Ogden Made x Stock & Barrel Klettersack Review :: Road Tests

Simple. Robust. The Ogden Made x Stock & Barrel Klettersack tips its hat to its ancestors and still moves the klettersack gracefully into the 21st century. Made in America and signed and dated by the maker, these bad boys are reminiscent of what the greatest generation carried in their days of youth while exploring new routes in our now most beloved parks. I get so many compliments on this bag because it is appealing on that many levels.

They’re a rowdy bunch, those made in the USA start-ups, rocking the boat with bags that have real character. Ogden Made has been on my radar since the release of the Junction City Messenger back in 2014, so I was stoked when they offered up this collaboration pack. Made for the transitioning explorer, this bag is built to handle a rough day in the side country and designed to look right at home next to your desk or out on the town. I used the klettersack daily for a couple of months as a commuter and capped it off with a Labor Day weekend tour of Seattle.

A Klettersack, by the way, is a scrambling bag, or climbing pack, as best I could discern as there’s really nothing out there on the definition.  From the German: Klettern: [verb] to scramble or climb; and Sack: [noun] a bag or pack.

Design

Looks

This is a classy-looking pack.  It’s aged well too - rain, sand, dirt, and public transportation can’t make this ugly.

Construction

Build quality leaves nothing to question.  I saw no issues with the stitching anywhere, so chalk a win up to made-by-hand in Utah.

“Stitched and signed”, this bag has a birthday. I like being a part of that movement.

"This is a classy-looking pack.  It’s aged well too - rain, sand, dirt, and public transportation can’t make this ugly."

Materials

Go ahead and check all your boxes for 1000D Cordura, full-grain USA-sourced leather, and YKK zips. The leather is a huge upgrade in my opinion. Leather is like bacon of the pack world: it just makes everything better.

"Build quality leaves nothing to question.  I saw no issues with the stitching anywhere, so chalk a win up to made-by-hand in Utah."

Features

The compression straps work for a tarp/blanket if you’re camp chilling.  The side pockets in leather will hold an 18oz Hydro Flask or Klean Kanteen style metal bottle, but barely.

There's nice attention to detail with the leather zipper pulls and zipper hoods.

"The side pockets in leather will hold an 18oz Hydro Flask or Klean Kanteen style metal bottle, but barely."

It doesn't come standard with the pack, but the Monte Camera Module works well with it and is a nice-to-have with the pack.  I used it for everything from my camera, extra batteries, and cords to a lunch box when I was riding that PB+J train or out for a picnic.  It’s well padded and comes with three inserts to organize your equipment or beers.  For a bag with very little organization, the module was a great companion piece to address my daily needs.

Performance

Space and Access

Primary access to the main compartment is through the cinch top underneath the lid, which is secured by two aluminum hooks. The main compartment is about 20 liters in total volume. Plenty for a day of exploring or lunch and layers to and from work.  There’s also a secondary access point on the front panel, but I hardly ever used that as there’s only 20 liters of stuff to navigate.  I really appreciated the side access to the laptop sleeve for quick access to maps and a computer for impromptu adventure planning.

"Primary access to the main compartment is through the cinch top underneath the lid, which is secured by two aluminum hooks."

Pockets and Organizing

You’ve got a small stash pocket on the lid for keys, a wallet, and any accessories you carry.  I really utilized the Monte Camera Module for my larger items because I’m a huge organizational freak.  So if you’re thinking about picking up the bag be warned, there’s only one pocket.

"You’ve got a small stash pocket on the lid for keys, a wallet, and any accessories you carry."

Comfort

If you’re not carrying a laptop, there’s a lot of padding in the back panel thanks to the sleeve.  When you are carrying your computer you can really feel it as the bag tends to fall away from your center of gravity, leaving the main pressure points at the top of your shoulders and your lower back.  It’s not uncomfortable, but there are certainly more comfortable bags out there.  The shoulder straps work. Nothing to write home about though.  I did note on several occasions that it carries warmer than most bags because of the nylon and the back paneling - bonus as a fall/winter bag. Not so great for a summer pack.

"When you are carrying your computer you can really feel it as the bag tends to fall away from your center of gravity, leaving the main pressure points at the top of your shoulders and your lower back."

Verdict

It’s a great city bag for those who love the heritage styling.  While the price is higher than most rucks with similar feature sets, I really think it’ll just last forever.  The metal hardware should go on for eternity, and the 1000D Cordura will take decades to kill.  I’m struggling to find potential failures in the construction.