Wildcraft Trailblazer Plus 50 Backpack Review

The Wildcraft Trailblazer Plus 50 ultralight pack nails the perfect equilibrium between carrying ease, impressive features, and weight, all offered at an unbeatable price.

Price: (-22%) ₹3,899
Manufacturer: Wildcraft

Our Verdict

The Wildcraft Trailblazer Plus 50 stands out as an exceptional ultralight backpack, offering tremendous value. Boasting a plethora of impressive features, it excels in usability and ranks among the most comfortable options we put to the test. While it might not claim the title of the lightest model in our lineup, it effortlessly handles light to medium loads, up to 30 pounds, ensuring supreme ease and comfort.

Thanks to its robust upside-down U-frame, weight distribution becomes a breeze, with well-padded shoulder straps and a waist belt directing the load comfortably onto your hips.

Even with smaller loads, the Gorilla feature cinches down adeptly, ensuring a smooth carry. Packed with convenience, this backpack boasts large external pockets on the back and a spacious lid for stashing smaller items.

Whether inside or out, storage space abounds in this incredibly comfortable pack. To explore its comparative standing among competitors, check out our detailed piece highlighting the top ultralight backpacks.

Handles lighter and moderate loads with ease.
Lightweight
Adjustable torso length

Noisy shoulder straps

Wildcraft Trailblazer Plus 50: Our Analysis and Test Results

Important

The Wildcraft Trailblazer Plus 50 impressed us with its top-notch performance in both comforts while carrying loads and its lasting durability. Its weight-to-volume balance is truly compelling, and it comes packed with the most practical pockets and straps we find essential. Plus, the newest iteration of the Gorilla showcases an improved lid, adding to its impressive feature set.

Comfort

The Wildcraft Trailblazer Plus 50 truly shines in its exceptional comfort. Its shoulder straps, hip belt, and back padding collaborate seamlessly to shift the weight off your shoulders and onto your hips, ensuring a comfortable carry.

The internal upside-down U-frame surpasses single stays, preventing the bag from bulging or pressing uncomfortably against your back. This clever design imparts both horizontal and vertical stiffness precisely where needed.

While the recommended load limit stands at 30 pounds, our comprehensive lab and field tests affirm this as more than reasonable, fitting perfectly with the pack’s advertised 50-liter volume.

Surprisingly, even with the hip belt and back padding removed, comfortably shouldering a load of less than 15 pounds remains achievable.

Testers attested that the weight felt sufficiently comfortable even without the padding and hip belt.

Notably, the back panel’s padding, conveniently inserted into mesh pockets, offers the flexibility to swap in your preferred padding—be it for added comfort or to lighten your load by slotting in a closed-cell sleeping pad.

Although the absence of load lifters in the shoulder straps might disappoint some, we found the robust straps adept at distributing the shoulder load effectively.

Ease of Use

The Wildcraft Trailblazer Plus 50 boasts standout features that effortlessly marry convenience with usability.

The ample exterior pockets sparked visions of adventures where all our day essentials could snugly fit, granting us the luxury of accessing everything without delving into the main pack body—a true indulgence!

The ingeniously crafted load-bearing system, featuring the upside-down U-frame, customizable back padding, and snug hip belt, proved effortlessly adaptable to our body, instilling confidence to venture far and wide.

Thanks to its compression straps and an expansive central pocket, the Trailblazer adapts seamlessly to varying volumes, scaling up or down as needed.

Now, the pack’s throwback knapsack-style top lid might prompt divided opinions: it’s either a love-it or question-it feature.

However, we found ourselves surprisingly pleased by its functionality—skipping the hassle of unrolling and re-rolling the top every time we needed access to our gear.

Gradually, our affection for the Wildcraft’s top flap grew, and it now stands as a cherished part of the pack’s design.

Weight-to-Volume Ratio

The Wildcraft Trailblazer Plus 50 clocks in at 1.4 kg, boasting a generous 50-liter capacity.

To gauge its internal space accurately, we employed ping pong balls, finding the main compartment, when securely closed and not overly packed, to sit at around 39 liters.

Analyzing the Wildcraft’s weight against its stated volume, we calculated its weight-to-volume ratio, averaging 0.62 ounces per liter.

This places it squarely within the average range among the ultralight backpacks we put to the test.

For perspective, it aligns the Trailblazer Plus 50 with well-known contenders such as the TRAWOC 60 (1.4 kg) and TriPole Walker 65 (1.8 kg).

For those seeking even greater weight savings, options like the Trunkit Adventure Series 55, boasting a streamlined and premium design, tip the scales at a mere 300 grams.

Adjustability

The Wildcraft Trailblazer Plus 50 offers adaptable comfort for various body shapes and sizes.

Its well-padded shoulder straps accommodate most individuals, although the absence of load lifters prevents optimal gear alignment with the back. The hip belt suits a wide spectrum of body types.

Its interchangeable back panel allows for personalized padding that conforms better to your body or packing preferences. The included panel is thin and molds effortlessly to your back and gear contours.

Moreover, the pack’s aluminum U-frame is removable, enabling further customization for a tailored fit and shape. Side cinch straps ensure security and compression for smaller loads.

While more suited for larger endeavors due to its 50-liter capacity, it can cater excellently to shorter hikes requiring specialized gear, such as climbing or snow equipment, offering ample space for daytime adventures.

Fit and Sizing

As previously mentioned, a significant enhancement in the latest iteration of the Wildcraft Trailblazer Plus 50 is its customizable torso fit.

This men’s pack is now available in three primary sizes, and I chose the medium size to match my 18-inch torso (the medium pack accommodates torsos within the 18-20-inch range).

Using the hook-and-loop adjustment feature at the back, I tailored the shoulder straps to my torso length, resulting in an immediately satisfying fit.

While the hipbelt doesn’t offer the same extensive adjustability, I managed to secure it comfortably without any trouble.

Should You Buy?

The Wildcraft Trailblazer Plus 50 stands out among the ultralight models we’ve tested, boasting exceptional features and a sturdy aluminum frame that ensures comfortable carrying. Its blend of impressive lightweight technology makes it one of the top choices in its category.

Despite being a specialized piece of gear, it comes with a fairly reasonable price tag, making it an excellent value proposition for any ultralight hiker seeking quality and adaptability.

Alternative To Wildcraft Trailblazer Plus 50 Backpack

If the Wildcraft Trailblazer Plus 50 impresses you, but you desire extra internal and external space, consider exploring the TRAWOC 60 Trekking Rucksack, boasting 60 liters compared to the Wildcraft’s 50.

For those enamored with practical features, the TriPole Walker 65 Backpack stands out, incorporating numerous details akin to a standard backpacking pack but at an ultralightweight, catering to enthusiasts seeking functionality without compromising on weight.

Wildcraft Trailblazer Plus 50 Backpack Review

Table of Contents

Our Verdict