Šimon Janošec was looking for an alpine pack for a summer trip to Chamonix. He already had experience with the ultralight version – the Rab Latok 20. But this time he wanted something bigger. So he headed up the wall with the Rab Latok 28, made with indestructible Spectra® fibres (15 times stronger than steel, among other things).
”"The design won me over at first sight. Simple, with clever features like the roll-top closure, the head-lock system for ice axes and removable loops. And the weight? 810 grams! No minimalist can ignore that."
"Light, tough and it fits perfectly on my back. Even on my girlfriend's, which at her 160 cm is a good sign of versatility," says Šimon, describing his first impressions from the living room. "I was also surprised how packable it is – the Rab Latok squashed down enough to fit in a travel bag or a haul bag without taking up much space. That's crucial for multi-day trips."
A stunning alpine ridge between a glacier and a deep valley. "The Latok sat like it was nailed on – no bouncing, no swaying," Šimon recalls. "Down jacket, Gore-Tex shell, a few cams. Moving fast on a short rope, I appreciated the phone pocket and other little details."
A long line that tests a climber's route-finding, speed, stamina and toughness. Three days, a downpour and two bivouacs. "We took one big pig (a haul bag) and the Rab Latok. Even after heavy rain and a night on the bivvy, everything stayed dry," Šimon says, thinking back to the République. "It was dark and pouring. Ejmi wrapped her feet in a down jacket, stuck them in the pack and sat on the removable back panel."
A true durability test. Giant conglomerate towers full of protruding pebbles. On the harder lines, Šimon and Ejmi had to haul the pack on a rope behind them. "Dragging the pack over the rough conglomerate didn't look great. It kept snagging and the sound of the scraping grated on my ears. Afterwards there were a few scuffs on the pack, but nothing was actually worn through or ruined," Šimon describes. "Good news! Good durability!"
The first winter test, ski touring in the Low Tatras. Two days of skinning, skiing and digging in the snow led Šimon to these conclusions: "The pack stays put on your back even when you move fast, and a full ski touring kit fits inside. And when you combine a ski tour with climbing, it's ideal – all the loops and systems are exactly where they should be, and there's nothing superfluous."
Titanium trap (Titanium Trap): a renowned route that was in excellent condition last winter. And Šimon made the most of it. "Thanks to the 28-litre volume and all the attachment systems, I managed to pack the Latok even for a mission like that. And even with a heavy load and a long approach in winter conditions, the pack didn't compromise on comfort."
Šimon has been using the Rab Latok for over a year now. "It's been through loads of adventures and fun with me, but also stress and situations you're glad to forget over time. And the Rab Latok is still in perfect condition," Šimon sums up. "I'm pretty hard on all my gear, and when something lasts more than a year without a scratch, that's proof it's indestructible."
