Croots hiking backpack

From strong, waxed cotton canvas (24 oz) Croots manufactures this backpack, which is just as suitable for day hikes as for city tours. Especially for us, Croots has not only issued the backpack in a larger version, but also provided it with some practical details. Thus, the mesh pocket in front takes rain jacket, map or water bottle. Side loops with dual adjustable cartridge pocket closure hold trekking and hiking poles, walking stick or umbrella. On the other side is a leather loop with D-ring to which, for example, a water bottle can be attached by means of an S-carabiner. The neatly leather piped edges, the straps made of 3 mm thick saddle leather and shoulder straps made of cotton canvas are just as durable and hard-wearing as the material of the backpack body, which is not impressed by mechanical stress or by moisture or wetness (in moderation).
Thanks to its satchel shape, the large main compartment offers plenty of storage space. A map or book are well protected and quickly accessible in the slip pocket, while the flat compartments on top of it hold a phone and pen. As with all Croots models in our range, the lining shines here in a bright red - not only a color gimmick, but exceedingly practical, because here the backpack contents can be overlooked much better than with a dark lining.

The British label Croots is one of the leather goods manufacturers that has quickly acquired the reputation of a traditional company. So it doesn't always take centuries of experience, but first and foremost you have to understand your craft and then use the right materials. John and Margaret Smith made this claim when they produced the first bags and cases for hunting and fishing under the label "Field Sports Products" in 1978: in the traditional way and from solid materials such as strong saddle leather and robust cotton canvas. Travel bags and small leather goods were added later. When daughter Jackie and son-in-law Allistair Croot took over the business in 2004, they did not change anything except the name. Since then, "Croots" has become a byword for British craftsmanship and solid bags worldwide; even the royal family owns a few Croots bags. The bags are designed and manufactured at the company's site in Malton, North Yorkshire. And the materials also come from the island: the bags are woven in Keighley, West Yorkshire, the waxed cotton canvas is sourced from the traditional Scottish manufacturer Halley Stevensons, and the fittings come from foundries in Walsall, West Midlands, or Sheffield. Only the zippers are sourced from Riri in Switzerland. Finally, with a few exceptions, the leather is vegetable-tanned and processed in the best saddlery style. In most cases, this is so-called English bridle leather, which is mainly used for saddles, bridles and belts, as it hardly gives thanks to a special tanning process.