Approaching the Cirque of the Unclimables, the Mammut Heron Pro 85 Backpack is super-rigged for your heavy base camp weight with a pivoting belt that optimizes balance with a minimum of effort even when traversing exposed terrain. After customizing the fit with is changeable Butterfly aluminum 8 mm frame, 4-level back system, and angle adjustment of the hip belt, your big load doesn't seem so unreasonable. Topped to the gills you've extended the adjustable and removable lid, used the removable bottom compartment, and slung a layering top and essentials off the daisy chain gear carrier. Tensioning the compression straps at the side front, gear stays put as you dig into the large front pocket, 2 stretch side pockets, stowable bottle holder, and pocket on the hip belt for a sundry of essentials during a lunch break. Securing the 2 ice tool attachments, you grab your trekking poles off their attachment, pull the pocketed round-shaped lid and convert is to a lumbar for a ridgeline reconnaissance. Thankfully it's not too much farther, and everything will jettison out of the Heron Pro 85's large front-access main compartment for your extended base camp.
Purchase USD$45 or more and get free shipping. The Mammut Heron Pro 85 Backpack is available through Altrec.com.
BMK
- May 23, 2010
I'm torn between four and five stars!
I just started exposing myself to Mammut's products within the last year, and the more I see, the more impressed I am with their general commitment to innovation and quality. This pack is new to their line. I purchased an Arc'teryx Bora 95 last year and was happy with it. Something made me curious when I saw this Heron come out on the Mammut website this Spring, so, I ordered one. I would not say that this pack is better than the Bora in every way, in fact, there are numerous trade-offs: the Arc, I think will carry a bit more, but, I still have some experimentation to do with the Mammut; I like the water bottle holders on the Arc and the zippers are more modern, water-tight zippers. However, I ended up returning my Arc'teryx for this pack. For one, it's a full pound lighter and $150-200 cheaper. When you compare them side-by-side, some of the things like the back padding and zippers seem cheaper on the Mammut, but, IMHO Mammut has more of a minimalist philosophy than Arc's industrial strength approach--there's a trade-off. Mammut is a great manufacturer and does not cut corners putting junky material in anything, though. The pivoting hip belt on the Mammut IS A GAME CHANGER. It actually allows Mammut to remove some of the heavy padding on the back that you will immediately notice missing. I don't know how any of the top-end manufactures can consider marketing heavy packs in the coming years w/o pivoting hip belts. You will immediately notice that the full weight of the pack is not tied to each hip. Each hip and can freely move from under the full weight of your load. I am a little concerned about size on larger trips, but, like I said, I just need to find out how to carry things like tents, crampons and gas in more innovative ways.
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