Why We Chose the Montane Trailblazer LT 20L Backpack: Featherlight, body-hugging design, handy storage solutions
British brand Montane have been crafting lightweight, breathable mountain kit for a quarter of a century and have garnered a reputation that has enabled them to cultivate partnerships with the British Mountaineering Council and the Alpine Club. Such endorsements from British mountaineering’s upper echelons indicates a brand who know what they are doing when it comes to designing gear for the trails, crags, gullies and corries.
With their Trailblazer LT Backpacks, they’ve created daypacks for fast and light hikers and adventure racers, all featuring a body-hugging fit and multiple handy storage options. Comprised of 40 Denier ripstop nylon for the main body and polyester for the back pad, shoulder straps and hip fins, the Trailblazer is a robust pack that should last for many adventures. A fully taped waterproof construction, featuring a seamless main body, enhances its durability and keeps your gear dry too.
Who is the Montane Trailblazer LT 20L Backpack for?
Montane champion the Trailblazer as being for active adventures where low weight and speed are paramount, which could be anything from fast paced day hikes to gruelling skyraces and mountain marathons. Trail runners are catered for by its hydration bladder pocket and elastic tube ties on the chest straps, while there are also trekking pole attachments too.
For short trail races, the ultralight option of a smaller, lighter hydration pack is preferable. However, at 300g, the 20-litre Trailblazer is certainly suitable for longer mountain runs where the benefits of additional capacity are desirable. For a warm season hike in the British hills, the Trailblazer’s storage options and low weight are ideal.
Fit
The two Trailblazer LT packs (20L and 28L) are engineered with Montane’s Made for More ethos in mind, which is all about movement, discovery, connection and exploration in the great outdoors. A daypack that doesn’t fit properly can hamper movement and balance in the mountains, impacting on the overall enjoyment.
The Trailblazer has been crafted to hug the wearers body for a barely there feel. Chest straps and the customisable waist harness are designed for effective weight distribution, taking the load towards your centre of gravity and away from the shoulders. All of this, coupled with the Trailblazer’s remarkably low weight, is intended to make for a comfortable pack that doesn’t hinder the trail experience.
Features
You’ll find several smart features on the Trailblazer. Water bottles or flasks can be stowed in the wraparound mesh side pockets, which feature zips for additional security.
“There’s a plethora of handy storage solutions on the Trailblazer, giving you quick access to items you want to have to hand.”
The chest straps and waist harness both feature little zippered pockets too, useful for sugary pick-me-ups or items like headtorches. If you overfill the main body, there’s an external storage bungee, which is useful for stowing your waterproof jacket for quick access on those days when the weather just can’t make up its mind. The main body is accessed via a fully taped roll top opening, which keeps everything nicely watertight.
