Nash Scope Soft Protect Rucksack 30L

How well is it built?

The Soft Protect name tells you what the build is about. The outer is 450D PVC-coated fabric with 210D polyamide, and inside there's foam, sponge and a PE board giving it structure, which is why the bag stands up on its own even when it's empty.

That padding is also what makes it a sensible home for a camera or a laptop.

The base is heavy-duty PVC, so it's waterproof and wipe-clean, and the Duraflex clips underneath are a quality fitting rather than cheap generic plastic. A grab handle on top helps when you're loading it into the car, onto a barrow or into a boat.

For me, it's a well-made, protective bag, and 8.5 is a fair score for build. It isn't as rugged as the 900D Nash Scope OPS Recon, but it was never meant to be a heavy-duty workhorse, and the finish is neat throughout.

Storage & Organisation

So, how much does it hold? The main compartment takes two 5-litre buckets, and the three-sided top zip opens it right up, so you're not rummaging through a narrow opening.

Twin internal pockets keep smaller items in order, and the EVA tray in the lid gives you a work surface for a phone, alarm receiver, rigs and hookbaits.

The side pockets are sized for Subterfuge modular pouches, such as two medium pouches or a medium pouch and a lead pouch, or they'll take bite alarms on banksticks, buzzer bars and rig boards.

Elastic and webbing loops hold banksticks or distance sticks, and the elastic loops beside the front pocket let the bag act as a rod support on staging or concrete.

To be fair, 30 litres is small, which is why storage scores 7.5. You can add a Scope OPS Expansion Pack of 8 to 16 litres on the base clips, but that's an extra cost.

Comfort & Fit Rating

Comfort comes from a padded foam rear panel and sculpted, padded shoulder straps that adjust to fit. On a 30-litre bag that's a sensible set-up, and with a light day-session load it should sit comfortably on a long stalking walk round the lake.

The compact size helps too. A small pack is easier to move through bankside cover and between tight swims, which matters when you're creeping along the margins looking for fish.

Clip an unhooking mat or an Expansion Pack to the base, though, and the load gets bigger and sits lower, so the pack is at its comfiest when it's kept to its own 30 litres.

Is it as supportive as a bigger harness? No, and it doesn't need to be for the weights it's built to carry, but that's why comfort sits at 8.0. For day sessions, I'd say it's spot on.

Is it good value for money?

The Korda Compac Rucksack 45 gives you half as much room again, so on capacity alone this isn't the strongest choice. Where it earns its 8.0 is the protection, the lid tray and how well it fits into the Scope and Subterfuge systems.

If you already own Subterfuge pouches or a Scope OPS unhooking mat, the value goes up, because everything clips or slots straight in. If you don't, budget for a few extras to get the most from it.

Overall, I'd recommend the Scope Soft Protect 30L to carp anglers who stalk, fish off the top and do day sessions or 24-hour trips, and to anyone who wants a padded bag for a camera, laptop or power pack.

For longer sessions, a bigger rucksack like the Speero Compact Rucksack DPM will suit you better.