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December 2021 Issue
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Salewa Cammino 70

Price:

$299

Our Rating:

Best for entry-level or occasional trampers 

At a glance
Plusses: Light for its size, well featured, good value. 
Minuses: Susceptible to water ingress through zip, lightweight frame for the pack’s capacity. 

1910g / 70+10 litres

Features: The Cammino has a light and uncomplicated harness with an adjustable back length. It’s made from a tough 300-denier polyester (with a canvas-like texture) and the main sac features a generous storm throat, three pockets (two 3D, one flat) and deep mesh pockets on the sides, as well as a storm cover. There is a separate sleeping bag compartment. There are two pockets in the removable lid. Four compression straps (two on the sides and two on the sleeping bag compartment) and an ice axe/pole attachment complete the package. 

Fit: The back length is quick to adjust thanks to an aluminium hook that attaches to one of five daisy chain loops. It’s a unisex pack, but if you are short and adjust the harness for the shortest position, it would be quite top-heavy. I would suggest this pack is best for people 174cm and taller. 

In use: This is a wide pack, easy to load with gear, but also cumbersome for bush bashing. Inside, it’s a light colour, so it’s easy to see as you jigsaw in your precious supplies. The two side pockets are useful and would hold a small water bladder or bottle, while the mesh pockets are good for a water bottle or hat and gloves, but I found the flat pocket on the outside of the pack less useful (except for perhaps a map). It’s also a water ingress point. I like the removable lid for additional weight savings, but there is no cinch-strap across the throat, which is an omission.

Comfort: The simple frame is light but also lacks stiffness (there is no plastic sheet, just two stays and a crossbar), so careful packing is required for the sac to maintain form. Overall, the harness has a basic but functional form, without much anatomic sculpting, and I found it comfortable with a heavy load. The wide shoulder straps provide support for those with broad shoulders, but slighter-of-frame people might find them too wide. 

Value: For a pack of this capacity and with a nearly full range of features, it’s great value. 

Verdict: The Cammino feels like an entry-level large volume pack that would suit occasional trampers. The overall strength of the pack is at the low end of the spectrum, due to light zips and a slightly flimsy frame.