Alpinus Zarand II Backpack 35 l - Olive

Very well-made hiking backpack from solid materials. It has plenty of practical pockets and compartments. Increasing the capacity by an extra 10l is a great solution. A rain cover is included. The biggest advantage is the thoughtful back ventilation, which significantly increases comfort of use. I definitely recommend it.

The build quality is average. Quite a few sticking-out threads need to be burnt off with a lighter. The materials look solid but are somewhat stiff. Anyone who has owned a branded backpack will immediately notice the difference. The carrying system – the shoulder straps, hip support, and hip belt are not the best. The backpack does not sit well on the hips, so the maximum load is about 10-12 kg, which means the real carrying capacity is 8.5-10.5 kg. The hard, rough shoulder straps rather rule out longer hikes in the summer; it is more suitable for one- or two-day trips. The back ventilation suggests it’s intended for warmer days. The stated 35 litres have only been achieved by multiplying the extreme dimensions of the whole backpack; in reality, it’s only a bit larger than my 20-litre Osprey – I estimate about 22-23 litres. You can pack some more into the side and front pockets, but the mesh there is not very elastic (although it looks solid). The total capacity may be about 25 litres. The ability to lash on extra gear is minimal. There are some loops for a mug, but I don’t know why anyone would use them. You can try to attach a sleeping mat, but that requires some ingenuity. The lid has two pockets, and the outer pocket’s zip opens from the front – I don’t know why, but because of this, it’s less convenient. Additionally, the zipper is short, making it hard to get your hand in. The hip belt pockets are very small. The hip belt is enough for a person with a 160 cm waist, and the chest strap just about fits a person with a 98 cm chest. The main compartment is accessible from the top and bottom, which is a plus, and it can be divided with a zippered partition. A two-season sleeping bag will easily fit into the lower compartment. This backpack is rather meant for trips with accommodation under a roof, and it will also work for day trips in the mountains. There’s no way to attach trekking poles, which is a major drawback and, for many people, disqualifies it for hiking. At the promotional price (229 PLN, or 201 PLN with points), it’s a very good deal, but at the regular price (about 350 PLN), I do not recommend purchasing.

I bought the backpack for 229 PLN and after two uses I can say it’s excellent. Very spacious, made from good-quality material, and the frame does its job. I recommend it.

A great backpack for short trips. I appreciate the mesh back. Plus for the possibility of dividing the main compartment and easy access from the bottom. It's just a shame that the hip belt is quite narrow.

The backpack is great. The additional opening at the bottom is very practical. The material, the possibility to adjust the straps, the pockets, the fastenings – everything is of a high standard. The only thing I would change is the length of the hip belt pockets – in my opinion, they could be longer because they are placed a bit too far back and are hard to access. But that may be an individual issue. Overall, the backpack performs excellently. Perfect for shorter trips and longer excursions. I definitely recommend it.

The backpack is well made and, for its capacity, very roomy. It has all the essential elements (straps at the bottom and sides, hip belt and chest strap...). Thanks to the frame, it is rigid, but for people over 180 cm tall, the distance between the hip belt and the carrying system is a bit too small.