The Octane 30 is a functional pack at a good price. It doesn’t have as many features as some more expensive models but it still does the job okay. It’s quite comfortable to carry, though I could do with a slightly longer back. The back is body-hugging but has a fairly sizeable air gap between the thick foam panels, so there’s a good balance between ventilation and stability. The back is also quite stiff but does flex a little when you move. The pack handles 6kg without a problem and the capacity is understated compared with other packs.
There are only three outside pockets. The one on the lid is quite roomy. The two side ones will take 700ml water bottles but I can’t easily get them in and out when wearing the pack. There is a large length of shockcord on the front that can be used for attaching a variety of options plus side compression straps. The straps are a little stiffer than on other packs and a little harder to adjust but this isn’t a big problem. The weight is reasonable. There are lighter packs with more features available but they cost quite a bit more.
