Bora 80 - Revised

 

Bora 80 - Revised for 2007

Trekking for a week or more calls for a serious pack. Our plush thermoformed hipbelts and shoulder straps are connected to our sturdy V-stay suspension system to comfortably handle expedition sized loads. This robust pack features WaterTight zippers, DWR coated fabrics, and a reinforced bottom to repel the elements.

Features

• Double layered fabric bottom
• Six external compression straps
• Full length side zip
• Interchangeable unisex dual density shoulder straps
• Interchangeable unisex thermoformed hipbelt
• Kangaroo pocket with drain hole
• Key clip
• Occipital cavity
• Sleeping bag compartment
• Thermoformed back panel
• Two external daisy chains, ice axe holders and water bottle pockets
• WaterTight zippers

Review

Based on its cross-functionality for use in alpine climbing and for week-long backpacking trips:

The new Bora 80 REVISED pack for 2007 combines several new features including hide-away water bottle holders (32oz Nalgene) and new side zipper access. The new design change gives the pack a cleaner, slimmer contour, a much more alpine feel than the previous Bora 80 model, improving pack compressibility for trips that require less gear.

The new water bottle holders are slightly awkward because they’re stitched directly into the main body of the pack which, when pulled from their storage compartments, prevents access to the pocket, which might otherwise be used to catch pickets, trekking poles, etc., which sometimes have a tendency to slide downward even when vertical compression straps are tight.

Also, under low-volume loads, the axe loops and shaft holders angle in such a direction that the spike of an axe (or both axes) exceeds the height of the pack, causing it to point, disturbingly, directly to the rear of the packer’s head. A loop stitched lower on the pack or a more vertically angled Velcro strap might help solve this minor discomfort.

Overall, this pack is extremely comfortable and very well-made, as you would expect from Arc’teryx. However, the decision to change to the new-style water bottle holders seems impose a minor limitation on functionality for alpine use. Ok, so maybe I’m being knit picky, but it’s surely something to consider for the next go-around.

Images