Harkila Alta Backpack - any good?

[TASR12]

Has anyone used one of these? I’ve got a small Camelbak that I take on the hill which is big enough for the essentials but I’m interested in whether this is worth it’s notable price tag and how the gun sleeve performs?

Thanks.

 

[CRUMPY]

I’m afraid I can’t comment on the Harkila rifle backpack but I recently purchased a Vorn Lynx and after a couple of hard days on the hinds on Arran have nothing but praise for it, not cheap but in my humble opinion money well spent
atb
Crumpy

 

[TASR12]

I’m afraid I can’t comment on the Harkila rifle backpack but I recently purchased a Vorn Lynx and after a couple of hard days on the hinds on Arran have nothing but praise for it, not cheap but in my humble opinion money well spent
atb
Crumpy

Thanks - I will have a look at them, although on first look it’s a notable step up in price.

 

[Heym SR20]

I bought a harkila backpack earlier in the year. The Meikak, I think it was called. Nice Loden Cloth and not cheap. I used it once and it failed half way up the hill. I did n't have much of a load - just some lunch, water bottle and a fleece. A shoulder straps pulled away from where it was stiched in to the bag.

It was stitched with just one line of stitching - ie three stitches holding all the weight on one side. This was a 40 litres mountain pack and would expect it should be able to carry 15 to 20kg - ie a good load of meat etc. It failed with about 6 or 7 kg.

Thankfully I was carrying my rifle in my hand at the time rather than attaching it to the sack.

I would look very carefully at their construction - they look nice, but.

 

[TASR12]

Useful thanks. The Vorn looks very slick but has a big price tag.

 

[McKenzie]

I too have had great success with the Vorn Lynx pack. Apart from stalking I use it to keep fit & have it loaded with 10kg of waterbottles & have walked briskly/ jogged for easily 1000 miles over the last couple of years. It's as good as new.

 

[TASR12]

Useful thanks. Does the rifle sleeve fold away when not in use on the Vorn? Secondly can the rifle be carried on the left as well as the right or just the right? I think the latter as I haven’t been able to find any images with a rifle on the left.

 

[Gm81]

I got this for xmas from the wife. My friend has had one for a few years. It's done a fair few trips to Scotland and Africa. The bag is still good. But depends on what you're carrying. I love the idea of the vorn. But they are different to anything. I will get a lynx. But a bag for the high seat and small stuff. The markhor is good.
Markhor Wapiti Evo II 25L Backpack | Team Wild Outfitters

 

[McKenzie]

Useful thanks. Does the rifle sleeve fold away when not in use on the Vorn? Secondly can the rifle be carried on the left as well as the right or just the right? I think the latter as I haven’t been able to find any images with a rifle on the left.

The carrying position is fixed on the right. I haven't bothered trying to hide the fact that it's for carrying a rifle as all my walks are in very rural settings but I've just checked & although it's not designed to, it's perfectly possible to fold the hanging part of the rifle carrier back into the rifle pouch to give it a more streamlined & 'urban-friendly' look. When I'm not carrying a rifle I use the pouch to fit a rolled-up raincoat in.

 

[TASR12]

Thanks.