Staff Review - Millet Prolighter 27LD

My first impression of this Millet Rucksack was that it was very sleek and smart looking and would go with all my different outfits (wrong I know but it makes a difference to me!).

I pulled the pack on in the shop, and before adjusting the straps or anything I thought the back system was maybe going to be a bit solid, however this was certainly not the case. Once weighted the pack sat very nicely into my back, it wiggled with me, and not against me as some others do. I was able to cinch the straps in nice and tight and this will be great when climbing as I hate feeling the pack bobble about. The chest strap fits nicely, however the waist belt was a wee bit loose at its tightest on me when I was wearing just a t-shirt; removal of the two elastics in place to keep the straps tidy gained me the extra centimetre on either side I was looking for to make this really tight around my waist. Sadly it’s not been t-shirt weather since, so the elastics are back on!

So far the pack has held everything I have needed it to. I am going to take the pack out to Nepal with me to test the rest of the features as a winter day pack.

Post Nepal review

As a girl who has a rucksack for every occasion, who would have believed I needed a rucksack that was yet another size!

I dabble in many different sports; ultra-running, mountain biking skiing and my main passion high altitude mountaineering. I have now travelled to 5 of the seven continents climbing as many mountains as I can on the way.

I have been given this pack to review and my first impression was that it was very sleek, smart looking, and would go with all my different outfits (wrong I know but it makes a difference to me)!

I pulled the pack on in the shop, and before adjusting the straps or anything I thought the back system was maybe going to be a bit solid and awkward, however this was certainly not the case.

Once weighted the pack sat very nicely into my back, thanks to the new XLIGHTER Back ™Shoulders Continuous Construction ™. It wiggled with me, and not against me as some others do. I was able to cinch the straps in nice and tight and this will be great when climbing as I hate feeling the pack bobble about.

Initially I used the pack for short walks trying to catch the last of the light nights and good weather. I found the pack held everything I needed it to and when it didn’t have much in it the pack held its shape well. When I was only wearing a t-shirt I found the waist belt was a wee bit loose even though it was at the tightest it could go. Removal of the two elastics that are in place to keep the straps tidy gained me the extra centimetre on either side that I was looking for to make this really tight around my waist, but this did mean the extra length of strap was now loose ( not really a problem). Sadly it’s not been t-shirt weather since, so the elastics are back on!

I then used the pack on the walk-in on my latest trip with Adventure Peaks to Himlung Himal in Nepal (Pictures courtesy of leader Zac Poulton).

The Packs strength comes from its rugged materials and its simple design. The packs journey saw it on top of buses and four by four vehicles with lots of dust being kicked up on the tracks, plenty of dust too on parts of the trail especially when I used my pack to sit on during lunch stops, each time it only took a quick dusting off and it looked new again.

This is a durable, versatile pack that comes with a few great features it uses a top-loading main compartment with a fully attached lid, a sizeable enough top pocket which I like for my torch, map and other bits and bobs that I need quick access to and an inside zipped pocket with Key Clip for all the items I can’t afford to lose. Another nice feature is the rope holder which along with securing your rope tightly pulls the front of the pack over like a handkerchief and stops any spindrift getting in.

The Pack has a good sized internal hydration pouch and elastics on the shoulder straps keeps the hose tidy.

Ice Axe System: FPP Ergo ™the attachments made specifically to keep your ice axe points safely tucked away on your pack are great and keeping everything stored safely and effectively lets you get on with what you are doing. The elastic loops can be rethreaded through a choice of several loops which then gives a narrower loop for your poles or a wider attachment for your axes. Reinforced ski carriers on the side along with the compression straps keeps your skis securely in place.

In terms of functionality this rucksack did everything I needed it to do and some for a wide variety of adventures, it’s only downfall for me is it is a wee bit big for my frame, and I would need the waist belt to be adjusted slightly smaller and the same for the chest strap as pulling the straps tighter to hold the pack against my body meant the straps went further under my arms than should be the case which resulted in some rubbing of my lighter weight clothing. That said with all my layers on which is usually the case it fits snugly.

What Millet Say

COMPARTMENTS

• 2 zipped pockets + key ring + gear-holder straps

BACK/WAISTBELT

• New, ergonomic, thermoformed XLighter™ back system
• Hip belt with 2 gear-holders

SHOULDER STRAPS

• Continuous Construction™ shoulder straps with sternum strap

ACCESSORIES

• Lid with storm collar + compression strap
• 3 haul points
• FPP Ergo™ ice-axe holder
• Side compression straps
• Reinforced ski-holders
• Compatible with all hydration systems

KEY POINTS

• New, ergonomic, thermoformed XLighter™ back system

TECHNOLOGIES

• new XLIGHTER Back ™
• Shoulders Continuous Construction ™
• Ice Axe System : FPP Ergo ™
• Thermal capacity

FABRICS

• N 210 D Honey Comb
• N 420 D Velocity
• N 1000 D Kodura