Spika Drover 80L pack in use

Recently I was in the market for a new pack, I looked at several options including Tatonka, Osprey Aether, Macpac offerings and a few others as well.

I'm not overly tall being 5'6" and a scale busting 62KG, my body is shorter than my legs so getting packs to fit has always been a struggle.

Anyway I ended up with a Spika Drover in 80L, I didn't really need a bag that big but hey you don't have to fill it up right?

Firstly it isn't the lightest pack around being made of a nice thick canvas style fabric similar to the early Macpacs, it does have a few too many straps and the lid pocket is on the small side. It does feel very strong, fits well and has some good features including strong feeling straps and elasticated ammunition holders in the lid pocket.

It is a simple roll top pack with one front pocket and the aforementioned lid pocket, it has a hydration bladder pocket too. It has a scabbard hidden inside a small zip on the bottom as well as a built in pack cover (which I haven't used yet).

I carried all my gear for my recent Molesworth trip and carried out around 20KG of venison.

The pack fits me just and handles weight very well, it can be removed from the frame and the smaller 40L put in its place, the scabbard works well and the pack is comfortable to wear. I like it and am very pleased with it.

I didn't go for the others for several reasons, the Tatonka didn't fit, the Osprey has way too many pockets which for me are far too confusing and the new Macpacs fell cheaply made.

That's a great review @Happy Jack I got a macpac cascade a year or so back when they had a good special. No complaints so far, the spika sounds a bit more hunter specific with the scabbard, ammo holder and wot not. The macpac can handle a good load.

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Originally Posted by Happy Jack

Recently I was in the market for a new pack, I looked at several options including Tatonka, Osprey Aether, Macpac offerings and a few others as well.

I'm not overly tall being 5'6" and a scale busting 62KG, my body is shorter than my legs so getting packs to fit has always been a struggle.

Anyway I ended up with a Spika Drover in 80L, I didn't really need a bag that big but hey you don't have to fill it up right?

Firstly it isn't the lightest pack around being made of a nice thick canvas style fabric similar to the early Macpacs, it does have a few too many straps and the lid pocket is on the small side. It does feel very strong, fits well and has some good features including strong feeling straps and elasticated ammunition holders in the lid pocket.

It is a simple roll top pack with one front pocket and the aforementioned lid pocket, it has a hydration bladder pocket too. It has a scabbard hidden inside a small zip on the bottom as well as a built in pack cover (which I haven't used yet).

I carried all my gear for my recent Molesworth trip and carried out around 20KG of venison.

The pack fits me just and handles weight very well, it can be removed from the frame and the smaller 40L put in its place, the scabbard works well and the pack is comfortable to wear. I like it and am very pleased with it.

I didn't go for the others for several reasons, the Tatonka didn't fit, the Osprey has way too many pockets which for me are far too confusing and the new Macpacs fell cheaply made.

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how do you like it now 2 years on?

Hi joelm just bear in mind that drove have brought out a new model now and are different not sure how much different tho I have the older one & run the 40-45 L pack & I really like mine had it for probably 3 years now. I really like how the meat shelf works as on Thursday I went for hunt where I was working shot a follow I just gutted it put the hole thing in meat shelf & walk the 15 mins back to bike so comfortable & no blood on me still had pack on frame as well. I can fly camp easily with this size pack & got room for the meat