Inside Look: NEW Montane Trailblazer LT 20 & 28

[@IdRatherBeHiking]

The time you spent talking about not going to test it running you could have just started running, showing how it moves when running. It's a trail running backpack this should be one of the main things you show.

[@konik243]

I've had this pack (28L) for a couple of months now, and it worked perfectly on a recent through-hike (500km in 12 days). I think this review was one of the factors that made me think it could work for me. I could nitpick about some details in this pack that could be improved (chest straps, bladder pocket, pole mounting system, roll-top closure clips etc), but overall it worked great and I could comfortably carry in it 2-3l of water, food for 1-2 days, 1 change of clothes including a down jacket, electronics and different accessories, with some room to spare. For my uses, I'd rather get rid of the bladder pocket as I prefer to have 2x1l bottles in the side pockets, maybe a soft flask inside the pack itself. Also, instead of the elastic string webbing I'd rather have a 3rd mesh pocket. Roll-top closure should use female + male ends so that you can clip them to both sides, as well as on top (think ULA circuit). These are details, but overall it's a great backpack.

[@Grim_Beard]

If those side pouches don't become officially known as the 'reach-around feature', there's no justice.

[@trekitt]

Let's make it happen

[@xjessukx]

As someone who owns the original trailblazer and the new lt20 I can say its much Improved but not way perfect the chest pockets are stretchy but it's still a squeeze to put a regular size phone in and the zip is small and hard to grip with wet or cold hands and these pockets aren't waterproof. The waist belt seems unnecessarily long

[@markkilkenny1768]

I have the 28 pack and I have lost the chest straps twice now. Luckily I managed to find them the second time in the carpark and the first time Montane sent me a spare but I can see this being a bit of an issue going forward.

[@konik243]

I had this issue too, recently decided to replace them with Salomon Quick Link set. Still to test it in practice, but it seems much more secure and impossible to lose.

[@MrMattWoody]

Looking at the pictures of the 20 and 28 LT back system the hip fins look different. For some reason you don’t get the double fin, side tension system on the 20 LT. Strange as it’s a better fitting system. 🤷‍♂️

[@sb7585]

Great review, thanks. I do wonder if the bladder pocket on top would be an issue in heavy rain? Would it fill up, or focus water where you don't want it?

[@trekitt]

There's generally a drainage hole at the bottom to prevent this from happening. I haven't got the bag next to me to confirm this but I'd be surprised if Montane hadn't thought of it. They're pretty good at this outdoor stuff! Harry

[@sb7585]

@@trekitt Thanks for the reply, much appreciated