I am looking for a small rucksack I was thinking of a 20litre dwarf or chubb vantage but as have to order on line I can not see them in person so any help on which one to get would be great or any other small rucksack many thanks steve

thinking anglers

In reply to Post #2
Yep. I love my TA rucksack. But the thing is I'm not that tall, I if I was to wear it for a long walk it wouldn't be an issue. Other guys who I assume are either taller or broader than me reckon it cuts into them a bit but I don't have this issue.

If it's going on a barrow then I think it's perfect.

In reply to Post #1
the small Korum Ruckbag is better IMO than a normal rucksack and probably far more comfortable, the way it opens you can get to everything it's not buried at the bottom like a standard rucksack

In reply to Post #4
As I've said on other posts ta rucksack is good quality but very uncomfortable and a wrestle to get on I was gutted to get rid tbh korum compact ruckbag are good

In reply to Post #5
I don't know what your budget is but I've given up with the tackle manufacturers offerings and gone over to the military stuff again. The rush 5.11 range is very very good and you can lash gear all over the molle webbing if needed, i use the rush 5.11 12 for my roving and day fishing with an aqua mat harnessed underneath with a couple of webbing straps, its so comfy to carry

In reply to Post #6
No budget don't mind paying for good one that's gonna last

In reply to Post #7
If you want something that will truly last grab a British army patrol pack off ebay for 20 quid

In reply to Post #8
I have a kombat Uk 40 litre bag and it's brilliant. Had the thinking anglers one before but just wasn't comfortable. I'm 6 foot at it sat very high

I have recently had need for a small rucksack and went for one from Saber, it's a copy of the thinking anglers one, albeit the version before the current one, but it was nearly half the cost. Not used it yet but it seems okay and everything I need to fit in does.

In reply to Post #8

TA is well designed with pockets, straps etc but extremely uncomfortable which is a right shame. Wouldn't recommend unless you fish out the boot of the car

i am quite broad and the TA rucksack cuts in my shoulders and gets painful if you wear it for too long. if your feeling flush I seen a speero one a few days ago looked very good not sure on there kit as I don't own any of it myself. or if you want a cheaper one just get a army daysack

I agree that the TA rucksack is too small, and I do own one. If they made it 50% bigger or even twice the size then it would be a perfect rucksack. It's on your back and out of the way, so there's no need for it to be so small. I think the size of the current ESP rucksack (which I also own) is very good, but I wish it had the internal pockets like the TA one.
Okay I admit it: I have a thing with rucksacks. I also own the Trakker NXG 50ltr. In fact that is the one I'm using at the moment. It's is loaded from the front like the Korum Ruckbag and others which makes access really easy.
My advice would be not to go too small and rather only half fill the rucksack when you don't need a lot of gear.

I had the TA rucksack and it was very well made, well thought out (loved the external bankstick sleeves although it was a struggle to fit 3 with alarms in the same side) and looked good. Only issue was I couldn't wear it, it is Tiny, I am 6'5" and just over 22 stone so admittidly a largish lad but this was a waste of time for me.

Ended up buying a Fox Ruckall which is perfect in terms of size but not really a rucksack so would not be great for long treks.

In reply to Post #1
Go to British Army rucksacks.
They last, take the abuse and all the gear you need

In reply to Post #16
The esp rucksack is very comfortable very basic at a good price

In reply to Post #1
As your looking for a small 20 ltr rucksack I take it it's on your back and not a barrow? Day short sessions? What you looking to put in it?

All the above have a bearing, I fish short sessions of 3 - 6 hours with minimal equipment and use a cheap crappy Karrimor rucksack, it works fine and has lasted 3 years so far.

If your walking miles then I'd be looking at Osprey rucksacks, if on a barrow then whatever you like.

I brought a Trakker rucksack 10+ years ago, it was so uncomfortable, never purchased a fishing one again.

I use the ESP one and i love it.
Speero Tackle brings out a small rucksack as well soon and it's gonna be spot on!

I like the korum set up too. Everything you need for a short session, including a chair, for a short session or a day trotting on the river.

In reply to Post #19
Any idea when

In reply to Post #21
Spoke to one of the employees a few weeks ago and the last prototype was on test, so i expect it to be out shortly after this Covid-19 thing has slowed down a bit.
Factory is closed now i think.

In reply to Post #1
Thinking Anglers, ruck sack is small, but takes a lot of tackle. The benefit I found is that I only now take what I really need, used to take a huge carryall with loads of extra stuff.
The TA stuff is very well made and will stand the test of time.

There was a company exhibiting at NAS. I think they were called Cult Tackle. Although I didn't really pull their stuff around, it did seem well made from the little bit of time I played with it.

Might be worth a look?


Also the sonik sk trv ruckbag maybe.

In reply to Post #14
Totally agree. I had the Cotswold Vulpine which is a rip-off of the TA rucksack and although it would easily take my tackle and some bait, there just wasn't room for a winter jacket etc. And it was like a torture device to carry. I stick with my old and battered Nash 50ltr (?) and don't fill it unnecessarily.

In reply to Post #23
The ta rucksack is good quality and does take a fair amount but what we are saying it is uncomfortable not only on here but at the lake blokes say the same the Cotswold rucksack are the same I had a mk3 very uncomfortable the esp is the most comfortable one I've ever used and people say the korum ruckbag is good to

In reply to Post #26
british army patrol pack

dont pay the carp tax,built to last,MOLLE on the outside so you can customize it to your needs

In reply to Post #27
My patrol pack's done a few tours of Afghanistan then 6 years with me dragging it through God-knows-what and still as good as the day it was made. Hard as nails.
And ironically they're just about as carpy as you can get.

In reply to Post #26
You would think that in this day and age of many consultants that the basic part of field testing an item like a rucksack, which is designed to go on the back and be carried various distances, would be comfortable to wear and do the job. Gimmicky pockets and loops and things come second.

Cannot really call it a rucksack if it is so pants people cannot wear it and has to go on the barrow.
BTW I've had the TA one, has great ideas on it, but horrible to carry.

An Army patrol pack on the other hand is 👍 great.

In reply to Post #29
i agree with the consensus here, the army / Molle ones are the 'best' you can get at least in terms of build quality and comfort when walking.

I bought a TA one and its going on the bay soon. To correct an earlier point the TA one was designed by Cotswold, though i think the slightly new camfleck one is more of their own work, though is made in China. Had a chat with them at the big one last year.

i'm sure he said they did have plans to bring a slightly larger one out. no doubt the current one is too small.

In reply to Post #27
I know that the army one is good which size are you talking about my mate had one and could not find these molles anywhere

In reply to Post #31
It has 30 litre main compartment, 38 litre total.
Sometimes referred to as the NI (Northern Ireland) Patrol Pack.

In reply to Post #32
That's the one 30lt couldn't find any pouches to fit it

In reply to Post #33
I'm no expert on the pouches I'm afraid mate but if you Google Molle Pouches there seems to be plenty out there?

In reply to Post #32
I bought one of these after reading Jonny's advice - one of the best things ive bought in ages, a great bag

In reply to Post #35
ebay full of MOLLE pouches

In reply to Post #36
But are they the right size and dpm

In reply to Post #37
NI patrol pack will outlive you!
Any of the molle rucksacks on ebay or suchlike are easily as well made as any fishing luggage...
If you are walking a fair way, they are damn comfy too... something like this will work

https://www.military1st.co.uk/14002256-mil-tec-molle-us-assault-pack-large-arid-woodland.html

Only negative is they dont stand upright in situ like a fishing bag

In reply to Post #1
Have a look on military 1st website. some perfect bag pavks for fishing, without the added carp tax.

In reply to Post #38
Iv been looking at videos on this rucksack but it looks massive, but does look good shame it's not a little smaller

So I'm going to buck the trend here, and say as quite a tall (6'2") and broad bloke I've got the TA rucksack and am pretty happy with it. The first couple of decent walks I did with it on the river made me think I'd made a terrible mistake, as tightening the straps from the bottom as normal made it ride up really high on my back and all the straps started digging in etc etc. What I found though was if I leave the shoulder straps quite loose at the bottom and only tighten them at the top adjustment point, it sits flat on my back much lower down and is much more bearable.

My previous rucksack was an ex-army patrol pack and while it will probably last longer than me, it didn't have a sternum strap and as a result on long walks it was horrendous. Also using it on a barrow or sat in the bivvy I found the lack of structure and small base meant it kept falling/flopping over sort of thing, and the lack of internal dividers was annoying... All problems resolved with the TA rucksack. If all the zips and the stitching last as long as they should do I'll be very happy with it.

I will say though I don't think there's a perfect rucksack for all situations - If I'm out 'on maneuvers' and need to carry the kitchen sink I'll use my proper British army bergen, and for really long walks on the river barbel fishing etc with super minimal kit I think I still need a super comfy bag with sternum straps top and bottom. Was thinking of trying the Mil Tec one

In reply to Post #41
I like the TA rucksack. The whole reason I bought it was because I wanted to lighten the load on my barrow to stop it sinking on the long pushes on my waters. This meant cutting out all the junk I was carrying. So for me it works a treat. But I am only about 5.6” and not big framed so it sits pretty well on my back.

In reply to Post #42
Likewise mate. I always carry minimal stuff anyway so the size is perfect for me, and once I worked out that trick with the straps it's fine to carry in most situations. Only thing I wouldn't want to use it for is walking miles and miles. I've also got a mate who is a proper hobbit and he absolutely loves it, reckons it was designed for him

In reply to Post #43
I'm 5.6” not a fecking dwarf.

In reply to Post #44
Wasn't suggesting you were! the bloke I'm talking about is 5' nothing

In reply to Post #43
Can you tell me what is the trick with the straps please

In reply to Post #46
Refer to post #41.

In reply to Post #41
Ive got the ni patrol pack and bought on ebay a sternum strap which fits on the straps and makes a world of difference , only cost a fiver

In reply to Post #48
Thats a good shout

In reply to Post #46
Yes mate as said in the post below. It's not even a trick really, just where you would normally tighten the straps below your armpits/on your chest leave them loose so the bag sits lower down your back. Then on the adjustment points above your shoulders, do them up as much as possible so the top of the bag is brought in towards your back and it sits flat against you. You can then adjust the straps at the lower points to get it sitting wherever's most comfortable

In reply to Post #36
some of the NI patrol packs dont appear to have a molle grid but 2 lines of looped fabric quite a distance apart.

i have been looking at the NI packs and like the look of them but there is alot of variation.

so are molle pouch the same as webbing pouches?

I have a CA Vulpine and it's a very well laid out bit of kit, other than the rucksack bit, which is ironic being a rucksack

I had a MK3 roamed sack, as above. As a rucksack, and i hope they see this as useful feedback if they read this. It is utter crap for walking anything more than a few hundred yards

They both sit in an uncomfortable position on the back (not long enough) and the MK3 because of its side used to just try and pull away from you, off your back.

I had an ESP 40 litre one for a while and a 55 litre Tribal one and as carp fishing rucksack both of these were the best fit for distance walks other than the rigid base that dig into your back a bit

Same old, same old. Who the **** is designing them, same **** different day. It's a rucksack, bought for walking distance in, decent layout would be nice and ergonomics. Is it that hard ffs

Just taken delivery of the Dutch army day sack.

Nice and small and very comfortable, internal compartments.

As new condition 35 quid delivered.

In reply to Post #53

In reply to Post #1
Highlander pro force 44L OR 33L

Avoid any rucksacks by CA. Tried them in a tackle shop empty and still uncomfortable.

Overpriced British quality !?!?

In reply to Post #56
As said the ca mk 3 roamer is got to be the most uncomfortable rucksack out there I had one would only use it on barra everyone I spoken to said the same army rucksacks ok but the main compartment are narrow have to dig around to get at stuff and they fall over but very hard wearing if you want a comfortable rucksack at a reasonable price the esp takes some beating

Quite a few Dutch daypack users on YouTube. Non anglers.

Aiguille Alpine Midi 28 ltr. Simple and well made rucksack without all the stupid zips and pockets that are on most angling rucksacks. However, they are expensive and you have to wait a month for delivery I think (handmade to order). Will last a long time and can be sent back for repair.

In reply to Post #57
the irony of the CA roamer is it is heinous to carry as you say, and is really only any use on a barrow 😂

Used my Dutch rucksack yesterday for the first time.

It really is very good.

In reply to Post #60
It is terrible mate and so many people agree all there rucksacks are uncomfortable the most comfortable rucksack I've ever had is the esp camo version but with no thrills