Overall rating | 356 reviews) | (
Roll top on the top, zipper on the bottom and a cinch cord divider inside allow you to use the main pack bag in any which way you please. By opening up the divider the main bag is turned into one large cavernous space. The bottom zipper offers quick access to whatever gear you need most during the day whilst the roll top guarantees weatherproof protection for the bulk of your gear. A zippered pocket inside the lid offers safe storage for your wallet, keys, travel documents and phone.
The roll top closure, floating lid and side compression straps offer a wide range of adjustability to the volume of the pack. Strap it down tight or loosen it up depending on the carried load. The compression straps allow for further gear to be attached on the outside of the pack if necessary.
A hydration compartment is attached to the interior back wall. A central hydration tube port allow you to route your hydration bladder tube from behind your neck onto either shoulder.
PALS webbing on the hip belt, sides, lid and bottom of the pack allow you to attach additional pouches and gear. This system offers numerous options for configuring the pack to suit your specific needs. Not only for pouches though, the PALS webbing can also be used to attach utility straps, shock cord, carabiners etc.
The hip belt attaches to the backpack via PALS webbing. It can be moved up or down to adjust the back length of the pack and can be removed from the frame for use as a stand-alone equipment belt. With suitable pouches attached you could use this instead of, or in conjunction with, a small daypack.
The majority of materials we use for our commercial production are the same which we use in equipment for the Finnish Defence Forces and other defence and security clients. Our most commonly used fabric in load carrying equipment is extremely wear resistant 1000D Cordura, as per FDF specs, with polyurethane coating on the inside. The webbing and edge tape we use are, again as per FDF specs, strong polyester webbing in various widths and thicknesses for different applications.
Our green and M05 camouflage materials and accessories are by default compliant with strict FDF specs for NIR reflection levels, as should be since these same materials are used in official military equipment.
An internal tubular aluminium frame keeps the pack from sagging and transfers the pack weight onto your hips even when loaded down with heavy and cumbersome cargo.
Both the shoulder harness and hip belt are generously padded with thermoformed closed cell foam padding. The shoulder harness is S-shaped and includes a removable sternum strap.
Back length adjustment is done by moving the hip belt up or down across the pack using PALS webbing. The forward pull adjustment is easy to tighten even under load. The side release buckle offers quick and easy opening when needed. The hip belt length is adjustable from 70 to 140 cm, offering an optimal fit for a waist-hip circumference (measured at the level where you prefer the top of the hip belt to sit) of approx. 80-110 cm.
In the late 1980’s Savotta designed a new patrol pack for the Finnish Border Guard, named simply “Rajapartio” – Border Patrol. This was the first pack by Savotta to feature an internal aluminium tubular frame, a very simple design which turned out very well.
The Border Patrol pack is, at time of writing in 2019, still used by the Finnish Border Guard, a testament to how purpose built designs don’t expire. Material and manufacturing technologies do however evolve, as does the end-users needs. The Jääkäri L is in our opinion a truly worthy successor to it’s progenitor.
Overall rating | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
Overall rating |
very good
Overall rating |
Excellent quality
Overall rating |
This is not the cheapest or the lightest, but the best and most durable. Large additional pockets on the sides and 20 kg of equipment is suitable for the ride by overpacking. I can't take it anymore.
As a warning, this will arouse envy in your fellow residents, the M05 patterning is quite impressive.
Overall rating |
A good backpack to carry and customize for your own purposes. Even with the side pockets, there isn't a lot of space, but with the fastening straps on the outside of the backpack, you can hold everything nicely. However, the backpack was already quite full during the weekend's fishing trip with a tarp, ripper, winter sleeping bag, underquilt, sleeping pad, trangia, change of clothes set and dining needs.
On the other hand, for a longer trip, in addition to that, you won't bring anything other than maybe more food, water and underwear, so it might be enough even for longer trips in colder weather. In the summer, you can definitely bring everything you need, if you manage e.g. with a smaller sleeping bag and without an underquilt.