Just like the Junction, the Junction Grande was born in our retail store. Customers walking in would ask for a largish shoulder only pack, mostly for day use, but that was big enough for travel or the occasional overnighter. One choice was the Aston 3 -- fine if you like panel loaders, not helpful if (like us) you don't. The second choice was the Ute. The Ute is great for some of this, but is designed to only be used belted.
Thus the Junction Grande was born -- a nice large shoulder only top loader that with the addition of a belt is extremely capable. It was designed to be two packs in one -- it compresses down perhaps even better than any of our other packs for EDC, but also provides a great platform for filling and then overfilling with a top load. At the same time, we took some measures to keep the weight of it down, so it actually weighs less than both the Aston 3 and the Umlindi. It has the following features:
- Suspension consists of dual 7000 series aluminium stays in a removeable HDPE framesheet (same suspension as Connor and Aston 3)
- Accomodates shorter torsos by 1.5" than the Connor and A3
- Oversize angled wand pockets
- Unique pulley style lower side compression can be configured differently depending on how you want to use the wand pockets
- Side compression is set up with side release buckles for easily accessing larger items such as tripods
- Partially attached rear pocket with slot pocket behind it also acts as a compression panel
- Rear pocket is fully lined with velcro loop for sub-organization using any velcro backed pouch
- Large interior main compartment collapses behind rear pocket for less volume
- Bottom straps and extra long top straps for additional external volume
- Hypalon lumber flap works with either Recon Belt or Prairie Belt. May also work with other brand belts (although why would you want to?)
- Made in the US out of US materials by First Spear
It used to be that we'd say if you can only have one HPG pack it should be the Ute. That distinction may just have been taken over by the Junction Grande!
