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Reviews > Packs > Frameless Backpacks and Day Packs > Terra Nova Laser 20L Pack > Test Report by Rick Dreher
Terra Nova Laser 20L
LONG-TERM REPORT
INITIAL REPORT - October 24, 2009
TESTER INFORMATION
I enjoy going high and light and frequently take shorter "fast- packing" trips. My longest trips are a week or so. I've lightened my pack load because I enjoy hiking more when toting less, I can go farther and over tougher terrain, and I have cranky ankles. I use trekking poles and generally hike solo or tandem. I've backpacked all over the U.S. West and now primarily hike California's Sierra Nevada. My favorite trips are alpine and include off-trail travel and sleeping in high places. When winter arrives, I head back for snowshoe outings in the white stuff. Product Information and Specifications
Model: Laser 20L Backpack Initial Impressions
Product Description Mesh and foam padding on the waist belt wings, either side of the back panel and shoulder straps is thin and quite flexible. It provides no stiffening or mechanical load control. Load control instead will rely on packing carefully so the Laser 20 maintains its shape, and then fitting the waist belt and shoulder straps correctly. The back panel bungees are intended to aid load control by compressing the pack volume. Time will tell whether this strategy has merit. The waist belt connecting the "wings" is narrow 20 mm (3/4 inch) nylon webbing with a simple plastic buckle. Shoulder strap ends use the same webbing. The waist belt strap ends are folded over and sewn to keep them from slipping out of the buckle but the shoulder straps are not, leaving them free to slide completely through—something to keep in mind if using the one-shoulder carry (I've had shoulder straps separate unexpectedly). Reading the Instructions
The pack's hangtag is brief and sales-oriented, describing some but not all of the features. There are no use instructions, but the Terra Nova Web address and phone number are included. My largest surprise on receiving the pack is that it has a hydration sleeve and hose ports, which are not mentioned anywhere in the literature and seemingly supplanted by the bottle pockets. I consider the hydration pocket a significant addition. Trying It Out
Fit Large items like three-ring binders are a very tight fit in the small pack, but I suspect Terra Nova didn't have those in mind when designing the Laser 20. Packing is critical, but properly done the little pack is comfy enough. The bottle pockets handle disposable half-liter bottles. The only glitch with the pack so far was pulling first the pull tab, then the entire bungee cord from one of the water bottle pockets. The little overhand knots tied in the thin cord are so small they pull through the holes. I've replaced those knots with figure-eights. If that doesn't hold, I'll think of something else. Testing Strategy
I'll give the Laser 20L plenty of use the next four months for day hiking, commuting and bicycling. This will provide a variety of loads and propulsion modes. I'll evaluate load flexibility and control, comfort, ease of gear access and wear and tear. I expect to expose it to all sorts of fall and winter weather. Summary The Laser 20L is a very simple small and light frameless rucksack that nevertheless has a lot of useful features. It's made of very thin waterproof fabrics that are reinforced in key areas. It's hard to overstate how compact this pack is. It arrived in a small shipping box that I mistook for software that I had been expecting. It wads up into a very small bundle when not in use. Acknowledgements
Many thanks to Terra Nova and Backpackgeartest.org for the opportunity to test this backpack! Field Locations and Conditions
I used the Laser 20L in a variety of settings and conditions: sea-level urban commuting, northern California regional photography excursions, Sierra foothill and mountain day hikes and Sierra snowshoeing day trips. I was able to take the pack several times each week of the test period, during which weather ranged from warm (65 F/18 C) and dry to cool and raining to cold (25 F/ -5 C) and snowing. My highest elevation attained was 8,200 feet (2,500 m). Field Performance
Loads Comfort Packed correctly and not overloaded, the Laser 20L is comfortable on the go. It rides fairly low—from my hips to about the shoulder blades. I use the waist belt most of the time and the sternum strap when cycling or on active hikes. It also helps keep the shoulder straps from sliding outwards when I'm wearing a slick fabric jacket or shirt. Hiking though brush or trees the very small shape keeps the pack from snagging—important for a sil-nylon pack. The waist belt wings don't dig into my hip bones and the sternum strap is comfortable so long as I don't over-cinch it. The back can get hot and sweaty despite the foam pads, at least early on when it was warmer. I don't notice a problem in the cold. Access I've become accustomed to the single vertical zipper. It's a little more challenging to access my stuff than a perimeter zip, but the pack is small and the translucent fabric admits daylight, making it easy to see the contents. The water-resistant zips are stiff to use, even after a couple months. The water bottle and side mesh pockets are relatively easy to reach but out of my field of vision, which makes it harder to replace items after use. The belt pockets are quite handy and easy to get to. My re-knotting of the bottle pockets in the initial report period has prevented the cords from pulling out again. Weather I hung the pack in a tree during a rainstorm to test its water resistance. After an hour of pretty heavy rain and wind it had taken on a lot of water, through the many seams and likely the zippers too (I didn't see evidence the fabric wet through). The main compartment and belt pocket contents were all wet and water had collected in the main compartment bottom. In the field, the pack took on some moisture in light moderate rain and even in snow.
Between Uses The Laser 20L rolls up quite small, making it easy to stow and also making it tempting to take along on a long trek as a summit/day pack. Wear & Tear I don't see any damage and little wear to the pack. Some of the seams have stretched but don't give any sign of possible failure. The fabrics seem sound and the foam padding has retained its shape, although it shows some folds. Summary
The Terra Nova Laser 20L is a clever and very light weight small pack. It's versitile enough for urban and backcountry use, on foot and on a bike. It demands careful packing to be comfortable, but I'm able to do so with most loads. I won't be pressing it into overnight use, at least during this fall-winter test, but when my clothing load is less bulky I will have no problem adding a tarp—a nice thing to have along for bad weather trail breaks or the unexpected overnight. Bulky winter clothes take up most of the pack space but with careful selection I can still stow everything I need. I was surprised how much water leaked into the pack, but a trash bag can protect everything in the main compartment, now that I know to carry one. Suggestions for Improvement I have two minor suggestions: back panel foam that is breathable but stiffer for more shape control and hip belt wings that are a bit longer to bring the bottle pockets farther forward for easier access. Acknowledgements & Next Report
Many thanks to Terra Nova and BackpackGeartest.org for the opportunity to test the Laser 20! Long-Term Test Locations & Conditions
I continued taking the Laser 20L on my commute, day trips around the region on weekends, and on four hikes: two snowshoe day trips in the Sierra Nevada, one Sierra foothill hike down into the American River Canyon and one Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta day hike. I squeezed in some cycling commutes when winter took a hiatus. Weather ranged from sunny in the high 60s F (20 C) to cloudy and 25 F (-4 C) as well as quite a bit of rain. Trip elevations ranged from sea level to a maximum of 8,500 feet (2,600 m). Performance in the Field
The Laser 20L continued to perform as it had during the field report period. My loads ranged up to about 10 pounds (4.5 kg), which I've decided is about my maximum with this little pack. The only time I have that much weight is if I'm toting a lot of water, camera gear or books. Camera gear has to be stowed carefully and individually padded to protect it and my back and to stabilize the load (as expected with a light, frameless pack). As a snowshoeing pack the Laser 20L is large enough for day hike loads but lacks the capability to strap on the snowshoes themselves (useful in all but the dead of winter or when there's a long dry walk to the trail from the car). Day packs I own that do carry snowshoes have frames and are much heavier and more expensive, so I don't consider this a Laser 20L shortcoming, more a matter of matching the tool to the task. As a hiking day pack the Laser 20L is fine. It holds my typical load (clothes, water, snacks, 10 essentials, camera, etc.) and is comfortable over hours of travel. Its small size and good motion control keep it from snagging on brush or interfering with my arms. The evidence is I've not cut or shredded the pack's thin fabric. Because of this test's timing, I've not needed to carry large water loads more typical of hot, late-summer hikes. I don't know if I'd exceed the pack's capacity hauling three or four liters along with my gear. As a cycling pack the Laser 20L is very good. It rides comfortably, even when I'm on the handlebar drops, and controls the load so it doesn't bounce or shift. For the cold to mild temperatures conditions I've ridden while wearing it, it's not especially sweaty, although my back does get damp. As a camera pack the Laser 20L is okay. As noted earlier I have to pad the camera and each lens, and there's no way to carry a tripod or monopod. The single zip opening forces me to dig for the gear I'm retrieving, which is slower than purpose-designed camera packs that have dividers and panel-style openings. Like snowshoe/ski packs, camera packs are much heavier and more expensive than the Laser. Wear & Tear I don't see any pack damage or failure. The shoulder straps and waist belt wings have stretched some but not in a way that hinders performance. The zippers seem to slide more easily than when new and the thin bungees and anchors are okay. The small toggles still work and the mesh pockets haven't distorted. Suggestions for Improvement
The feature I have the most trouble using on the go is the waist belt water bottle pockets. Bottles can fall out while taking the pack on and when I'm bending down. On the trail I can retrieve bottles easily but putting them back by feel takes fiddling. I'd prefer the pockets be farther forward for better access and sightlines, and perhaps the bungee closure be more robust (thicker). Summary
The Terra Nova Laser 20L is a nice, light little day pack. It's well targeted to the backcountry minimalist and unlike similar packs I've used, has a full complement of straps to keep the load in control, neither bouncing nor shifting. It's small and light enough to toss into a multiday backpack for use as a summit pack and perhaps a stuff sack replacement. I'll caution that in that capacity it is not a weatherproof stuff sack. Continued Use I'll continue using the Laser 20L. It's a great little bag to keep packed for spur-of-the-moment trips. I won't know for a few more months how comfortable it is in very hot weather and how effective the ventilated back panel might be. Acknowledgements
My sincere thanks to Terra Nova and BackpackGearTest.org for the chance to test the Laser 20L. Read more reviews of Terra Nova gear Read more gear reviews by Rick Dreher Reviews > Packs > Frameless Backpacks and Day Packs > Terra Nova Laser 20L Pack > Test Report by Rick Dreher |