"During the 700 miles Yukon river race, I have been using the Vertepac continuously to carry a load of 6 kg - a 4 liter hydration combo-blatter and some additional stuff. It allowed me to keep pushing much longer and take fewer breaks than I would have without it. So I was very happy to have it! It was awesome to feel I could move my upper body so smoothly. Without feeling any restrictions, and pressure or pain on my back and shoulders. For my next challenge "Race to Alaska" I will definitely rely on the Vertepac system again."

"I’m a bit of nerd when it comes to outdoor tech, especially if it can make your life easier. So when I saw back in February that you were going into production I just had to have one. I do a lot of long distance hiking, running and cycling in the UK. This weekend I took part in a 40 mile ultra-walk. I decided to throw everything into the 18L bag as if I was doing the walk in winter. All my waterproofs, spear t-shirts/jacket, I even put in my big binoculars. I was so impressed that I could hardly notice that I was carrying the extra weight, and the extra weight didn’t slow me down at all. Overall the Vertepac performed very well, and I had no aches or pains in my shoulders or back. I was very impressed."

"As an international mountain and ski guide I am working outdoors nearly every day. Especially on steep mountain ridges I often opened the hip belt of my regular daypack because it restricted my movements, causing a lot of tension in my neck and upper body. The Vertepac solved it for me. The fact that the hip belt and the bag unit can move, turn and twist independently, offers an immense level of freedom. Also the possibility to change the different bags quickly is handy, all though I usually attach the XTR.35."

"Vertepac has found a system which is perfect for MTB Downhill and backcountry sports where you need to have a really fast reaction. The additional spine is truly awesome; it supports the load and gives you the full range of freedom which is the key to perform in action sports. I can recommend it to any self-reliant backcountry adventurer."

"I have been very happy with my Vertepac, because the weight is distributed perfectly and the load is relieved from my back. I also enjoy the freedom in the movements that the Vertepac gives you especially when skiing and snowboarding, as hip and upper body movements are crucial. "

"For me the Vertepac is the perfect bag to transport our additional luggage to our film locations in the mountains when shooting action footage. When I am off from work though, I love to use it on my ski tours and mountain hikes as well. I hope the come up with a camerag bag unit soon, would love to use it."

"I am a 47 year old, I stay active, but have had 2 back surgeries, and extensive right knee surgery. I have been an avid outdoorsman all my life and involved with search and rescue for 33 years. Currently I have three packs that I use depending on the mission; an Osprey Atmos AG 50 pack for extended missions, a Tenzing TZ 1250 Lumbar Pack and a True North Frontline Bushwhacker pack. My initial thought with the Vertepac was, WOWW! The weight on my shoulders is gone! The comfort, after a few hours of use, was amazing. I was able to maneuver along the trails, through the timber and other vegetation with ease. For testing of the pack, I had 32 pounds (14.50 kg) of gear + the weight of the pack. After 5 hours of wearing the pack, I noted a few things. First, and the to my surprise, my lower back was not hurting any more than normal. Keep in mind I just had major back surgery 8 weeks ago. I was very impressed. I also noticed that my shoulders and neck didn’t have the pressure and fatigue I have experienced with other packs. My back also stayed dry despite the warm fall day. Overall the comfort of the pack is by far the best I have ever worn. The design of the “Spine” was an ingenious thought.

"I loaded the Vertepac with around 25-30 pounds of gear and wore it during wilderness SAR training exercises. As soon as I secured the waist belt, I immediately noticed that there was little to no weight on my shoulders. The pack felt like it was floating on my back. Fairly quickly though, I realized the importance of correct adjustment as I started to have some discomfort in my left axillary area. With a few adjustments, the problem was corrected and I was on my way (in other words, don’t get discouraged if it seems uncomfortable at first, just adjust it). The pack moved effortlessly with my body and if I hadn’t have loaded it myself, I would have thought I was only carrying a couple of pounds. The waist belt remained secure and in place while the “spinal column” allowed the pack to move with my back in every stoop and bend, but at the same time, still carry the bulk of the weight. I wore it for a couple of hours and performed numerous tasks and range of motion with no fatigue, back pain, or discomfort whatsoever. I have worn many packs in my time, and this by far is the most comfortable and right up there with the best quality wise. I know there has been some concern over the price, but after wearing it, I think it is a premium product and worth the extra money. After all, how much is your back worth?"

"Previously in my SAR career I have used traditional hiking backpacks by Osprey and Deuter, as well as SAR-specific packs by True North Gear and Coaxsher. The Vertepac is by far the most comfortable pack I’ve used, for SAR and traditional hiking. For a typical SAR load, I carry about 35 lbs., but with the Vertepac, it felt virtually weightless. In addition to the weight-reducing suspension, the Parallel Spine system is a great feature for SAR. Since we are not usually just walking on a trail, the way the hip belt moves with you when crawling over, under and around obstacles, or through dense underbrush (Rhododendron here in Virginia) keeps the load balanced and stable. The bag itself was just about the right size for a fall/winter load out. There was plenty of room for extra clothing, rain gear, emergency shelter, etc. During the summer, I could probably get away with the XTR.18. I also like the built-in helmet carrier.

"The vertepac system is a versatile one! At first I was sceptical but it fits me surprisingly well.

It is is great system for moutain biking, day hiking, sled dog training etc. Active people wil love this whole new concept. It makes sudden movements really easy so I could bend, dodge and evade objects easily when training on the trails with Taiga. It also rests perfect on the hips so the load distribution is optimal. As I said before, it feels weird in the first couple of minutes but it really rides wel on my back! I like the easy adjustments in the carry system and think it is a very good concept that one can change bags on the same system to fit different needs. Maybe the current vertepac bags are a bit to smal for long term stays in the wild and for winter camping but I read that these Vertepac guys have some tricks up their sleeves for the near future!" - Mike & Taiga - Tikaani Outdoor

"My wife and I have been testing both the 35-liter XTR.35 and 18-liter XTR.18 bags over the last month, logging hundreds of hours and miles with the backpacks. We’ve worn the bags fully loaded while slogging through the Scottish Highlands and pastoral Dutch dunes, bicycling through the streets of Amsterdam, and stand-up paddleboarding along its canals. The bags allowed us to carry heavier loads for longer, with a far greater degree of upper body mobility."

"When I saw the VERTEPAC I was impressed by its logic. I noticed that my back and shoulders were relieved from the load. Unlike with any other backpack I could move my torso freely in any direction. This design limits the extra energy expended by carrying a load and facilitates balance control on difficult terrain. I love the simplicity, it just makes sense."