I have just been to ALDI this morning, if you are looking for a good rucksack - comfortable to wear, integrated holders for walking poles, plus many pockets for “stuff” plus map pocket on the top - section for water hydration kit - plus integrated rain cover (hidden in pocket at the base of the rucksack ) plus 30 litres of space for the radio equipment - all for £13.99
They also have 45 litre ones available.
2 litre hydration bladder is available in store as well.
Phil G4UDU
In reply to G4UDU:
The outdoor socks at £2.99 are a bargain as well. Tried a pair out on Tuesday up in GM and my normally cold feet were actually warm. It will be interesting to see whether they wear as well as my Bridgedales, but at that price, who cares!
73, Gerald G4OIG
https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/thursday-17th-april/product-detail/ps/p/hiking-backpack/
Hi Phil
I found the backpack. Good value. Picture does not show the rear of the sac.
Does it have a stand off plastic frame? Essential in my case to save a sweaty back which soon goes cold once you take up your position on the summit.
Socks sound good value Gerald, I hope they have some left when I venture into Scarborough to work on Tuesday. The shop is across the road from my works QTH.
73 Phil
In reply to G4OBK:
I save my sweaty back from the cold by changing my shirt as soon as I arrive ,but here in OZ probably not that cold compared to the old country.
73 Ian …
In reply to G4OBK:
I know what you mean Phil. I will only buy that type - which does restrict the models somewhat in the size I want.
Just been to Aldi - the rucksacks have the springy air mesh type stand off but I don’t think it’s enough to hold it away from my back once I load it up. It’s certainly good value but I know it isn’t tough enough to put up with the abuse that mine takes - being slung down/scraped against rocks etc.
Aldi does have some great buys though - I like the bamboo t-shirts for walking.
73
Karen
In reply to G4UDU:
I have similar type of rucksack bought from Lidl, a discount chain similar to Aldi. Has been in use one year. Experience: Very clever construction designed by someone who knows what is needed. Very good in theory. Not so good in practice. Product spoiled by cheap stitching. Straps both big and narrow keep tearing off the rucksack body. Thanks to my skillful XYL could be always repaired and is still in use. Because of the cheap price the rucksack has been dedicated from the start to SOTA fun only . I use Osprey brand rucksack for serious non-SOTA adventures.
73 and good luck with your purchase,
Ruda OK2QA
In reply to 2E0XYL:
I’ve just been in the local Aldi in Swad and had a look at their stuff.
I did the usual, looked at their stuff, thought against it, and now have to go back there tonight to pick some stuff up… I’m such a klutz!
Anyway - I was quite interested in the bamboo t-shirts and now you’ve said that Karen, I’m gonna get a couple and see what they’re like.
R
In reply to OK2QA:
Hi Ruda,
Because of the cheap price the rucksack has been dedicated from the start to SOTA fun only . I use Osprey brand rucksack for serious non-SOTA adventures<
Here in Scotland the INVERSE is the case you have to use a serious rucksack for SOTA Activations. They tend to get ‘hammered’ and the kit within on the mountains - hi!
73
Jack(;>J
GM4COX
In reply to G7LAS:
I was quite interested in the bamboo t-shirts
When I first started walking I used to wear an old cotton T-shirt/sweat shirts and jeans. You learn quite quickly why cotton clothes are not the right thing to wear. Yeuch. I’ve been using the fully synthetic shirts for sometime now along with high wicking trousers. The difference is remarkable.
Andy
MM0FMF
In reply to MM0FMF:
Hi Andy - I don’t like the synthetic shirts and prefer cotton unlikemost people, but I don’t sweat much. I found the synthetic shirts (so called technical clothing) start to hum (BO) by the end of the day and I could smell it myself, so I stopped wearing them. I can often get two days out of the same tee shirt - Geoff’s not complained yet!
I’m a Craghopper trouser man myself, not the cheaper made ones, but the ones with side zip pockets on both sides and a stronger more generous waistband. The knee pocket is perfect for a laminated A4 print or full size OS Map.
My Berghaus 38+8 rucksack bought in 2007 is still going strong, I reckon it has a few years left in it yet. It stands up well against hawthorn and barbed wire. My XYL’s Osprey wouldn’t though, much finer material, but it looks a lot smarter and flashy I will admit.
73 Phil
In reply to G4OBK:
In reply to MM0FMF:
Hi Andy - I don’t like the synthetic shirts and prefer cotton
unlikemost people, but I don’t sweat much. I found the synthetic
shirts (so called technical clothing) start to hum (BO) by the end of
the day and I could smell it myself, so I stopped wearing them.
Merino wool is your saviour then.
Expensive but cool in summer, warm in winter and doesn’t smell for weeks!
Pete
In reply to MM0FMF:
You should have been in the girl guides Andy, you would have learned even sooner - never, ever, wear jeans on the hills! 
However, I prefer a bamboo t-shirt or merino baselayer with fleece midlayer - not keen on synthetic baselayers myself (would rather carry a spare). At the end of the day it’s what works for you.
Karen
In reply to G4OBK:
(so called technical clothing) start to hum
Oh yes, big style It’s why they invented Febreeze! I’m slightly less chubby than when I started SOTA but I still produce copious amounts of sweat and those technical shirts can get ripe quickly.
I can’t remember who suggested Febreeze on rucksacks but it works wonders. With lots of foam pads and straps, absorbed sweat and the resultant “ming” can be a real problem. But a good seeing to with Febreeze keeps the straps as fresh as the day I bought it.
Andy
MM0FMF
In reply to MM0FMF:
I’m slightly
less chubby than when I started SOTA
I was surprised how svelte you looked when I met you at Norbreck. Those selfies do you no favours.
73 Richard G3CWI
In reply to G4ISJ:
Merino wool is your saviour then.
Expensive but cool in summer, warm in winter and doesn’t smell for weeks!
Agree 100% Pete, I have Icebreaker, (other makes available), and I tend to sweat quite a bit yet they stay hum free even after a long day and dry relatively quickly once on the summit.
Victor GI4ONL
In reply to GI4ONL:
Synthetic base-layer is a no-no for me due to psoriasis.
R
In reply to G3CWI:
Well that’s the result of a continuous plan for the last 20months. The diabetic clinic wanted me to start insulin in December 2012 and I didn’t fancy that. So I started spending a session every morning on the rowing machine, I changed the type of carbohydrates I was eating, I started eating much more raw vegetables. I also practiced “active portion control” rather than just eating everything in front of me. The result was I lost about 8kg in 4months. The daily exercise has increased the amount of muscle so my weight has gone up 2kg since then. The extra muscle is great because one of the drugs I take stuffs excess sugar into muscle tissue. I’ve had to buy smaller trousers and now fit into L T-shirts where before XL would be a snug fit.
It’s a reinforcement feedback loop… the extra muscle and fitness lets the drugs work better, I eat better and feel better so I’m happy to exercise and the extra muscle…
Any Type II diabetics reading this should do exactly what their clinics tell them… eat less crap, eat more quality foods, eat the right type of carbs and do exercise. You can start off making tiny changes and just get more adventurous as you get fitter/lighter/healthier, Who’d have thought all that advice they give you actually works!
Andy
MM0FMF
In reply to MM0FMF:
Andy,
You should get payed from your health-care provider for activating SOTA summits.
Heinz, OE5EEP
In reply to MM0FMF:
, Who’d have thought all that advice they give
you actually works!
…of course standing next to Tom was a good move too.
73 Richard G3CWI
In reply to G3CWI:
Except he didn’t. He stood next to Jimmy and hence looked a right blubber. Schoolboy error.
Tom MW1EYP