The Evolution of Fit: Engineering Better Comfort Into Our Backpacks

Part of our Develop Series: A deep dive into the refinements behind our updated packs

The Art of Carry - the Philosophy Behind How We Design

Our journey in designing packs began simply. Gourdon was our first pack, remember "Keeps your stuffs dry"?. We're outdoor people, just like you, and we had stuff to carry. Over the years we've spent countless hours talking to hikers, climbers, cyclists, campers, runners, and paddlers, understanding what they need to carry, their frustrations, and wishes. This input shapes everything we make.

What we've learned is that the magic of a great bag lies in a simple paradox: it must carry everything you need for your adventure, yet stay completely out of your way until you need it. Its has led us to claim with confidence that packing can be an art form.

Carry everything. Get in the way of nothing.

Over the past 18 months, we've refined our back systems across our entire range. This is evolution: taking what worked and making it work better.

What these refinements mean for you

Before diving into the technical details, here's what actually changes when you put the updated packs on your back:

Better heat management. More efficient air channels mean less back moisture on long days. The improvement is noticeable, field testing showed meaningful differences versus the previous generation.

Wider fit range. Enhanced adjustability means more body types achieve optimal fit without compromise. You'll spend less time fiddling with straps and more time with the pack feeling like part of you.

More precise load control. The combination of improved shoulder geometry and extended load lifter range gives you finer control over where weight sits. This matters on hour six when small discomforts become big issues.

Activity-optimised comfort. Each pack's back system is now specifically tuned to its intended use, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach across different activities.

The result: packs that carry what you need and get in the way less. Now, for those who want to understand how we got there, here's the technical breakdown.

Smarter Ventilation Through Moulded Foam

The Opportunity: Back panel ventilation has always been a balancing act. Our previous generation used foam padding with mesh covering, and it worked well. But advances in foam moulding technology opened up new possibilities for better airflow without sacrificing structure.

What We Changed: We've moved to moulded closed-cell foam panels across the majority of the range. The ventilation channels are now formed directly into the foam during moulding, rather than created by separate foam pieces.

Why It's Better: Precision-moulded channels give us more control over airflow. They run horizontally through the back panel, creating consistent air pathways regardless of how the pack is loaded. As you move, air pulls through these channels more efficiently than with traditional padding layouts.

The foam itself provides internal stiffening that distributes weight more evenly across your back, reducing pressure points on longer days. We've paired this with 3D mesh covering that works with technical fabrics rather than trapping moisture against them.

The Idris Exception: The Idris 25L ultra marathon pack takes a different approach because ultra running demands different priorities. Instead of structured panels, we use a single continuous piece of soft open-cell foam that wraps from back to hips. Enclosed in reverse mesh, it flexes with your running motion rather than providing rigid structure. Less support, more freedom, exactly what ultra runners need.

Improved Shoulder Strap Geometry

The Opportunity: Our shoulder straps worked well, but fine-tuning the fit for different body types often required more adjustment than we'd like. We saw room for improvement in how loads transferred across different torso shapes.

What We Changed: We've updated the shoulder strap construction in two key areas: the geometry of the chest support section, and how the straps interface with the pack body.

Why It's Better: The straps now flex and adapt to your body shape rather than forcing you to fit the pack. Instead of a fixed angle, they conform to different torsos, meaning weight spreads more evenly whether you're broad-shouldered or narrow-framed.

The padded mesh hip fins complement this with their pliable structure, moulding to your body while still transferring load effectively. Combined with the repositionable sternum strap, now with an integrated emergency whistle, you have three adjustment points that work together more cohesively than before.

Extended Load Lifter Range

The Opportunity: Load lifters determine the angle between shoulder straps and pack, affecting both comfort and stability. Our previous adjustment range covered most users well, but we identified opportunities to extend it for better fit at the extremes.

Customer feedback drove this refinement. We heard from users at both ends of the spectrum, taller users finding straps on full extension, smaller-framed users unable to cinch down effectively.

What We Changed: Significantly increased adjustability in the load lifters on the Ledge 35 and Orion 45, extending the back system's effective range beyond what was previously possible.

Why It's Better: Extended load lifter adjustment effectively changes the back length of the pack without physically altering its size. Users with shorter torsos can cinch the lifters to bring the shoulder attachment higher and closer; taller users have more range to lower the attachment point and lengthen the effective back.

This refinement significantly expands the range of torso lengths that achieve optimal fit, particularly for users in the 5'2" to 5'8" range where fit can be marginal with fixed-geometry systems.

Tailored to Specific Activities

While the core refinements run through the range, we've fine-tuned each pack's back system to its specific use case. Same foundational technology, different optimisation for each activity.

Gnarl 15L (Climbing & Fast Alpine): Sits higher on the back so the hip belt stays clear of climbing harnesses. Emphasis on shoulder mobility and arm reach rather than hip load transfer.

Skytrail 14L (Mountain Biking): Lower profile design keeps weight centred over your back rather than riding high where it could affect bike handling. Slightly firmer back panels reduce load shift when you're out of the saddle.

Presta 25L (Multi-Activity): The versatile all-rounder. Streamlined shape for movement-intensive activities, enough structure for all-day comfort, compression straps to manage varying loads. "This is such a versatile bag. I use it for work, day hikes up Munros, and even just to go to the climbing wall" (Margot).

Idris 25L (Ultra Running): Breaks from the moulded panel approach entirely. Single soft foam panel for maximum flex and body conformity. "Brilliant Backpack. Comfy when running ~50km in the hills. Carries everything you need for two days really well" (Oliver).

Ledge 35L & Orion 45L (Mountaineering & Trekking): These receive all refinements at full scale. The back systems balance load-bearing structure for ropes and climbing gear with the improved ventilation and adjustability. "Carries weight well... the adjustable back system and hip belt makes it very comfortable" (Adam, Ledge 35L).

Vora 6L (Hip Pack): Hip-specific adaptation of the moulded foam technology, shaped to wrap around waist contours with the same channelled airflow design. "I really love this pack—it has all the room of a small backpack without the sweaty back" (Jen).

Carries Everything. Gets in the Way of Nothing.

The right pack carries everything you need for your adventure. It holds your layers, your food, your water, your tools, your emergency kit. All the capability that makes self-supported adventure possible. But while it's holding all of that, it stays out of your way. It doesn't bounce, doesn't create hot spots, doesn't fight your movement. It disappears until you reach for something..

That's what these refinements are about. Better ventilation so you're not thinking about your back. Improved fit so you're not adjusting straps. Extended adjustability so more people find that sweet spot where the pack becomes invisible.

Carry everything. Get in the way of nothing. It is the art of carry.

Find your fit

The best back system in the world won't perform if the pack isn't adjusted correctly. When you get your hands on one of these packs:

1. Start with the hip belt positioned on your hip bones
2. Tighten shoulder straps until they conform without gaps
3. Adjust load lifters to bring the pack close to your body
4. Set the sternum strap for stability without restriction
5. Load it up and move, walk, bend, twist, climb stairs

The updated 2026 range includes the Vora 6L, Gnarl 15L, Skytrail 14L, Presta 25L, Idris 25L, Ledge 35L and Orion 45L. All backed by our 3-year Alpine Bond.