Speero Compact Rucksack DPM

How well is it built?

So, what makes Cordura worth having? It's a tough, abrasion-resistant nylon that stands up well to being dragged over gravel, concrete and brambles, and 600D is a good weight for a bag like this.

It's paired with military-specification zips and nylon clips, and the stress points are reinforced, which is where cheaper rucksacks usually give up first.

The base and the pocket bottoms are heavy-duty and wipe-clean, so mud and bait spills shouldn't soak in, and the whole body is padded to protect what's inside.

The DPM camo pattern won't be for everyone, but it also comes in Green or Black Camo if you'd rather something different.

Overall, I think the 8.5 for build is well earned. On fabric and fittings alone, it's one of the tougher rucksacks you'll find at this sort of price, and it should shrug off years of being thrown in and out of the car.

Storage & Organisation

Forty-five litres is a good amount of room, and the low, wide shape makes it easy to see and reach what's inside.

Five external pockets give you quick access to the kit you use most, like bait pots, scales, spare leads or a head torch, while the internal mesh pocket in the lid keeps small bits from sinking to the bottom.

Banksticks sit in Velcro-strap holders on the side, and the modular clip system means you can add Speero's own bags to the outside as your kit grows. Those extra bags aren't supplied, though, and the rucksack comes empty.

Why 8.0 rather than higher? It comes without a rig tray, and the mesh lid pocket is the only internal pocket, so the main compartment is a big open space rather than an organised one. If you like to fill it with your own tackle cases and pouches, that won't bother you much.

Comfort & Fit Rating

The harness is padded and adjustable, and the body is fully padded, so hard-edged kit inside shouldn't dig into your back. A grab handle on top makes it easy to lift in and out of the car or onto a barrow.

The harness has a chest strap and a waist belt too, which help hold the load steady when the bag is full. The flip side of the low, wide shape is that it's 55cm across, so it's a bulky thing to carry down narrow, overgrown paths or between tight swims.

Is it uncomfortable? I wouldn't say so, but that width is why the comfort score sits at 8.0. For walks from the car to the swim, it should carry well enough, and the padding means it won't punish you for packing it full of hard-edged kit like bait tubs and alarm cases.

Is it good value for money?

It sits in the middle of the mid-priced rucksacks, and the hardware it gives you for that is what lifts the value score to 8.5.

You're getting 600D Cordura, military-specification zips and reinforced stress points at a mid-range price, which is a lot of fabric and hardware for the money.

The modular system is a bonus if you already own Speero bags or plan to build up a matching set, but remember those add-ons cost extra. If all you want is one rucksack with everything built in, a pack with a rig tray like the Trakker NXG Scout might suit you better.

Overall, I'd recommend the Speero Compact Rucksack DPM to carp anglers who want a tough, well-padded bag that's built to last, especially if they already use Speero's clip-on luggage. Short sessions and overnighters are where it should fit in pretty much perfectly.