Test/Review: Vango Force Ten V17 Rucksack
It’s been a long time since I took a look at a rucksack smaller than around 35 litres capacity. For reference, the last was Vango’s Force Ten GR 35:40, which I wrote about last month here.
With my outdoor geek hat on, you might forgive me for being a little excited at the thought of checking out the V17. It arrived at a time when I was in the middle of a slew of magazine feature excursions which involved many solo and family day trips, as well as plenty of computer-based remote working days (both outdoor and indoor). The former involved carrying everything to keep wife and child happy; the latter covered everything required for a day’s productivity – typically a laptop, cables & hard drives, compact camera, audio recorder, notebooks & pens, food & drink etc.
And therein lies one of the things I noticed about this little bag within its first day of use – although very modest in overall dimensions, you can comfortably stuff loads of items into it!
Side note: Ordinarily, I take all my Test/Review pictures before a product is given its first outing, but I broke my own rule with this one. So forgive me if you see a few blemishes here and there. Oops!
All the features you need
I’m going to do my ‘stuck record’ thing again and repeat what I’ve said so many times before. I really, really, really dislike the over-engineering of products. In my mind a rucksack, for example, essentially only has to tick a number of boxes; specifically, it should be durable, comfortable when on the back and offer enough space and practical features to benefit the user in the pursuit of their chosen activities. The V17 easily adheres to this.
The main compartment, secured with a 2-way zip, is nice and simple. It has two additional pockets – one sleeve-like and one zipped. As well as holding your various odds and ends, the intended purpose here, of course, is to house a hydration bladder, with its tube passing up and through a designated gap at the top of the bag.
A quick note on that last point…
The 5cm gap for the tube is not completely sealable and, whilst there is a slight overlap in the material of a few millimetres, I found this sat in a way that left the hole open on occasions – especially when the bag well crammed full. Clearly not a problem on dry days but something to bear in mind in damp / wet conditions. The V17 isn’t fitted with a pull-out rain cover, but the above shouldn’t be considered a deal-breaker as you can easily pick one up which will fit perfectly snuggly.
The front pocket is equally simple in design – one nice, deep space which reaches down to the bottom of the pack, along with two mesh pockets near the top. These measure approximately 12cm x 8cm and 13cm x 8cm respectively and are perhaps the one thing I would like changed in a future update of the bag. They really aren’t that practical, save than for very small items. For example, my iPhone 7 is too big to be housed completely and I would expect this is exactly the sort of thing users would be looking to tuck away in an internal pocket.
Getting technical
For sure, this is a pretty technical day pack in many ways. What I mean by this is that you’ll find multiple features often typical on higher-spec / larger packs such as the GR 35:40.
For a start, the Excel® Ripstop Nylon construction is reassuringly durable and, from my own use, I can tell you it stands up to being thrown around day-in, day-out!
On the exterior, you get two pro-weave pockets – one either side, suitable for standard water bottles etc. Lightweight compression straps do a great job of keeping these in place, too.
As with all bags I use, I’ve kept a small karabiner permanently attached to one of the upper accessory loops (which sit in front of reflective panels). Because, you know, you’ve gotta love a karabiner.
Photographers and explorers alike will appreciate the loop and lockable bungee cords which come as standard. They work perfectly when securing a compact tripod, walking pole or ice axe to the front of the pack.
Round the back
Function and performance continue on the reverse. My back and shoulders have remained perfectly comfortable for long periods, thanks to the beautifully simple AlpFlex flexiblemoulded EVA back system and straps which offer a good level of padding and breathability across a range of conditions. Once set up, this arrangement has provided a cosy, snug fit with no slipping of straps or the need for further tweaking.
Expected features are naturally in place on the straps – a simple chest strap (with emergency whistle) and attachment loops. A simple webbing waist belt is supplied and, whilst fully detachable, I’ve always left it in place as it’s never got in the way. A webbing grab handle at the top of the pack rounds off the feature list.
Conclusion
This bag has been an absolute delight to use on a regular (almost daily) basis. Having proven incredibly versatile in all manner of situations, it’s fair to say it would be a great all-round choice for all you lovely outdoor / active folks.
Some of you may be wondering whether it’s suitable for caring your camera kit. The answer, I would say, is yes – but be sure to put those items in a padded case first.
Whether it’s for your daily commute, day trip with the family or weekend getaway, the V17 is certainly worth a look.
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For behind-the-scenes pictures of this rucksack in action, take a look at my Instagram feed.
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Category: Camping, Location photography, Microadventure, Test/Review
