Macpac Genesis AzTec 85L Travel pack– FIELD REVIEW

Category: Packs
Tested by: Jack
Location(s) tested: Fiordland, Queenstown area, tested in guided trips as well as personal.
Duration of use: 4.5 guiding seasons on and off as well as personal use, Southeast Asia travel

Quick Verdict

Macpac is one of New Zealand’s most popular outdoor brands and over the past 5 years they have some packs that have stayed very similar standing the test of time while other ones with more features are coming on the shelves. This pack has been around for a while while some features are being added every now and then. 

A Pack very much targeting Backpacker travellers.

Key Specs

• Weight: 3.4KG – 7.4Lbs (with day pack 490g)

• Price (NZD): $500

• Intended use: Backpacking, Tramping, Travel.

• Conditions tested in: multi day, rain, wind, remote, off trail, travel.

Pros

• 1 pack (or 2) with multiple use cases
• Day pack included
• front access and bottom pocket for organisation.
• 85L holds a lot!
• converts to duffel bag (straps zip away reducing risk of damage if it’s check in luggage)

Cons

• Weight (carrying round some unnecessary features if you’re tramping).
• Size can be a con as it’s rare while travelling you’d need (and have) 85L worth of kit. Note there is 65L and 75L options

Real-World Performance in NZ Conditions

how the gear actually performed on real trips.

• Comfort: Good. Acknowledging it’s hard to be comfortable carrying around 85L worth of kit its a pretty solid option. The reason I rate this below 4/5 is because I think there are more comfortable options out there. Also every time they update this it seems to keep the weight closer to your back (great) and less on your shoulders. 

            3.5/5

• Durability: I have rated this pretty high but not a perfect 5 as the AzTec material seems very consistently strong the only downside is the features and buckles can break. NOTE Macpac in my experience backs their product and will fix buckles and zips if the pack is new. worst case they charge you a small amount.

            4/5

• Weather resistance: Really solid. AzTec material holds up really well in saturated conditions. Always take a pack liner or dry bags but this will hold up.

           4.5/5

• Packability / weight: Packability would score a 4.5/5 while weight is 3/5. Having front access as well as a hood, it packs well, the reason it doesn’t score 5 is because it doesn’t have hip belt pockets and the water bottle slip sits short.

          4/5

• Anything that stood out (good or bad): The Pack is a really strong option and designed exactly for backpackers, the only thing that may be able to be improved for backpackers is to make it more easily lockable (if storing it in a dodgy hostel there’s a lot of pockets to lock). Don’t know any current packs designed for this kind of thing. really well thought out.

Who This Gear Is (and Isn’t) For

This gear is a good choice if:

• You want a pack/suitcase/daypack all in 1 (minimalist) it covers 3 jobs.
• You intend on backpacking (traveling) and hiking(tramping)
• 1st pack (beginners) worst case if you don’t like it you can fall back on it being a suitcase, also beginners tend to struggle packing light so you can learn the hard way packing 85L to the brim.

This gear is NOT a good choice if:

• You want light weight 
• You want maximum comfort. 
• Intention is of it to be specifically a Tramping pack.. There is probably better options.

Final Thoughts

Would you personally use this gear again? Yes

It is a pack I may use if I was travelling and needed a check in bag. Keeps your trip flexible to tramping while away (note when travelling I have had issues with the daypack on the outside they may tag it but haven’t charged me $$). I have a big inventory of packs so would unlikely be my first option on a tramp.