Osprey Europe - Archeon 45 Mens, Stargazer Blue

Product Information

The Cholatse has a good sized main compartment, accessible from a top opening with conventional drawcord. There’s also a compression strap across the top opening which can be used to secure a rope or other gear. The main compartment contains a hydration bladder pouch with hook-and-loop strip hanger. Drink-tube exit is to the right shoulder. A short sleeve with drawcord and a top strap (which could also hold a rope or helmet) and a non-adjustable lid cinched the load vertically. Four side compression straps stabilized and compressed the load horizontally. Accessing gear proved easier and faster via the dual-zippered front access panel. The base of the duffel has another zip opening giving access to a separated compartment that is useful for a pair of shoes or similar. This keeps them apart from the contents of the main area, though it does share the space. Those metal clips are very easy to use, even when wearing gloves. And there are hooks to carry ice axes and walking poles along with a carry handle on the top of the sac so you can hook it up to store or to carry it around by your side.

The hipbelt has short, ventilated fins and a centre section of webbing. Length adjustment is from the outside inwards. The recycled content, PFC-free treatment and expected longevity give the Archeon 45 good marks for green credentials. The manufacturing process follows responsible chemical management strictly audited for compliance and adheres to the Bluesign Restricted Compliance List. Additionally, Osprey updated its Factory Code of Conduct following standards set by the Ethical Trading Initiative and audits factories to enforce compliance with Worldwide Ethics Alliance guidelines.There’s another external compression strapthat attaches the front panel to the top lid. So, even if the zipper of the main compartment comes undone accidentally, the compression strap will keep the panel in place and ensure that your stuff doesn’t just spill out on the trails. The length of the harness can be adjusted, just like the shoulder straps and the width of the hipbelt. Additionally, once you get that perfect harness length for your body, you can secure it in place so that it doesn’t accidentally move. It actually works quite well, keeping the harness straps in position while allowing chest expansion when breathing hard.

The great thing about the Archeon is that it features dual ice axe loops, which let you stow this handy piece of equipment when you’re not using it. These are at the bottom of the front panel, so you will be able to access the items inside the main compartment even when the axes are stowed. Trekking Pole Loops

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It benefits from a simple design with a roomy main area, while the front zip opening was very useful for digging out items without having to undo the lid and main drawcord.

The main compartment is uncluttered and contains just the pouch for a hydration reservoir with a hook-and-loop strip hanger. The drink tube exit is central, allowing the tube to be routed down either the left or right harness strap. The lid is a floating design, enabling it to be raised a little to allow extra space to be used in the main compartment. There’s also a strap for retaining rope under the lid. The metal frame can be removed to save a little weight by unfastening a hook-and-loop strip in the main compartment and sliding the frame out. The fabric of the Craghoppers Duffel is robust feeling polyester with a polyurethane coating. It contains recycled materials – the brand says about 14 plastic bottles were reused in its manufacture. The hipbelt is broad and has padded foam. Adjustment is from the outside inwards. The padded section can be slid out, leaving just the webbing, if required, to save more weight.Capacity was good too, and quality was good. The ripstop nylon, felt robust and resisted scuffing well. Hydration Compatibility: Internal hydration sleeve compatible with Osprey Hydraulics reservoirs (not included) For men there’s the choice of the Archeon 25, Archeon 30, Archeon 45 and Archeon 70. While for women there’s an Archeon 25, Archeon 30, Archeon 45 and an Archeon 65. There is no hipbelt or sternum strap, so all the weight is borne on the shoulders and the straps can slide if you’re moving over anything like technical terrain. There are two movable foam pads on the straps to provide some comfort, but carrying a full load over any long distance without the support of a hipbelt caused some discomfort.

The Archeon is a hybrid top-loader. It’s easy to load and compress gear through the top opening, which is especially effective for trad climbing gear. The main compartment is accessed by a top opening with an inner drawcord closure and a second outer drawcord. Inside the compartment is a pouch for hydration bladder, with a hook-and-loop hanger. Drink tube exit is to the right shoulder. The harness straps are quite wide and have ventilated foam padding. The sternum strap’s height can be adjusted using four different daisy chain loops. This involves unhooking each side and repositioning in an alternative loop, which is less convenient than anchors that slide up and down on rails. The hipbelt is a wide webbing strap with elasticated retainer loops for excess length. Side sleeves can often be flimsy or undersized, but the Archeon's are great, with plenty of depth to securely hold a big water bottle, and a useful combination of a stretchy top section for easier access and a nylon bottom part for toughness (think trekking pole tips and the like). This season marks the latest milestone in our sustainability journey. For Archeon 45 have moved towards C0, PFC free DWR coating. The updated chemistry provides a sustainable yet high-performance approach to the hardiness of this series. The fabrics used throughout the Archeon 45 are 100% recycled and durable enough stand the test of time. Tough metal componentry completes the durable design ensuring longevity on the trail.There’s good capacity which, with the addition of the lower compartment, easily accommodated my gear for extended walks. It coped with carrying a substantial load on a wild camping expedition, with good weight bearing and just enough capacity for such an outing. Comfort was good, even though there isn’t a huge amount of foam padding on the harness and hipbelt. All spring 2020 products are PFC-free. Carryover items are switching from C8 to less hazardous C6 DWRs. Osprey hopes to eventually make all its offerings PFC-free.