Keela have recently added rucksacks to their portfolio and the Everest 40L is an excellent example in the midst of this range, writes Mike Gormley.
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The Scottish gear manufacturer has a significant range of clothing and associated accessories and now they are offering a range of rucksacks. As an old friend and long time user of Keela, I got to try one of the first available and I have been using this for a while now.
¤ My walking poles were easily attached to the side of the Everest 40L
[© MG]
The Everest 40L really is a fully featured rucksack for its size, with a very useful selection of places to put things to keep your life on the move, or on the hill, well organised. Drink bottles can be secured in the outside pockets and there is an internal compartment for a hydration bladder if you prefer. Walking poles are easy to accommodate on the sides, when not in use. The top cover is fully adjustable with back and front adjustable straps so the load capacity can be extended upwards if necessary, and this has both external and internal zipped pockets. Beneath this is an adjustable snow closure for added kit protection in bad weather.
I do like the zipped access to the main section so items can be taken out without opening the top and having a rummage. This is especially relevant in rain and snow when you really do not want to let the elements outside get your kit on the inside. On good days it is just so much quicker and easier. There is a very useful, if not essential. zipped ‘safe pocket’ to keep keys and wallet.
At the base of the Everest is a good sized space which will easily take that extra jacket or fleece. This section has an inner zip to allow it to become part of the main compartment or kept separate, which I prefer to do. This allows me to quickly access my rain gear when a shower comes on or whatever I prefer to keep some of my kit easily accessible.
On the base of the rucksack is stowed a cover which will protect everything in rain, snow or dusty conditions or for when travelling. In this case it is a bright colour with the signature reflective Salamander so it will show up on dark roads.
In general this is a robust rucksack with many small but useful features made from tough materials and with well padded strapping so should last for years of comfortable walking.
¤ There are also zipped side pockets well suitable to take the likes of a folded OS map
¤ I really like the ability to get into the main compartment via this zipped opening.
¤ At the base of the Everest is a very useful zipped pocket perfectly capable of taken a jacket such as the Keela Talus as seen here
[© MG]
[images © Jean or Mike Gormley]
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