Blue Ice Warthog 26L review

The folks at Blue Ice, based in Chamonix, have been honing the art of making mountain packs since 2008, and the Warthog is bang on the money. From the outset the quality and durability of this pack are obvious. It’s light, weighing in at 720g, but is tough thanks to its Cordura fabric – 500 denier all over and the base being reinforced 1000 denier. A tough PU-coated ripstop nylon top skirt around the drawcord closure looks like it’ll take some abuse, and its 26L capacity easily swallows a day’s climbing rack and associated kit. The lid has three separate pockets, plus the clever helmet net, which saves on storage and a truly massive main lid pocket. Add into the equation the ice axe loops, hydration pocket and removable skinny waist belt and, hey presto, a great light and fast technical climbing pack but also a fantastic hut-to-hut trekking pack. Contact: www.beyondhope.co.uk