Overall rating | 150 reviews) | (
The largest pack in the Jääkäri series. An external frame design for heavy and cumbersome loads, capacity approx. 70 l. The Jääkäri XL is an improved model of the modular LJK paratrooper rucksack originally designed for the Finnish Defence Forces. The PALS attachment system offers great outwards scalability when you need it. Fully height adjustable and generously padded thermoformed shoulder harness and hip belt combined with a heavy duty external tubular aluminium frame allow the Jääkäri XL to carry extremely heavy loads comfortably.
Note. Savotta manufactures this product in Finland, Estonia and Poland. Country of manufacture is labeled to the product.
The carrying system is based on the venerable LJK paratrooper pack frame, an external frame made from aluminium tubing, and offers a very wide height adjustment range for a perfect fit. This pack is designed to carry extremely heavy loads, just like its military predecessors have been doing since the early 1980s.
Roll top on the top, zipper on the bottom and a cinch cord divider inside allow you to use the main pack bag in any which way you please. By opening up the divider the main bag is turned into one huge cavernous space, allowing you to pack very large and long items. The bottom zipper offers quick access to whatever gear you need most during the day whilst the roll top guarantees weatherproof protection for the bulk of your gear.
The bottom zipper compartment features interior elastic compression straps and four small mesh pockets for organizing your gear. A zippered pocket inside the lid offers safe storage for your wallet, keys, travel documents and phone.
The roll top closure, floating lid and side compression straps offer a wide range of adjustability to the volume of the pack. Strap it down tight or loosen it up depending on the carried load. The compression straps allow for further gear to be attached on the outside of the pack if necessary. External side pouches on the bottom can be used to secure tools, tripods etc. strapped to the sides of the pack.
A hydration compartment is attached to the interior back wall. Tube ports on both sides allow you to route your hydration bladder tube from the left or right, while leaving the other port free for other uses such as antennas or cables.
The majority of materials we use for our commercial production are the same which we use in equipment for the Finnish Defence Forces and other defence and security clients. Our most commonly used fabric in load carrying equipment is extremely wear resistant 1000D Cordura, as per FDF specs, with polyurethane coating on the inside. The webbing and edge tape we use are, again as per FDF specs, strong polyester webbing in various widths and thicknesses for different applications.
Our green and M05 camouflage materials and accessories are by default compliant with strict FDF specs for NIR reflection levels, as should be since these same materials are used in official military equipment.
PALS webbing on the hip belt, sides, lid and bottom of the pack allow you to attach additional pouches and gear. This system offers numerous options for configuring the pack to suit your specific needs. Not only for pouches though, the PALS webbing can also be used to attach utility straps, shock cord, carabiners etc.
The hip belt can be removed from the frame for use as a stand-alone equipment belt. With suitable pouches attached you could use this instead of, or in conjunction with, a small daypack. The hip belt length is adjustable from 70 to 140 cm, offering an optimal fit for a waist-hip circumference (measured at the level where you prefer the top of the hip belt to sit) of approx. 80-110 cm.
When carrying heavy backpacks over long distances it is extremely important that your pack fits just right. The length adjustable hip belt and shoulder harness can both be moved up and down the frame to fit 160-200 cm tall users. The external LJK tubular aluminium frame keeps the pack from sagging and transfers the pack weight onto your hips even when loaded down with heavy and cumbersome cargo.
Both the shoulder harness and hip belt are generously padded with thermoformed closed cell foam padding. The shoulder harness is S-shaped and includes a removable sternum strap. The forward pull adjustment on the hip belt is easy to tighten even under load. The side release buckle offers quick and easy opening when needed.
The tall LJK frame offers good load lifting capabilities. Load lifters are attached between the top of the frame and the shoulder harness, these provide quick and easy adjustment of the balance point. Use these to switch the balance of the pack when traversing varying terrain or just to rest your hips or shoulders while on the move.
The LJK frame was originally designed by Savotta in the early 80’s for the Finnish Defence Forces paratroopers as a part of the LJK backpack. It has since been adapted for various other uses and backpack models and is still going strong today. Besides the Finnish military we too still use it as the basis for some of our commercial external frame backpacks.
Made from lightweight, high strength aluminium tubing. Each LJK frame is precision welded by hand at our in-house metal workshop in Karstula, Finland.
Overall rating | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
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I previously owned the Jääkäri L version for three years, from which I upgraded to this XL. The good aspects of the Jääkäri line are the constant possibility of updating with different pockets, and with these you can significantly increase the volume. Now the Jääkäri xl has been with me on a few cold weather hikes and the volume has been enough to carry any comforts.
Before loading the load, you should adjust the belt to fit your back, this was a surprisingly easy process. Rinkka seems to be quite durable in its structure and material. I hardly need to buy a new bike anymore.
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I can't think of anything bad to say about this! The hip belt is comfortable and does not loosen when carrying the bike. All buckles and clips are of high quality, and last forever. It's easy to attach additional pockets to the Molle pockets according to your needs and preferences.
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Jäger XL Rucksack Savotta Jääkäri XL It looks like engineers creating rucksack Savotta Jääkäri XL have used old-school technology (based on LJK backpack for the Finish Defense Forces) combined with modern, durable materials. The rucksack’s construction- design is very simple: external tubular aluminum frame, Spartan carrying system, load compartment divided in two sections, floating lid with zippered compartment…and nothing else! BIG thanks to the designers for this type of ,,easy” formula!!! The frame works perfectly as a base for creating any backpack or carrier for your gear, depending on the needs, climate, task, purpose, duration of the expedition. You can modify and compile different tactical solutions according to your needs. This means that you don't always need to use the basic Jääkäri XL version of the rucksack, and in many cases you can dispense with a heavy-duty main load bag. During airplane travels, if the rucksack is not used as a luggage carrier, the frame can be placed in a suitcase along with other items (if necessary), what cannot be said of other same type equipment with a solid external frame. Being 186 cm tall and weighing 115 kg, I can point that thanks to the excellent frame construction and very well engineered carrying system, the load of up to 17 kg is not felt at all during activity and does not affect the perceived performance of the body. There is no loss of stability. With a load of 25 kg, the weight can be felt, which, however, can be easy corrected by working with trekking poles (if possible and /or necessary). A load of +35 kg, in my opinion, gives the impression of a very heavy load. It particularly affects the deterioration of body balance. It reduces the motor skills and efficiency of the body. The first signs of a little hips pain appear (the data for this paragraph was taken during walking distances of 11-14km, at an ambient temperature of 29 degrees C. [on the body surface continuously 39 degrees C.] with an elevation difference of about 400m.[starting from 0m. a. s. l.], in volcanic terrain, desert, rocky desert, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, as well at an altitude of 2400m. in same terrain, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, in winds exceeding every normative values). By such a heavy load I use the original Savotta XL main load bag. Using the ,,know-how" regarding packing, remains inside a huge amount of free space anyway. And I am thinking here about using the rucksack in its basic version, without additional pouches and even without using the floating lid. The roll top closure is one of the smartest ideas for this construction. My mind remains free from all thoughts of possible material troubles, weather resistance, durability of the PALS/MOLLE straps, buckles, and so on…In general, dimensions and the shape of the original main bag allow for very good(!) integration of the carried weight with the user's body, ensuring excellent movement in forest terrain, provided that the backpack is not filled over the explorer’s head. Considering my chest circumference of 132 cm, it should be noted that the Jääkäri XL frame and carrying system behave perfectly. Neither it, the specifically generously HARD padded thermoformed shoulder harness and hip belt combined with two carrying belts connected strictly with the frame, as a main part of carrying system, cause any body pressure, friction, or other inconvenience. This frame is comfortable, absolutely. In everyday exploration, you don't need to use the original pack bag, saving it for transporting extreme loads, for harsh winter conditions or long expeditions or for special tasks. I cannot agree with opinions that the rucksack is heavy. As I mention above, you can always get rid of the original pack bag, the heaviest element, and use some other tactical bags, dry sacks, pouches, covers, holders, pockets, etc. of negligible weight that will satisfy the requirements of our current exploration trek. The frame is as suitable as possible for attaching any military modules. Thus, the Savotta Jääkäri XL construct can be seen as a base for organizing several(!) rucksacks using one and the same frame. Therefore using directly additional one or three days backpacks or others, generally seems to be a nonsense (excluded the hydration backpacks). No other tool will give you such a great comfort as the one compiled by you, using the tubular external frame. This aluminum frame, along with the carrying system, should be counted as lightweight, keeping in mind its enormous capabilities, both in terms of its ability to carry weight and in terms of the organization of modules, also the ability to minimize its physical size. In my opinion, it has one minus: the paint. A piece of military equipment is not the body of a car. It does not need to shine. However, the used varnish is simply inadequate. It is very easily scratched, chipped, damaged. A way out of this situation may be using of masking tape. The black color is very beautiful and the only one during activities especially at night. However, I submit here to the manufacturer for consideration, should not use a different formula of paint? They are different paints, durable, intended eminently for technical use. The load bag material was selected because the backpack is designed for maximum loads, and to withstand the harsh conditions of Nature. It is of excellent quality. Therefore, some opinions about the weight of the backpack, or , "lack of rain protector" raise a smile of pity. The buckles are of the highest quality, which guarantees safety and generates confidence in use. They are compatible with other types and variety of connectors according to EU and US military standards (consultation with Butonie-Kahage Group, Frankfurt, Germany). The material used for straps, although made from PET drinking water bottles, is downright brilliant! It breeds confidence in the backpack's construction and tactical capabilities! The layout of the straps satisfies all expectations. Therefore, someone's negative opinion about it, raises a smile of pity. In the bottom compartment, the double-sided zipper size and durability are simply perfect. Here, even the paracord loops have been added (just primitive but necessary modification), freeing you from this must (!) modification in the future. Operating the zipper becomes easy, even with winter gloves. Reviewers may complain about the lack of a zipper on the front of the main cargo compartment for easy access to equipment. From one point of view, this is true. An expansive main bag, such as the stack (chimney), offers tremendous loading capabilities. Access to a single piece, with a large quantity, can be difficult. However, given the purpose of the equipment, waterproofing, resistance to dust penetration, etc..., any cutting of the material weakens of it's structure. Even closing it, connecting open sides using the best ,,waterproof” zipper significantly reduces the level of technical performance of the rucksack. For better accessibility, and at the same time to increase the ability to carry long and bulky pieces of equipment, a cinch cord divider inside is used between the lower and upper load compartment. This also makes it easier to reach an equipment in the upper compartment, allowing access from the top of the lower compartment, as well. The lower compartment is spacious enough and technically resolved enough (elastic compression straps, internal pouches) to have immediate access to essential stuff. In trekking this will be, for e.g., first aid kit, food, kitchen items, sleeping gear, rainwear. In other tasks, everyone involved knows what to load there. In conclusion: the Savotta Jääkäri XL rucksack is not a piece of equipment for everyone. Like a Formula1 car, it is not necessarily in the possession of every driver. This rucksack is "different" from all others. It is also different from the wide range of so-called "military" backpacks. Considering the adaptability of this construction, I do not see its weaknesses. Everything depends on the user’s experience, requirement and wisdom. With a dry bag mounted to the frame, it can also be a self-supporting floating construct! The Savotta Jääkäri XL combines the best of all worlds: former engineering concept with modern materials technology. As a result, we get a monster: green ,,monstrous Hulk”, capable of fighting extremely difficult tasks and weather, field conditions, as well a Transformer, able to transform into various forms. And due to the improvements made, it is now a brilliant tool worthy of trust, without any doubt! Oct.2023