Rating: | 8.5 / 10 |
Value for Money | 1.7 / 2 |
Comfort | 1.7 / 2 |
Weight | 1.7 / 2 |
Durability | 1.7 / 2 |
Versatility | 1.7 / 2 |
I have been aware of the Aarn brand of packs since before we started Australian Hiker in 2016 and as a product it has been on my wish list to test but just haven’t had the opportunity. Now if you aren’t familiar with Aarn packs they are probably best known for their unique ‘balance pack’ feature which I’ll detail in a moment.
Earlier this year I had the opportunity to test these unique packs and chose the Aarn Featherlite Freedom Pack from the extensive range. As always, I try to come to reviews without any preconceptions but I must admit this wasn’t the case with this pack. However I was more than pleasantly surprised when it came time to test. So what did I think?
First up this pack has a total capacity of 65 litres which is the most common size hikers will choose if they only have one multi-day pack. The main body of the pack (medium size) is 55 litres and the two ‘balance’ pockets provide an additional 10 litres of space (the small size comes in at 60 litres total).
The main body of the pack is a single top opening cavity has a built in pack liner – a great feature which reduces dust, dirt and water impacting on what’s inside. The fact that both the main body of the pack as well as the balance pockets have pack liners is something I wasn’t expecting when the pack turned up and as a hiker who always uses pack liners this was a very pleasant surprise.
The first time I used this pack I found using my water bladder was a bit fiddly and it wasn’t until I looked a bit closer I discovered the pack liner actually velcros away from the body and again my next surprise, I discovered a hang point and tube feed for my water bladder that I didn’t realise was there because it’s so well hidden. If you aren’t a bladder user, there are traditional (and generous) side pockets that will suit water bottles very well.
Now for the balance pockets which is probably the main feature of Aarn Packs. However, it’s worth noting that not all their packs come with balance pockets and in fact, there are a number of packs that are more traditional in appearance. Again I was please to see that the balance pockets come with their own pack liners. In my case I used one of the pockets for my puffer jacket and podcast recorder so it if did rain, they would stay dry. The other pocket I use for my daily food pack with snacks going in the small stretch pocket on the outside. Because my food is in a large ziplock bag, I don’t need to use the pack liner on that side but it stays there just in case.
The whole idea of these balance pockets is twofold. Firstly they position everything right where you need it. With most of my other packs, I use the pack brain and need to take my pack off to access my voice recorder, but not so with this pack. The only time I need to access the main pack is if its starts to rain otherwise everything I need during the day sits in a balance pocket.
The second reason for the balance pockets – the name itself provides a hint. Look at any hiker with a heavily loaded pack and they tend to lean forward to offset the rear weight of the pack. However, you can load up this pack and the balance pockets will help straighten up you into a more upright stance. One thing to note is that the balance pockets can be removed if you decide you don’t need them. This pack has a trampoline style harness which I love along with some lower lumbar padding and with a 17 kg recommended maximum load, its still feels comfortable.
This pack comes in a small and medium harness system and the waistband can be customised on purchase to suit your girth which is an another added bonus. I’m a large guy with a broad chest and currently weigh around 110kg (10kg more than normal and more than I would like) but I found the medium pack with an extra large waist band suited me well. In addition the there two chest clip straps that help to keep everything in place and the back length can also be adjusted for the perfect fit. The waistband has a clip system but apart from being a little different I found it to be comfortable all the same.
To round off the features this pack is made from a durable material, has attachment points for ice axes and trekking poles. Like many other packs the Aarn Featherlite Freedom Pack comes with stretch rear pocket which is where I store my tent and it fits well.
Now for the negatives. First up trampoline style packs suspension don’t function well when you’re carrying anything under about 7 kg but in all honesty you wouldn’t be wearing this pack with so little weight. For the average hiker using this pack on a multi-day hike this won’t be an issue.
In my case I don’t use 65 litre packs preferring a pack somewhere between 40-50 litres and unsurprisingly Aarn make packs of that size too!
Now for the balance pockets. I think they do a really good job but from purely a personal perspective, I like to have the front of the pack free and unrestricted. I find that with the balance pockets and the width of the pack its a bit restrictive in terms of movement but that relates to any pack of this size so it’s not specific to Aarn. Again the balance pockets can be removed or you can buy the version of this pack without the balance pockets and add them when you want them. You even have the choice different sized options so in all honesty I would look at the ‘Balance Pocket Compact’ option which are half the size of the pockets (5 litres rather than 10 litres) that come with this pack. There are no hip pockets on this pack so you will need something to sort the snacks but there’s plenty of room in the balance pockets and they allow easy access!
Ok so what’s the final verdict? I think Aarn have done a great good job with its pack range and the Aarn Featherlite Freedom is a pack that will suit the average hiker. If you’re someone who packs small and light for trips of up to eight days, you might want to consider a smaller capacity version that Aarn has available.
You can purchase the Aarn Featherlite Freedom Pack online from Aarn Packs
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AUD $589.99 RRP
Aarn Featherlite Freedom Pack with Balance Pockets
Aarn Featherlite Freedom Pack side view
Aarn Featherlite Freedom Pack rear view
Aarn Featherlite Freedom side view
Aarn Featherlite Freedom front view
Aarn Featherlite Freedom rear stretch pocket view containing my tent
Aarn Featherlite Freedom side pocket view
Open Balance Pocket – in this case I’m not using the included the liners as my food is contained within a ziplock bag
Aarn Featherlite Freedom showing hydration tube hole
Aarn Featherlite Freedom with Balance Pocket removed. Leave them on or take them off; your choice
A short video form Arrn Packs on the proper way to wear their packs
This review was done with product provided by the Australian supplier of Aarn Packs
20 October 2024