Anyone using Andes kit?

[FlashPan]

Hi all,

Have been on some chats at bushcraftuk about a UK firm selling bags, tents and bits etc. ( I am in no way affiliated or getting any benefit from telling you this).

I've just bought a 120l backpack for £20 (they are sold on auction sites as well). Am thinking this will make an excellent training or especially BOB or GHB.

So I just thought to spread the love and tell you guys to check them out to see what you think?

Search for andescamping and you'll find them.

Cheers

(If some ancient covenant law has been broken about my mentioning the above I'll beg for forgiveness now and be happy to appease the prepper gods and mercilessly sacrifice a tin of baked beans when I get home).

[Deeps]

I'm maybe being a bit of a rucksack snob but wouldn't have thought it would be much of a 120L bag for 20 quid. I'll be interested to see how you get on with it.

[FlashPan]

I know exactly what you mean. You tend to get what you pay for. But a couple of the guys over there where speaking well about them.

Mine arrived in the post today and so far am impressed with it. Of course the proof is in the pudding

For a short term BOB or a casual weekend away I'd think it'll fit the bill.

[Deeps]

Good luck with it Flash, let us know how it goes after you've used it a bit.

[Hoipoloi]

The waist strap looked a little narrow in one of the pictures. How does it look now you've got it?

[FlashPan]

Both the waist and the sternum are 25mm....yep a little small for waist I think...didn't check on that before you asked.

My initial thoughts posted were:
Cons:

Wish the side pockets were a bit bigger depth wise.
One of fast buck straps at the bottom are the wrong way round, so I have to twist the webbing to click it together (no biggy just a mistake at the factory I reckon)
Lack of extra mounts/hanging points (even for webbing straps)
As some of the pockets are bit small the zips a a little fiddly to get to (but that would most likely be fixed with breaking in).
The drawstring top to close the main compartment has no brass eyelet between the cord and the material. Can see that fraying.
Metal vent holes at the bootom left right of the bag. Could let in a water as it is just a disk with holes in it (you can easily block it up if desired).

Pros:
Lots of areas (if not most) seem to have been double or box stitched
The bag at the bottom looks like it'll hold the Polish lavvu fine.
Waist and sternum straps
Plastic d-ring on the padded shoulder straps
2 webbing loops at the bottom of the bag at the back. Maybe to fix a roll mat into? Although the straps do look a little small for that.
Handle on top for easy hanging/carrying.

[Brambles]

I'm just thinking what the heck would I need 120L for?

I've been backpacking for 5 days with a medium ALICE pack. The only thing hanging on the outside was my sleeping bag in a dry sack and that included food too. FYI a medium Alice is about 45Litres capacity.

[FlashPan]

I'm just thinking what the heck would I need 120L for?

I myself would be BOB-ing for 2 and the Mrs is tiny, so cannot carry that much

[jansman]

120 litre. Dear god! I remember yomping with loads like that when I was 19 and in the mob. I was one fit boot -neck back then. The thought of it wears me out now.

Anyhow, Joking aside, I hope you are pleased with your purchase.

[FlashPan]

Cheers, I hope am happy to. Am not looking to lump 120l of weight so to speak. Mindset was more on space for lumpy items like sleeping bags and tent.

Cheers