop sleeves, internal luggage dividers and padded valuable pockets to help simplify your journey. Pack contents not included.
Parker Pack v2
Method Pack v3
Messenger style opening
Hidden fleece phone pocket
Cotinga Pack v3
Tablet sleeve
Cubic Pack v3
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• Ideal for commute or travel • 28L capacity • Padded 17” laptop sleeve • Tablet sleeve • Fleece lined pocket with headphone port
• Ideal for everyday use, commute or travel • 26L capacity • Padded 15” laptop sleeve • Tablet sleeve • Large lockable organiser pocket
• Ideal for school, travel or commuting • 25L capacity • 3 compartments - fits 15” laptop • Front organiser pocket • Document sleeve
• Ideal for organising and simplifying your daily commute • 32L capacity • Padded 17” laptop sleeve • Tablet sleeve • Fleece lined phone pocket
Travel Ideal for fast paced adventure travel, family and business travel through to weekend getaways Smart and functional features and designs include front zip entry allowing you to easily access clothing, dual zippers for added security and a detachable Gluon速 daypack for freedom and exploration.
Technologies and features
Entrada Pack
Interloper gridTECH® Pack:
Easy to use travel pack tailored to lightweight travellers. The 65L pack doesn’t go light on essential features, including the handy Gluon® Ora daypack. Clip it on front or back for extra capacity.
The 70L Interloper gridTECH™ is the ultimate hybrid pack with the versatility for travel and trekking. Packed with all the essential features, as well as the Gluon Ora daypack, it can be fully customised to meet all your needs.
• Gluon® Ora daypack included
• Custom fit C3® harness
• S2 zip away harness
• Tough gridTECH® fabric
• Easy access main opening
• Top, front and base loading
• Lockable zips
• Secure lockable zips
• External compression straps
• Compression straps
C3® Harness: Kathmandu’s C3® harness system delivers ergonomic excellence and enhanced comfort. This harness can be fully customised, with 24 unique configurations. Designed to carry heavy loads comfortably over long distances, the C3® harness provides a fully customised fit and the ultimate standard in load-carrying comfort.
Hybrid (Convertible/Multipurpose): Designed to provide the ultimate in versatility, a selection of our travel and outdoor packs include convertible and multipurpose features. These practical designs mean you can convert your gear to suit your travel and adventure needs.
Top Stabiliser Straps Strap Adjustment Indicator Moulded EVA Back Panel
Sternum Strap
Lumbar Pad
• Gluon® Ora daypack included • Weight 2.95kg (inc Gluon) Hipbelt Stabiliser Strap
Hybrid Trolley v2
Roadhaul DUO luggage:
A lightweight and durable trolley bag that converts quickly into a backpack, to meet the demands of adventurous travel. With a fold out backpack harness and an extendable handle, it’s a multi-purpose option for those who love to be flexible.
The innovative and multi-purpose design of 80L Roadhaul DUO provides two luggage options in one. It’s flexibility, durability and incredible ease of use makes it the perfect travel companion.
• Fold out backpack harness • Extendable handle • Quiet inline skate wheels • Gluon® daypack attachment points • Lockable zips • Organisation pockets
• Customise your luggage to suit your travel requirements - the front compartment can be easily zipped off to create a stylish carry-on 30L shoulder bag, leaving a 50L wheeled case that has plenty of room for domestic or short trips. • Multiple organisation options including front pockets, two large main compartments, three organiser sleeves and internal shoe pocket. • Moulded rear compartment and fabric front for protection and easy storage • Internal compression straps • Lockable zips
To view our entire packs range check out our website or in store