As summer season turns into fall right here in New England, I begin fascinated about what I have to carry to remain outdoors longer. Chilly climate is extra demanding of you, your clothes, and your gear. These calls for require heavier materials and easy accessibility to bulkier gadgets.
So, within the fall and winter, on prime of my flannels and beanies, I prefer to pack a hatchet, my JetBoil, some soup, and an additional layer, simply in case. And who can neglect just a few chilly ones to catch the sundown with?
However simply because I’m carrying round massive and ponderous issues doesn’t imply I want an enormous and ponderous daypack.
Prometheus Design Werx (PDW), an outside clothes and equipment firm based mostly in San Francisco, has produced clothes and equipment for arduous use in all environments for the final decade. Aimed on the energetic and self-reliant, PDW considers the atmosphere and your calls for when introducing a brand new product. Its WUULF Pack, a 24L daypack, is a advantageous instance of that mission and its skill to execute.
In brief: The Prometheus Design Werx WUULF Pack 24L is a multipurpose top-loading daypack with a 500D Cordura shell and flame orange 140D nylon ripstop lining. The pack incorporates a floating lid that permits the capability of the principle compartment to develop from 24 L to twenty-eight L. A detachable laptop computer sleeve makes it adaptable for day-to-day use as properly. For survival, bushcraft, day hikes, and even work commutes, this can be a stable little quantity.
In case you’re on the lookout for daypacks, examine the WUULF Pack towards these on GearJunkie’s information to The Finest Daypacks.
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Quantity
24L / 1540 cu in. – 28L / 1700 cu in. -
Approximate dimensions
7” L x 10” W x 22” H -
Verified weight
3 lbs., 2 oz . -
Cloth
Invista Cordura 500D, 140D nylon ripstop -
Body
HDPE body sheet with a T6061 aluminum rod keep -
Worth
$179
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Expandable from 24 L to twenty-eight L -
500D shell material is abrasion and weather-resistant -
The pack stays in place in your again and doesn’t lose its form -
The MOLLE and daisy-chain options improve adaptability
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The attachment loops might be somewhat longer for thicker axe and hatchet handles
Assessment: Prometheus Design Werx (PDW) WUULF Pack 24L
Design & Options
Externally, the WUULF pack has twin daisy chains down its entrance. It additionally has a MOLLE-compatible backside and shoulder straps. These options permit for appreciable growth to hold extra equipment.
There’s a giant water bottle pocket on all sides of the pack that matches customary 32-ounce water bottles and might be cinched down for smaller gadgets.
There’s additionally ample strap administration, load lifters, ice software loops, and a detachable waist belt. For straightforward storage and retrieval, the pack has seize handles on the highest and backside in addition to each side.
Internally, the PDW WUULF Pack is lined with PDW’s signature “flame orange” ripstop nylon. Some evaluations have acknowledged that this liner must be toned down. However I discover that it’s nice for retrieving one thing from the pack — particularly at midnight. It’s brighter and displays extra mild, making it simpler to differentiate objects.
There’s additionally a detachable laptop computer sleeve, so if you happen to’re operating straight from the path to work or vice versa, you’ll be able to simply stash your pc. This compartment might be totally opened for full entry and synched right down to preserve the contents shielded from the weather. A water bladder pocket and power pockets on all sides supply enough storage.
One good additional contact is a flap that covers the zipper. That may be buttoned on the prime to carry it in place and supply extra safety from the weather.
The PDW WUULF Pack makes use of an HDPE body sheet with a T6061 aluminum rod keep for a body. That is extra ideally suited for a pack this measurement and enhances the ventilated EVA foam again panel.
The pair mixed creates a superb ultimate match. They permit the pack to hug your physique and transfer with you. The load lifters and waist belt let you fine-tune the best way you carry the pack’s weight.
First Impression
The W.U.U.L.F. in WUULF Pack stands for “Wilderness Utility City Lay Flat.” PDW describes it as “a contemporary interpretation of the traditional, alpine model, top-loading summit assault pack.” It’s been “constructed for a number of environments” and is “created from premium supplies” for “versatile efficiency.”
I’ve learn a variety of nice issues about a variety of packs previously. I’ve additionally been in advertising for greater than 20 years. So, I could also be somewhat jaded with regards to the best way a model describes its merchandise. Nevertheless, when this pack arrived, I shortly realized its characterization was spot on.
Off the bat, it’s arduous to disregard how rugged the general construct is. For most daypacks, a 210D shell is greater than enough. Nevertheless, when constructing out a pack meant for a number of environments and actions, there’s nothing mistaken with going with a heavier denier. The WUULF has a 500D shell and a 140D liner. It’s burly and prepared for motion.
Secondly, PDW paid a variety of consideration to each group and growth. You possibly can connect or take away equipment simply that will help you adapt from one journey to a different. The MOLLE on the shoulder straps is a superb spot to hold a knife, mild, or handheld GPS unit, whereas the MOLLE on the underside is ideal for a bedroll or tent.
Lastly, the vertical entrance zipper permits for lay-flat entry, so I don’t must rummage as a lot after I want one thing. I can simply unzip the bag and see all the pieces that’s inside.
WUULF within the Area
Like the remainder of the nation, summer season in New England has been oppressive. However the week after the PDW WUULF Pack arrived, the day temps acquired down into the 70s with the night time temps hovering within the excessive 50s. It was good climate to get out into the woods and keep on the market.
I’m a wanderer. I begin on the path and like all child who forgot his Ritalin, I find yourself off someplace taking a look at flowers and stones, taking random photos. This pack is ideal for that. I might bend over, scramble over rocks, squeeze between bushes, and the pack would keep in place. It wasn’t too massive and ponderous that it acquired in my method, both.
It’s the identical expertise you get when you could have equipment lashed to the MOLLE or daisy chains. Every part lashes down tight. There’s nothing hanging off the pack and swinging round.
On my first journey out, I packed the WUULF pack with all the gear I wanted, in addition to a Hardcore Hammers Camp Companion Axe, rain jacket, and gloves. The general weight of the pack was a stout 26.5 kilos. Nearly good for a man my measurement.
Inside half a mile, I knew I didn’t want the waist belt. I’m not a fan of them within the first place. The load wasn’t located sufficient the place I wanted it to be, anyway, to switch it off of my shoulders. So I took it off — it’s at all times good to have the choice to try this.
General, this pack did nice within the rain. There have been just a few tight spots the place I used to be bushwacking, and I by no means acquired hung up on something apart from just a few spiderwebs. What’s extra, the 500D shell by no means acquired saturated.
Whereas not rated as waterproof and even water-proof, droplets beaded off of the Cordura. That’s indication that the pack will do properly within the coming months as we get hit with extra rain and, ultimately, snow.
I went on just a few different adventures with the pack, random day hikes out and about, after which determined I’d do an in a single day with it. I used to be capable of simply retailer my NEMO Dragonfly Bikepack OSMO tent on the underside of the bag. The MOLLE panel and the straps on the tent bag made it simple.
Between Could and October, I can get away with only a sleeping pad and sleeping bag liner. This minimal setup is nice for the PDW WUULF Pack.
Finally, the pack held all of the gear, water, and meals that I wanted for that night time. However I maxed it out internally. So, for any longer journeys outside within the colder months, I’ll have to go together with an even bigger bag. I feel the WUULF Pack would suffice for 2 or extra nights in hotter climate, as my summer season sleeping package is minimal and fewer cumbersome. It could actually shine if you happen to had been somebody who slept in a hammock.
Sidenote: if you wish to strap something to the underside MOLLE on the WUULF pack, I’d extremely advocate the PDW’s SPD x Austere Cam Straps. With a cam strap, you by no means have to fret about it loosening up. Moreover, these look actually good with the pack.
Match and End
So much might be mentioned in regards to the match and end of the WUULF Pack. Strap administration was simple and helped the pack match again and physique comfortably. Even with some small equipment strapped to the skin, I didn’t really feel like issues had been swinging round on the path.
The body sheet and cargo lifters work very well collectively to regulate the load in your again. Even at max capability and with out a waist strap, I by no means felt like the bag was dragging me down. By design, this pack hugs you from behind.
In additional than 30 miles of mountaineering in a wide range of circumstances, it didn’t shift round an excessive amount of. I additionally by no means discovered myself fidgeting with the shoulder straps or sternum straps after my preliminary changes.
Because the straps aren’t very thick, including issues to them (like a water reservoir tube or flashlight) causes the strap to flip round if you’re placing the pack on. That’s not a deal-breaker by any means, however one thing to remember so that you don’t get hung up.
PDW WUULF Pack: In Conclusion
I don’t like placing labels on issues as a result of I really feel like it might pigeonhole their function. Nevertheless, after I first approached testing and reviewing Prometheus Design Werx’s WUULF Pack, a 24L daypack, I had a really particular imaginative and prescient for it in thoughts.
Yearly, when the climate in New England shifts from summer season to fall, I reassess what I want a daypack to hold in addition to the way it carries these issues. The timing was proper and I used to be capable of check this pack in that crux. In doing so, I spotted that it’s really well-suited for any season.
From accessibility to adaptability and its general sturdiness, the Prometheus Design Werx WUULF Pack is greater than possible going to outlast a majority of the different 24-28L packs in my gear closet. It’s the type of daypack you employ for years, take a break from, and return to. I’ve been utilizing a prime loader since highschool, for school, the day job, and work journeys, and this pack makes an amazing work bag, too.
So, although Prometheus Design Werx will not be a family identify like a few of the different outside manufacturers you understand, it must be. After the Grateful Lifeless, Prometheus Design Werx is the most effective factor to come back out of San Francisco. This pack is a testomony to that.
