Helikon Guardian Assault Backpacks

The Helikon Guardian is a midsized backpack with a capacity of 35 litres and it has a very sleek and smooth look on the outside. There are no external pockets on the front or sides and this makes moving through brush or cover much easier, with nothing to snag on branches. All of the zips sit under well-sized storm flaps and so they are not visible or likely to let in water.

What have we got?

This is a very simple, versatile and robust backpack and is ideal for anyone who wants an easily accessible carry system. The large main compartment has a two-way zip opening at the top and can be opened wide enough to access all of the contents easily. Inside, there is just one zippered side pocket for valuables. The front compartment sits flush on the pack and it is accessed from the top via a zip. This is also a very basic open space, making it ideal for waterproof clothing that you might need to get to quickly. On the front of this compartment is a smaller one with zipped access and a couple of simple slip pockets for individual items. It does not stick out at all and instead occupies a space within the larger compartment in order to preserve the sleek lines of the backpack.

The top pocket is the perfect size for accessories like glasses and phones, plus also has slips for pens or other small items. Rather than sitting on top of the backpack, and sticking out, this pocket is also inside the main compartment of the bag, maintaining its smooth exterior. The access to this pocket is rather small and getting your hand inside is a bit awkward, but otherwise, it works well.

On the area of the pack that contacts your back, there are two panels of padding that sit proud of the bag itself, creating an air space between them. They combine with the nicely profiled, padded and fully adjustable shoulder straps to ensure the Guardian sits very comfortably. A detachable waist strap, with a quick-release buckle, helps keep the backpack stable, plus compression straps on the sides keep the contents secure inside. There are MOLLE/ PALS panels on the sides of the backpack and a strong grab handle on the top. The zips are all genuine YKK brand with rubberised, glovefriendly cord pulls and they are all protected with large storm flaps.

Verdict

The Guardian is an extremely well-made backpack and at just over 1.5kg, it adds very little to the overall weight of your load. After wearing it for a few hours, it remains comfortable and stays in position on your back really well. Sometimes keeping it simple is the best option and this pack certainly does that. If you want a basic but very high-quality backpack that’s snag-free and offers quick and simple access to all of your gear, then this is definitely the one for you.