The Medusa pack is Montane’s first addion to it’s rucksack range. I have been using this pack for about a year now, and have to say I’m impressed. It is a very light and comfortable carry, has all the features I like, and very few that I don’t.
The pack is light but in no way feels delicate or flimsy; this particular example has been used and abused while out with groups and shows no sign of wear. The Raptor TL fabric that the main body is manufactured from certainly appears to be tough and durable.
The bottom panel is made from Raptor UTL, which is ultra tough and prevents abrasion. The straps and waist belt are of good quality, are comfortable, and also appear durable. I particularly like the stash pocket on the right side of the waist belt; why don’t more manufacturers include one of these? A gear loop is on the left.
There are side pockets, which I am pleased to say are deep enough for items not to fall out of easily. They are also stretchy, which is useful. As you would expect, the pack has a lid pocket, and an inner pocket. A nice touch with the outer pocket is that the zip is on the outside, making it easier for your “buddy” to access it on your behalf. The lid also has a stretch skirt which enables a close fit when closed. The chest strap has a clip, and easily fastens using one hand.
The pack is hydration pack compatible, has compression side compression straps, and has a “Dual Tool” ice axe/walking pole attachment system. The pack is rated as having a 32L capacity, but I have no problem packing everything for a day out with a group, and imagine it could hold all you need for lightweight backpacking.
My only real gripe with this pack is the “Comfort Back Pad”. It is comfortable, however I would have preferred it to have been a little stiffer. After using the pack for a while, the back pad has started to bend inwards, resulting in the pack resembling one with an airflow back system. This of course could be as a result of not packing correctly! More experimentation needed.
Overall, this is a cracking pack, which has been well designed, well thought out, and is great value for money. Now looking forward to checking out the Torque 40 L pack.