Introducing Round 2 of the 2013 TMS/Boreas Gear Pack Testing Team gear reviews:

Earlier this year we teamed up with Boreas Gear to test their new line of Adventure Travel backpacks. Alex Von der Mehden of Eagle Scout troop 707 promised that if we gave him an adventure pack, he would put it through the wringer and return with feedback. He just returned from the field - freeride mountain biking, kayaking on the Russian River, hiking and fishing. Here’s what he has to say about his new Boreas Sapa Trek backpack:

When I received the Boreas Sapa Trek on my front porch and opened the box I lit up with excitement. My first impression of the pack was how sleek and stylish it looked. I then began examining it and found it was also extremely durable and ready for a tough summer. Before this pack I had a small day pack that barely fit the things that I needed. It was not very useful. When I started using the Sapa Trek as my main pack, life outdoors became so much easier. I had room to pack anything I wanted aplus more. I also like how simple the outside was, making it look clean and sleek, and how the inside had secret stashes to keep everything organized. Tahoe Mountain Sports allowed me to test the Boreas Sapa Trek backpack, and trust me, I put it to its limits in the heat, in crazy rain storms, and getting thrown around multiple Scout camps in different states.

TMS: How do you like the way the pack sits on your back?

Alex: The Sapa Trek sits wonderfully on my back. It was extremely comfortable wearing it all day as a day pack. The foam was extremely comfortable even when it was weighed down with 40 pounds of gear. The straps are also extremely comfortable and very adjustable for any body size and comfort zone.

Are there any changes you would make to the belt buckle?

No, the design is very unique and fits well. The straps make it very easy to tighten for just the right fit.

What activities do you feel this pack is best suited for?

The Sapa Trek is universal to almost any situation. I used the pack as both an adventure daypack and an overnight pack. At one Scout camp I carried harnesses, climbing shoes, and over 200 feet of climbing rope to our climbing destinations. At another camp I carried a wide variety of gear like bike tools, towels, hydration reservoir, first aid kits, extra clothes, etc.

Is there a similar pack you have been lusting after?

No, I have not been looking at other packs recently but there are features on backpacks that I always look for. This pack has many of them. A large front access zipper, a waterproof pocket, a waterproof outer coating and durability.

What did you like most about the pack?

My favorite feature on the Sapa Trek backpack was the front zipper. This feature makes it really easy to access the whole backpack with ease. Even with a full backpack bulging at the seams, I was able to unzip the front and grab some tie down rope from the bottom before zipping it back up with ease. I would definitely recommend, and maybe even make this a new standard, on all of my future backpack purchases.

What did you like least about the pack?

My only complaint would be about the internal plastic frame in the backpack. The frame made the backpack very comfortable and kept its shape, but what I would change on it is the very top of it. When I had my mountain biking full-face and XC helmets on, the pack rode up to far and would limit the movement of my head, so when I was freeriding I had minimal vision. I would suggest that Boreas Gear simply make a cut in the top of the frame that allows some extra movement.

Overall thoughts on the backpack?

Overall, the Sapa Trek is a great pack. It is versatile for any situation. The pack definitely had a lot of planning put into it, down to the smallest details. It incorporates functionality and simplicity into an all around great looking pack.

Carrying this pack with me throughout summer on all my adventures was an absolute privilege. The pack is extremely comfortable in all situations, it’s light weight, and very sleek and stylish. The Sapa Trek backpack will definitely be my go-to pack for future scouting adventures. It is a wonderful pack that I will be putting to great use in the future and I will definitely recommend it to anyone who is in the market to purchase a backpack.

Thanks for the feedback, Alex Von der Mehden! Enjoy your new gear

Click here to read Round 1 of the 2013 TMS/Boreas Gear Pack Testing Team gear reviews

Click here to read Round 3 of the 2013 TMS/Boreas Gear Pack Testing Team gear reviews

Earlier this year we teamed up with Boreas Gear to test their new line of Adventure Travel backpacks. We scouted a team of three outdoor enthusiasts who had big plans for their summers, and gave them new Boreas packs to use and abuse during their travels. They’re all back from the field now, and we’re excited to bring you the first installment of the 2013 TMS/Boreas Gear Pack Tester Team. Danielle Horton of Agoura Hills, California, took her Boreas Erawan 50 on a tour through the South Pacific. Here’s what she has to say about it:

Lots of storage space in the Boreas Erawan 50!

The first thing I noticed about the Boreas Erawan 50 was its striking blue color with yellow accents. I knew I wouldn’t be losing this backpack in the heap of other luggage I’d be throwing it in. I immediately started packing it full of everything I would need for my five-week Australian and Fijian adventure. I needed to be able to fit everything to keep me warm and dry during the wet Australian winter, as well as beachwear for tropical Fiji.

Promotes organized packing – but anything goes!

Initially, I was a little skeptical that this pack would hold everything I needed, but the main compartment expanded beyond what I had imagined and everything fit like a dream! I love the way it zips open like a duffle bag, and the extra magnets on the top zipper make it even more secure. The main compartment also has a couple small bags attached to either side where I stored items I would need to find in a hurry. I appreciated that even though the bag had a basic main compartment, I could still maintain a certain level of organization using these side bags.

My favorite Erawan feature, however, is how easy it is to transform this duffle bag into a backpack. With just a few simple adjustments I could pull the straps out and clip them on, which made carrying the pack around incredibly easy. In fact, I loved the backpack so much I had the straps clipped in for most of my trip. When I did stash them behind the back panel for the multiple airplane trips I had to take, it was quick and easy, even with a full load. The carabiner clips made the straps easy to remove and adjust. I’ve had packs with hideaway shoulder straps before, but the plastic clips didn’t really inspire confidence. The Erawan’s carabiner clips, however, felt secure. I also liked that I could choose where to attach my straps, as the semi-hidden daisy chain has multiple clip-in options. The multitude of options allowed me to find the perfect spot to clip in my straps so that the pack fell just right on my back; it didn’t hang too low below my waist or loom over my head.

Shoulder straps engaged.

Straps tucked away.

My only complaint about the strap systems was how the chest strap (sternum strap) fell on my body; it fell too low across my chest. The chest strap is adjustable to a degree, but no matter how I adjusted it or the shoulder straps I couldn’t get the chest strap to actually pull against my chest instead of crushing my breasts. I think the strap would work for men, and even some women, but being slightly bustier than most, this chest strap didn’t work for me. This doesn’t make the pack unbearable, though; I didn’t have any problems using the pack without the chest strap. Plus, the chest strap comes with a whistle. Although I was never alone or lost on my travels, I imagine this feature could come in handy in an emergency situation, or if you needed to call your dogs! Otherwise, the backpack straps themselves were more than comfortable, especially with the breathable padding that matches the color of the front panel.

Large waterproof pocket.

Smaller waterproof pocket.

Another favorite feature was the top waterproof compartments. The pack has two compartments that are completely waterproof: one larger compartment that can fit a towel, wet bathing suit and water shoes, and a smaller compartment that can fit personal items like your camera, wallet, keys and more. When I took my bag with me on day hikes to lakes and beaches, these compartments came in particularly handy. I was able to store my wet items in the top waterproof compartment and not worry about items in the large main compartment or my valuables in the small compartment getting wet. Plus, the small waterproof compartment was perfect when I wanted easy access to my money or my camera. In addition to all this waterproof greatness, I was also able to squeeze my hiking boots into the larger waterproof compartment when I wasn’t using it for my wet gear. This storage space allowed me to keep my clothes separated from my dirty hiking boots, and allowed some freedom to wear flip flops on occasion instead of traipsing around in my boots.

Durable bottom/front panel.

Wet and filthy storage.

The reinforced bottom of the duffle kept  me confident that I wouldn’t damage my bag by leaving it on the floor. On a trip where I was changing locations every few days, this bag saw a lot of travel time. It spent many hours being withstanding abuse from baggage handlers and taxi drivers, thrown on the floor outside or shoved violently into small spaces. Still, I never had to worry that it would get too beat-up while riding with so many other bags in the small bus compartments, on the train, or on boat rides. I’m not easy on my bags, and I was glad that this bag could withstand the abuse I subjected it to. Add the fact that it is convertible from duffle to backpack, and it makes travelling even easier. When I couldn’t stow it away in a compartment, I could carry it on my back, and even rest it comfortably on my lap.

Overall, I would recommend the Boreas Erawan 50 to my friends and any traveler. Even though the chest straps didn’t work for me, I still loved the simplicity of the bag and the ease with which I could carry it around. Heck, I like this bag so much I’ve even taken it out as my hiking daypack since I’ve been back on the mainland. Any traveler would be lucky to have this travel pack in their arsenal.

Stay tuned for Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2013 TMS/Boreas Gear Pack Tester Team, highlighting the Boreas Erawan 70 and the Boreas Sapa Trek.

Thanks again to Danielle Horton for her detailed Boreas Erawan 50 review. Your partnership with Tahoe Mountain Sports is valuable and we appreciate your support!

Click here to read Round 2 of the 2013 TMS/Boreas Gear Pack Testing Team gear reviews

Click here to read Round 3 of the 2013 TMS/Boreas Gear Pack Testing Team gear reviews

Summer has arrived and the second annual Boreas backpack adventure testing has begun! Tahoe Mountain Sports and Boreas Gear have partnered up to review the new Boreas travel packs, and we solicited gear testers all over the country to find the best-suited adventure travelers we could. It was tough picking – after all, we have a tremendous following of avid adventurers – but after two weeks of hunting we’ve narrowed it down to three candidates we believe will test their packs the best. Over the next few months our test team will be responsible for providing ‘real-world’  feedback on their chosen packs. In exchange for their help they’ll get to keep their packs for future adventures. Boreas Gear believes, “The best gear is neither complicated nor expensive yet as versatile as the person using it.” TMS believes we’ve found three versatile individuals to confirm these qualities in said ‘best gear’.

Introducing the 2013 TMS / Boreas Gear Pack Tester Team:

Dan Hutchinson - Erawan 70
As an avid traveler, mountain biker, hiker, boater, volunteer and student I have a demand for quality backpacks in my everyday adventures. I’m a stickler for functionality and versatility. This summer alone I will be traveling to South Africa to install solar panels at a local community college for my internship, hitting the main stretch of the Salmon River in Idaho and living out of a backpack/bag for the remaining months of summer while playing in and out of the Sacramento and Lake Tahoe area, including a couple of side trips to Downieville’s legendary single track.

Danielle Horton – Erawan 50
I’ll be traveling Australia’s east coast for four weeks then heading over to Fiji’s Yasawa Islands for an additional week of adventures. I would be taking the pack with me as I go hiking and rappelling in the Blue Mountains and snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef. I think this trip will be the perfect opportunity to test the pack’s light weight, durability and versatility as I take it on planes, trains, buses and boats.

Alex Von Der Mehden – Sapa Trek
I am an Eagle Scout in Troop 707 and we go on at least two trips per month in every kind of condition. Being that it is the summer, we have many more. When I am not on these trips I will be at home on my own adventures: free-ride mountain biking, kayaking on the Russian River, fishing, hiking, and having a blast, all with that pack on my back. I would be honored to put this pack through the paces of a summer of an Eagle Scout.

Throughout the summer these courageous testers will be embarking on grand adventures with their adventure travel packs, giving them the ultimate “real world” challenge. Will these Boreas backpacks hold up against the vigor of our gear testing team? Regardless of the outcome, this test will only help to improve the outdoor adventure industry.  Stay tuned as the summer progresses and the testers return from their travels with feedback about their new backpacks.

Boreas Sapa Trek
MSRP: $219.95
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Boreas Erawan 50
MSRP: $149.95
Buy Now

Boreas Erawan 70
MSRP: $159.95
Buy Now