gardner barbel specialist rucksack

[Cliff Turner]

apologies for another rucksack thread but anyway is anyone using one of the above and if so please could they share their opinion ? Looking for a new bag and this one looks good although a little larger than I'd like. thanks.

 

[David Maddison]

Can't comment on the Gardner rucksack, but I went for a slightly smaller one. The fox compact rucksack. Used it 3 times so far and really pleased with it ( much better than my korum ruckbag). My chub smartbox and maxi rig board fit in the large front pocket. The two side pockets hold my scales and weigh sling. The other long side pocket fits line and other bits in. The main compartment is large enough to fit everything else in including flask. I keep some grub in the top pocket so it doesn't get squashed.
The straps are comfy and there is extra support around my waist which helps.

Dave

 

[Steve Roffey]

I had (have) a Gardner Specialist rucksack, plus points vs my Korum is it is a lot bigger, that's also a minus point as it encourages carrying more gear! Big letdown for me was the failure of the zips on the side pockets, all three of them. The main compartment zip also got temperamental. Biggest problem I found was that if I wanted something out of the main compartment I invariably had forgotten to zip up the top (lined) compartment, lost count of the number of times I had to scrabble around gathering up all the spilled items as a result!

 

[Steve Prince]

I have one as a spare Cliff, I can't comment on the Zips yet as mine seem fine, but have heard they can fail . Like Steve says it's slightly bigger than what I'd normally use but does have some plus points as in it does stand upright without falling over and sits high on your back rather than slumping on the top of your hips, it also comes with a handy little tackle box in the front pocket for all your little bits. As Steve said , if you want something from the main compartment make sure the top one is zipped up. The one I use is the Thinking anglers rucksack, cracking bit of kit, well made and is like a tardis and if you buy the tackle accessory box separate it fits nicely on top. Here's a camo one on eBay , Item no182401704697 Hope that helps.

 

[Cliff Turner]

Thanks, both the Fox and Thinking Tackle bags look interesting.

 

[Mike Hodgkiss]

Get one of the Drennan rucksacks , simple, robust ,with no zips to jam or pull apart , which they eventually and inevitably will .....

 

[Richard Parsons]

Can't comment on the Gardner rucksack, but I went for a slightly smaller one. The fox compact rucksack. Used it 3 times so far and really pleased with it ( much better than my korum ruckbag). My chub smartbox and maxi rig board fit in the large front pocket. The two side pockets hold my scales and weigh sling. The other long side pocket fits line and other bits in. The main compartment is large enough to fit everything else in including flask. I keep some grub in the top pocket so it doesn't get squashed.
The straps are comfy and there is extra support around my waist which helps.

Dave

Dave - in terms of ruckbag, do you carry you chair with it (i.e. the korum chair)? If so, what do you do with the chair when carrying a normal rucksack? I've been using the ruckbag for a few years now and find the ruckbag/chair combination works really well.....

 

[Andy Frances]

I've had the Gardner Specialist Rucksack for years and it's still going strong. Steve Prince's evaluation of it above is pretty much spot on. Bigger and slightly heavier than I originally wanted though great to not have to worry about space...

 

[Daniel Matley]

I had one of these which didn't last two seasons. Initially I was very pleased with it, loads of room for everything you could possibly need but like others the zips failed and the lining split so I couldn't recommend it from my experience of it. I'm currently using a Fox Royale and have been very happy with this. A mate of mine has a JRC Contact rucksack and regards this very highly, plenty of storage and comfy on the back.

 

[Andrew Richardson]

ive had the gardener rucksack for 4 or 5 years and its still bang on

 

[David Maddison]

Dave - in terms of ruckbag, do you carry you chair with it (i.e. the korum chair)? If so, what do you do with the chair when carrying a normal rucksack? I've been using the ruckbag for a few years now and find the ruckbag/chair combination works really well.....

I used to clip my lighter chair on the ruckbag when I first bought it, but I soon found it easier to carry the chair under my arm with my quiver over my shoulder.

 

[Richard Parsons]

I used to clip my lighter chair on the ruckbag when I first bought it, but I soon found it easier to carry the chair under my arm with my quiver over my shoulder.

Yes, in that case the ruckbag must be superfluous I guess. It's a little heavy, admittedly, when empty but I still attach the chair and carry it that way. I started out with the XL but it was far too large for my needs.