Bianchi Endurance pack

Guns Magazine, July, 2004 by Dick Williams

Nobody voluntarily carries a pack simply because it's much easier and more comfortable to hit the trail unencumbered. But sometimes our "stuff" overwhelms us, and even though we wear our trendy cargo pants with lots of pockets, we may need a bit more "cargo capacity."

Over the years, I tried various belt pouches and fanny packs. Since finding Bianchi's Endurance pack, I have used it with great comfort in Idaho's mountains, Arizona's Sonoran desert, Australia's Northern Territories and Alaska's varied climate zones, most of which are wet!

Just Right Size

The first thing I liked about the Bianchi was that it wasn't too big, for just as nature will fill a vacuum, modern man tends to fill a pack. The second thing I liked was that it allowed me to hang a holster from the padded belt strap, on either side, transferring the weight of a heavy handgun from my belt to the pack. At the same time, the pack gives me the option of carrying a handgun comfortably on my regular belt. As a handgun hunter, this is a big plus. But enough about me, let's talk about the pack!

The Endurance has two zippered compartments, a large one with padding next to your back, and a smaller one next to it. Most of my major stuff goes in these compartments: things like survival gear, first aid equipment, flashlight, hunting knife, extra clothes, etc. There is an open top space between the two compartments from which things like shooting sticks can protrude and into which garments like a rain poncho or down vest can be stuffed as you shed them.

On the sides of the pack are two open top pockets about eight inches in depth with elastic around the top. These are perfect for a couple of plastic water bottles or one water bottle and a thermos of coffee for those cold morning hunts (Note Bianchi offers the Endurance with an integral hydration system if you prefer). Manly-man black coffee isn't necessary; it can be exotically flavored imported coffee with artificial sweetener and non-dairy creamer substitute! Just be sure you drink it by yourself after you're well away from camp.

Returning to our subject, there is a flat pocket with elastic top on the back side of the small zippered compartment that is great for those items needed quickly, like maybe toilet paper, small camera, or topo map. Two compression straps on each side of the pack pull everything tight once you're packed or loosen all compartments to allow additional stuff. There is one additional strap across the top that lets you close or open the space between the two main compartments.

Contoured For Comfort

Shoulder straps and belt straps are contoured and padded for maximum carry comfort. There is also a quick release strap across the chest to prevent the two shoulder straps from sliding off your shoulders while underway. This small strap can be adjusted for your chest size, and it can be attached anywhere you want on the shoulder straps. When you add or remove clothing, the length of the shoulder straps and the padded belt strap can be adjusted easily even as you're walking.

The bottom of the pack is made of what Bianchi calls Shelter-rite[R]. It's a waterproof vinyl impregnated nylon that challenges you to attempt its destruction. The pack's main material is a water repellant cloth called Bucksuede fabric that does a nice job of keeping the rain out, but does get a bit noisy when scraped against brush or branches. If you hunt wet or snowy country, this seems like a reasonable tradeoff.

The Bianchi also features a padded, breathable layer of material between pack and back to protect you from any sharp objects inside the large compartment and to keep you from being drenched in sweat when going up hills. Finally, there is a handy nylon loop on top of the Endurance that I find useful when getting into the pack while wearing bulky clothes.

I hold the pack high above my head with one hand while sliding the opposite man up and into the shoulder strap. Once that arm is comfortably located and my sleeves are still around my wrist, I switch hands on the loop and insert the other arm upward into the other shoulder strap. When everything is comfortable, I release the loop and lower both arms allowing the pack to slide into place.

Hiking and hunting with Bianchi's little pack isn't as easy as frolicking semi-naked through the wilderness, but the overall trip can be much more comfortable with the extra gear the Endurance allows you to take. Should you find yourself in a survival situation, it could mean the difference between life and death.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Width: 8.5"

Height: 18"

Depth: 8"

Capacity: 1,540 cu. Inches

Finish: Camo

MSRP: $94

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Bianchi International

[909] 676-5621

www.bianchi-intl.com