Eurohike Revolution Aqua 25 daypack
Millets launched its Revolution Aqua range last spring (2007), but it’s only now, with the release of an upgraded range, that it really earns its Aqua credentials. The original series had waterproof compartments, sure, but now the there’s the addition of Eurohike’s somewhat elaborately-dubbed Roll Top Closure (RTC) ‘technology’, a fancy name for having to roll close the main compartments rather than zip close. Nothing new about RTC – kayakers and canoeists will be well familiar with it as roll tops have been stock standard on their specialist gear for yonks. The benefit, of course, is absolutely watertight compartments. Nothing’s getting wet inside these suckers.
On the 25L, there’s only three non-RTC zip compartments – a small slender space on the front and two hidden side pockets. None will take much gear – documents, munchies and the like only. The other two compartments – in the top ‘lid’ and the main space – are both protected by the RTC. I can imagine some complaining RTC is too fiddly to bother with. It’s not. I timed the difference between undoing a zip and unrolling to RTC. There’s a whisker in it. A moment of not finding a zip on a traditional model, and the RTC wins. And it’ll never suffer from zipjam. No moving parts means longevity is assured. Inside you’ll find an inner-bag waterproof sleeve keeping all and sundry dry. There’s also a rain jacket, so even the zip compartments are protected.
The Revolution has also gone through a style overhaul, so fashion walkers can now rest easy (the older model was more traditional, whereas this is a tad racier). I found the 25L a bit small in terms of fitting my back: I had to release the shoulder straps nearly all the way to let it sit down on my hips. It’d better for someone a touch shorter (still, I’m only 5′ 11” ).
Back padding is full and firm – a bit sweaty perhaps as any full back padding tends to be. Could’ve been improved by padded ridges, rather than block pad design, to wick away better. All in all, a brilliant little day pack, although I’d be tempted to go for the 35L, the 25L being a touch small for anything other than lunch and basic wet weather gear. It would be interesting to compare and contrast the larger models: it comes in 55L, 70L and a whopping 90L plus there’s a 50L designed especially for women. Here, factors like weight distribution and padding would come into play much more than on the daypack. Whatever, the beauty is: no more plastic garbage bags!
walk rating: 4/5
price: £24.99 (for the 25L version)
reviewed: 31/08/2007 by Chris Ord
- This entry was posted on: Wednesday, February 25th, 2009 at 11:48 am
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