SCOTT Trail Rocket FR 18
No brand can really rival the depth and breadth of SCOTT’s high-end equipment: from bikes to freestyle skiing, motocross boots to sunglasses, you can easily don SCOTT products from head to toe. For this test we turned to the Trail Rocket FR 18. At 780 g, this ultra lightweight daypack easily stowed away the essentials inside its 18 litre storage.
The backpack is divided into similar compartments to the rest of the test fleet, including a reservoir pocket, a big main compartment, several ones for tools, two open side pockets, one small one for a phone or glasses, a section for any kit on the outside as well as a helmet mount for a full facer or XC helmet.
It lies really flat on your back and has a perforated 3D-shaped ‘moisture managing back panel’ designed to aid airflow, which strengthens the back and sees SCOTT having sewn in a flexible, thin panel to the back. But as SCOTT have opted for such lightweight and thin materials, the Trail Rocket is pretty unstable for a backpack of its size and therefore suffers if isn’t fully loaded.
This is particularly frustrating on rowdy trails as the contents of the bag tend to get shaken up. But at the same time, the lightweight, flexible material definitely aids comfort. So even though they’ve reduced the adjustment options down to the minimum, the Trail Rocket FR 18 is still really comfortable to carry, has a clever and functioning back panel and great hip belt. It’s a shame SCOTT haven’t integrated a rain cover.
For a lightweight and comfortable day-ride backpack, the SCOTT Trail Rocket FR 18 is a really decent option if you’re keeping to fairly mellow trails and descents. Admittedly, they could have chosen slightly sturdier materials and made a full zip for accessing the main compartment, but those are just minor details and the SCOTT performs solidly.
Weight: 780 g
Volume: 18 l
Price: € 129.95
More info: www.scott-sports.com
+ comfortable
+ super light
– very thin material
– lack of organizing compartments
