That being said, I have been able to poke, prod, pull, and stuff this little pack quite a bit over the past few days, and feel like I have a pretty good grasp of how it would best be used, as well as what sort of capacity it has.
Before I get into the review, figured I'd first drop in the manufacturer's description, as found on the Yonah Packs Etsy page:
Measurements are 9” wide x 6” tall x 2.5” thick and weighs about 7 ounces.
A very minimalist tenkara fanny pack that can double as a sling pack and carry everything you need for those hot summer fishing trips.
The pack has a zippered compartment up front to carry a small fly box or any other smaller items. The nylon webbing in the front has various attachment points for all of your fly fishing tools and tippets. This allows for quick access to all your frequently used tools and gear.
The main compartment has 2 line spool pockets and one large cell phone/wallet pocket.
On the bottom there are straps that will hold a water bottle or a tenkara rod securely. There is also some shock cord with a cord lock on the bottom to further secure a tenkara rod.
OK, sounds good so far... but let's dive in a bit deeper.
Build Quality
I'm not going to lie, I was impressed.
Sometimes you get handmade things from Etsy and they're a little sketchy. Bad sewing, poor zippers, stuff like that. This pack appears pretty much bombproof, without a single stitch out of place. I gave all the zippers really firm pulls and they all moved silky smooth. The main compartment is made out of X-Pac (the fabric, not the wrestler), which is a multi-layered, lightweight laminate fabric that's also water-resistant. It's just solidly executed, all the way around.
Capacity
So this is what I decided to do to get a grasp of capacity. First, I grabbed my Vedavoo Tighlines sling. It's the pack I most commonly use for a day on the water if I don't also need to bring a rain jacket, snacks, a first aid kit, or extras like that. (For that I upsize to the Zimmerbuilt Deaddrift pack). I've used the Vedavoo for the better part of 7 years, so it's been through the ringer and I highly recommend it.
Here's the Vedavoo pack...
And my typical contents, that were all comfortably crammed inside.
The contents are (clockwise from upper left): 2 line spools, 2 line cards, a spool of level line, a Buff, a tip grip, cell phone, wallet, keys, tippet spools, forceps and nippers on a zinger, two tacky fly boxes, and a Sawyer squeeze water filtration system.
So then I decided I would load up the Yonah pack as best I could with the same stuff.
So what fit? Surprisingly everything except the following:
My wallet, the Sawyer filtration system, and one of the Tacky fly boxes were all a no-go. However, everything else was tucked neatly away. PLUS, I was able to use the loops on the bottom to cinch down an (extra) tenkara rod. If I didn't want to bring an extra rod, those same loops can be loosened far enough to hold a water bottle or perhaps a rolled up rain jacket... so that's a definite +1 for the Yonah pack.
The Guts
Here's a peek inside.
A large front pocket holds thin items. I used it for the Buff and tip grip. Probably could have crammed something else in there, but the extra fly box or my wallet didn't fit.
And on the inside, there are two small pockets that I used for the line spools, and a larger pocket I slid my phone into. The main compartment held everything else. Probably could have fit a Clif Bar or something in there too if I wanted to pack a snack.
Functionality
Now in terms of functionality, this bag definitely has one up on the Vedavoo. Natively, it's a fanny pack. It has a webbed belt with an over-sized nylon buckle that adjusts easily and I suppose can be worn in the front or behind you.
(I kept the tenkara rod on the pack in these photos, but I don't think I would recommend it if you use as a fanny pack. It just sticks out too far to the side and is awkward. Use those loops for something else.)
But here's the really slick thing. It does convert into a legit sling pack. There a little clip on the back of the bag and if you slide the webbed strap through it, it realigns into a shoulder pack.
The pack stands vertically on your back...
And when swung around to access the contents, sits horizontally. It's actually well thought out and executed.
(And yes I'm a little bummed no birds photo-bombed these photos, I get a really nice sampling of birds back there, hence the feeders in the background)
Here's a little Instagram video from Yonah Packs that shows the quick transformation a little more effectively:
Conclusion
I guess in the end, you probably want some sort of summary. Well, being that this pack hasn't been put through the rigors of multiple fishing seasons (at least by me) like the Vedavoo pack, I can't fully endorse it quite yet. That said, all signs point to it getting an excellent final review overall, and I look forward to putting it through some headwater fishing experiences in 2019.
Some quick thoughts:
- It appears to be very well made, tight stitching, smooth zippers, tough fabric
- It holds just the right amount of stuff for an afternoon on the water, including an extra rod
- It has plenty of pockets for internal and external organization
- The capability to convert from a fanny pack to a shoulder sling adds extra functionality
So, if you're looking for something to scratch the minimalist pack itch, (without leaving all your creature comforts behind), I think this Yonah Packs Minimalist sling / fanny pack might just be what you're looking for.
The pack currently retails for $75, and can be found HERE.
----------------------------------
DISCLAIMER:
The Minimalist sling/fanny pack featured in this product review was provided to me at no cost, but carries a suggested retail price of $75. I currently hold no official association with Yonah Packs and did not solicit them for the product to review, nor receive any financial compensation. It was simply offered to test for feedback.
REVIEW POLICY:
As with all independent gear reviews at Troutrageous! I try my best to keep my reviews honest and unbiased. This policy pertains to items both purchased and provided at no (or reduced) cost.
Michael
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed at how space saving all these packs are. As I get older I find myself carrying less and less "stuff" with me when I go fishing. It becomes such a hassle to keep up with items stored here and there. I've even streamlined the items I carry in my boat now to save on space and to keep me from wondering where I placed that item?? Great review, thanks for sharing
Thanks Bill. I'm trying to slim down my gear myself. It's amazing what you find you don't really need once you choose to not bring it along!
DeleteVery thorough as usual, Mike. Thanks for the review. This might bee something that I can use when doing a short excursion somewhere and don't need so much gear. Good stuff. Happy Thanksgiving this week too!
ReplyDelete