OTS – Force Ten’s First Pack

OutdoorsMagic visited the Outdoor Trade Show (OTS) to find out what new gear we can look forward to. There was a first for Scottish-based tent and sleeping bag specialist Force Ten, which launched its first range of technical rucksacks called the Alpine Pack Collection and available in spring 2015.

The three-stone range of ‘clean and light’ technical packs has been two years in development and refined by extensive athlete testing with lots of input from the likes of top climber Andy Nelson. And as you’d expect from Force Ten, the pack is aimed at delivery no-frills, no-nonsense durable performance in full-on mountain conditions.

Almost fully waterproof

Unusually for a pack, the Force Ten is pretty much waterproof in use. The fabric is fully waterproof with welded seams, while the zips are highly water resistant, making the bag great for fending off the hardcore Scottish winter conditions. it’s not technically 100% waterproof in the sense that you could submerge it in a lake, but in real world use, Force Ten says they’ve yet to have a leak. 

The pay-off for using a zip-opening rather than a dry-bag roll-top is easier opening by the way. And in a thoughtful  touch, the pack lid folds back to allow your climbing buddy easier access to the inside when the pack is being worn.

Tough and durable

F10 has historically put an emphasis on durability and functionality and this pack series is no different. It’s made from 500D Cordura nylon fabric, which is seriously tough and abrasion resistant making it ideal for mountaineering use where it’s likely to be dragged against rock and ice. Talking of which, the thermo-moulded back panel should shrug off snow making it winter friendly.

Streamlined minimalist design

Climbing packs are traditionally sleek and streamlined to avoid snagging and built with minimal bells and whistles and the new packs are right on trend. There are no exterior pockets, the compression system and ice tool loops are fully detachable with just the webbing attachment loops remaining. The largest 45L has a detachable padded foam hip-belt, while the smaller versions use narrower webbing,

The narrowness of the packs should make for reduced draggage in tight spots and mean plenty of arm-clearance if you do need to reach behind you while climbing.

How much

There are three options available:
– 25 litre 880g pack, RRP £80
– 35 litre 1kg pack, RRP £90
– 45 litre 1.26kg pack, RRP £100

More information

A brand with proper outdoor heritage, Force Ten is probably best known for durable, high performance mountain tents. The range includes leading edge designs that meet the extreme needs of mountaineers, climbers, runners, adventurers and explorers. The Force Ten Classic tent, the first produced by the brand, is still frequently seen in mountain areas and is one of the most iconic pieces of outdoor kit out there. Quite a few of us began our outdoor careers in a F10 ridge tent.

For more details on Force Ten’s current products visit www.forcetentents.com.