I have been testing the Montane Women’s Azote 24l pack, which is described as a “functional go-anywhere, do-anything daypack”.
Features include:
- RAPTOR Eco 100 denier Robic Nylon main fabric with 78% recycled content
- Air Mesh Eco shoulder straps with 35% recycled content
- Open Mesh Plus back panel
- Halo lining
- Size adjustable women’s ZephyrAD back system with ventilation channels
- Montane off-centre Click and Go chest harness
- Articulated women’s specific hip fins and shoulder straps with form-fitting design
- Zipped hip-belt pockets
- Side wand pockets and front stretch pocket for external storage
- Adjustable pole or ice axe attachment
- External rear security pocket with key clip
- Side compression straps
- External bladder sleeve
- Colours: Green or black
- Weight: 790g
- £95
- See: Montane Women’s Azote 24l pack.
On test: Montane Women’s Azote 24L Backpack
I have weighed the pack and it tips the scales at 830g. It’s still fairly lightweight for a pack of this size, although not as lightweight as others in the Montane stable, such as the Montane Trailblazer LT 20l pack.
This is very much a pack that sits in the middle of lightweight and heavyweight. It is also very versatile because it will suit both walkers and runners. If you have heard of the term fast packing, then I think this is exactly the sort of pack you might want.
The pack offers lots of great features, with a robust fabric and a really decent back system. So many lightweight packs rest right against the back, where the padding causes a lot of sweat. The Montane Women’s Azote 24L Backpack has the benefit of a mesh back panel that keeps the bulk of the pack off your back.
There is a fair amount of padding in the shoulder straps and hip-belt, too, so the pack is comfortable for long periods.
Another bonus is the adjustable back, which means the pack fits women of different heights. It’s easy to adjust via a velcro fixing.
The pack has a large zip entrance at the top into the main compartment. I like this because it offers easy access in a hurry. Other packs have a top lid and elastic cinch closure, which does have the benefit of offering extra protection if it rains, but it also means you have to faff about with clips etc to get into the pack.
The Montane Women’s Azote 24L Backpack has lots of handy pockets, including large hip-belt pockets that are just big enough to take a large smartphone. It would be really good if Montane had added some slim pockets to the shoulder straps. Many people like carry small water bottles, plus snacks etc at the front of their packs.
There is an external sleeve, between the back or the rear and the back system, for a water bladder. This is useful because it’s much easier to refill the bladder when it is external, rather than sitting inside the main part of the pack.
It’s easy to adjust the hip-belt size when the pack is on your back and there is one sternum strap. I prefer two sternum straps although some of my friends prefer only one.
There are some drawbacks to this pack. The sternum strap clips are really annoying to use. They are meant to be easy to clip on and off but I found them fiddly, especially when it was cold and I was wearing gloves.
Also, the clip for the rear mesh pocket – a pocket that is very useful for stashing items that you want to quickly get hold of – is also annoyingly fiddly.
Sometimes I think designers try to come up with new and better clips and fixings but they would be better sticking to old-style and more straightforward clips.
The fabric of the pack is treated with a DWR but it isn’t waterproof. This means you will need to pack items in dry bags or buy a separate waterproof cover.
Conclusion: This is a useful pack for both summer hiking, as well as fastpacking or running longer distances. If you need to carry lots of kit for a multi-day fastpack or run, this will be a suitable pack (so long s you don’t need to fit in a sleeping bag and tent). The adjustable back and mesh back system are great. The pockets are also good. However, it would be better if there were more pockets at the front of the pack and less fiddly clips on the sternum straps and rear mesh pocket. Overall, this is a useful and versatile pack for the money.