Backpacks. An endless topic that is part of every mission or trip. And it is a topic that is more than justified. How you are able to carry your gear determines not only your personal comfort or the organization of your equipment, but often the very goal of your journey.
Today we will therefore introduce a capable workhorse from the Waragod workshop. A backpack that fills the space between small urban rucksacks and large expedition backpacks - Waragod Soldat L.
,, Travel to where the wifi is weak. Your reward will be strong experiences ,,
Practical choice of materials
Soldat is made of 100% polyester complemented by 900D Oxford water-resistant fabric. The zipper edges and front sides of the small pockets are coated with rubberized textile, which makes them better resistant to rain. The weight is approx. 1.25kg. The dimensions are approx. 50 cm in height and 30cm in width and depth. Together this gives a decent volume of around 45 liters.
The Soldat may seem bulky for the city, but you can regulate its depth with straps on the sides and bottom side. If it is not fully loaded, simply tighten them. Thanks to this, the Soldat is quite versatile. If you are going to work out at the gym, then for Budogi or boxing gloves a small backpack is not enough. Add to that the rest of your equipment. You will probably be in a similar situation if you are packing for a weekend cabin trip. So having a few extra liters of volume in reserve might not be a bad idea.
A design-proven classic
Soldat L refers to the concept of military ,,assault pack,, backpacks used by the American army in recent decades. Currently the US Army already uses different concepts. However, these were such successful solutions that they became widely adopted in the civilian sphere.
Simple solutions
Soldat L is equipped with a MOLLE lattice of the laser cuttype, where instead of separate straps, the MOLLE is burned directly into the fabric. Laser cut is ideal for attaching smaller pouches, since it provides more attachment points than classic sewn-on MOLLE. Smaller admin pouches with a first aid kit, are, in my opinion, easier to distribute across the outer surface of the backpack, which has a positive effect on ergonomics and weight distribution as well. Small pouches that you need to be able to detach more readily from the backpack can also be attached simply by threading them onto the side straps.
The base of the backpack consists of 4 individually separated compartments complemented by a back panel and straps for attaching equipment on the sides and bottom (2 on each side). Above the internal compartment in the back section there is a hidden passage for the cable or tube of a hydration bladder. It's hard to imagine an easier way to install a hydration bladder. Simply insert it into the internal compartment, thread the tube through the opening, and pass the end with the bite valve through the shoulder strap. And that's it.
You can also attach additional equipment to the D-rings and vertical fabric straps on the shoulder straps. These small attachment points are generally my favorite. For longer outings in nature, I regularly attach a curved flashlight and a working fixed-blade knifeto them. With proper placement, there is also room for a tourniquetcase. Of course, a velcro panel for patches measuring 10x20 cm, sewn onto the smaller top pocket. Laser-cut MOLLE is cut through it, so it still does not prevent attaching other gear.
Organization without chaos
The storage space is divided into 4 separate, non-connecting sections, 2 large and 2 smaller. Together they make up the mentioned 45-liter volume. They are complemented by a compartment in the back section. In it you can store, for example, a power bank and throw over the top of the backpack a solar panel attached to the MOLLE.
The main, most spacious section has 3 compartments inside. In the compartment on the back side you can store a hydration bladder or electronics. On the opposite side there are two mesh pockets, the lower one open and the upper one with a zipper. This keeps the space always tidy and easy to overview. The zipper on the main compartment runs all the way down to the bottom. It opens similarly to a suitcase, which is ideal especially for clothing. Items are easier to pack and unpack. I keep them organized even when I need something from the bottom of the backpack, since I don't have to take everything out to get to it.
The second largest compartment is about half as narrow and the zipper ends about 10 cm from the bottom. Vertically oriented fabric straps in MOLLE style are attached to the outside along the zipper. They work well for attaching a sleeping pad or smaller tents, which fit around the straps on the underside on average. Inside there is a small admin panel with one wider pocket and two narrow mesh pockets, on the front of the same pocket. The admin panel does not run the full width of the backpack, so it is more suited for a few small items. Two headlamps along with spare batteries fit in without any problem.
The front of the backpack consists of an upper pocket the size of a larger pencil case and a larger lower one with admin compartments. I mainly use the upper compartment for storing gear that I keep attached to the backpack or beltduring a hike, such as a Garmin, a hunting knife or a radio. The lower one is mainly suited for items you use most often and therefore need close at hand, such as a power bank, headlamp or a notebook with writing utensils or accessories for electronics. There are of course no limits to your imagination when it comes to organization, take this only as inspiration. The Soldat gives you the freedom to get creative with packing as needed. And I like that, since I'm a bit of a nerd in this regard. Putting together gear and different setups is simply something I enjoy.
A pragmatist for everyone
Heading to the Tatras
One would be surprised how much you can enjoy packing for an extended weekend if you have your things organized and under control. Packing for our last trip to Belianska dolina was done a bit last minute. I always spend a long time thinking about what to take, since I don't like leaving things to chance and I prepare for worse-case scenarios as well. Weather, problems along the way or health issues. You can imagine how that adds up to quite a pile of gear and spare clothing. First aid kit, tourniquetsa kit for repairing gear, flashlights and batteries, MRE, in case we got stuck somewhere with the car, the popular Hybrid Outback pants by Jašterkathat need to go with me everywhere. And so on it could continue. Alongside that, though, I still try to pack as light and compact as possible.
The paradox of the last packing was that while my wife was just getting ready, I already had my backpack neatly and clearly packed, nervously pacing in the hallway. A rather pleasant change, since usually it's exactly the opposite at our house :-) . Most of the credit went to the clever solutions on the Soldat. When loaded, it carries very comfortably, since even weight distribution, besides the way things are stored, is also handled by the chest and waist straps. The advantage of the 4 separate compartments with small admin spaces is that it's enough to take out spare clothing with a few small items and the backpack is ready for a hike within a few seconds. Everything needed was prepared in the surrounding compartments, and since it opens like a travel suitcase, it was enough to flip it open and take out everything neatly arranged without having to dig through it chaotically and throw everything out.
The backpack performs great even after several hours of carrying. It doesn't get in the way, doesn't press, and in terms of organization its concept saves time. The less clutter in the gear, the smaller the chance that something gets lost or damaged. The back panel has classic mesh, which somewhat ventilates sweat, but I suffer from "wet back syndrome". This is well solved by shirts using the Quick Dry or Top Coolsystem. Considering how much the backpack costs, it's still a good choice, and as long as I'm not climbing a steep hill, I don't need to worry about it.
The versatility of the Soldat is also proven by the fact that, besides the mentioned trips, it has found use among a wide range of people with an active lifestyle. Motorcycle? No problem. Gym or Dojo? No question, even with eyes closed. Several Soldats regularly take part in Spartan Race competitions, and one even completed all 3 stages of the more extreme version of Spartan, Spartan Agoge, held last autumn near Terchová, without injury. And the weather didn't spare the participants either, given the raw low temperatures in the mountain terrain.
For those who like moving pictures, the Soldat L also has a handy video, which you can watch HERE.
The journey is the destination
If you need a companion for gym gear, a weekend at the cottage, or you're just going to wander the world aimlessly and freely, the Soldat will be a great choice. It will give you space, comfort, and add to that a package of proven and practical solutions spiced with flexibility.
What more is needed, whether you're sweating blood building yourself up or discovering the world around you, than the freedom and certainty that you can rely on it. Just get up, pack, and set out from the comfort of home. You won't know your limits until you push your comfort zone instead of just dreaming about experiences. The very process of discovery or the hard work on the way to a dreamed-of goal is actually much more important than the goal itself.
So how about it? Still sitting on the couch? Backpack would already be found, all you need to do is pack :-) ...
