Rata 40

The Rata 40 is a 40L tramping pack designed and made in Wellington, New Zealand. It came out of a want for a pack that sits between the ultralight minimalist end of the market and the overbuilt, feature-heavy end - something comfortable and capable for overnighters and lightweight multiday trips without unnecessary weight or complexity.

Fabric & construction

The Rata 40 is made to order, so you choose your fabric and colour from my range. The main body is available in EPX200 Ecopak and other fabrics, with a ballistic nylon base panel for durability where it counts. The base is built to handle being put down on rough ground repeatedly without wearing through.
The pack is frameless - no rigid plastic or aluminium frame means less weight, with the 10mm EVA foam back panel providing all the structure you need.

Entry & access

The main compartment uses a roll-top closure secured with a 20mm webbing strap and side release buckle. A Y-strap runs from this down to the shoulder strap attachment points, helping to cinch the load and keep the roll-top secure.

Pockets

An ultra-stretch front pocket covers roughly the lower half of the front panel when the pack is full - big enough for a wet rain jacket or a sleeping pad, and accessible without taking the pack off. On each side are Ultragrid pockets with single-handed open and close, good for a water bottle or anything you need to grab on the move.

An optional internal zip pocket attaches via velcro to the back panel inside the pack, useful for keeping smaller items organised.

Compression & attachment

A 20mm side compression strap on each side of the pack lets you compress volume or strap in a tent or hiking poles - put the pole tip in the Ultragrid side pocket and cinch the top with the compression strap.

Harness & fit

The shoulder straps are S-shaped and padded with 8mm EVA foam and spacer mesh, with load lifters, an adjustable sternum strap, and attachment points for shoulder strap pockets. The back panel is padded with 10mm foam with spacer mesh on the lower section for ventilation.

Two hip belt options are available:

• Simple hip belt - a lightweight 25mm webbing strap with side release buckle. Removable and minimal, good for those who want just enough support without the extra weight. Weighs 45g.
• Padded hip belt - 5mm EVA foam with 3mm spacer mesh, available in three sizes with custom sizes on request. Pull-towards-centre adjustment makes it easy to cinch on the move. The better option for heavier loads or longer days where load transfer matters. Weighs 120g

Hydration

The pack has a hydration sleeve inside with a bladder clip and a tube port on the shoulder strap.

Water resistant construction

Although every detail on the Rata 40 has been designed to resist water entry, it is not seam sealed so water may seep in during prolonged rain. It does a good job of keeping your gear dry, but the roll top design makes it simple to add a liner or dry bag if you want to be sure.

Sizing

The Rata 40 is available in Small, Medium and Large back lengths - the volume is the same across all three sizes. Custom back lengths are available on request. See the sizing guide tab for details on how to find your size.

Weight

- 680g base pack in EPX200 with sternum strap, 800g with padded hip-belt.

In stock and ready to go

If there is availability to purchase then the bag will be in stock and ready to ship out for your weekend adventure. Or if you are local you can pop on down to my Porirua workshop to pick it up.

• Volume: 40L
• Weight: Base pack made from EPX200 with sternum strap 680g, base pack made with EPX200 with sternum strap and padded hip-belt 800g
• Sizes: Small, Medium, Large
• Main fabric: Customer choice - EPX200 Ecopak, Ultra and others available
• Base fabric: Ballistic nylon
• Side pockets: Ultragrid
• Closure: Roll-top with no-snag velcro and 20mm webbing compression strap and side release buckle
• Front pocket: Ultra-stretch with 2.5mm bungee cord lock closure
• Compression straps: 20mm, x2 sides
• Sternum strap: Removable, 20mm
• Hip belt options: Simple removable 25mm webbing strap with side release buckle, or padded hip belt (5mm EVA foam, 3mm spacer mesh, S/M/L + custom sizes)
• Shoulder strap padding: 8mm EVA foam with spacer mesh
• Back panel padding: 10mm foam with lower spacer mesh panel
• Hydration compatible: Yes (bladder clip and tube port)
• Water resistance: Water resistant construction, not seam sealed. Use a liner or dry bag for full protection in heavy rain.
• Optional internal zip pocket with Velcro attachment
• Made in Wellington, NZ

The Rata 40 comes in three back lengths - the volume stays the same across all three sizes, only the harness geometry changes. To find your size, you need to measure your torso length.

How to measure your torso length

You'll need a flexible tape measure and a friend.

1. Tilt your head forward slightly and find the bony bump at the base of your neck where it meets your shoulders. This is your C7 vertebra - your top measurement point.
2. Run your hands down your sides from your ribcage until you feel the top of your hip bones - the firm shelf that your hands naturally rest on. This is your iliac crest. Draw an imaginary line across your back connecting the top of both hip bones - where this crosses your spine is your bottom measurement point.
3. Stand up straight and have your friend measure from your C7 down to that point along your spine.

Take your time getting this right - the Rata 40 is made to order and custom sized packs can't be resized after the fact. If you are unsure about your measurements, get in touch before ordering.

Torso size chart

If you are between sizes, size up. If your torso length is outside this range, get in touch - custom back lengths are available on request.

Hip belt sizing

The padded hip belt comes in three sizes. The size refers to the length of the padded section - every hip belt also has enough webbing adjustment to accommodate an additional 50cm of hip circumference beyond the recommended range if needed.

How to measure your hip size

Wrap a tape measure around your hip bones at the point where you would normally wear a hip belt. Note the measurement and refer to the chart below.

If you are outside these ranges the webbing adjustment may still accommodate you - get in touch and I can help. Custom sizes are available on request.

Note: the simple webbing hip belt is one size and adjusts to fit most hip sizes.