Martin Akhurst purchased a 45L Blue Ice sack from Lakes Climber when they first came into the shop in March. He has very kindly sent in this review.

Key Advantages

• Simple, light, flexible
• Detachable lid
• Fits most cabin baggage restrictions for airlines
• Belay mat included
• Full length access to main compartment
• Adjustable lid attachments - Weight always balanced on top of sac
• Great for alpine climbing & ski-touring
• Lid has internal pocket
• Compression straps, adjustable and detachable – no unnecessary webbing flapping around in the wind
• Good stability – packs close to back

Review

From a manufacturer new to the UK, I came across this pack in the Andes where I was impressed by it’s simplicity, versatility and lightness. It’s an deal sack for alpine style climbing, ski-touring and a leaders day pack.

The design has been well thought out and includes features that many will soon follow. Form the lid to the base it is well crafted. Although not as ‘bomb-proof’ as some heavier packs, this is an ideal pack where robustness is still important even when lightness is preferred.

Features include a fully detachable lid which means it can be left behind when space is not an issue. The attachment points are adjustable meaning that even when the main pack is only half full; the lid still sits on top, which is important for overall stability. The lid is spacious with a large opening, for ease of access and a zipped compartment inside to hold those small items that usually fall out!

The pack measures about 55cm and so is just short enough to for cabin baggage with most airlines – an important consideration when hopping over to Chamonix or beyond!

The main compartment has the usual snow hood and double draw chords. There is also an innovative waterproof zip that runs down the back of the pack and allows easy, rapid access to gear at the bottom of the main compartment. This is really useful when you’ve stuffed your rope and rack back in the bag and started your descent from Mont Blanc but as the sun dips you want that down jacket that’s buried underneath all the string and metal-work. Just unzip and pull it out.

Inside there is a small pocket which comes with its own lightweight mat for those cold belays but which is also ideal for storing maps and keeping them from getting creased up.

On the outside, there are big – for the sac size - gear loops and a no fuss attachment point for ice axes. The compression straps have plenty of length and go completely across the bag allowing large items to be strapped on should you need to – e.g. a sleeping mat. Like the lid, these straps are removable - so no more being flapping around in the wind if you don’t need them.

For skiing and climbing, the sack sits close to the wearer, forgoing the trendy stretched webbing for a softer, padded back system. The waist belt and shoulder straps are comfortably padded.

Overall, this is a great sack, designed for the serious mountaineer as befits its Chamonix origins. It’s a great day sack for walking, alpine snow and rock and ski-touring. Perhaps on the light side for cragging or where a lot of abrasion will be an issue.

Martin

 http://www.lakesclimber.com/media/Blue%20Ice%2045L%20-%20Review2.doc