The best backpacks for completing the Marathon des Sables
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We saw many different types of backpacks at the Marathon des Sables’ start line, however these are the ones that stuck out the most:
Whilst it’s not the cheapest option for the MdS, the 35-litre version was our backpack of choice due to a number of factors, such as build quality, simplicity, load capacity and the front pockets that we’ll explain in more detail.
Build quality
The pack may be a little heavier than some of the other options here, however, the build quality was better than the Raidlight version that appeared to favour weight over build strength. When your pack weighs many kilograms on day one, we felt the safest option would be to pick a pack on its strength to endure the challenge, instead of being the lightest.
Simplicity
The build is super simple, a main pocket, some front options and stretch stow pounces around the sides.
Load capacity
The pack carried everything we needed when we paired it with a front pouch option for day one. After we’d worked through some food on the morning of day two, the front pouch got retired to the bottom of the main pocket as we could comfortably carry everything even when you were issued lots of water.
Front pockets.
The use of the front pockets was a bit of gamechanger for us, to pack items that we’d need more regularly or without much notice (such as food, the camera, or the anti-venom). Some packs don’t come with the front pockets, however we’re converts to their utility now and would pick one with integrated front pockets for any ultra-distance race.
If the price of the Ultimate Direction puts you off, it might be worth looking at the Montane trailblazer backpack as it has lots of similar high-end fastpacking features at a much lower cost.
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We bought the Ultralight pack first due to its weight and obvious design for desert racing yet decided to return it for a refund after some concerns over the build quality, which proved worthwhile when our tent mate’s one sadly broke during the race around the long day.
The Salomon trailblazer model is a series of packs designed for generalist uses of hiking, mountain biking, and day-to-day uses, however their design makes them quite well orientated towards ultradistance events.
Whilst they don’t feature front chest pockets or some of the other features of the high-end packs, the cost is exceptionally good value for the MdS to keep it manageable. Whilst we’ve not tried them yet, we use Salomon gear for other endurance events and always find it well made and up to the task.
Another quite simple yet robust pack, the OMM comes in around the middle on price point, yet packs more of the higher end features. The one unusual features of the pack is that it features a top flap to cover access to the main contents. Being used to the ease of the roll top packs, we see this as a negative for speed of access, but a positive in increasing pack space (as you can use it to hold down extra gear).
The official backpack of the race, and the one you’re given if you enter via the UK option. At just 25 litres of carriage capacity (including the front packs), this didn’t give enough space to carry everything on day one as well as the extra storage you need between checkpoints when you get issued your water. Our perspective is that unless you’re aiming for a high finishing place and are therefore trying to reduce pack weight to as low as possible, avoid the stress of cramming all the gear in and opt for a little more carriage capacity.