
Overall rating | (383 reviews) |
Roll top on the top, zipper on the bottom and a cinch cord divider inside allow you to use the main pack bag in any which way you please. By opening up the divider the main bag is turned into one large cavernous space. The bottom zipper offers quick access to whatever gear you need most during the day whilst the roll top guarantees weatherproof protection for the bulk of your gear. A zippered pocket inside the lid offers safe storage for your wallet, keys, travel documents and phone.
The roll top closure, floating lid and side compression straps offer a wide range of adjustability to the volume of the pack. Strap it down tight or loosen it up depending on the carried load. The compression straps allow for further gear to be attached on the outside of the pack if necessary.
A hydration compartment is attached to the interior back wall. A central hydration tube port allow you to route your hydration bladder tube from behind your neck onto either shoulder.
PALS webbing on the hip belt, sides, lid and bottom of the pack allow you to attach additional pouches and gear. This system offers numerous options for configuring the pack to suit your specific needs. Not only for pouches though, the PALS webbing can also be used to attach utility straps, shock cord, carabiners etc.
The hip belt attaches to the backpack via PALS webbing. It can be moved up or down to adjust the back length of the pack and can be removed from the frame for use as a stand-alone equipment belt. With suitable pouches attached you could use this instead of, or in conjunction with, a small daypack.
The majority of materials we use for our commercial production are the same which we use in equipment for the Finnish Defence Forces and other defence and security clients. Our most commonly used fabric in load carrying equipment is extremely wear resistant 1000D Cordura, as per FDF specs, with polyurethane coating on the inside. The webbing and edge tape we use are, again as per FDF specs, strong polyester webbing in various widths and thicknesses for different applications.
Our green and M05 camouflage materials and accessories are by default compliant with strict FDF specs for NIR reflection levels, as should be since these same materials are used in official military equipment.
An internal tubular aluminium frame keeps the pack from sagging and transfers the pack weight onto your hips even when loaded down with heavy and cumbersome cargo.
Both the shoulder harness and hip belt are generously padded with thermoformed closed cell foam padding. The shoulder harness is S-shaped and includes a removable sternum strap.
Back length adjustment is done by moving the hip belt up or down across the pack using PALS webbing. The forward pull adjustment is easy to tighten even under load. The side release buckle offers quick and easy opening when needed. The hip belt length is adjustable from 70 to 140 cm, offering an optimal fit for a waist-hip circumference (measured at the level where you prefer the top of the hip belt to sit) of approx. 80-110 cm.
In the late 1980’s Savotta designed a new patrol pack for the Finnish Border Guard, named simply “Rajapartio” – Border Patrol. This was the first pack by Savotta to feature an internal aluminium tubular frame, a very simple design which turned out very well.
The Border Patrol pack is, at time of writing in 2019, still used by the Finnish Border Guard, a testament to how purpose built designs don’t expire. Material and manufacturing technologies do however evolve, as does the end-users needs. The Jääkäri L is in our opinion a truly worthy successor to it’s progenitor.
Overall rating | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
Overall rating |
I bought this bag both for hiking and as an "emergency" bag. My goal was to see if it suited me (it's still a hefty price, and it's impossible to test it near my home in Belgium), and then to have my partner try it on before buying a second one.
(1) The first question was: Is it actually durable? Answer: Yes! I tested it while hiking in the woods; we encountered brambles, and we even had to tie the bag with a rope to cross a small ravine and drag it along the ground (my partner, the "tester of the day," wasn't confident enough to make the descent with the bag on her back). Result: Nothing! Perfect! A little dirt, and that's it. No damage, the contents still dry.
Of course, it didn't make it to war, but I have no doubt for a single moment that my choice was the right one. I was hesitant to get a Déca*** trekking bag, not sure it would have performed as well. While there's nothing wrong with Déca*** products, they're clearly not in the same league.
(2) 2nd question: Is it suited to my body shape? This was more difficult, but I have one complaint nonetheless. The shoulder straps aren't height-adjustable, so the back length isn't adjustable in the usual way. It's possible to raise the belt by attaching it to the top row of Molle, but in this case, you're only using two rows... the foam block on the back of the belt leans a little and isn't really attached (or truly integrated) to the bag. Too bad because all the accessories properly attached to the Molle are super tight, it's as if it were an integral part of the bag without being detachable (which of course is possible)... At the cost of a little pain in the little fingers of a bureaucrat, because it's really very tight... But effective and that's what we expect from this bag.
Solution: Add a row of Molle above those supporting the belt on the back of the bag, and it will be perfect!
Small black mark therefore regarding the back length adjustment, but adaptable! My companion, shorter than me, found the right back height adjustment, identical to mine. For the record, I am 174cm tall.
(3) Perspiration: During exercise, of course, the back gets wet during summer getaways in Belgium (Europe), you realize it when you take the bag off.
We might regret the mesh on the back of trekking bags, but that would require a heavy exterior frame... like on the XL version. The choice of the "full" back with two foam pads on the sides is therefore justified.
I note in this regard that the aluminum frame attached to the interior is perfect and contributes to the effectiveness of the following point.
(4) Balance: Nothing to complain about. It's stable, the two foam strips on either side of the bag do their job, but we haven't filled it yet, either in terms of volume or weight ("only" 8kg). We'll see in use.
(5) Interior: I haven't tested it by filling it with water, but it seems that the interior lining is well made and waterproof, in any case it's thick! It's a real lining, not just an impregnation! (I was happy to make this observation).
(6) Weight: It's indeed heavier than some of Déca's trekking bags*** (we hear this criticism often...), but you have to compare them based on equal size, capacity, and resistance (mechanical and water). Savotta comes out on top! It's far more efficient and, above all, RELIABLE. It should be noted, however, that it only weighs 2,400 kg (verified!) for "The" bag of a lifetime... the price and weight are worth it.
I should point out that I discovered Savotta during an internet search, with Varuste being one of the regular and very efficient sellers. I was not compensated for giving a favorable review. This is a detailed review, based on my personal, albeit minimal, experience. Still, I'm going to order a second one for my partner.
Overall rating |
Jääkäri L plus 6L pockets on both sides. A week-long hiking trip to Lemmenjoki was a breeze! There's no need to look at other backpacks anymore. I did add enough after the trip that I bought a Savota hip pouch to attach to the back of the backpack, so you can pack a camping kitchen, a larger Trangia, 450g gas and a couple of food ration bags. I raised the waist attachment a notch higher as I felt it was leaking too low otherwise. I'm 173 cm tall.
Overall rating |
Overpriced, development left behind in the 80s, carrying ergonomics could be better (this is not an ergonomic backpack, carrying is pure torture), hip belt doesn't work, heavy. Durable material, conscript safe, product from one generation to another. I have personally switched to Berghaus mil products, cheaper, better ergonomics, better finish and design.
Overall rating |
I love the bag! the quality is amazing. A very spacious bag,light and robust. I love all the bags of savotta and the prices on varuste are amazing!!!
Overall rating |
Great pack can't wait too do some wild camping with it
Overall rating |
Yesssss