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A vast 50L rucksack with plenty of additional storage, with the addition of an innovative zipped back panel, for those who want a little more comfort on the trail.
Big Agnes says:
Your pack shouldn’t weigh more than the gear inside, that’s why we engineered the Big Agnes Prospector 50L pack, built in two sizes, men's medium and large, to ensure proper fit and ultralight comfort on the long haul. Featuring a compression molded back panel, contoured shoulder straps, foam padded hip belt, and equipped with a unique Hoist Compression system that pulls the load inward and upward for stability and comfort, this 50L pack include plenty of storage capacity and hydration compatibility for overnight trips. At Big Agnes, we’ve integrated our years of experience, ultralight materials and technical features to deliver a fast and light pack for overnighters, thru hikers and anyone in between who sleeps and plays in the dirt.
Our Verdict
This is a seriously impressive bag that boasts a lot of bells and whistles, including its own “trash bag”, a very impressive and innovate full-zip back panel that allows instant access you your full pack , and the largest hip belt pockets I’ve ever seen, (you can get 10 small chocolate bars of your choice in one, I know I’ve tried)
A more ergonomic and streamlined version of its big brother the “Parkview” the prospector does away with the lid and the custom frame in favor of the fully zipped back panel. The addition of the back panel is a new one to me, and, a little skeptical at first, wasn’t sure what to make of it, but after taking it out on the trail I can see its merits. If like me you are someone who enjoys cooking out on the trail, it just makes things much easier to access, and much more straightforward, meaning you don’t have to empty your entire pack in search of your missing long-handled spoon. Equally good for photographers
The hip belt pockets which, as I have stated are vast, I could comfortably fit an InReach Mini, smartphone, and a DSLR camera just in one pocket, the other being purely dedicated to calories.
The hip belt itself is one of the nicest I have used, it has a “cut-to-fit” belt, that leaves no gaps meaning no movement, so no irritation, and the dual stabilizer straps keep the pack secure to your hips.
I found the sternum strap too short, it was just about long enough for me, however, that may be because I was using a medium and not the large, but something to consider when choosing a size. Whilst I’m nit-picking, I think the pack would have benefited from slightly wider shoulder straps.
The external storage, the two side pockets, and the “quick stash” front pocket are enormous. when I was testing this pack, we had a real downpour during the night, after I took my tent down, a large 2-man tent, I easily fitted the tent into the side mesh pocket and also had room for my 1L water bottle.
A good bag, on the heavy end of the scale, that provides more features than most other bags in this category.
- Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear
In-depth Reviews:
Features
- 50L pack with adjustable, lightweight features designed for all-day comfort on the trail and through your extended overnight pursuits
- Comfort and support through contoured, anatomically curved back panel with body mapped foam for a precise fit with ventilation.
- Full-zip back panel provides duffel-style access to the pack interior
- Secure, comfort fit with articulated Open Range Hip Belt that threads behind the compression molded back panel for positive load transfer to the lumbar, providing stability with flexibility
- Cut-to-fit hip belt provides a tight wrap on hips and eliminates gaps between body and pack. Dual hip belt stabilizer straps allow the upper and lower section of the hip belt to be adjusted separately for a custom fit
- Premium contoured shoulder straps featuring adjustable sternum strap and hydration hose keeper. Load lifter straps allow fine tuning of weight distribution
- Balanced pack weight is achieved through our unique Hoist Compression system that pulls pack weight inward and upward for positive load transfer, while raising the bottom panel up to secure the load
- Cored aluminum perimeter frame, shoulder straps, and hip belt function as a fully integrated suspension system that provides more balance on uneven terrain through a positive load transfer
- Top-loading access to interior with roll-top closure and two side webbing buckle closures that easily adjust with pack volume
- Internal 3L hydration bladder pocket with bladder hook, discreet tube routing port, and hose keeper clip on sternum strap
- Compartmentalized storage includes: hydration bladder pocket, two stretch mesh side pockets, front quick-stash pocket, and front zip pocket with key keeper
- Stash trekking poles on pack exterior using webbing and bungee cord loops. Also features discreet ice axe loop, daisy chain loops on pack exterior for extras, and top grab handle for easy movability
- Includes two color-matched 1.6L removable Hip Pockets for stashing little ditties and a 7L Trash Can for camp trash and collecting litter on the trail
Specifications
Medium
- Our weight: 1399g
- Volume: 50L
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 84 x 25 x 20cm
- Top Opening: 43cm
- Brand Weight: 1.39kg
- Hip Belt (Min / Max): 71-137cm
- Load Range: 6.8kg - 18.14kg
- Torso Length: 46 - 51cm
Large
- Our weight: 1479kg
- Volume: 50L
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 89 x 24 x 20cm
- Top Opening: 43cm
- Brands weight: 1.45 kg
- Hip Belt (Min/Max): 6.8kg - 18.14kg
- Torso Lenth: 51 - 56cm
Material & Construction
- Puncture and tear resistant material is made with GRS certified, recycled high-tenacity Mipan® regen robic nylon featuring a solution-dyed ripstop grid and UTS environmentally sustainable coating
- Heavy duty twill fabric bottom for maximum reinforcement and increased durability
- Nylon taffeta lining
- Non-stretchy, semi-transparent interior pocket mesh for optimal organization
- Stretchy, fine woven, anti-snag exterior pocket mesh
- Stretch woven fabric on shoulder straps, hip belt, and back panel provide maximum comfort against the body
- Accessory rain cover - sold separately
