High Peak Adrenaline 70 + 10

High Peak Adrenaline 70+10

Below is from website.

Review by Ron J.

The High Peak Adrenaline 70 + 10 was provided by High Peak for the purpose of this review.

Three hours before I was scheduled to leave on a camping trip for the weekend the High Peak Adrenaline 70 + 10 showed up on my doorstep.   Even though this trip was not a backpacking trip, I wanted to see how all my gear fit into the pack.  When I go on non-backpacking camping trips, I tend to pack a lot more gear then I would for a backpacking trip so this trip was going to be a true test for the backpack.  I always lay all my gear out on my bed then start from the bottom of my pack and move up.  I first stuffed my sleeping bag in the bottom compartment of the pack.  It easily fit in there with room to spare so I stuffed two camping pillows in there with my sleeping bag.   I attached my sleeping pad to the outside of the pack with the straps.  There are two sections on the outside straps so there is room for a sleeping pad and a tent if you need the room on the inside main compartment.  I chose to put my tent in the main compartment, which has access from the front or the top, standing up vertical on one side then proceeded to stuff all my clothes (I put all my clothes in gallon size Ziploc bags to compress them and to keep dry in case of rain) on the other side of the bag.  All my clothes for three days fit easily in the main compartment with the tent with room to spare.  I also had room to put my cooking / eating ware inside the main compartment.  There is a sleeve inside the main compartment for a hydration bladder with a hole at the top for the water tube to come out.   I did not even use the two side pockets called bellow pockets on the outside of the main compartment.  The bellow pockets lay flat unless in use where they would then expand out. They are approximately 12 inches long  by 8 inches wide and can expand out about 6 inches.  You could put your stove, fuel, food and water purifying system in the side pockets.  The side (bellow) pockets open and close with an easy sliding  zipper.  On top of the pack there is an expandable, detachable top lid.  It has two compartments.  The larger of the two appears to be waterproof and is expandable.  I was able to put a lot of miscellaneous stuff up there.  You can easily access this compartment so it is good to keep nutrition, electronics, maps, rain cover (the rain cover comes with the pack and fits nicely over the pack and cinches tight around it), keys , etc up there.   It easily detaches from the main pack by a single snap and can be worn as a fanny pack.  On the front of the pack, there is a large front pocket that does not zip or close but can be cinched tight by the pull of a strap.  Outside the pocket is what I call the spider bungee.  I usually put my rain gear in there so I can get to it quickly when the rain sneaks up on me.  There are ice axe holders next to the front pocket that I used to hold my trekking poles when I am not using them.  On each side at the bottom are holders for Nalgene type water bottles that I could easily grab while I wore the pack.  There are also several places on the inside and out to attach carabineers for hanging extras.  Once you get everything in the pack, it all can be easily compressed with the two side compression straps. I am sure I have missed some of the features and will find them the more I use the pack and will report them to you as I find them.

I am impressed at the features the come with the Adrenaline 70 + 10 and I look forward to using it on my next backpacking trip.  I have not found any issues with the pack but I am a little disappointed at the amount of information on the website.  The information on the top of this review is all there is.  I would like to see information on the best way to fit the pack.  More to come in about a month.

Update #1  05/20/2011

I have had the chance to take the High Peak Adrenaline 70 + 10 on two trips since my initial camping trip.  I have been impressed with it so far.  It was very easy to fit the pack to my body using the Micro-flex fitting system by simply unlocking the system and pulling the red straps up or down then locking the system back.  The rest of the adjustments for hips, chest and shoulders are done easily by pulling and releasing the straps.  Once I fit the pack comfortably to my body, I was ready to go.  As I mentioned in my initial review, the Adrenaline has plenty of storage for all backpacking needs.  Even though my trips were only for a weekend, there was plenty of room left in the pack for more food and clothing to get through a week long trip.  In addition to the two main large compartments that are easily accessible from the top, bottom or sides there are many additional pockets and compartments that make it easy to keep your items separate and easy to find.  The bellow (side) pockets are great for food storage.  The top detachable top pocket is great for all your miscellaneous items and can also be used as a fanny pack.  The outside front pocket is a great place to store rain gear so you can grab it quickly when the rain starts. The two outside Nalgene type water bottle holders are easy to access even when the pack is on my back.  I did not have to turn my head to grab the bottles, I could just reach back and grab it, take a drink and easily put them back. The Adrenaline also has several places to attach items on the outside of the pack.  On the shoulder straps there are plastic rings to attach carabineers, compass, GPS or phone. 

On my hikes I found the High Peak Adrenaline very comfortable to carry.  I did not have the pack full to capacity (it weighed around 32 lbs) on either trip but it felt very balanced and because of the design the weight rested in all the right places.  Because of the mesh backing my back never felt hot carrying the pack.  The only place that I felt additional heat was at the chest strap. The Adrenaline has several cinch straps that allowed me to secure all the contents in the pack and kept them from moving or shifting during my hikes.  All the zippers, straps and zippers seem very durable and I did not have any issues with snags, breaks or failures to perform.

So far I am very please with the performance of the High Peak Adrenaline 70 + 10 and look forward to using it on many more hikes.  I also found another use for the pack along the trail.  It makes a wonderful pillow.  More to come in a month.

Final Review 06/24/2011

 After using the High Peak Adrenaline 70 + 10 for a couple months, I have been happy with its performance and durability.  I have been able to use the pack on numerous trips and it has lived up to all my expectations.  As I reported in my previous post the pack has ample room for all my gear plus more for a weekend trip even if I pack it on the heavy side.  I have found it very comfortable on hikes and if I need to make any fitting adjustments along the trail, it is easily done by loosening or tightening a strap on the go.  If I need to adjust the height of the pack on my shoulders, all I have to do is stop, remove the pack and use the Micro-flex fitting system to easily adjust the height of the shoulder straps in relation to the hip belt.  This is easily done by unlocking the system and pulling the red handles up or down to where the pack fits comfortably.  The mesh backing stays cool against my back and like I stated before the only hot spot I get when using the pack is at the chest strap. 

I am a little rougher on equipment that I am testing then I would be with equipment that I am not testing for review.  The High Peak Adrenaline has passed all the durability test I have thrown at it.  I pull the straps harder and tighter, toss the pack around and pick up the pack from places I probably should not while loaded.  The pack is still in as good as condition now as it was the day I received it other than some dirt stains.  All the straps are in great condition with no freying.  There are not any rips or stressed places in the nylon. All the buckles are it perfect working condition and the zippers function without any issues.

The High Peak Adrenaline 70 + 10 is a quality pack with plenty of room for extended backpacking trips.  I have enjoyed testing it and plan on using it on all my backpacking and camping trips. 

Thank you High Peak for providing the pack for me to test and 4AllOutdoors.org for the opportunity.

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