Vaude Simony 40+8
The pack deftly handles a huge variety of trips-from gear intensive dayhikes to winter overnights. And it fits almost everybody
Brand: Vaude
Model: Simony 40+8
Versatility
It’s unusual to get winter features in a pack that’s light and ventilated enough for summer. Durable, A-frame ski straps, secure Velcro and rubber tool attachments, and a dedicated crampon pouch make the Vaude Simony pack winter-ready. Yet an easily removable lid (saves 5.2 ounces) and ventilation channels on the backpanel make it a solid pick for light-and-fast, warm-weather trips, too.
Adjustability
The Simony fits torsos from 15 to 19 inches, making it best for hikers with short- and medium-length torsos. Just pull cords that move a ratchet along notched plastic stays. Gripe: We found the cords tricky to grasp (especially while wearing gloves).
Suspension
The hipbelt attaches to the frame via a wide Velcro patch (remove it to save 5.5 ounces). Load transfer (up to 40 pounds) is very effective, but we found the pack sweaty on hot, hard trail days.
Access
We could find anything in seconds, thanks to two crescent-shaped zippers running up both sides of the narrow, top-loading packbag.
$190; 3lbs. 1 oz: 40+8 liters; libertymountain.com