I like minimalist design in gear. The Drycomp Vertex is certainly that, but the trick with light weight gear is maintaining function and comfort as you strip out all the unnecessary guff. Everything is a compromise so inevitably there are going to be a few features that have been left out to save weight. For example you don’t get a key clip (for car keys) or any
kind of internal pocket

The way round the lack of pockets and storage issues is to carry a couple of small storage sacks to organise your bits and pieces such as car keys, mobile phone etc. But, then if I’m carrying extra storage sacks why didn't they just build a small pocket into the design in the first place?

So, in a very short time you are having to think about what you REALLY need to take on the hill and what can be left behind; leave the phone behind and get the bus. Of course only you can make this call but less is often more when traveling in the hills and the process of having to think hard about your gear can only be a good thing.

Features

The main body is constructed from siliconised nylon, has fully taped seams and a roll top, so, it is waterproof (until you put a hole in it). The proofing has the obvious advantage of not having to use rucksack liner in wet weather or protect sensitive items such as down clothing or sleeping bags. A word of caution; if you do get the tiniest hole in the bag you’re not going to know about it until your gear is wet, so again, you would have to decide if you want to use some extra plastic to protect your sleeping bag for example. Most other gear can cope with getting wet as long as your sleeping bag stays dry.

Straps with side release buckles help compress the load vertically. It is possible you could also use these straps for light bulky items such as a sleeping mats. These straps can also be used as a waist belt. They have alternate male and female buckles so once detached from the compression position, work as an adjustable waist belt. The down side is you can’t have both at the same time. There are also two lines of ladder loops running down the front of the sack that could be used with accessory straps to attach extra gear.

There are two axe loops at the base and two velcro axe retainers. Personally I would have preferred no axe loops and have a small internal key pocket. The ladder loop system could be used to attached an axe if need be. The thought of attaching two technical tools to the sack doesn’t appeal because of the weight and imbalance it would create

The hydration pouch is a zip compartment on the front of the sack which will take a 2L bladder. The drinking tube can’t go through the sack without compromising the waterproofing so it just comes out of the top of the zip compartment.

The shoulder straps adjust via buckles at the top of the padded strap area. The sternum strap is vertically adjustable via a couple of sliding buckles that run on a cord track, at the edge of the shoulder straps. The sternum strap buckle doubles as a whistle; one more thing you can leave out!

The back panel is padded with a breathable mesh cover which is also stitched in an ergonomic pattern making it easier to shape the back with your knee.

There are two external side pockets which will take a 1L Nalgene bottle or similar. Both have bungee cord partial closure.

In Use

I found the sack remarkably comfortable with enough capacity for a day in the winter hills and probably big enough for lightweight mountain travel from Spring to Autumn. As already mentioned you have to take care in packing the sack and shape the back with your knee, but once done, it carries as well as any sack 3 times its weight; which just goes to show what you can do with design.

Conclusion

I really like this sack. It rails against the over design for the sake change that ruins many a good product and as such it appeals to my values of keeping design simple and effective. I’m looking forward to using the sack for long distance Munro bagging trips in the hills this spring.

Weight 502g. Volume 28.8L

Browse Outdoor Research products here.