Wisport Crafter 55 military backpack review

First impressions

In a previous backpack test (Mil-tec Teesar 100) I came across the A-TACS iX camouflage pattern and really liked it, so I chose the Crafter 55 bag in this color (I was lucky, because this pattern is relatively rare). Like most Wisport bags, the type is available in many shades and colors! It should be noted that the prices strongly depend on the color, the “more popular” or higher license fee patterns are more expensive!

I didn’t know the company in every detail, but I mainly read good reviews about it and its products. When I got the Crafter in my hands, I immediately loved it.

It’s not clear what the “compact” feeling means, but I’ll try.

When I pick up the bag in my hand or on my back - whether empty or loaded - I like to feel that it is well balanced, has a good grip, is durable, strong and gives the impression that it will hold its place in any conditions. As you can see, for me, weight and comfort are not involved. The reason for this is that weight is secondary to me, since I am not a UL (ultralight) hiker in the first place (although I like that style too, and I will delve into that topic more someday), so the difference of a few tens of kilograms in the weight of the bag does not matter.

You can read about the raw data later. And comfort is not revealed at the first shot, but after packing, after many, many km. My decades of experience help me determine this, right from the start I can roughly guess at what weight and under what conditions a bag will be comfortable - for me! Because there are many different types of comfort, which depend not only on the individual, but also on the circumstances.

The Wisport Crafter 55 is made of very good materials, with good design and good workmanship - so I was really looking forward to seeing how it would be in the field!

Details

Size: 65 × 34 × 27 cm

Capacity: 55 l

Weight: 2,3 kg

Material: 500D Cordura

Design

Back system: FAS+ Military

Zippers: Wisport

Buckles: Duraflex, ITW Nexus

Number of chambers: 1

Number of pockets: 4

Designed for: Military, Survival, Camp, ASG, Scouting

Using of Wisport Crafter 55

I first took it on a 15 km backpacking trip, as this was one of the main criteria for the Elite Challenge: moving quickly with a medium load, on difficult terrain. So 15 kg of weight and 800 meters of elevation were the other important parameters of the first test round. It performed beyond expectations, it stood stable on my back during all movements, I could easily move with it in dense bushes, on rocks and in tight places.

The bag is quite small, I don't think it's 55 liters (I weighed it later and it came out to be 48-50 liters for me), but due to its design, it moves fantastically with the body, it sways, it doesn't wobble. Its material and straps give extra support even when empty, so you don't have to pay so much attention to packing, because throwing your equipment in (I don't usually do this, but sometimes it's necessary, e.g. it's part of one of the "unpleasant" tasks of EC - so I have to test this too) won't be uncomfortable either!

Since there are straps, webbing, and MOLLE fasteners on all parts, you can expand the bag very creatively. However, you have to be careful here, because poorly attached equipment from the outside cannot be compensated for by the design of the bag (which I wrote about earlier), and can actually ruin the stability. However, a little practice and creativity solves this problem. Thus, you can easily turn the Wisport Cratfer 55 backpack into an 80-90 liter one.

Here comes one of the problems: the suspension can handle heavy loads, but not too wide ones! That is, it is okay if the extra items attached or packed on it are heavy (I tried up to 38 kg, and it remained completely usable for 25 kilometers in the field), but if they are very bulky, the instability of the bag increases almost exponentially! Which is not only uncomfortable, but also takes a lot of energy during a hike.

The other problem is related to this: the padding of the lumbar support does not match the load capacity of the bag! As I said, this is also subjective, but with a heavy load, on multi-day hikes, it started to become uncomfortable.

I fixed this by adding an extra layer of polyfoam (more precisely, I glued 3 layers cut to size together in the final version), which I slid into the lumbar support along with the removable waist strap - and it has never been uncomfortable since!

What is particularly positive for me (this was one of the reasons for my choice) is that the Wisport Crafter 55 is a front access backpack, which makes packing and access much easier. Strong, easy-to-use zipper, well-curved drawstring (does not get stuck while pulling, which is unfortunately a problem with many other bags), numerous suspension options on the front panel, cross-closing straps (which are also a fastening option). Inside the bag, the user is greeted by many nice little things: a mesh pocket inside the front panel allows you to store smaller items, of course, there is also a hydration bladder holder with sufficiently large outlet openings, a smaller zippered organizer pocket and two extra straps for securing the packed equipment (I'm talking about items that are small but heavy and therefore the bag itself would not hold them - this is a rare occurrence in normal hiking conditions, but let's not forget that the Crafter 55 is operational equipment).

A cikk folytatódik a hirdetés után...

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Of course, the bag can also be opened from the top, which is not done in the traditional way with buckles, but with a zipper all around. This is a critical point - in this case, I like it - because the height of the bag cannot be increased due to the lack of the usual liftable lid, the space for movement is very narrow, equipment can only be attached to the top of the bag in this direction. This is understandable due to the original use: a military bag, where increasing the height would be accompanied by a drastic reduction in the possibility of movement.

There are also 3 small pockets on the lid, with strong, easy-to-use zippers: an internal (“map pocket”), a large (more medium compared to the usual sizes) and a mini (for the smallest items).

The Wisport Crafter 55 suspension is called “FAS PLUS ERGONOMIC”, which is a reinforced version of the traditional “rail” adjustable system.

It is light, but not easy to handle while walking, it holds well, and its well-designed and shaped shoulder and waist straps make it comfortable to carry on a hike. In addition to the suspension, there is a carrying strap (or escape handle) on both sides, as well as extra strong straps on the front and bottom of the bag for easier handling.

I last went with a bag at the 54es Challenge jubilee winter competition, which we won as a pair, and I can say with a calm heart that the bag perfectly met all the tests we faced. It was just as comfortable in the impassable bushes as it was on the country road or when climbing steep mountainsides. One of the characteristics of this challenge was that the soldiers completed it with a gun, and the civilians with a “model gun” (which is exactly the same in shape and weight as the real one - maybe a little more uncomfortable, heavier, we used that at the Elite Challenge as well), and the bag perfectly brought out its best features.

Extras

• Frontz access
• MOLLE
• Reinforced bottom
• Suspension system
• Removable waist belt
• Carrying straps
• Rain cover

Recommendation, summary

  +   liked

• material

• straps

• fronst access

• small pockets, organizers

• removable waist belt

• quick-release system

  -   disliked

• Lumbar support

• Height adjustment (I don't think it's good for people over 190 cm)

  *   proposal

• The shoulder strap could be a little wider

• An English buckle would be better on the waistband (can be adjusted by pulling it forward)

Who do I recommend it to?

Because it is very strong, practical and durable, it is perfect for all “3-day” tasks. You can comfortably equip it with larger loads due to the full MOLLE system, but then you have to be careful, because the bag is basically small in size, making it harder to keep it balanced.

It can also be a great choice for adventure-seeking teenagers or shorter women and men.

Due to its design, it is especially suitable for military tasks, for wearing with a vest - so it is also a first-class equipment for airsoft or other tactical games.

Since it is available in many colors and camouflage patterns, I dare to risk that it is good for everyone who imagines hiking with a stronger and therefore not so “ultralight” bag.

I do not recommend the Wisport Crafter 55 backpack if you are taller than 190 cm, although there were taller testers who used it with satisfaction, but I think this is not common. If you still like it, definitely try it out before buying!

Technical matrix 4.66