Highlander Outdoor Explorer 45+15-Liter Ruckcase

Intended user is 11 year old boy under 5 feet tall and under 80 pounds. This 45+15 is the only pack I found on amazon that had an adjustable ladder back on a small case around 45L, and the straps will adjust tight enough for his tiny waist. That is why this pack was purchased above all others. The mom also wanted a pack where the internal frame bars can be removed in case they want to squish it smaller so it can become an airline carryon bag instead of just checked luggage. The boy is a Webelo going into scouts and this will be his first "big boy" backpack for weekend outings. To a kids mind, the bag is like a magic trick, because it looks like a suitcase but unzip and tuck away the strap cover and it is an internal frame pack. Strap a bed roll on the bottom and hang a few gizmos like walking poles to the attached D rings on top and it has more of a traditional boy scout backpack look. "Smellables" can all go in the 15L bag which can be zipped off for camping where bears can be a problem. I also like that it has a zippered expansion gusset that circumnavigates the upper two-thirds. The color is darker and more "masculine" in teal than the photos show which was great for a gift for this boy. I like that the top two-thirds can become divisible from the bottom third by cinching a barrel tie cord like a traditional backpack. If you like top loading or side loading the main compartment, it can be accomplished any way you like because it is a double zipper that you can put anywhere on the track that makes it convenient for you to get at your gear without unloading the whole thing. The things that kept it from being a 5 star pack? No rain cover and no place to put a Nalgene-type water bottle or hydration bladder, so I'm going to have to buy a rain cover and a water bottle holder that hangs from the waistbelt webbing. The mesh pockets on the 15L bag are too small for even a woman's fist. They say it has an MP3 port on the 15L bag, but no luck finding it. 15L is too small for school books if you are trying to visualize the size of 15L. Overall it is well made and tricked out with lots of cool features, so I'm looking forward to giving this as a gift to the kid soon.

Verify that this is what you truly want before purchasing. It's a good pack but not exactly what I needed. I love Amazon and as I use Amazon to purchase items I want with the hope that I will keep them. However, sometimes I have to return them if they are not exactly what I need. In the case of Highlander - beware of the return fees. You will not get free return shipping in this case. It's a shame. I returned this and paid a bunch. Not worth keeping it but it hurt a bit returning it.

I took this pack to Africa for a month and it is a functional, pretty well made, travel pack. The bottom compartment, however, is difficult to access. While you can store shoes in the bottom, getting them out is not an easy proposition. The price is great and the materials seem to be tough...

Great size, not super comfortable and the small detachable pack zipper end up breaking very quickly.

Fell apart at zipper returned

J'ai acheté ce sac pour mon prochain voyage en avion, qui se poursuivra par un séjour en mini-van avec excursions en journées. Le sac m'a été livré très rapidement, parfaitement emballé. Je l'ai choisi pour sa double fonction : sac de voyage et sac à dos détachable. Le sac est de bonne facture, j'ai été agréablement surprise de voir que les bretelles du sac principal sont également cachées par un zip, ce qui rend le sac "lisse" et il n'y a pas de bretelles ou lanières se coinçant partout. Le sac possède un compartiment pour le linge sale, fort appréciable. Une poche porte-documents s'y trouve également, à l'intérieur. Pour l'instant je ne lui trouve que des avantages.

Bought the Ruckcase to travel to Central America, India, Southern Europe and North Africa during the first part of this year. I can genuinely say that I am very happy with the Ruckcase. After a lot of travel and adventures it still looks in great condition. It is durable and comfortable. The way in which it opens up allows you to pack, or find items you have packed, very easily. The small rucksack that detaches from the main case is also very good for using when out and about. One thing I really like is the fact that you can hide the straps away. With a previous bag I had the straps exposed, therefore baggage handlers use the straps when handling the bag which caused strain and tears to the bag. With the option to hide the straps away helps avoid this problem. All in all, if you want a durable Rucksack that is very practical and will last a long time look no further than the Highlander Explorer.

It was slightly smaller than I anticipated but big enough. Well made, and secure; internal pockets and the ability to zip the straps away. Love the colour. Can separate the big and smaller pack which is great for daily use.

Well made and comfortable with plenty of space in the main rucksack (45 litres) for all I need for a 2 week inter railing trip. I like the way that it opens like a suitcase and the cover for the straps. I haven't used the main rucksack yet but have used the small detachable rucksack, good size as a daysack, fits my waterproof, spare jumper and all other necessities and 15 litres encourages you to only take what you actually need. A standard sized bottle of water just fits into the mesh side pocket. It would benefit from a chest strap - the main sack has one but the mini sack doesn't. Very pleased with my purchase, which arrived promptly and with the right amount of packaging.

Interrailed around Europe for a month and this was perfect! Main compartment opens like a suitcase so can easily access everything. Interlocking zips on the main compartment mean you can padlock them together; however the bottom compartment allows access to the main compartment through a drawstring so I padlocked these two zips together as well. 15 litre mini rucksack that zips on the front isn't particularly secure but is a good hand-luggage size. Has a fold-out cover for the straps at the back that zips them in- very useful for flying so it doesn't catch on anything on its way around. Would definitely recommend!