Backpacker Magazine Gear Lab: Packs

Yes, we know that dragging a pack down dirt road at 60 mph is
excessive. No, that won't stop us from doing it anyway to find out which top
packs can survive a serious case of road rash.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Backpacker
• backpacker magazine
• backpacks
• gear lab
• ted alvarez

[MattMahaney]

2:49 "Understandably, packs weren't made to be dragged behind cars..."

That says it all. This test was pointless and not helpful. Those packs could have been donated to people that can't afford them.

[Varghjarta]

Wow, I love almost all BackpackerMagazine-videos, but I can't help feeling this was pointless. It would be much more interesting so see a test of backpack reliability where they go through some kind of accelerated but pretty normal wear and tear that you can expect they go thru in it's lifetime.

Here's me hoping for such a video, yay!

[MrGdubj]

You do realize that the larger, more abrasive rocks generally congregate in areas outside the general tire path. The bags on the outside of this review would thus be dragged across a smooth packed dirt surface. Bags in the middle would likely take the most abuse. If you do not account for significant variables you get insignificant results. Was there some reason not to use asphalt to eliminate this issue?

[pinchemark]

I bet most people who are "pissed off" at this video have the packs that crapped out on the lower speeds. Of course its not a real world test of these packs but I'd hope that when I'm scrambling down some sharp rocks or brush against a branch that my pack would rip or snag. I have real world experience with a Granite Gear pack and I can say for sure that it handles abuse with ease.

[Photo314159]

Crap video, disregard the last poster. 

[afterthefox7]

Very good video, disregard everyone else.

[Woods1966]

This is pure idiocy. I'm stunned that backpacker magazine makes a buck with this kind of nonsense.

[FinalRustyNails]

@MattMahaney same logic should be aplyed 4 topgear

[webster619]

Failpacker?

[ghettostarchild59]

This is a stupid test, but I'm still sort of surprised the arcteryx arrakis didn't do better. it's supposed to be about as much of a bomber bag around.

[DXTBOW]

This is such an idiotic test....packs should be tested for it's storage design, moisture and abrasion resiliency, comfort, weight, ergonomics, and aesthetics by varying user body size, under varying load capacities at different weather conditions. This guy should FIRED from his job for his mindless idea of performing such gear testing. I won't buy his magazine nor even read any of his reviews in the future. He should work as a mine sweeper in Iraq.