If – like me – you are staying at home in these uncertain times, keeping busy is a necessity and healthy practice. Since I am looking for some practice project and I need a new laptop bag, I figured I’d put 2 and 2 together and make just that.
I have a 13in laptop, so I went for the smallest laptop bag I can fit it in. What do you think?
The Ballast pack is designed for the lightweight multi-day hiker/trekker. Designed to shave off unnecessary weight, but still keeping a sturdy construction, reinforcing area prone to wear, and providing proper gear attachments and a removable top lid.
This pack’s main compartment offer approximately 35L for your main load, and the two side pockets offer in excess of 2 liters for quick access items like water, rain gear and so on. Additionally, the removable top lid offers in excess of 3L of sealed volume secures with a strong zipper on the side.
Amongst other attachments, the packs offers two vertical daisy chains on the front panel which can be laced with shock cord if need be, one trekking pole attachment with quick release on a side panel, a dual ice axe loop on the front, and an extra strong set of daisy chains and D-rings on the bottom for securing tents, sleeping pads, or anything you’d like.
For padding, the back panel has an embedded (non-removable) full-length 4mm closed cell foam pad, with an additional 4mm CCF band and 3D mesh on the hip. The shoulder straps take a minimalist approach to 4mm closed-cell foam and 3D mesh, but will work well for loads up to 8kg.
And since you’re probably interested in some specs, here you go!
Volume
35+5L
Dimensions
80x28x18cm (roll-top closed, without lid)
Weight
typ. 500g (no lid) max. 600g
Carries
comfy. 8kg max. 10kg
Fabrics
Dyneema/Nylon Ripstop (black on black), 1000D Cordura
Closure
Roll-top + Velcro Quick Release Top Lid (removable)
Strap padding
4mm CCF padding + 3D Mesh
Hip Belt
4mm CCF padding + 3D Mesh padding on the hips 25mm strap with 2-sided quick release buckle
Pockets
2+1 (one on each side, different heights, inverted inclination + top lid zipper pouch)
Attachements
– Vertical daisy chains (x2) on the front panel for gear or shock cord – Gear loops on the front panel (4x on each end of the daisy chains) – Compression strap with quick-release (x1) and with ladder lock (x1) – Strong Shock cords with LineLoc to secure side pockets content. – Daisy chains (x2) on bottom, with D-rings (x4) – Daisy chain on each shoulder strap – Loop inside for a water bladder – Top lead attachment can be converted to straps.