Karrimor Bobcat 65 Rucksack Review

I was in the midst of searching for a reliable rucksack for almost a month now. It’s actually for our family camp out trip and my dad was so kind to purchase me a new rucksack. However, whenever I find something I like, it’s either not complete with essential compartments and slots or it’s too expensive. A friend suggested the brand Karrimor and she’s right. The Karrimor Bobcat that I purchased was the best rucksack I have ever owned. And after using it for about 6 times now, it still feels good as new.

If you’re looking more broadly for advice on travel backpacks see our full guide here.

Karrimor Bobcat 65 Rucksack Review and Product Features

Style has it all

Honestly, I fell in love with the appearance of this item. Love how it looks discreet yet can carry loads of items. It comes with a large main compartment that has an easy access system and a lid compartment for extra storage. There are also spacious side pockets that are pretty useful. Unlike other side pockets, these do not go useless when the backpack is already full. Something I should highlight. Karrimor Bobcat 65 also comes with a base compartment where I usually pack my sleeping gear. Sometimes, I use it for the clothes I’m not sure if I would use and also for dirty clothes.

The bungee-shock cord comes very useful especially when it comes to carrying system where you need to trap in a couple of items. This item is also designed with an adjustable harness which helps you carry the bag and remain stable despite the rough and rocky path. This is quite helpful for the wild travelers.

More than just a rucksack

Because Karrimor has been UK’s leading backpacking brand, you can expect that all their items are of high quality and designed for particular purposes. I was not wrong when I purchased my Karrimor Bobcat 65. Its SA or Size Adjustable back system is ideal for me because I’m a bit petite. Just a little adjustment and the bag fitted me perfectly. It also very comfortable and comes with a great back support system that eliminates the heavy feeling of carrying rucksacks – thanks to the hipbelt.

Because this product is hydration compatible, I can skip bringing bigger and heavier water bottles. Now that’s perfect especially if you’re already bringing many items. The base part also has its own compression straps, something not to forget. Lastly, I noticed how the zippers are made. They are well-stitched and feel quite sturdy. I also love how they don’t mess out when the bag is fully loaded.

Where Can The Karrimor Bobcat Be Improved?

Since being bought out by Sports Direct Karrimor has been relegated to a budget outdoor brands. Being low budget also means that the build quality isn’t as high as rival backpacks. That said, it’s not like this bag will instantly fall apart. If you’re on a tight budget it’s a solid option for a big weekend hiking bag or a few months trip abroad.

Maybe because I still haven’t used this that often, I still haven’t found any improvement points. Everything about Karrimor Bobcat seems to work perfectly for me and it has all the features I need. Perhaps the one tip I can give you is to take enough time to pick the right one. Thanks to my patience I was able to spend a month searching for this.

Karrimor Product Variations

Karrimor Alpiniste – a more technical hiking bag with 35 + 10 litre storage capacity.

Karrimor Bobcat 65 Alternatives

If you’re not so strict on your budget and want something with superior build quality check out the slightly bigger (both in price and size) Osprey Farpoint 70.

Karrimor Bobcat 65 Rucksack Review Final Thoughts

A great backpack for those wanting a budget option. It comes in a variety of colours, has all the essential compartments and is spacious inside. Available in colors of green and gray, and blue and gray, you’ll definitely find one that will fit your taste.