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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Nov 17, 2018 - 12:31pm PT
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I tend to agree with that assessment of 70s US stuff. It was a simpler and often more boxy vernacular.
There are a few examples which still hold some retrospective merit, in terms of aesthetic and functional proportion.
The subtle sophistication of the Karrimor cylinder is one of the few approaches which have persisted: variations and improvements on that theme seem quite dominant in the modern era.
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Fritz
Social climber
Choss Creek, ID
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Nov 18, 2018 - 09:22am PT
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Per another nickname's mention of REI as the chief 1970's importer of European packs, I don't disagree.
In this Dec. 1972 Off Belay magazine full page ad for Karrimore, two U.S. distributors are shown. Royal Robbins' Mountain Paraphernalia stocked Karrimore, but my Idaho outdoor shop did not carry them. By the mid-70's the U.S. rucksacks were both less expensive & worked better with large loads. None of my climbing pals at the time owned canvas rucksacks, for what seemed like obvious reasons, to us.
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Nov 18, 2018 - 02:28pm PT
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Sierra Designs Summit pack, from eBay:
 Felt shoulder strap padding, single compartment, no internal frame, waist belt, or padding against the back.
.................
I was thinking one in royal blue, and in mint condition might be nice for picnic supplies!
Anyone know about ADK? Adirondack something or other, perhaps?
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martin bazley
Trad climber
England
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Nov 21, 2018 - 07:37am PT
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To Ihateplastic. Ihave a Whillan's sack but it's not for sale, in fact it's avery treasured item.
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Jamesthomsen
Social climber
Mammoth Lakes, California
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Nov 22, 2018 - 03:43pm PT
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Tarbuster,
On a very side note, the photos you posted of the Sierra Designs Summit pack from eBay showed a cord lock that I always liked, the B-Lok cord lock. We used those on early Wilderness Experience packs too. It was a one man operation.
When we talked about the idea of re-creating the original Klettersack I thought I would see if the company still exists. I did finally reach his son and he still had some boxes of products from the 1970s. He had about 500 of that original B-Lok so I bought them from him.
This cord lock was great, in that it was easy to use with gloves and once closed did not slip. My wife and I are working with Backpacker Magazine this year, testing backpacks and something that I notice, even on the most expensive and well designed packs most cord locks will slip.
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Nov 23, 2018 - 08:54am PT
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Good eye, James!
Also on that Sierra Designs rucksack is something I had completely forgotten about: the double D-ring lid closure system, as opposed to the standard ladder lock buckle, whether metal or nylon.
Like a throwback to the flag football waist strap closure systems we kids used in the 60s!
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Gerry
Mountain climber
Suffolk, UK
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Dec 15, 2018 - 02:04am PT
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Karrimor O Bound I: What's the story?
http://www.supertopo.com/photos/36/16/483124_14213_L.jpg
The Outbound packs, of which there were 2 models were designed primarily for school use. In the post war years there was an organisation called Outbound which took children away during summer holidays to the wilds of North Wales, Scotland, The Lakes etc, sailing, climbing, hill walking, kayaking etc. Like summer camps in the US. Karrimor produced these packs specifically for this purpose. They were robust as they were lent to the children, used and abused.
The general theme of pack size and load carrying between Europe (UK included) and the US. Europe distances are far shorter getting into the climbs. There is/was a relatively sophisticated infrastructure system, including "huts". We didn't necessarily need to haul as much gear. Hence the "alpine pack" being 35-45 litres. The Karrimor purple Alpiniste broke the mould insofar as it was much bigger. But it did have another intended use, that of a bivi...the extension was allow your legs to waist to be in the bag. Down jacket above, sitting on the removable foam insert. Spent many a night like this.
The French and German packs were ready available insofar as when in Chamonix or the Tryol you could buy the. Exchange rates were favourable. But to be faIr at that time, Karrimor had the market pretty much covered. Quality and design was good.
Karrimor also made a lot of bespoke packs.....I have Karrimor haul sacs, not a catalog item.
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Marlow
Sport climber
OSLO
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Dec 15, 2018 - 02:26am PT
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Gerry.
Great to get the story. Putting the rucksacks into context make them even more interesting. TFPU!
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Gnome Ofthe Diabase
climber
Out Of Bed
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Dec 15, 2018 - 03:49am PT
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Previously posted, I used as a bivysack regularly the sleeve/skirt extended to just under my armpits. The center zipper extended so that you could open or close it depending on the conditions, a 4 season bag . It is A Great pack
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Dec 15, 2018 - 08:01am PT
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^^^
Now that is well conceived and functional. Bravo Karrimor!
Karrimor K100 Legend Day Pack
Also, Gerry, thanks for this:
The general theme of pack size and load carrying between Europe (UK included) and the US. Europe distances are far shorter getting into the climbs. There is/was a relatively sophisticated infrastructure system, including "huts". We didn't necessarily need to haul as much gear. Hence the "alpine pack" being 35-45 litres.
This explains why the original Whillans Alpinist was so small!
Much more of a crag sack, by my lights, as a Yank.
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Blakey
Trad climber
Sierra Vista
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Dec 15, 2018 - 10:14am PT
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Sadly the build quality of modern Karrimor kit is truly, eye wateringly, shite and has been for a very long time.
The brand has changed hands several times from it's real heyday in the seventies and is now one of the many 'names' that were bought up by Mike Ashley a well known 'businessman' in the UK. It's pile it high, sell it cheap tat.
He is also the owner of my local football team, newcastle United and was intent on changing the historic name of the Ground, from St James' to the 'Wonga' stadium.......
That rucksac (strangely not advertised on the SD site I'm looking at) would probably fall apart in very short order. If you have the ability to stitch, it might be worth a punt!\
Steve
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Dec 15, 2018 - 11:12am PT
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To my eye, from afar, the item looks okay. Thanks for the appraisal, Steve.
I clicked on other Karrimor products from that site and all I saw were garments, boots and shoes.
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Gerry
Mountain climber
Suffolk, UK
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Dec 15, 2018 - 12:23pm PT
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That rucksac (strangely not advertised on the SD site I'm looking at) would probably fall apart in very short order. If you have the ability to stitch, it might be worth a punt!
I think these are being made under a different label....K100. Time will tell as at £27 ($32) I thought it worth a punt. I will report back, but as Tarbuster said they look relativity good. The match for the Patagonia retro pack I picked anyway.
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Blakey
Trad climber
Sierra Vista
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Dec 15, 2018 - 12:33pm PT
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Ah yes, it does come up under K100.
Sports Direct does have a good returns policy - I know! ;-) so you have little to lose.
Regards,
Steve
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Tarbuster
climber
right here, right now
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Dec 23, 2018 - 04:32pm PT
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This La Fuma looks suspiciously mint, as though it is some kind of repro (though it is claimed to be vintage 70s), and branded for kids!
La Fuma rucksack on eBay
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hamie
Social climber
Thekoots
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Dec 23, 2018 - 09:22pm PT
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An old and faded Millet, retired a long time ago. The base was repaired with a leather patch.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Dec 23, 2018 - 10:10pm PT
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Geez, I guess I shouldn’t have tossed me old Millet? It was more knackered than me!
Actually, come to think of it, we both got knackered by the same boulder one time,
although it didn’t whimper.
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