I’ve been testing the Montane Ladies’s Azote 24l pack, which is described as a “practical go-anywhere, do-anything daypack”.

Options embody: 

• RAPTOR Eco 100 denier Robic Nylon principal material with 78% recycled content material
• Air Mesh Eco shoulder straps with 35% recycled content material
• Open Mesh Plus again panel
• Halo lining
• Measurement adjustable ladies’s ZephyrAD again system with air flow channels
• Montane off-centre Click on and Go chest harness
• Articulated ladies’s particular hip fins and shoulder straps with form-fitting design
• Zipped hip-belt pockets
• Facet wand pockets and entrance stretch pocket for exterior storage
• Adjustable pole or ice axe attachment
• Exterior rear safety pocket with key clip
• Facet compression straps
• Exterior bladder sleeve
• Colors: Inexperienced or black
• Weight: 790g
• £95
• See: Montane Ladies’s Azote 24l pack.

On check: Montane Ladies’s Azote 24L Backpack

I’ve weighed the pack and it suggestions the scales at 830g. It’s nonetheless pretty light-weight for a pack of this dimension, though not as light-weight as others within the Montane secure, such because the Montane Trailblazer LT 20l pack.

That is very a lot a pack that sits in the midst of light-weight and heavyweight. It’s also very versatile as a result of it would swimsuit each walkers and runners. When you have heard of the time period quick packing, then I feel that is precisely the form of pack you may want. 

The pack affords a number of nice options, with a strong material and a extremely first rate again system. So many light-weight packs relaxation proper in opposition to the again, the place the padding causes numerous sweat. The Montane Ladies’s Azote 24L Backpack has the advantage of a mesh again panel that retains the majority of the pack off your again.

There’s a truthful quantity  of padding within the shoulder straps and hip-belt, too, so the pack is snug for lengthy intervals.

One other bonus is the adjustable again, which implies the pack suits ladies of various heights. It’s simple to regulate by way of a velcro fixing.

The pack has a big zip entrance on the high into the principle compartment. I like this as a result of it affords easy accessibility in a rush. Different packs have a high lid and elastic cinch closure, which does benefit from providing further safety if it rains, however it additionally means it’s a must to faff about with clips and so forth to get into the pack.

The Montane Ladies’s Azote 24L Backpack has a number of helpful pockets, together with giant hip-belt pockets which are simply sufficiently big to take a big smartphone. It could be actually good if Montane had added some slim pockets to the shoulder straps. Many individuals like carry small water bottles, plus snacks and so forth on the entrance of their packs.

There may be an exterior sleeve, between the again or the rear and the again system, for a water bladder. That is helpful as a result of it’s a lot simpler to refill the bladder when it’s exterior, somewhat than sitting inside the principle a part of the pack.

It’s simple to regulate the hip-belt dimension when the pack is in your again and there’s one sternum strap. I favor two sternum straps though a few of my buddies favor just one. 

There are some drawbacks to this pack. The sternum strap clips are actually annoying to make use of. They’re meant to be simple to clip on and off however I discovered them fiddly, particularly when it was chilly and I used to be sporting gloves.

Additionally, the clip for the rear mesh pocket – a pocket that may be very helpful for stashing gadgets that you simply wish to rapidly pay money for – can be annoyingly fiddly. 

Typically I feel designers attempt to provide you with new and higher clips and fixings however they might be higher sticking to old-style and extra simple clips.

The material of the pack is handled with a DWR however it isn’t waterproof. This implies you’ll need to pack gadgets in dry luggage or purchase a separate waterproof cowl.

Conclusion: This can be a helpful pack for each summer season climbing, in addition to fastpacking or operating longer distances. If you might want to carry a number of equipment for a multi-day fastpack or run, this can be an appropriate pack (so lengthy s you don’t want to slot in a sleeping bag and tent). The adjustable again and mesh again system are nice. The pockets are additionally good. Nonetheless, it might be higher if there have been extra pockets on the entrance of the pack and fewer fiddly clips on the sternum straps and rear mesh pocket. General, this can be a helpful and versatile pack for the cash.