There’s nothing inherently fallacious with the backpack. The design has stood the take a look at of time for almost any exercise the place your palms have higher issues to do than carry stuff. However that doesn’t imply the normal backpack is ideal in each journey situation—whether or not its mountain climbing, mountain biking, casting for trout, or carving your subsequent backcountry ski path.
“The issue with conventional backpacks and hip packs is that they aren’t very best once you’re engaged within the exercise, as a result of you must cease what you’re doing and dig via the pack,” says Ryan Bales, founding father of West Slope Gear, a pack producer based mostly in Steamboat Springs, CO. “Transferring your necessities entrance and middle provides utility and comfort.”
Enter the chest pack, which because the title implies, shifts the load to the entrance of your physique so you will get your palms on it extra simply. Chest packs have been widespread within the fly fishing world for many years for that very cause; they permit anglers to entry their kits with out taking off a pack, which might be downright inconceivable once you’re standing in the midst of a stream. Lately, the chest pack development has expanded past angling to infiltrate different journey sports activities, from snowboarding to path working. Our favourite and high total choose after testing one of the best chest packs accessible is the Marsupial Multi Pack. It might simply be the one chest pack to fulfill virtually any outside fanatic, from birder and skier to fisherman and hunter.
Chest packs first entered my radar when West Slope launched their Professional-180X a few years in the past, concentrating on skiers. I wore it for a full season and loved the fast entry to my snacks and cellphone whereas snowboarding east coast ice. Since then, chest packs have crept into varied different outside area of interest markets as extra adventurers and pack makers have put a precedence on quick entry. So, we put a number of new chest packs to the take a look at within the discipline to seek out the most suitable choice for quite a lot of totally different sports activities. Listed here are our favorites, tailor-made to your subsequent journey.
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Greatest Total Chest Pack: Marsupial Multi Pack
Graham Averill
Marsupial’s Multi Pack has the biggest quantity (7 liters) of any of the packs we examined. It additionally has probably the most conventional construct, with agency structured-foam sidewalls and devoted pockets which can be extra akin to a daypack than a number of the chest packs in the marketplace. It was initially designed for fishing, and it nonetheless has a lay-flat work station that makes it extremely helpful in that situation, however this isn’t solely a fishing pack. The principle compartment is giant sufficient to carry binoculars or a water bottle and loads of meals—and that inside of the pack is just the start. 4 small stretch pockets add exterior storage that put your gear accessible on the fly. There’s even a magnetic instrument sleeve constructed to carry forceps or a knife, whereas a rear zipper pocket retains your cellphone or a map near your chest.
Hunters particularly are keen on this pack due to all of its good particulars, however I’d argue that it’s simply as useful for mountain biking. These entrance stretch pockets had been designed for small fly packing containers, however additionally they match a motorcycle multi-tool fairly rattling effectively. Tubes pop into the aspect stretch pockets, too. The Multi Pack is constructed with MOLLE webbing on the underside, which lets you add equipment like zippered pouches and bear spray pouches accessible for buy.
Quantity: 7 litersMaterial: 500D Cordura nylonStraps: Sure
Greatest Chest Pack for Fly Fishing: Simms Tributary Hybrid
Adam Bible
Fortunately, for us minimalist anglers, fly-fishing gear has been trending towards the slimmer and extra stripped down aspect over the previous few years. It is a boon for these of us preferring to hold the least quantity of deal with attainable to our native trout stream or bass pond, and the brand new Tributary chest pack from Simms caters to this crowd with its gentle development and roomy pockets. However though it presents a low-profile silhouette, it nonetheless packs a formidable 5 liters in its rugged, recycled 600-denier polyester material shell.
The chest pack’s totally padded and adjustable yolk-style shoulder harness is extensive and comfy. A useful zippered pocket is secreted behind the built-in web sleeve on the again with a D-ring for extra-secure web attachment. The spacious foremost compartment, accessed through a big zipper on high, features a stretchy mesh inside pocket to assist maintain quite a few bits of fly fishing instruments organized and separated. And a further accent pocket on the pack’s face is ideal for stashing small fly packing containers or chief for fast entry. Good touches we appreciated when mountain climbing via woods to our secret spot, and whereas on the water, included the small mesh water bottle pocket on the pack’s base that features straps for securing bigger masses. The shoulder straps additionally host a hypalon instrument dock for simple entry to your fishing instruments, whereas the big Velcro fly patch on the face ensures you are at all times prepared for the following forged.
Quantity: 5 litersMaterial: 600D recycled polyesterStraps: Sure
Greatest Chest Pack for Pictures: Thriller Ranch DSLR Chest Rig
Graham Averill
Novice photographers take notice: when you begin carrying your digital camera in your chest, you’ll by no means desire a digital camera backpack once more. Having the ability to entry your equipment rapidly with out eradicating a pack is the one approach to shoot within the discipline. Thriller Ranch’s DSLR chest pack is particularly designed for this function, with a big top-loading compartment that’s padded and structured to guard a big-bodied digital camera with a protracted lens. There are even adjustable cabinets inside that compartment that you may customise to the dimensions digital camera/lens that you just’re carrying on any given day.
A small zippered pouch on the highest flap lets you carry SD playing cards or an additional battery safely, whereas a further zipper pocket on the entrance of the pack can maintain your private gadgets. We want the aspect stretch pockets had been larger, however they’re good for carrying a small tripod or a snack. The harness is svelte sufficient to be worn beneath a bigger backpack for those who’re on a multi-day mission, or want to hold extra than simply digital camera gear.
Quantity: 3 litersMaterial: 500D Cordura nylonStraps: Sure
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Greatest Chest Pack for Looking: Sitka Mountain Optics Harness
Adam Bible
Hunters are additionally choosing a extra minimalistic vibe when stalking their prey nowadays, and Sitka’s Mountain Optics chest pack is a slim and unobtrusive approach to tote your binos, rangefinder, and varied different small necessities into the sector. Constructed of three pouches—a big one within the middle and two smaller, removable ones on the edges—made with a stiff materials lined in a mushy and rustle-free polyester, they maintain their form when digging for necessities or when pulling out and placing away your binoculars tons of of instances a day whereas glassing distant peaks and valleys. The lids are additionally form-holding and have small bungees with plastic tabs which can be simple to hook again on their notch even with gloves on. The principle compartment lid has a magnet embedded in it to permit for simple, silent, and safe closing. We discovered the assorted small elastic pockets nice for stashing lens wipes, folding knives, lip balm, and different fiddly necessities.
We predict the one draw back to this pack is that the lengthy and skinny straps could be a bit fiddly to wrangle and clip into place when strapping it on. It isn’t an enormous deal and might be simply managed with a little bit of pre-planning and strap administration earlier than donning it, however a little bit assist from a looking accomplice can go a good distance towards rapidly getting it on and getting underway within the pre-dawn hours.
Quantity: NAMaterial: Brushed polyesterStraps: Sure
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Greatest Chest Pack for Snowboarding: West Slope Professional-180 Slim
Graham Averill
Because the title implies, the Professional-180 Slim is a modern pack with 1 liter of quantity that retains the naked necessities near your chest. You’re solely going to have the ability to carry your cellphone, keys, pockets, and possibly a snack on this pack, however the design is ideal for high-movement actions like snowboarding; you don’t desire a heavy pack bouncing round once you’re charging via bumps or powder. West Slope added quantity by making a hydration bladder sleeve on the again of the pack, which lets you take 40 ounces of water on the go.
We just like the little particulars of this pack’s design, just like the cellphone panel that folds down away from the pack, permitting you to entry your cellphone with out taking it out of the waterproof panel. There’s additionally a small zipper pocket on the shoulder that’s excellent to your key, and a burly D-ring the place you can connect a walkie-talkie or small speaker.
Quantity: 1 literMaterial: TPU-coated nylonStraps: Sure
Greatest Chest Pack for Birding: Leupold Professional Information Binocular Harness 2
Adam Bible
For birders and hunters alike, the Leupold Professional Information chest pack is a compact however expandable outside companion that’s simple to don and easy to regulate for the right match. The shell is made out of sturdy 600 denier nylon and the inside is lined with fleece to stop scratches in your prized binos, plus the mushy material helps dampen any noise that deploying your additional eyes might make that might scare away cautious birds or elusive recreation.
We particularly love the no-buckle magnet closure on the highest flap that allows you to simply open it with one hand—and it can also fold up and connect magnetically so it stays open. The up to date, extensive mesh straps are snug throughout lengthy days stalking your subsequent lifer or trophy bull. Extras are simply stashed within the front-zippered elastic pocket, two elastic aspect pouches, and a rear cellphone pocket. One other good contact is the quick-disconnect security tethers that can help you connect your binoculars to the straps themselves and never should tote alongside superfluous strap. For those who want extra room for different necessities, you’ll be able to simply add on pouches just like the Professional Information Rangefinder Pouch and Professional Information Zippered Pouch—both to the edges, the underside, or on the aspect straps of the chest pack.
Quantity: 2 litersMaterial: 600D nylonStraps: Sure
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Greatest Chest Pack for the Backcountry: 5.11 Skyweight Survival
Graham Averill
Take one take a look at the Skyweight Survival chest pack and you’ll inform this 2-liter bag was designed with tactical purposes in thoughts. It’s about quick access to the gear you want, once you want it, however anybody that enjoys the outside will discover the Skyweight helpful. I discovered this pack to be extremely useful on lengthy, backcountry hikes once I needed to pack gentle and maintain shifting via troublesome terrain. There aren’t loads of frills to the design, however the primary pouch is giant sufficient to carry meals, pockets, cellphone, and different small necessities, whereas the outside of the pack is loaded with a MOLLE panel the place you’ll be able to connect gadgets that you really want instant entry to, like a knife or walkie-talkie.
Gear loops inside the primary pouch provide help to set up additional (they’re designed for journal clips, however they match granola bars too), and you’ll ditch the detachable harness and put on the Skyweight as a hip pack for those who desire. The Skyweight is straightforward to placed on and is among the extra snug chest packs I examined for this text. My solely grievance is there isn’t loads of room to hold water within the pack.
Quantity: 2 litersMaterial: 330D nylon ripstopStraps: Sure
Greatest Versatile Chest Pack: Patagonia Stealth Work Station
Graham Averill
As an alternative of a standalone pack, Patagonia’s Stealth Work Station is constructed to reinforce gear you have already got, attaching to the entrance of your fishing waders to provide you 2 liters of storage proper the place you want it. You possibly can connect it to different packs or your belt, as effectively. The Stealth is made out of a skinny recycled nylon ripstop with a poly coating on one aspect and TPU coating on the opposite. The result’s a light-weight (simply 7 ounces) however waterproof shell that’s filled with simply sufficient good storage for the necessities.
Most of that storage comes within the type of a single inside pocket, which has a big house divided by a panel to maintain your reel and fly packing containers organized. However there are additionally two particular person stretch pockets, every sufficiently big to carry additional line or tippet. The surface of the pack is simply as helpful, due to the magnetic tab (which may deal with a couple of flies or nippers) and dueling gear sleeves that may maintain calipers or a knife. The Stealth doesn’t have a fold-flat panel, which could trouble some anglers, however the versatility and svelte design of the this add-on makes it a no brainer for adventurers who need to fish quick and lightweight.
Quantity: 5 litersMaterial: Recycled nylon ripstopStraps: No
What to Contemplate When Shopping for a Chest Pack
Chest pack volumes are usually small for a cause: It’s uncomfortable to hold giant masses on the entrance of your physique. So, for those who are likely to overpack, the chest pack won’t be for you. That mentioned, many chest packs are constructed to work in tandem with conventional backpacks to provide you additional carrying capability whereas shifting key gear to the entrance of your physique. For those who typically end up in a state of affairs the place you remorse having to cease, take away your backpack, and dig via it for that snack or compass or your cellphone, then a chest pack could be a wise alternative for you. Chest packs might be very best for carrying a couple of items of drugs throughout high-movement actions like mountain biking or snowboarding. Take into consideration the adventures you consider a chest pack will amplify and be trustworthy with the load you usually carry throughout these adventures.
Options to Search for in a Chest Pack
The supplies and total design rules of chest packs are similar to what you’re used to seeing in backpacks. Most are made out of thick poly and given a coating so as to add water resistance. If gear entry is your true precedence, search for packs that add gear storage choices on the outside of the shell, like MOLLE panels, which makes accessing sure instruments a breeze. For top adrenaline sports activities like mountain biking and path working, the harness is vital. You need to ensure that the pack matches comfortable and the load is carried near your physique so there’s no bounce once you’re getting after it. Lastly, take into consideration hydration. Many chest packs are too small to hold water bottles, whereas others can accommodate 16 ounce bottles or small bladders.
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Why You Ought to Belief Us
I’ve been reporting on pack tendencies and testing backpacks for 20 years, publishing articles on the topic in quite a lot of magazines, from Backpacker to Outdoors to Blue Ridge Open air. I’m an avid bike owner, path runner, and skier who’s logged numerous hours in every sport with some type of pack on my again or hip.
Collectively, with Males’s Journal’s gear editor Adam Bible (an avid angler and hunter with one other 20 years price of drugs testing expertise), we recognized probably the most promising chest packs in the marketplace for quite a lot of totally different sports activities—and we put the bestsellers to the take a look at personally. We’ve spent the final two months mountain climbing, snowboarding, fishing, biking, and looking with these packs on our chests.
