Macpac Amp Race 40
Just in for test is the Macpac Amp Race 40. Macpac have long been seen as a purveyor of reliable, tough gear, but they also have a pedigree in adventure racing and few years ago just about every international team I saw had at least one member with a Macpac Amp pack, some even with the logo sewn over with their own sponsors…
Times have changed though, racing pack design has been taken to new extremes of light weight but also of functionality. Where does the Amp 40 sit these days?
It looks a little more like the Amp Race 25 now with that single-buckle lid, a good move for me as I like the single buckle format. It looks to have the usual conservative Macpac volume rating as well, this’ll take all my camp kit and more besides.
The main compartment has a bladder sleeve with hangers and drain holes at the bottom, and the foam back stiffener is removable as a shoulder-to-hip sleepmat which meets race regulations but is no fun to sleep on at all!
But viewed against the current race packs, the Amp is looking more like a fast-and-light general purpose pack than a dedicated race pack, not at least because of it’s 1160g weight. This is no criticism though, race and multisport needs are what gave us things like mesh pockets and external stowing options, and it’s good to see a pack with all the functionality without it being pared down to the minimum elsewhere.
So what functionality is there? It’s been designed to be used quickly so it’s all pretty simple, eg the main compartment closes with a one-pull cord cleverly threaded through both cord channels. The external storage is another quick-access feature, handy in a race but also for wet tents, snacks and real flexibility.
Below you can see the size of the mesh bottle pockets with a 1L Sigg in one, the external zipped storage pocket (it’s sewn onto the outside, so doesn’t impact on internal space) with the binoculars, the external mesh pocket with the Galaxy Counters poking out and then there’s a web of bungee to attach even more. Add to that internal and external lid pockets, two big mesh hip-belt pockets, a shoulder strap gel-bottle pocket and bottle bungee and you’ve got more storage options than you’ve got stuff to store.
I’ve used Amp Races a few times over the years and found them stable and comfy, and the harness here seems to be the same design, low profile with a stiff-ish padding which will mould to you after some use. The chest strap, with the now expected whistle buckle, is on the sliding attachments, but here the rail ends are sewn-in to prevent the sliders pinging off.
The back is a simple mesh panel and with just the foam inside is nicely flexible. The removable hipbelt pivots nicely too and it really is a pack which allows a lot of mobility.
There’s enough top, side and bottom compression to pull the pack in tight if you need to though.
The fabric feels a little stiffer than the older versions, which isn’t be a bad thing, as with ice axe on there and the tall thin shape it’s a pack asking to be taken into the mountains and used without having to worry about it.
My first impressions are good, the features and comfort look to be spot on, and I’m hoping they’re worth that extra weight the Amp has built-in.
In many ways this is going head to head with my OMM Villain, same size and general layout.
We’ll see.
It looks like the single buckle is the only major functional change to my old pack.
Comparing it with the OMM Villan I would say that the Amp 40 is the winner. It took more gear with better functionality when I put them head to head the other week, hence the Villan went back to the shop
I’ll wait with baited breath to see what you think of the new one ;-)
It’s a proper battle here then.
DNF, aye, they do hit the multisport mark spot on with the Amps. I can see why they’re reluctant to develop away from the original format too much.
The weight is going to be an issue for some Martin, I still notice it every time I pick it up. But, packed for a trip and on the hill, I wonder?
It’s just a wee heavier than a Villain Sid, and those compression strap should be okay. The side ones are maybe not so much use as the pack has side stiffening and about 100m of bungee, but the lower ones do pulle the pack in at tyhe base, it does “float” a little there. The top-tension straps I’ll see. The pack will have to be pretty full for them to come into play, but when I was out a couple of weeks ago I found myself using the top straps on my pack to pull in the load on a steep descent, so we’ll see.
Give me the OMMM at the minute…
I’m expecting far better from the Villian and nearly got a smaller OMM to replace the Amp but got a 20ltr Terra Nova instead due to it weighing nothing.
The Villain has been issue-free for me, I think you’ll be fine, and good call of the Terrra Nova, my current favourite small pack.
Tha Macpac bungees work with bike bottles, or any with the groove, I’ll do that when I take it out and reveal the secret:o)
Haglofs have the same thing on the Endurance and Stamina.
Bummer with the Laser, it’s true what you say, the lighter the pack, the worse it is when it’s not full. A little bit of structure and the weight that goes with it aren’t a bad thing.
Ach, Saturday is too far away…
I thought at first that you were referring to the ending of Dr Who… :))
I keep looking at the really light TN packs but I think you’ve probably just cured me. I tried a Laser 40 for backpacking but didn’t get on with it and sent it back. The 20 Elite was tempting as a ‘travel, hand luggage and side-trips’ pack to take on continental backpacking excursions, but now probably not. I first did that sort of thing 20 years ago with an original 400g KIMM sack inside my 70 litre Alpiniste. I’ve got one of those tiny Sea To Summit daypacks – brilliant little bundle (like the Montane Featherlite of packs) but it doesn’t really handle mountain days. My best is still my ageing Berghaus Blitz, 250g of bumbag/20 litre pack which carries excellently. The only drawback is that it predates features like pole attachments and bottle pockets – I wonder if I should take the needle and thread to it…?
The shoulder strap for the Raidlight chest pack made it very usable when I carried if on my Gret Corries night hike, it does look like you’re carrying a school bag though.
Bottle pockets? MLD make nice we ones if you can’t get Inov8 ones to fit. I think Raidlight do bottle pockets as well?
Aye, get altering!
One think that came up was the fact that the Mountain Equipment packs from a few years ago were photocopies of Macpacs. I hadn’t spotted it until it was pointed out.
[...] and the printed branding is really cheap and nasty, but if the fabric and stitching on this and the 40 version hold up over an extended time, these really are killer packs and well worth the extra grams. [...]
Getting a well designed, comfy and function pack that weighs a few more grams is fine, just stick light stuff in it :o)
Ben, it must be similar as both packs fit me perfectly. I’ll check tomorrow (they’re on the top of Holly’s cupboard and she’s asleep…). Remind me if I don’t, I’m rubbish at keeping up with comms.
Of to look for the AMP 40 and see what it has over my 35.
That’s about it I think. Shame, it’s a killer pack.
[...] Macpac Amp Race 40 [...]
Following this month’s Trail I researched it and have just ordered a size 3 from Needlesport – very excited.
One thing I noticed, PTC, is that in Trail it’s listed in the “Used and Abused” section as having been used by you in the article in that issue and in one picture you are sat next to one. But in the other pictures you’re using the Haglofs!! Can I claim my free kit for having sussed you?
I really did use the Amp on the Assynt trip, and most overnighters last year for that matter. It was Phil that had the Haglofs LIM pack, Mike had a Villain and Marian had a Golite something or other.
So, no free kit I’m afraid :o)
Still – OMM must be missing a trick. I’ve wanted a Villian since I “went light” and remebered my excellent times with an Alpiniste. Last year I did the OMM (walked like C3PO for two weeks after) and really wanted an OMM pack, but had to settle for my Osprey Talon 22.
I’d be OMMed to the hilt if they catered for the loftier gentleman.
I don’t know where the kit’s going these days, the packs have been needing various things sorted for the past couple of years.
It’s a bummer, the kit was on the cusp of being perfect for me.
First the weaker points. For some reason all the straps are about 3 ft too long. I’ve tied them on at the ends to prevent “strap slap” but it still leaves huge loops. Also, the logo on the shoulder strap has already peeled off – I assume the one on the lid will go the same way. Also the pack does look a tiny bit (mine is the less smart black and red) “Millets”.
Pluss points – it really does carry well (although I did experience a tiny bit of hip belt loosening), close, flexible and supportive. Perhaps best of all is the “on the go” stowage. The hip pockets are the best I’ve used. The night was terrible – tent flattened a few times, horizontal rain – so I scarpered in the pre-dawn hours. The wind was truly insane, but I was able to keep my tent from disappearing over Rannoch Moor by stuffing it in the large mesh pocket on the back as I un-pegged it. Almost the best bit of all, though, are those odd horizontal pockets behind the hip pockets which took a Silva brilliantly.
Overall – very happy!
Glad the Amp’s coming up positive for you.
The logo’s are rubbish, heat transfered onto siliconised fabric? Aye, well done Macpac, that’ll work.
They’ve gone back to embroidery this year :o)
Pretty cool. My socks are still drying.
I love it, you never know what to expect, but you always come back with a head full of memories.
Good job Stu.