Product Review- Eureka! Panther Peak 30 liter backpack
The Eureka Panther Peak 30L Backpack is a versatile backpack for a variety of activities. Whether you are taking your laptop and some documents around town or going for a weekend camping, with a size of 30 liters, this backpack is very suitable for everyday use.
Characteristics-
A two compartment design with 1 main compartment and a second smaller compartment
The main compartment contains a sleeve perfect for storing a laptop or tablet
A padded rear backrest that is designed with mesh to keep you not only comfortable, but dry
Reflective logos designed on the backpack for added safety in urban areas.
Built-in hydration system that the user must place and run through a bladder of water.
Adjustable padded hip belts to ensure comfort and even weight distribution with a small zippered storage space for small items that are close at hand
Double side pockets for storing water bottles.
The secondary compartment contains many small pockets for storing small items.
A bright orange rain fly that is designed with built-in hi-visibility graphics for safety in low-visibility situations
A front sleeve with a reflective bungee cord that secures stored items
What I like-
The Value: When I was at my local sporting goods store, I was deciding between Eureka, a brand I’d never heard of, and a well-known brand. The Eureka was exactly half the cost of the well-known brand.
Wear and tear: I have now used the Eureka Panther pack for 4 months with no major issues. I use a popular brand of water / hydration bladder that Eureka makes it easy to attach via a plastic hook in the main compartment with an opening to pass the hydration hose and mouthpiece.
Rain Fly- I live in a country that has a rainy season. This means that for about 4 or 5 months in a row, every day, it rains at some point. My method of transportation is a motorcycle, so the included bright orange rain fly is a lifesaver (or at least a laptop / iPad protector!). It also gives me peace of mind that the rain fly is bright orange with a reflective logo design, so that other motorists can see me in the rainy situation and low visibility.
Padded Mesh Back: This is a very comfortable backpack due to the padded mesh back. Where I live, if it doesn’t rain, it’s HOT! So with the mesh allowing for air flow, driving with this pack on my back for an hour doesn’t make the back of my shirt break in sweat.
The Front Bungee Compartment: I love being able to randomly toss (non-breakable) things into the front compartment and use the double “X” bungee cord to adjust the compartment. After 4 months, I have not had any items that have come close to coming off, not even the smallest items such as a combination lock and travel size toothpaste. After 4 months, the bungee cord and its plastic locking slider are still as tight as the day I bought the backpack.
Sturdy Double Stitching for Back and Hip Straps: The two back and hip straps have thick double-stitched construction. So that users can load this 30-liter pack to the brim and not be afraid of a strap breaking suddenly.
What I do not like
Water Bottle Storage: If you’re not using a water hydration bladder system and only want to carry a bottle or two of water, the two side water bottle pockets have no size adjustment. If you have a canteen or small plastic water bottle, it could easily fall off if the bag is not upright.
The 1-Hand Carry Handle: At the top of the Eureka pack is a briefcase-style carry handle. The stitching on this handle appears to be lacking, as the strap broke when fully loaded.
Separation of the main and secondary compartment: when the main compartment is fully loaded; it almost makes the secondary compartment useless for storage, as there is no “hard wall” separating the two compartments. When fully loaded, the main compartment protrudes into the secondary compartment, making it difficult to actually store larger items in the secondary compartment.
In conclusion-
The Eureka! The Panther Peak 30L backpack is a great backpack for both urban users and campers or weekend hikers. The main point that sold me on the backpack was the price. It’s more than half the cost of a very popular and well-known brand, and it has held up well for me, with some considerable wear and tear scenarios that I put the pack on. Branding isn’t everything, so consider checking out Eureka! Panther Peak 30 liter backpack.
By- Travis Hnatiuk
