Read your owner’s manual. Mountain Hardwear’s Trance backpack has so many clever features, you may actually need a little introductory lesson. The Richmond, California company, best known for high-end mountaineering equipment, such as tents, sleeping bags and outdoor apparel, is introducing a complete line of technical backpacks for the very first time.
Customers can choose from backpacks with a frame design that features customized harness adjustment that contours the body, then becomes an integrated structure that distributes load and eliminates painful pressure points. The so-called “Exodus” system comes in three sizes for men and women each. There are two frame types to choose from — for backcountry or trail-oriented use.
To complement their flagship Exodus backpack, Mountain Hardware is also offering fixed-suspension packs designed to meet the needs of a wide range of uses, from alpine assault to commuting. And there are daypacks, computer and duffle bags for the unfortunate times users have to deal with the urban jungle between backpacking adventures and scaling majestic peaks. The Aspiration series contains general-activity bags for outdoor enthusiasts.
True to the company’s origin — it was founded by avid mountaineers, climbers, backpackers, snowboarders and backcountry skiers in 1993 — the Objective bags are small and light targeted at hardcore users who are going faster and farther with less.
We tried out the well-thought-out Trance pack, one of three Objective styles. As with all Mountain Hardwear backpacks, it was developed with significant input from potential users and athletes. The idea for the innovative frame system actually came from a user.
The Trance is a featherweight alpine-style pack geared for multi-day trips in alpine environments. Its medium size version holds 3,350 cubic inches (55 l) of gear and weighs as little as 3 lbs. 9 oz. (1.62 kg). This rucksack is made from heavy duty cordura nylon cloth and loaded with a ton of extras. It is geared to multi-day trips into the alpine environment.
The removable top lid has two compartments. Underneath, a folding pouch stores crampons. Try to poke your crampons’ sharp teeth through the ultra-tough material like we did. We bet you won’t even scratch it, let alone punch a hole. This crampon wrap definitely works.
You can detach the top lid altogether. It does not transform into a fanny pack though. The top of this backpack folds and is designed for use with the top lid removed. Two drawstrings close the pack and a strap with a snap, whose counterpart clips are so tightly attached to the fabric on the front of the backpack, that they are a bit tricky to open or close with gloved hands when the Trance is jam-packed.
The backside material is made to shed snow and moisture. The only pocket facing the backside even sports a watertight zipper – a thoughtful detail. Side hose ports on each side allow for a hydration sleeve (bladder not included) above the dual-density shoulder strap on the backside of the pack. The openings are covered with rubberlike material and neoprene, but there is still a tiny gap. No one likes damp socks on cold mountains, so you’ll probably want to play it safe and find an upright resting place for your Trance.
The pack’s removable back panel, made from cushy EVA ( Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) foam, doubles as a 38-inch (96 cm) bivouac pad. Don’t pull it out as a makeshift cushion for every 10-minute picnic break. Over time, when the material probably gives in, it may become easier to wrestle the back panel in and out. While testing, this turned out to be rather complicated.
As you would expect from any decent technical alpine climbing pack, the Trance has ice axe and hiking-pole toggles for easy tool access and quick-release straps for crampons, skis or pads. Not the norm, the Trance comes with two waist belts: A removable padded belt with carabiner slots and a 1.5-inch (3.8 cm) we b belt with gear loops. Reinforced web loops on the shoulder straps create a three-point haul system, allowing greater freedom of movement and reducing pressure points.
But the best thing is the suspension system. With the weight evenly distributed throughout the back panel, carrying your load is surprisingly comfortable. The in-built flexible perimeter frame can be bent to trace your individual lumbar spine and shoulder areas. Perhaps the Trance should be more aptly named Tracer. When adjusted correctly, it feels like a customized backpack. If you are not planning to hire a sherpa for your next mountain adventure, take the Trance instead.
Further Information
The suggested retail price for Mountain Hardwear's Trance backpack is US$ 169. www.mountainhardwear.com |